Every week, you have the chance to discover something new in New York City on a behind-the-scenes tour with Untapped New York! Whether you are a seasoned New Yorker or just passing through, our expert led tours are designed to make you see the city’s most well known landmarks and overlooked sites in a surprising way. From walking through the abandoned halls of Ellis Island’s century old hospital complex, to uncovering the secrets of Grand Central Terminal, check out all of the events going on this week!
The story of Grand Central Terminal is that of New York City itself: the structure embodies the social, cultural, economic and technological evolution around it. It is one of great men, feuding architects, ingenuity, rejuvenation, secrets and surprises. On the tour of the Secrets of Grand Central Terminal, we will tell you these stories – about what once was, what could have been, and what can be; about the struggle to save and restore Grand Central as a preserved icon of the past, and of challenge to ensure that it serves New York’s future.
We will show you what it was like in the booming age of the railroad, as a rundown embarrassment, and as a renovated jewel at the center of the city. Peek into the entrance of its glass walkways, locate lost armchairs, see its hidden tennis courts and learn about its backwards ceiling. Whether you pass through it every day on your morning commute or stroll through the Beaux Arts beauty for the first time, you are sure to leave having learned, seen, or experienced something new and extraordinary.
Take a ride through the living history of the world’s largest rapid transit system (in area) by weaving in and out of the past and present transit hubs of lower Manhattan. This unique tour is designed to give a comprehensive history of the NYC Subway system, from its groundbreaking in 1901 up through the creation of the three different proprietary lines which were unified into the system we know today. We’ll uncover information and learn about spaces even the most seasoned commuter might not know about.
This tour will stop in stations that are all open to the public. Using the 6 train as our own ten-car time machine, we will ride through and see three abandoned ghost stations that 4, 5, and 6 riders unknowingly pass through everyday: Worth Street, 18th Street and the famed City Hall Station. We will not stop inside these stations.
Go behind-the-design on a special tour of the studios of Woods Bagot Architecture in the Financial District. The tour will be led by Sorrel Anderson, an architect who was deeply involved in the design of the studio. Insiders will tour the sleek space then sit down for a presentation where you will learn more about how the studio’s design served the needs of the firm, discover some of the firm’s major projects, and learn about the process that goes into each design. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A and virtual reality experience! Insiders will get to virtually walk through some of Woods Bagot’s projects for a truly unique view. You can join this free tour if you are an Untapped New York Insider! Not an Insider yet? Become a member today to gain access to free behind-the-scenes tours and special events all year long! Already a member? Behind-the-Design Tour of Woods Bagot Architecture!
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Explore City Hall Park as the birthplace of the NYC subway system, including elements of the famed, decommissioned City Hall Station you can see right in the park.
Learn about the comically short route of the mythical “Subway before the Subway,” Alfred Ely Beach’s Pneumatic Transit System.
See the architectural ghosts of the now nearly forgotten, and partially abandoned, Chambers Street station then nicknamed the “Grand Central of Downtown.”
Use the 6 train as your own time machine as you ride through abandoned subway stations.
Discover the remnants of Union Station as you learn about a hidden art installation thousands of riders walk by everyday.
The story of Grand Central Terminal is that of New York City itself: the structure embodies the social, cultural, economic and technological evolution around it. It is one of great men, feuding architects, ingenuity, rejuvenation, secrets and surprises. On the tour of the Secrets of Grand Central Terminal, we will tell you these stories – about what once was, what could have been, and what can be; about the struggle to save and restore Grand Central as a preserved icon of the past, and of challenge to ensure that it serves New York’s future.
We will show you what it was like in the booming age of the railroad, as a rundown embarrassment, and as a renovated jewel at the center of the city. Peek into the entrance of its glass walkways, locate lost armchairs, see its hidden tennis courts and learn about its backwards ceiling. Whether you pass through it every day on your morning commute or stroll through the Beaux Arts beauty for the first time, you are sure to leave having learned, seen, or experienced something new and extraordinary.
Discover all 26 site-specific collages by the world-renowned artist JR inside the abandoned hospitals on Ellis Island from the exhibition “Unframed – Ellis Island.”
All artworks are life-sized archival photographs of immigrants taken on Ellis Island that reactivate this long forgotten complex. There is even one you will see pasted by actor Robert de Niro.
Access 10 locations in the abandoned hospital complex that are completely closed off to the public and open exclusively to attendees of this tour, including the second floor of the general hospital and the visually stunning “Blue Room”
Get to know the stories behind each of the photos and learn the history of the abandoned hospitals on a tour led by an expert in JR’s art on Ellis Island
Receive a framable 24′ x 36′ poster of one of JR’s most notable pieces at Ellis Island
Gain VIP access to the Oddities Flea Market “Holiday of Wonders.” Doors will open early only for VIP ticket holders so you can skip the lines, avoid the crowds, and get first dibs on all of the eclectic and unusual items for sale. Curated by Ryan and Regina Cohn, the market features a unique mix of vendors from all across the country, offering goods like medical history ephemera, anatomical curiosities, natural history items, osteological specimens, taxidermy, obscure home decor, jewelry, one of a kind dark art and more. Now at Villain in Williamsburg, there will also be Roberta’s wood-fired pizza available for purchase. You can acquire free VIP tickets if you are an Untapped New York Insider! Not an Insider yet? Become a member today to gain free access to behind-the-scenes tours and special events all year long! Already a member? Book here!
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At first glance, it might seem like there’s not much left of Dutch New Amsterdam, but there’s much more than meets the eye. This includes the massive one hidden in plain sight: the original street grid embedded in lower Manhattan grid today. Discover the many hidden Dutch relics south of Wall Street, as you trace the streets of Manhattan in 1667. You’ll hear about New York’s founding myths and facts while standing in the very spots they all happened.
This tour of the Remnants of Dutch New Amsterdam includes a walk of the city’s original cost line. Also see the remains of Manhattan’s first City Hall, discover the original Dutch fort and physically touch history.
Nicole Saraniero is the Insider-in-Chief at Untapped New York, leading our Untapped New York Insiders membership program. Nicole graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Science in Televis
Courtesy of Woods Bagot 
