NYC Slavery History: Underground Railroad Tour

Uncover the hidden history of NYC’s enslaved people and their brave uprisings. Explore the Underground Railroad’s secret routes and hear stories of courage and triumph on this historical walking tour.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • National Museum of the American Indian - (Exterior Visit) Built in 1907, Alexander Hamilton Custom House stands as a Beaux-Arts treasure commemorating the rise of trade and commerce in NYC with 3 floors of art and artifacts dedicated to Native Americans.
What's Included
  • History of the Underground Railroad
  • Slavery in Historical Context
  • The site of New York’s first slave market
  • Local guide
  • African Burial Ground
  • New York’s Role in Slavery
  • Fraunces Tavern
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

Explore the crucial role played by enslaved individuals in shaping NYC and their courageous resistance against subjugation. Delve into the intriguing history of the Underground Railroad, a secret system of pathways and sanctuaries used primarily by enslaved African Americans to flee to free states and Canada.
Tour an excavation site and monument honoring…

Location
1 Bowling Green
Bowling Green
In front of the National Museum of the American Indian.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(377 Ratings)
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1 star
Maridalig2016
Sep 25, 2024
Maia brings history to life! - Maia is a passionate storyteller. She guides you through the history of enslaved people in New York City, as well as the city’s history, from the beginning up until a surprising and moving end. This is a highly recommended experience if you appreciate history. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Johnhw2017
Sep 23, 2024
NYC Slavery and Underground Railway Tour - Amazing tour. Very informative. Sean was out guide, he really knew his stuff. The stories he told really brought alive the history.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Quest04168670040
Sep 23, 2024
The NYC Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour - This tour was extraordinary. Ludie our guide made the history of slavery in NY come alive. In her descriptions and use of visuals we could use our imaginations to feel the pain and diminished humanity of an enslaved person. Her knowledge of history is deep and she conveyed her information so you could place yourself in 17th - 19th century Manhattan. I am hard of hearing and despite the city noise I could hear every word. Judy
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rosalynnduvall
Sep 8, 2024
Phenomenal tour for visitors and residents of NYC! - The most memorable piece was seeing the burial to honor the slavers who were found in NYC. Our guide Sean was able to provide additional context in the symbols carved into the monument.
Review provided by Viator
Elymomo
Sep 3, 2024
Very interesting experience! - Tour booked thanks to the Go City Pass and I must say it was lucky to find out so, differently, independently, I don't know if I would have found it. Our Guide, Ludie, was crazy: a concentrate of energy and passion rare both for his work and for the important story he was telling us. The tour lasted 3 hours, during which the Guide told us the history of slavery in New York, giving us the opportunity to both contextualize the news and broaden our gaze to better read today's reality. Precious time and a different way to deepen the history of the city with all its contradictions. Really highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
975arianah
Aug 27, 2024
Couldn’t recommend more. - Amazing tour, extremely informative. My best experience in NYC. Go through history and New Yorks part in both slavery and the Underground Railroad.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Samw374
Aug 15, 2024
Learn what schools don’t teach you! - Sean was our guide and did an excellent job walking us through history and contextualizing history. As a history professor, he knows his stuff and also underlined how the city and our country still has a long way to go to honor and memorialize ALL of America’s history. I learned two new black American history pioneers: Samuel Fraunces and Thomas Downing!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kendyl
Aug 6, 2024
Fascinating insight into slavery and America’s involvement - Fascinating tour which provided a comprehensive overview of slavery and America’s involvement. Rudy is a passionate and generous tour guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Micdec1119
Aug 3, 2024
Learn everything about Manhattan’s history of slavery - Lower Manhattan is mostly known for the ferry departure to the Statue of Liberty or Wall Street. This tour, however, gives you an interesting and need-to-know overview of its history of slavery by looking into several remarkable buildings, statues, landmarks, memorials and especially people. Special thanks to Sean, who shared his great historical knowledge with us during the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trip21020959931
Sep 28, 2024
Too fast!! - I thought that I would learn something that I didn't already know about the subject of the walking tour so I was disappointed that this tour did not add to my knowledge and we visited locations I had already seen, if you are new to this subject then this tour would perfect. Our guide I thought did too much talking and rushed everywhere so we could not keep up with her, she did not take into consideration the different ages of people on the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $49
up to 9 guests
1 Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).