Discover Brooklyn Subway Secrets & Abandoned Stations - Private [PRIVATE TOUR]

Uncover the secrets of NYC subways on a Brooklyn exploration. Discover abandoned stations, iconic film locations, public artwork, and learn about the subway’s impact on the city’s development.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Brooklyn - This is my Brooklyn tour. Highlights on this tour include many abandoned stations, commuter railroad tunnels, and a lot more, including impressive skyline views! The tour will end at Atlantic Terminal (not the start location).
What's Included
  • Guided exploration of the NYC Subway system
  • History and trivia of the subway shared by knowledgeable guide
  • Tips for navigating the subway efficiently
  • Visit to iconic subway stations and murals
  • View unique quirks in the subway system
  • Opportunity to ask questions and learn from a local expert
Additional Information

[PRIVATE TOUR]

We will be exploring how railroads and the NYC subway helped to connect and develop Brooklyn, New York’s most populous borough!

Highlights:

• Uncover many abandoned subway stations hidden in plain sight.

• Experience the design of the oldest subway station in Brooklyn.

• Explore the highest rapid transit station in the Western hemisphere and soak in impressive skyline views on the Manhattan Bridge.

• Practice your moonwalk in the station where Michael Jackson filmed “Bad”.

• Admire public artwork, including the famous Masstransiscope.

• Explore how the subway operates and learn about some of the technology keeping it moving 24/7.

• See how the subway and railroads continue to influence the NYC region of 20+ million people.

Your licensed tour guide is from NYC and is an AICP certified urban planner and Guides Association of NYC member.

Note: Tour only visits public areas and tour route/length may vary slightly based on the MTA’s schedule.

  • Not recommended for travelers with difficulty walking up and down many steps (underground)
Location
Borough Hall
Please meet outside the rear steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall, next to Joralemon Street.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(20 Ratings)
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Estebanf602
May 26, 2024
Amazing Experience! - Amazing! Rayn is an incredibly engaging and knowledgeable guide. We had a great time exploring the stations and learning the history. I highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joyl454
May 26, 2024
Best subway tour, especially if you've ever wondered why... - The subways are where the past, present, and potential future of New York City collide in a smelly, drippy, rat-ridden tunnel - in a good way that is. I've taken other NYC subway tours lead by other operators, but Rayn's was definitely the best. The tour was well planned, with a rhythm that was never boring nor tiring, as past tours by others seemed to drone on. Rayn is hilarious, full of fun facts to sprout on trivia night or on an unsuspecting date, and he had the whole group laughing and engaged and sharing his passion for NYC mass transit. I'm sure we all disembarked seeing the train system and NYC in a whole new light.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
L2740tymichaelk
May 18, 2024
Fantastic and unexpected trip exploring the NYC subway - I’ve lived in New York City for 14 years and Rayn gave me a whole new perspective on a subway system I thought I knew. Small spaces that I’ve only ever hurried through, Rayn slowed us down and explained how choices made 50 or 100 years ago explain the system we have of today. I really liked how he focused it not wholly on the past but specifically on explaining how the past informs today. No spoilers but one of the big reveals was how there’s so much unused infrastructure right below the street it’s astounding! I also really liked learning about small details like why some light bulbs are a slightly different shade of blue or why train cars have a vertical cable between them. Rayn is fantastic guide and I can’t recommend it enough.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Experience589123
Nov 11, 2023
Fun and interesting tour of the subway system and its history - This was a very interesting and fun tour! Our guide, Rayn, was clearly very knowledgeable and passionate about the subway system. He shared a great mix of the history of the subway system, overlooked aspects of its day-to-day operation, and abandoned areas (they’re not accessible). Even as people who’ve lived in NYC for many years, most everything Rayn shared was new to us! Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rachelmx9456im
Aug 6, 2023
Delighted with HIGHLY Customized Tour! - We could not be more pleased with our tour experience. We had a uniquely young age group and Rayn did an OUTSTANDING job tailoring the tour just for us, age appropriate, physically appropriate, emotionally appropriate, musically appropriate... the list goes on & on. I have absolutely no doubt that he customizes his tour based on whatever needs that his tour attendee population presents. Of course we also took home a toolkit of fabulous trivia; here is a sample: Borough Hall opened for service in 1908 and was the first underground subway station in Brooklyn. The oldest rapid transit station in Brooklyn still in service today is Gates Avenue on the J/Z (but that isn't an underground station). The oldest railroad tunnel in Brooklyn, built in the 1800s, is sealed up under Atlantic Avenue and is accessed from a utility cover next to the Trader Joe's right in the middle of the avenue! We can't wait to book our next tour experience with Untapped NY when time & the growing age of our young ridership permits :-)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melissaji5186or
Jun 15, 2023
A Hidden Gem in NYC - I always loved the idea of unconsciously walking through historical locations in cities. Rayn always made sure to prioritize the group's safety by constantly making sure no one was left behind. I appreciated his willingness to check the MYmta map to track train arrivals. It was a strategic way to not miss any trains during weekend track plan schedules. I learned hidden gems I know I would have missed if Rayn hadn't pointed them out. I would definitely invite my friends on the next tour! It's an exciting experience. I learned so much and also did some useful walking exercise. Truly one of a kind.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dtbreitz
Sep 14, 2022
Engaging and fun tour with an expert guide - Rayn is a knowledgeable and engaging guide, with a wealth of information about the history and secrets of the NYC subway and evolution of the city's transit systems. Not only is he clearly passionate about the subject matter and full of interesting facts and info, he also was incredibly patient and kind while leading a sizeable group of often rowdy fifth-graders on a subway adventure! Rayn was attentive and respectful of the kids' needs, and was able to adapt the itinerary on the fly based on the train schedule, sharing interesting knowledge and history at every point along the way. The adults in the group found it just as (if not more) fun than the kids! Highly recommend for locals and tourists alike.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Zacharyy2012
Jul 24, 2022
Great And Detailed Brooklyn Subway Tour - Rayn is extremely knowledgeable about the subway system, having previously worked for the MTA. He is also an engaging speaker, making him the ideal tour guide. The best part of the tour (in my opinion) is looking down from the Smith-9 St station to the Gowanus Canal. You also ride many different train lines including the 4/5, D, G, F, and R, representing all three former subway companies, the IRT, BMT, and IND. You see some abandoned stations and tunnels, including Nevins St lower level. I look forward to joining another one of Rayn's tours!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Iana_loveyou
Jul 23, 2022
Discover Brooklyn subway history - Overall a great Brooklyn subway tour, very knowledgeable tour guide Rayn was so sweet to answer all of our questions. Definitely would recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tcb2304dp
Jul 18, 2022
Perfect city adventure for having fun while learning a ton - This is an excellent tour and a great experience for both locals and visitors alike. As a lifelong Brooklynite, I learned a ton about the subway, the city, and the role of public infrastructure in our ever-changing society. Our tour guide, Rayn, did a fantastic job — he was engaging, informative, and fun. His extensive and insightful knowledge really shined through as he adapted the route in real-time to the train schedule and participant questions/interests. My friends and I didn’t want the tour to end and will definitely be looking to join more of Rayn’s tours in the future.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 10 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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