underground tours of new york city

Secrets From Below: An Underground Tour of NYC

Tickets 🎫 Adult (13+) 🎫 Child (4-12) * Child tickets can only be purchased in conjunction with Adult tickets. Reservations with only Child tickets will not be accepted Highlights 🚂 Explore the birthplace of the NYC subway system 🤔 Learn about a mythical transit system and see a partially-abandoned station 😮 Ride through abandoned subway stations using the 6 train General Info 📅 Dates: from Monday to Saturday 🕒 Times: - Mondays - Fridays: at 10 a.m. - Saturdays: at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. 📍 Meeting point: the tour meets outside of 200 Broadway, New York, NY 10038 on the southeast corner of Broadway and Fulton Street right outside of the entrance to the Fulton Center ⏳ Duration: 2 hours 👤 Age requirement: all ages are welcome. Children cannot attend without being in the company of an adult with a purchased adult ticket ❓ Please note: this tour will not enter the abandoned City Hall Station due to safety reasons. All the stops on this tour are in stations that are publicly accessible. 👉 Each guest will need one MetroCard swipe or OMNY tap to enter the subway Description Explore the world's largest subway system, the beating heart of the city that never sleeps. On this guided walking tour, you will discover the fascinating beginnings of the New York City subway, and explore spaces even the most seasoned commuter might not know about. Learn about the very first subway—which was built illegally under the cover of night—and hear many other surprising stories. Using the 6 train as your own ten-car time machine, you will also ride through and see abandoned stations that riders unknowingly pass by everyday, including the famed City Hall Station. The subway tour will end in one of the latest transportation hubs of lower Manhattan, highlighting just how far the subway system has come since its beginnings.

Getting there

The Fulton Center

200 Broadway, New York, NY, 10038-2542

Select date and session

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Beneath the Surface: the Secret Tunnels Crisscrossing NYC

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With its towering skyscrapers and historic high rises, New York City’s famous skyline naturally draws the eye upward. But what about what lies beneath the busy, bustling streets of the city that never sleeps?

In addition to the 665 miles of active subway tracks running beneath the city, the concrete hides an entire world of secret tunnels and subterranean spaces. If you dare to venture where the sun doesn’t shine, some of these hidden worlds are open to explore on guided tours.

Why does New York City have secret tunnels?

The thought that there could be hidden tunnels running right under your feet as you’re walking through Central Park is quite thrilling. But why does New York City have so many hidden tunnels?

There are a variety of reasons. Some are old subway tunnels or stations no longer in use, some were designed for freight trains passing through the city. Others, in the case of the 12th Avenue cow tunnels, were built to bring cargo—including cattle—into the city center without disrupting traffic. Some networks are used as utility tunnels for water, steam, and electrical lines. These tunnels are essential for maintaining the city’s infrastructure and are often out of public view. And others are used by law enforcement and emergency services for secure and rapid movement across the city.

During the Prohibition era (1920-1933), secret tunnels were often used for smuggling alcohol. Speakeasies and other illicit operations used these tunnels to transport booze and avoid law enforcement. Some were never completed at the onset of World War II, while others were sealed off due to progress or changes.

Finally, during the Cold War, secret bunkers and tunnels were constructed for use in the event of a nuclear attack. These were intended to protect government officials and essential personnel.But they’re still there, hidden beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered.

The coolest tunnels and underground places in NYC

Over the course of nearly 400 years of history, this constantly  evolving city has seen buildings and tunnels come and go, but these subterranean spaces have survived the test of time.

1. Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral Catacombs

Located beneath the 200-year-old Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in SoHo, you’ll find some of the only catacombs in Manhattan. Off-limits to the public except on special guided tours, these historic catacombs are the final resting place for many NYC luminaries and key figures.

2. City Hall subway station

Built in 1904, the City Hall subway station once acted as the southern terminus of NYC’s first subway line. It closed in 1945 due to its proximity to the larger Brooklyn Bridge station, but its spectacular arches and elegant design can still be seen on tours operated by the New York Transit Museum .

3. Worth Street subway station

This now-disused station was part of NYC’s first subway system before the Brooklyn Bridge station rendered it worthless. While not one of the most popular abandoned stations, urban explorers enjoy venturing there to see the graffiti-covered tiles and mosaics.

4. Freedom Tunnel

Lovers of street art flock to this abandoned freight-train tunnel under Riverside Park. After it went out of use in the 1980s, graffiti artists and others used the blank walls as a canvas, giving rise to an eclectic underground gallery.

5. Atlantic Avenue tunnel

Also known as the Cobble Hill tunnel, the half-mile Atlantic Avenue tunnel is not only the oldest subway tunnel in NYC but also the world. Running beneath Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue, it was first built in 1844 and was sealed off in 1861. Although it’s still closed, you can see part of the historic structure in the underground speakeasy Le Boudoir , which borders the tunnel.

6. Grand Central Terminal’s blocked-off tunnels

Obviously, Grand Central Terminal itself is no secret. But once you dive into its history, you’ll find that there are numerous disused tunnels connected to the terminal.

Some of these underground tunnels were constructed in the early 1900s as part of a project, called Terminal City, that connected the station to nearby hotels, like the Waldorf Astoria and its famous Track 61 abandoned tunnel. You can learn more about the history of Grand Central Terminal on the Official Grand Central Terminal Tour .

7. Other cool tunnels under NYC

There are scores of other intriguing hidden tunnels under NYC, including the Farley Morgan Postal Tunnel, the Myrtle Avenue Tunnel, and the McCarren Park Pool Tunnels.

How to discover secret NYC tunnels

Many of the disused subway stations and tunnels running under NYC are closed to the public for safety reasons, but  there are still ways to see them. In some cases, you can catch glimpses of disused subway tunnels or subway platforms while riding past on currently operating lines. Others, like the City Hall station, can be explored on exclusive guided tours.

See a different, darker side of NYC in its secret tunnels

By venturing underground to explore hidden tunnels and spooky catacombs, you’ll experience a side of New York that few get to see. Just be sure to explore above ground too—our Walks tours celebrate the city in all its glory.

Original Post Date: October 26, 2022

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Underground NYC Tour: Secrets of the Subway

Saturday, April 1st, 2023

11:00 AM ET

Offsite Program

Curious to know more about the system that moves millions of people each day? There's so much New York transit history hiding in plain sight! Take a ride through the subway with our expert guides from the New York Transit Museum, the go-to source for stories about New York's transportation. Visit stations old and new as we learn about the secrets of the subway, explore art and architecture, and view exclusive archival images from the Museum's collection along the way.

Underground NYC tours depart from Astor Place and visit 3-4 publicly accessible stations. In addition to the cost of the tour, two MetroCard swipes or OMNY taps are required. The underground tour will conclude at the New York Transit Museum in Downtown Brooklyn where you can explore our 1936 decommissioned subway station and vintage fleet of train cars. Your Underground NYC Tour ticket includes museum admission.

Afterward, you may look at your next daily commute through a whole new lens!

Tickets are $30

This tour date is SOLD OUT.

Tours run rain or shine. Walking and climbing stairs required. Please dress for the weather as this tour will take place both indoors and outdoors. Masks are encouraged but are not required.

Masks are encouraged but are not required.

Photography and video recording are permitted. However, tripods, stands, selfie sticks, and external lights may not be used. All photographs taken are for personal use only and permission to photograph may be revoked at any time.

For information on American Sign Language interpreters, Assistive Listening Devices, or other accessibility matters please visit nytransitmuseum.org/accessibility . If you have any questions, please email [email protected] .

All ticket sales are final. Should you be unable to attend the tour on the date you reserved, the full price of unused tickets may be treated as a donation to the Transit Museum and is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. The Museum is not able to reschedule reservations to another tour date.

Photo: W.K. [View of beaver at Astor Pl. Sta.] 1904. Subway Construction Photograph Collection, New York Transit Museum

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Brooklyn Underground Subway Tour

• Up to 15 guests
• Flexible Cancellations

Tour Highlights

• Uncover abandoned IRT, BMT, and IND stations hidden in plain sight
• Experience the design of the oldest subway station in Brooklyn
• Explore the highest rapid transit station in the world
• Practice your moonwalk (no pressure) where Michael Jackson filmed the music video, Bad
• Discover secrets about the country’s busiest commuter railroad (LIRR)

Guests Love This Tour:

About This Tour:

Join us for the Brooklyn version of our popular NYC Underground Subway tour ! It was the second borough to be connected to the IRT in 1908, so it is just as packed with hidden histories and abandoned stations as the subway in Lower Manhattan. Explore how the NYC Subway helped to connect and develop Brooklyn, New York’s most populous borough!

Please note:

• One MetroCard swipe or OMNY tap will be required to enter the Subway (NOT included).
• There are MANY steps up & down and the tour is unfortunately NOT recommended for people with mobility issues.
• The Subway can be loud and crowded. There is limited opportunity to sit during the tour. Please wear comfortable shoes.
• This tour visits areas open to the public and does not access any restricted areas.
• Exact route and tour length may vary slightly based on the MTA’s weekend schedule.

100% refund up to 72 hours prior to the start of your tour.

When canceled less than 72 hours before the start of your tour, we will do our best to reschedule you or issue you a credit to use on any of our upcoming tours. This credit won’t expire until you use it!

By subway: 2.3.4.R to Brooklyn Borough Hall A, C, F to Jay Street

How long is the tour?

This tour is 2 hours long

How strenuous is this tour?

There are many steps up/down and it is unfortunately not accessible or recommended for people with mobility issues.

Is this tour ADA accessible?

Unfortunately this tour is not ADA accessible as subway stations we go to on this tour are not ADA accessible.

Is this tour mostly indoors or outdoors?

This tour is mostly indoors.

Where does this tour end?

The tour ends at the Barclay Center.

Who will be our guide? 

One of our licensed New York tour guides. Always a local New Yorker!

Any Questions? We're here to help!

Other walking tours you may like:.

Ellis island Hospital Hard Hat Tour

Secrets of Grand Central Tour

Remnants of Penn Station

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10 secret subway tunnels in New York City

There are hidden tunnels everywhere in NYC, and these are just 10 of the most fascinating

Just like the rest of New York City, our 115-year-old subway system consists of many layers, each of which provides a glimpse into a sliver of the city’s history. However, even abandoned underground spaces don’t stay neglected for long.

While some of NYC’s old tunnels and stations seem to have been neglected for good, many are reused—like the abandoned tunnel below Central Park that became part of the Second Avenue subway—and repurposed, as graffiti canvases, art galleries, party spaces, or even a VIP entrance to one of New York’s most luxurious hotels.

Read on for the history of 10 of the city’s most intriguing abandoned tunnels and stations.

Track 61, Grand Central Terminal

Track 61 is a special platform beneath the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel that allowed guests with private rail cars to have them routed straight to the hotel, where they could take a private freight elevator to enter the building. (Conveniently, the Waldorf was constructed directly above the tracks of the old New York Central Railroad, which connected the city to Chicago and the Midwest tracks.) Famous VIPs who used the entrance include World War I General John J. Pershing, who was the first to use the platform in 1938; President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who used the entrance to help conceal his paralysis from the public; and Andy Warhol, who held an "underground party" on the platform 1965. The street-level freight elevator entrance is still located at 101-121 East 49th Street.

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Myrtle Avenue Tunnel

The Myrtle Avenue Station, part of the Fourth Avenue BMT line servicing the D and N between the Manhattan Bridge and DeKalb Avenue in Brooklyn, was closed in 1956 when the DeKalb station was rebuilt in order to reduce congestion. In 1980, artist and filmmaker Bill Brand used the station to create his own version of the zoetrope , an early stop-motion animation device. He installed 228 painted panels on one side of the abandoned platform and a slitted lightbox on the other to create Masstransiscope. Straphangers can see the 20-second "movie" today from northbound B or Q cars leaving DeKalb Avenue Station on the express track.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jay Ballesteros (@jayb.us) on Jul 3, 2018 at 6:25am PDT

Old City Hall subway station

City Hall was the first NYC subway station to open to the public in 1904, as part of the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) system, and was designed by architects George Lewis Heins and Christopher Grant LaFarge (who constructed the Cathedral of St. John the Divine). Rafael Guastavino (of Guastavino arch fame), and Gutzon Borglum (the sculptor who worked on Mount Rushmore, NBD), also worked on the station, which boasted spectacular arches, skylights, and even chandeliers. Service at the station was discontinued in 1945, when it was deemed impractical for lengthening by the IRT, and abandoned in favor of the nearby Brooklyn Bridge stop. Today, the New York Transit Museum offers tours of the station for its members, or you can catch a glimpse for free if you stay on the downtown 6 as it switches from the downtown to the uptown track.

Atlantic Avenue tunnel

Stretching for a half-mile from Columbia Street to Boerum Place in Cobble Hill, the Atlantic Avenue Tunnel claims the distinction of being the world's oldest subway tunnel—recognized by Guinness Book of World Records in 2010—and was once described by Walt Whitman as "a passage of Acheron-like solemnity and darkness." Originally constructed in 1844 to improve street congestion and safety issues, the tunnel was sealed in from 1861 until Brooklyn local Bob Diamond rediscovered it in 1981. Diamond ran tours of the tunnel for the public from 1982 until 2010, when the DOT abruptly canceled his contract of use. However, those looking to catch a glimpse of the tunnel can see the barrel-vaulted ceiling of the its alleged coal room at Brooklyn Heights speakeasy Le Boudoir , where parts of the tunnel have also been incorporated into the bathroom.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Le Boudoir (@leboudoirbrooklyn) on Dec 13, 2018 at 4:00pm PST

East 18th Street subway station

The abandoned East 18th Street station was part of the first IRT subway system that opened in 1904 along the 6 line. The MTA closed the station when they started a platform extension program in 1948, and decided to lengthen platforms at 14th Street and 23rd Street instead. You can catch a brief glimpse of the station from the 6 (and the 4/5 if a local train isn’t passing by) between 14th and 23rd Streets. Though now, as Untapped Cities reports, the station is covered in graffiti, its original incarnation possessed a glass ceiling and decorative elements designed by Heins & LaFarge, who also designed the City Hall Station.

South 4th Street subway station

This station was originally planned as part of the South Fourth Street Line, a key part of a 1929 plan that would have linked Williamsburg to Manhattan with two separate tunnels and four tracks beneath the East River. However, World War II halted the construction before track was ever laid. In October 2010, street artists Workhorse and PAC unveiled "The Underbelly Project," an expansive underground street art exhibition inside the station. According to the New York Times, which received an exclusive tour of the project, the exhibit displayed work from 103 street artists from around the world, who worked on their pieces during the night over the course of 18 months. Today the station has been abandoned once again, but a film on the Underbelly Project is coming sometime in 2019.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Logan Hicks (@loganhicksny) on Oct 20, 2017 at 5:16am PDT

West 91st Street station

Located a few blocks from the 96th Street Station on the 1/2/3 line, the 91st Street Station was another casualty of platform extensions, closing in 1959 . You can see the station today while riding the 1 train, and the 2 or 3 if no other trains are in the way. In an illuminating 1999 New York Times article , writer Andre Aciman got to visit the station and observed: "The platform was filled with trash: broken beams, old cardboard and a litter of foam cups. This wasn't just the detritus of a subway station, but the leftovers of mole people."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tag Nation (@_tagnation_) on Dec 8, 2017 at 10:07am PST

Worth Street station

Located between Canal Street and Brooklyn Bridge on the original Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) line—underneath the sidewalk on the west side of Foley Square—the Worth Street Station was closed in 1962 during the city's platform lengthening initiative (the Brooklyn Bridge station's platform was extended north instead). The station—and nearby Worth Street's —namesake was General William Jenkins Worth , a prominent leader in the Mexican War during the 1840s. People looking to pay homage to Worth today can visit his tomb at his Worth Square Monument at Broadway and 24th Street.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michael Alwill (@michaelalwill) on Sep 15, 2017 at 11:13am PDT

Nevins Street, lower level platform

The lower level of the Nevins Street station was initially constructed as part of a 1905 redesign of the IRT/Eastern Parkway line station, intended to allow connections on a Brooklyn-bound local track. Though track was never laid, the lower level was tiled, likely around 1918 , according to Joseph Brennan of Abandoned Stations. In 2016, artist Phil America used the abandoned platform as the site for an art installation condemning American gun violence. There are doors that lead to the unused platform in the underpass at the Nevins Street stop today.

J/M/Z platform at Canal St

This platform was closed when the MTA decided to reconfigure the BMT Nassau Street Line in 2004. They took this eastern pair of tracks out of service, and re-opened the south end of the station so the northbound end of the track could run into the western platform. According to photos taken by the LTV Squad (a group of NYC urban explorers), there’s also an old subway entrance down there, with a 1990s-era token booth intact.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bad Guy Joe (@ltvsquad) on Jan 6, 2016 at 8:23am PST

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Exploring NYC's Underground: Unveiling the Mysteries of the City's Hidden Tunnels

New York City, a bustling metropolis famed for its soaring skyscrapers and vibrant street life, also holds a lesser-known domain beneath its concrete foundations. This subterranean world, veiled from the casual observer, is a vast network of tunnels and passageways that tell a different story of the city. The underground of New York City is not merely functional, housing the subway system that moves millions of commuters daily. It is also steeped in history and enigma, sparking the curiosity of urban explorers and historians alike.

The labyrinthine sprawl beneath Manhattan's surface ranges from the century-old subway lines to utility and service tunnels that are essential yet invisible to the city's operation. The subway system itself, a marvel of urban planning and engineering, extends over 245 miles of track, connecting diverse neighborhoods and serving as the lifeblood of NYC's public transportation. Beyond these well-trodden paths lie abandoned stations, hidden art installations, and remnants of a bygone era, each with a story to unveil.

Urban explorers seeking the thrill of discovery have long been intrigued by this underground network. Venturing into NYC's underbelly requires not only a sense of adventure but also a profound respect for the city's infrastructure and safety regulations. These tunnels are not mere relics of the past; they are active, dynamic parts of New York's ever-evolving landscape, reflecting its resilience and complexity.

History of NYC's Tunnels

New York City's underground tunnels have a storied past, originating in the 19th century and encompassing an expansive subway system. They include both bustling thoroughfares and shadowy, deserted passages lost to time.

19th Century Beginnings

The history of New York's underground tunnels dates back to the 19th century when the first endeavor was the creation of the Atlantic Avenue Tunnel . Constructed in 1844, it is considered the world's oldest subway tunnel. Initially used for freight trains, the tunnel eventually fell into disuse and obscurity. In 1981, local historian Bob Diamond rediscovered this hidden passage, unveiling a significant piece of New York's transport history.

Development of the Subway System

New York’s modern subway system began at the turn of the 20th century, in 1904, with the opening of the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT), connecting City Hall with Harlem. The system rapidly expanded from Manhattan into other boroughs, reflecting the city's growth. The subway helped knit together the sprawling metropolis, as lines charted courses beneath rivers and urban landscapes, stringing neighborhoods together with steel rails.

Opening Year : 1904

Initial Route : City Hall to Harlem

Abandoned Stations and Forgotten Passages

New York City's subway system is not only a web of operational lines but also a tapestry of abandoned stations and forgotten passageways. These ghostly spaces, like the famed City Hall Station with its elegant architecture, tell a story of an evolving city that outgrew some of its parts. Abandoned stations provide a glimpse into former eras, standing as silent monuments to the city's relentless metamorphosis.

Famous Abandoned Station : City Hall Station

Characteristic : Elegant architecture

Cultural Impact of the Underground

New York City's underground tunnels have served as canvases for cultural expression and exploration, influencing various urban subcultures, from graffiti artists to urban explorers.

The Graffiti Movement

Graffiti artists have long found refuge in the hidden corners of New York's underground. The subterranean spaces like the Freedom Tunnel have transformed into galleries showcasing a wide spectrum of street art. These tunnels have housed impressive murals and tags, becoming a historical snapshot of urban artistry. They offer gritty backdrops where artists exercise their creative freedom, often distilling the city's dynamics into spray-painted artworks.

Mole People Myths and Realities

The tales of Mole People —communities purported to live in the bowels of New York City—have fascinated the public and media. While exaggerated stories abound, the reality is that these so-called Mole People are often homeless individuals seeking shelter underground. Their existence in the tunnels has highlighted socioeconomic issues and the city's ongoing challenges with homelessness. The rough conditions underground contrast sharply with the metropolis above, presenting a dichotomy that has inspired documentaries and articles aiming to separate myth from reality.

Urban Explorers and Their Quest

Urban explorers venture into the city's subterranean world with a thirst for discovery, navigating through restricted or abandoned spaces. Their quest often leads to serendipitous encounters with forgotten pieces of history and ephemeral artwork . Urban explorers document and share their experiences, contributing to a digital archive that has ignited public interest in the hidden aspects of the city. They tread a fine line between adventure and danger, adhering to a code that includes leaving sites undisturbed and maintaining secrecy about specific locations to prevent vandalism.

Modern Urban Exploration

The curiosity-driven world of urban exploration in New York City often operates in the grey areas of legality and safety. Urban explorers seek the thrill of accessing off-limits subterranean spaces, which presents various ethical and practical challenges.

The Ethics of Trespassing

Urban explorers often find themselves confronting the ethical dilemma of trespassing. They must weigh their desire for adventure against the legal ramifications and the respect for private property. Trespassing laws are clear and prohibit unauthorized entry, a boundary that urban explorers are aware of. They often argue about uncovering hidden histories or architecturally significant constructs not accessible to the public.

Schedule visits carefully to minimize disturbance.

Engage with property owners when possible to gain legitimate access.

Urban explorers must always consider the impact of their actions, emphasizing a leave-no-trace philosophy to ensure no damage or disturbance to the sites.

Safety and Preparation

The inherent risks of urban exploration necessitate rigorous safety measures and proper preparation. Explorers should never underestimate the dangers which can include unstable structures, hazardous materials, and unforeseen environmental risks.

Key safety measures include:

Appropriate gear : Wear protective clothing that adheres to a basic dress code for safety, including helmets and sturdy footwear.

Plan an emergency response: Always inform someone of your itinerary, and maintain regular check-ins.

Physical readiness : Ensure that all participants are physically capable of the demands of exploration.

Urban explorers must prioritize safety above all, never putting the group or individual members in harm's way. Detailed preparation and a solid understanding of personal limits are essential to the urban explorer's adventure.

Notable Locations and Landmarks

New York City's underground tunnels are an intricate web of history and utility. The following landmarks showcase the diverse uses and cultural significance of these subterranean spaces.

Riverside Park's Freedom Tunnel

Location : Beneath Riverside Park, Manhattan Key Features :

A former Amtrak train route,

Known for its street art, primarily by graffiti artist REVS.

The Freedom Tunnel runs beneath Riverside Park and was a haven for the homeless in the 1990s. It is particularly renowned for its extensive and impressive graffiti collection, most notably the work of the famed graffiti artist REVS.

Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral

Location : Mott Street, Lower Manhattan Key Information :

Offers catacombs tours beneath the basilica,

Serves as a historical marker within the city's religious history.

Below the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in Lower Manhattan, catacombs reflect the city's Catholic roots and immigrant past. This space has served various roles from a refuge for early followers to a burial ground.

The Canal Street Sewers

Location : Canal Street, Manhattan Significance :

Older than the New York City Subway system,

Exemplifies engineering practices of the time.

Although less celebrated, the Canal Street Sewers are an essential part of New York's infrastructure. These sewers signify the early development of modern sanitation in the city and remain a testament to historical engineering.

Infrastructure and Design of NYC's Underground

New York City's underground is an engineering marvel, characterized by its robust subway system and intricate sewer networks. This labyrinth of tunnels showcases a marriage of functionality and design forged over centuries.

The Architecture of the Subways

Manhattan's subway infrastructure serves as the spine of NYC's public transportation, reflecting both historical and modern architectural practices. Each station displays unique characteristics, often blending with the neighborhood's aesthetic. Notably, stations are designed to handle large packages of passengers, facilitating seamless flow through a series of passageways and platforms.

Key Elements:

Materials: Utilization of durable materials such as steel and concrete.

Accessibility: Elevators and escalators provide access to platforms.

Safety: Implementation of fire-resistant materials and emergency exits.

The Complex Sewer Network

The sewer system beneath New York City is a complex network designed to manage the city's waste efficiently. Engineered to prevent floods and maintain sanitation, the network highlights key design elements to ensure functionality in a densely populated area like Manhattan.

Components:

Piping: Vast interconnected piping for wastewater transport.

Drainage: Designed for maximum efficiency in stormwater management.

Maintenance: Regular reviews for integrity and blockage prevention.

The sewers and subways are critical components of NYC's infrastructure, both representing significant achievements in urban design and architecture. They are constructed and maintained to ensure the city remains operational and habitable.

Graffiti and Art in the Tunnels

New York City's underground tunnels harbor a vibrant subculture that expresses itself through graffiti and art. Shadowy expanses beneath the bustling city streets become canvases for renowned graffiti artists and the setting for enigmatic art installations.

Famous Graffiti Artists

Thor is a name that reverberates through the tunnels beneath Canal Street, his signature work identifiable by those who brave the underground. Stories circulate about graffiti artists who skillfully evade the third rail's deadly electricity to leave their marks on this unseen part of the city. These urban artists often operate in obscurity, yet their creations might be stumbled upon by the city's unofficial residents, the mole people , or by the occasional urban explorer.

Art Installations in the Underground

In the depths of the city's hidden tunnels, art installations emerge from the darkness, offering unexpected encounters for those who find them. Bill Brand 's "Masstransiscope," placed in an unused subway track, combines graffiti with kinetic art, showcasing a public artwork experienced by commuters. While not traditional graffiti, it is a testament to the vast potential of the tunnels as sites for unique artistic expression.

Local Stories and Urban Legends

New York City's underground expands far beyond the subway cars and stations that commuters are familiar with. Tucked away beneath the city's bustling streets are enigmatic tales and curious urban legends that have captivated the imaginations of locals and urban explorers alike.

The Legend of Bob Diamond

Bob Diamond is renowned as an ambitious urban explorer who discovered the Atlantic Avenue Tunnel, an abandoned train tunnel in Brooklyn. His accounts claim that in 1980, he independently uncovered the entrance to this hidden tunnel, which was sealed off in 1861 and had been forgotten by time. Diamond's persistent efforts not only shed light on a piece of New York's history but also inspired a wave of intrigue and admiration among urban exploration enthusiasts.

Tales of the Mole People

Urban legends describe the Mole People as a group of inhabitants who have created an underground life in the labyrinth of tunnels below New York City. While hard evidence of these communities is scant, stories tell of individuals and groups who have taken residence in the expansive network of abandoned subway stations and unused tunnels. These tales, occasionally shared by former residents or urban explorers, contribute to the mysterious allure of the city’s subterranean layer.

Practical Information for Visitors

Visiting New York City's underground tunnels offers a unique blend of adventure and historical insight. Proper planning can ensure a memorable experience.

Tour Schedules and Tickets

Tour Schedules: Visitors should check the official tour providers' websites for the most up-to-date schedules . Subterranean tours are typically available on weekends with occasional weekday offerings. The average tour lasts around 2 hours, but can vary depending on the itinerary.

Day Availability Notes Monday Limited Check for special openings Tuesday-Friday Varies Advance booking recommended Saturday-Sunday Regular Most frequent tours

Tickets: Purchase tickets in advance to secure your spot. Prices for tours are varied, often depending on length and exclusivity of the experience. Some providers also offer private tours, accommodating to a more personalized experience, where visitors can expect individual attention and detailed exploration. One can anticipate competitive offerings with full refund policies from reputable tour providers such as Private New York City Tours.

Rules and Regulations

Dress Code: Appropriate clothing is crucial for safety and comfort. It is recommended that visitors wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and clothing that they do not mind getting dirty.

Safety and Conduct:

Do not stray from the group; the tunnels can be a labyrinthine and hazardous.

Follow the guide's instructions at all times.

No littering. Respect the underground environment.

Photos: Photography is commonly allowed, but flash may be prohibited in certain areas to preserve the integrity of the experience and for safety reasons.

Accessibility: Not all areas of the tunnels may be accessible to everyone due to their nature. Visitors with specific accessibility requirements should contact tour providers in advance to discuss available options.

It's advised to read previous visitors' reviews to set realistic expectations and gather insights on what to anticipate from the subterranean journey. Engaging with reviews may also help in selecting the most suitable tour company and gaining tips from seasoned New York underground explorers.

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Underground new york subway tour, we are obsessed and love exploring new york’s underground subway system it’s certainly thrilling and the stories behind it are incredible. so, come experience our “underground new york subway tour”.

Located in the neighborhood of TriBeCa, Chamber’s Subway Station has an exciting story behind it. Actually, New York’s subway system is filled with secrets!

Let’s 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.

In addition, 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.

Plus, we’ll uncover information and learn about spaces even the most seasoned commuter might not know about.

Moreover, 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.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

• City Hall Park as the birthplace of the subway system including the parts of the famed City Hall Station you can see right in the park;
• The comically short route of the mythical “Subway before the Subway,” Alfred Ely Beach’s Pneumatic Transit System;
• The architectural ghosts of the now nearly forgotten Chambers Street station which was originally a terminal built in 1915 to rival Grand Central;
• We will ride through the very first 9 stations in the original 1904 system, armed with your own scavenger hunt checklist to find historical and architectural treasures in these stations.

TOUR DETAILS: Price:  $39 / person What to know:  The tour is 2 hours long, requires 2 metro card swipes and is happening rain or shine! Please note the route might change slightly depending on the MTA schedule. What to wear:  Bring comfortable shoes, as the tour requires walking up and down stairs. Ticket Confirmation: After you book this experience, you will receive a confirmation email from our partner confirming you are attending the tour!

Did you enjoy the Underground New York Subway Tour?

If you enjoy exploring New York’s subway system and loved the , take a look at these subway secrets behind it!

In addition, you might also enjoy our “ Secret Behind The Scenes Grand Central Terminal Tour “. So, for Private Groups or Corporate Groups , let out experts customize your tour!

Videography : Renata Meirelles Photo Credits : Renata Meirelles and courtesy of Michelle Young *Last Update on Jun/2023.*

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Secrets NYC: hidden spots that only locals know

Psst: Get the inside scoop on the best secret NYC spots, including hidden drinkeries, hush-hush shindigs and much more

Photograph: Gabi Porter

Sure, New York attractions are known across the globe, but what about the lesser-known, secret NYC spots? Thanks to us, you don’t have to do much digging. This is a classified list of hidden  parties in NYC , in-the-know dinners and buzzy  speakeasies in NYC  (the speakeasy is actually booming right now ). Just one thing: Let’s try to keep this information between us, cool?

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in NYC

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Cool secret NYC spots

1.  underground overground comedy.

"Underground Overground Comedy" has taken place in a gym, a rooftop, a music studio and a barbershop in a train station among other unique locales. For its creators, it's all about using the great spaces NYC already has to offer a unique way to enjoy a bit of comedy. To add a bit of mystery and New York magic, they don't exactly advertise their shows. They use Instagram to alert followers and take down names via direct messages for their ongoing guest list. Shows have featured Josh Gondelman, Kerry Coddett, Jordan Jensen and Napolean Emil among others.

2.  Cactus Shop

A plant store by day,  Cactus Shop in Williamsburg turns into a Mexican speakeasy cantina by night, complete with a lovely outdoor courtyard perfect for the spring-ish nights that have graced New York in the past week. It's clearly not a speakeasy in the most authentic sense of the word, but it certainly boasts that same sort of vibe. Inside, patrons will revel in heartwarming yet vibrant decor that is actually sourced directly from Mexico alongside the just-as-authentic drinkware (think black clay and hand-blown glasses). Pay particular attention to the skeletons and sugar skulls that are placed just so all over the destination and call out to Mexico's Day of the Dead celebrations.

3.  Daphne

Daphne, a new subterranean spot under Hotel 50 Bowery in Chinatown by Hospitality company Gerber Group, is a massive 2,500-square-foot space. Patrons are pleasantly surprised to find a beautiful silk pink flower installation by art studio Floratorium. Dazzling disco balls also permeate the premises, calling back to a time when the dance club you frequented was just as important as where your apartment was located. In addition to the club's signature bottle service, the bartenders at Daphne can serve some remarkable cocktails that range from the classic to modern interpretations of the form. For every dirty martini, old fashioned and margarita there is an Aphrodite (Malfy gin, fortified wine, pomegranate and fresh lemon), Lite My Fire (Patron silver tequila, ginger liqueur, fresh lime and flamed rosemary) and Cider Car (Hennessy, apple cider and apricot liqueur), among other options.

4.  Piano Bar Upstairs at Fraunces Tavern

One of NYC’s oldest restaurants and bars , Fraunces Tavern has a new   Piano Bar Upstairs .  The intimate room above The Independence Bar is soaked in a shade of cerulean across its paneled walls, with pops of color on tufted red banquettes and gilded picture frames. Beer, wine, all manner of cocktails and a dedicated list of gin and tonics are all available, in addition to broad-appeal snacks, apps and entrées. Live piano music, of course, is also on the menu.

5.  The Loft

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Japan Village , which is both a food hall and supermarket full of Japanese groceries, has expanded upward with a 20,000-square-foot second floor it calls The Loft. Here, visitors can basically step into a representation of Japan with cool shops with items straight from the country as well as fun experiences like tea ceremonies and cultural classes. It's not necessarily secret, but new and located above Japan Village.

6.  Chez Zou

Chez Zou follows chef Madeline Sperling’s popular modern eastern Mediterranean restaurant Zou Zou’s , which was one of fall’s most anticipated openings. The stylish spot shares some of the original’s design elements, like verdant greenery arrangements and potted plants, vibrant jewel tones and lush textiles. The cozy alcove bar seats six, and armchairs, ottomans and curved banquettes are mapped across a geometric black and white floor poised a few stories above the restaurant. An outdoor terrace will also come into use this spring.  Chez Zou is on the fourth floor of Manhattan West Plaza at 385 Ninth Avenue. To enter, you'll pass through Zou Zou's and take the elevator beyond the host stand, which opens into the lounge. Chez Zou is open for walk-ins only.

7.  Nothing Really Matters

Nothing Really Matters is the latest from Adrien Gallo, whose previous endeavors included Double Happiness and Grand Banks. It’s located between the entrance and the turnstile in the downtown-bound 1 train station at 50th Street and Broadway.  The cinematic subway entrance that leads to Nothing Really Matters is next to the Duane Reade on 50th Street near Broadway. The facade is adorned in signs for the newsstand and barbershop that previously operated in the station’s small retail areas. An illustrated haircut legend is still on display. Trash is strewn about. It looks like a subway station from 1984’s  Ghostbusters . 

8.  Dom

Dom (styled as DOM), a subterranean cocktail lounge in Gramercy, is a " retro-future" space, replete with high ceilings and fancy furnishings intended to evoke “the image of a modern age La Dolce Vita lifestyle” seats 50, exclusive of a private tasting room. Art programming across various mediums is planned for a gallery space and exhibition wall.   Dom’s opening cocktail menu is divided into the categories Health and Beauty, Pain Killers, Stress Relievers, Aphrodisiacs, Pharmaceuticals, Stimulants and Euphoric Enhancers. Many drinks incorporate  liqueurs like walnut elderberry from  owner   Albert Trummer’s own eponymous line. The cognac-flavored cigar leaves in the barrel-aged negroni (a Pain Killer), and unspecified herbs from the South of France in the large-format house absinthe (a Euphoric Enhancer) are among other noteworthy ingredients.  Trummer’s previous ventures include the ultimately headline making Apothéke .  Dom is located at 287 Park Avenue South. The entrance is on 22nd Street.

9.  Ramen Misoya

Good news for those that love Ramen Misoya—the popular East Village destination dedicated exclusively to miso ramen. The eatery has just opened a second location, and this one boasts a cool, speakeasy-style ambiance. It's not that easy to find the new spot, so let us help you out. The West Village location at 535 Hudson Street has a below-ground entrance on Charles Street. (Look for a small sign on the wall above the stairs.) Once you enter the premise, you'll notice a second set of doors. (They're bright orange!) Walk right in and you'll find yourself in the main dining room. Expect two rooms that can sit 30 people in total, each one a sleek and modern-looking space. Other outstanding decor details include 10-foot-high ceilings, a large window overlooking the kitchen and exposed brick and white walls.

10.  The Lab at Patent Pending

Virtually every bar in New York is a must-visit destination, but it doesn't get much cooler than a secret bar within a bar. The Lab at Patent Pending, though, goes a step further. The Lab is, in fact, a hidden cavern connected through a natural arch inside of speakeasy Patent Pending , which is itself accessible only through a hidden door in Patent Coffee , a cafe (by day) on West 27th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Think of it as a concealed bar within a secret bar within a public coffee shop. Ryan McKenzie opened Patent Pending back in 2018. Housed inside the Radio Wave Building, the speakeasy references Nikola Tesla, the famous electrical inventor who actually lived on premise when it was still the Gerlach Hotel, in many different ways. From the menu to the decor, the radio theme clearly makes itself known here. 

11.  Crif Dogs

• Williamsburg
• price 1 of 4

12.  UnPublished by Serafina

Serafina , the Italian restaurant group with the familiar yellow awnings and several locations in NYC and beyond, quietly started operating its latest, Serafina in the Sky , earlier this year. On Wednesday, February 16, it will officially open the space’s speakeasy-themed lounge annex, UnPublished. The new spot is a collaboration between Serafina and hospitality professional Karim Amatullah.  UnPublished is beyond a velvet curtain inside Serafina in the Sky, which is on the lobby level of the Pod Hotel at 400 West 42nd Street, like nightlife nesting dolls by way of Times Square. It shares its menus with Serafina in the Sky, which serves crostini, charcuterie, and guacamole Italiano to start, plus salads, pizza, pasta and general interest entrées. Beer, wine and cocktails are also available.  UnPublished boasts a disco ball, chandeliers and candlelit velvet banquettes inside, and a terrace with a retractable roof outside. It can accommodate 100 guests, provided they know the way in. No, not through the curtain, the nebulous way in. 

13.  Venice Bar

Now, Instagrammers and foodies alike have yet another reason to stop by the Bleecker Street Saint Theo's: Venice Bar, a new, 20-seat, Venetian-inspired cocktail bar hidden behind plush velvet, burgundy curtains by the restaurant's dining room, is officially open for business.  Inside, patrons will get to order drinks and cicchetti (traditional Venetian small bites) by crimson-colored banquets, vintage Pirelli calendars, a massive Maitland Smith mirror and Murano sconces that come straight from the Italian town.

14.  Peachy's

• Cocktail bars
• price 3 of 4

NO PHOTOS, NO FIGHTING , the hot-pink neon sign commands as you descend below Doyers Street to this Chinese Tuxedo–owned cocktail bar. While nothing stirred us to brawl (half the edict is a shout-out to the street’s history of gang violence), it’s much harder to resist snapping pics of the cool-kid cavern, decked out in tiger-print Gucci wallpaper, flickering candles and flower arrangements that look like they were plucked straight from a wedding at the Plaza. Indeed, the bar is all #vibes, right down to the colorful cocktails.

15.  Live @ the Apt

What started as a simple idea—“stand-up in a walk-up”—has become a veritable comedy phenomenon. In the six years since its three founders started hosting gigs in a fifth-floor East Village apartment, Live @ the Apt has transformed into a hub for next-generation talent, with performances from the likes of Phoebe Robinson, Hasan Minhaj, Hannibal Buress and John Early. Since outgrowing its original venue, the series has expanded all over the city and to L.A.

Various locations ( liveapt.tv ); $15.

16.  Banzarbar

• Lower East Side

Finding the explorer-inspired cocktail joint Banzarbar is a bit of an expedition in itself: Stroll down a street-art–covered alley off Rivington Street to foodie mecca Freemans, where the maître d’ will lead you upstairs to the out-of-the-way 20-seat tavern. There, you can grab a seat and choose from the five-course, low-ABV tasting menu or order à la carte offerings, such as the Kraken, a tempura-fried whole octopus that pairs well with the Andromeda, a bubbly elixir of gin, sherry, grapefruit and cardamom.

17.  Nonna Beppa

• West Village
• price 2 of 4

For a romantic, carb-heavy date, snag a special reservation at chef Giancarlo “Wendy” Cacciatori’s Hudson Square temple to tortellini, Nonna Beppa . For $300 a couple, you can dine in your very own room for two in the restaurant’s bottle-adorned wine cellar. Being pampered by your own personal server, listening to classic Italian tunes and tasting a multicourse menu that’s inspired by your very own culinary preferences? Now, that’s amore.

18.  Patent Pending

Enter a four-digit code (it’s 4927) in front of Nomad’s landmark Radio Wave Building to access Patent Pending , a dimly lit, subterranean cocktail den whose theme was sparked by a famous former tenant, inventor Nikola Tesla. Try out the bourbon-and-rum Light Me Up, which amps up mango black tea and citrus with a jolt of amaro and Szechuan peppercorn.

19.  The Secret Speakeasy

The Museum of Interesting Things’ Denny Daniel presents the Secret Speakeasy series, a museum benefit that takes place each month in a Soho loft. Each edition promises old-timey artifacts and 16mm films centered on fascinating subjects, along with the usual slate of jazz music, antiques, way-back-when delights and a cash bar.

Soho ( secretspeakeasy.com ). $10.

20.  Edie’s

Situated in the back of Warhol-themed restaurant the Factory 380, Edie’s is a speakeasy inspired by the artist’s iconic muse, the star-crossed socialite Edie Sedgwick. While the food focuses on NYC faves (roasted nuts, dumplings), the libations—with cheeky names like the Camera Adds 10 Pounds—pay homage to the man who coined the idea of “15 minutes of fame.” In keeping with the spirit of the Factory Girl herself, gear up for a glam Pop Art setting, which is accessible just past a payphone—painted in Warhol’s signature silver, natch.    

21.  Secret Loft

So, illegal warehouse raves aren’t your thing, and the spontaneity of a TBA address isn’t as appealing as the comfort of knowing where you’re going? We hear you—and so does Secret Loft, which still boasts an under-the-radar vibe in its downtown space. You can expect just about anything: Past shindigs have included out-there circus acts, stand-up showcases, poetry slams, political roasts and more.

Greenwich Village ( facebook.com/secretloft ) 

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What To Know About The Tunnels Under NYC

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More Tunnels Underneath New York City

• NYC has a vast subway system with 472 stations and 800+ miles of track, one of the first and largest in the US.
• Abandoned tunnels & stations in NYC, like Old City Hall, Track 61, and Myrtle Avenue, hold hidden histories.
• Explore NYC's underground, from secret military tunnels to catacombs under St. Patrick's Old Cathedral.

Manhattan. Brooklyn. The Bronx. Queens. Staten Island. Five boroughs make up this glorious social haven known as New York City. Recognized as having some of the tallest buildings globally and housing some of the most iconic structures in America, like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building, the acclaimed "City that never sleeps" is one of the most sought-after cities on the globe.

With its immense skyscrapers, flashy Broadway performances, and never-ending traffic, it can be easy to forget that there's more to New York than its shining surface — literally. Just think of all the tunnels under NYC and, in particular, the tunnels under Manhattan.

New York City is home to 472 subway stations with more than 800 miles of track — the subway being one of the best things about NYC — and that's not even counting the ones forgotten about, such as well as secret military tunnels (like the rumored Fort Totten tunnel ).

Yes, NYC is known for its subways and sewers, but what else? Just what is lying below the bustling city streets? Is subterranean New York more than just another hole in the ground? What forgotten tunnels under NYC are there? Read on and embark on a journey to discover New York City underground.

UPDATE: 2024/03/11 21:43 EST BY AARON SPRAY

There are many kinds of tunnels underneath New York City, including subway tunnels, access tunnels, and sewer tunnels, and likely others like secret military and escape tunnels. But there are also catacombs under NYC under St. Patrick's Old Cathedral. This article was updated and expanded with more types of tunnels underneath NYC.

Numerous Tunnels Exist Under NYC

Nyc has one of the first and largest subway systems running beneath it (and that's just the start).

Now let's start to wander below the busy streets of New York City. New York City has some hidden tunnels underneath. A long time ago, these tunnels were constructed for the comfort of travelers. These include Track 61, Grand Central Terminal, Myrtle Avenue Tunnel, West 91st Street station, Worth Street station, East 18th Street subway station, South 4th Street subway station, and Old City Hall subway station.

NYC Subway System:

• Number of Stations: 472
• First NYC Subway Tunnel: 1869 (experimental); 1904 (operational)
• 60%: Percentage of tracks below the surface
• Longest: In the USA (13th longest by tracks globally)
• Number of Lines: 28

There are also seven secret tunnels, like the Farley-Morgan Postal Tunnel, McCarren Pool Tunnels, East New York Freight Tunnel, Columbia University Steam Tunnels, Atlantic Avenue Tunnel, Hidden Concourse at 1271 6th Avenue, and Underground Spine of Goldwater Hospital.

These subway stations have been a part of the city's fascinating history. Stories about these tunnels have been told from one generation to another. Most of these tunnels are abandoned and already forgotten, though there are said to be people who live in these abandoned tunnels .

Tips For Tourists On The New York City Subway For The First Time

Learning to use the New York City subway is a must for tourists to the Big Apple. Here's how to navigate the NYC subways for a smooth vacation.

Lost Stops & Tunnels Under Manhattan

Many subway stations and various tunnels have been forgotten or become lost under manhattan.

Whether due to expansion, World War II, or lack of use, many subway stations that once transported thousands have now worn out their service and become abandoned with time. Still, these subway stations have been a part of the city's fascinating history, and their stories deserve telling.

Old City Hall

Erected in 1904, City Hall was the first New York City subway station to open to the public. Bedecked with leaded skylights, elegant chandeliers, and grand arches, the Old City Hall subway station is like an underground cathedral.

Service at Old City Hall ended because the station couldn't withstand larger trains, thus rendering it amongst the least-used stations. Though no longer in use today, New York Transit Museum members may — for a fee — explore the station through exclusive guided tours.

• Operated 1904-1945
• Designed by Heins & LaFarge

Located beneath the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Track 61 at Grand Central Terminal was initially used to carry freight and store old train cars. However, after its acquisition by the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, the track was repurposed for other means.

Due to its ideal location beneath the famous hotel, the track became a means of discreetly allowing distinguished guests to and from the hotel. Today, the track is unused, but you can catch a brief glimpse of it while riding the Metro-North out of Grand Central.

Some myths of its uses persist today:

• Train car (formerly) on the track alleged to belong to President FDR
• Andy Warhol private party in 1965

Myrtle Avenue

The unsuspecting victim of the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit line rebuild, Myrtle Ave subway station used to run on the BMT line between Bridge and De Kalb Avenue. The station ran until its closure in 1956 when the entire area underwent renovations due to congestion issues at the De Kalb Ave section.

During the rebuild, Myrtle Ave lost its southbound platform entirely, and the northbound platform became deserted. Today, the abandoned station is home to an artwork of 30 images (228 hand-painted panels) by Bill Brand called Masstraniscope, which was installed in 1980 and is visible on the Q and B commutes to Manhattan.

• In use from 1915-1956
• Built with re-enforced concrete
• Sometimes referred to as Gold Street

Though many of these tunnels have faded from memory, others survived in the lore shared from one generation to another. The following tunnels have withstood the test of time, and some have even managed to regain use.

Atlantic Avenue Tunnel

Known today as the world's oldest subway tunnel, the Atlantic Avenue Tunnel is an abandoned tunnel that runs through the neighborhoods of Downtown Brooklyn and Cobble Hill. It was built in 1844 as an open cut but was roofed over and converted into a tunnel five years after opening.

Following an 1861 controversy, the tunnel remained sealed until 1981, when Brooklyn local Bob Diamond rediscovered it and gave tours of the tunnel until its reclosure in 2010. Though no longer accessible to the public, its barrel-vaulted ceilings can be glimpsed from inside the bar Le Boudoir.

• Guinness World Record Holder for oldest subway tunnel

Columbia University Steam Tunnels

Beneath Columbia University, there exists a tunnel system connecting most campus buildings. These tunnels act as a conduit for much of the campus' infrastructure, such as steam, electricity, and telecommunications. The oldest tunnels date back to the days of the Bloomingdale Insane Asylum and are extremely hot.

• Students traveled these tunnels during the 1968 Student Strike
• Tunnels once used to tap the university's telephone systems
• Linked to the Manhattan Project

Freedom Tunnel

Located beneath Riverside Park in Manhattan, Robert Moses erected this tunnel in the 1930s to increase mobility for the residents on the Upper West Side. The tunnel, which used to run freight trains until 1980, expands about 2.6 miles.

It became a haven for graffiti artists when regular operations on the track ended, and it's believed that the track's name came from Chris "Freedom" Pape, a prominent graffiti artist who used the tunnel walls to create some of his most notable work.

• Once occupied by the homeless population
• Amtrak began the use of the tunnel in 1991
• The Freedom Tunnel is mentioned in several documentaries and books
• More To Be Discovered?

The Unseen Beauty Of NYC's Subway

Some of the abandoned subway stations are beautifully decorated.

What is buried underground of the city is not any ordinary tunnel or subway that simply has passages and railroads. While most of the structures are abandoned, other tunnels are preserved for good. Some of the tunnels are quite beautiful because of their architectural designs. Some are seen with ornate decorations and stained glass.

Others are simply seen with attractive ceilings. Who would not dare to go down the Old City Hall Subway Station which is littered with skylights, chandeliers, and spectacular arches? It is like an underground cathedral that was hidden all this time. Another one is the Atlantic Avenue tunnel, which is known to be the oldest subway tunnel in the world. Its barrel-vaulted ceiling gives the place an extraordinary view.

What Tunnels Under NYC Can People Visit?

There are a number of abandoned tunnels and stations that people can visit in nyc.

To see a glimpse of some of the lost tunnels under NYC, consider booking the NYC Underground Subway Tour . Explore what was once the largest subway system in the world and learn how the first subway in NYC was actually built illegally under the cover of night. The subway tour explores some of the abandoned stations that people can not ordinarily access.

The NYC subway system started at City Hall Park and that is where the tour starts (guests also get to explore some decommissioned parts of City Hall Station).

• Cost: $29 - $35
• Duration: 2 Hours

The tour is a trip through time, including discovering the first attempt at building a subway in NYC in 1869 (it was a concept demonstrator and only 300 feet long). The NYC Underground Subway Tour takes around 2 hours.

New York Also Has Catacomb Tunnels (& You Can Visit)

Journey under st. patrick's old cathedral and discover nyc's hidden catacomb tunnels.

Unknown to many, but NYC has catacombs. Granted, these are not the vast tunnels under cities of Europe (such as Rome and Paris) but they are catacombs nonetheless.

These catacombs are under a functioning church, so visitors are asked to dress and conduct themselves respectfully.

The only Catholic catacombs in New York City are hidden beneath the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral . These catacombs are now over 200 years old and are the resting place of some of New York's most influential figures.

Catacombs Of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral:

• Tour Duration: 80 minutes
• Location: 266 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012
• Tour Tickets: Starting from $32.00

These are open to the public and can be visited with a guided tour. The tours include an expert guide, access to areas off limits to the general public, and tours of areas above and below the surface (including the catacombs, walled cemetery, and cathedral).

One of the best ways to see these unique catacombs is with the candlelight tour designed to thrill the visitors (a great option for the Halloween season).

Review: The Big Bus Tour in New York City

I absolutely loved the Big Bus Tour in New York City. It’s the best way to go sightseeing in an open-top, hop-on hop-off, top-rated tour and explore the best New York attractions !

If this is your first-time visiting New York and you want to see all the top landmarks, this double-decker tour bus will take you there.

The Big Bus Tour in New York

You may be wondering if a hop-on hop-off bus is worth it. Absolutely, yes!

If you consider the time and money spent on transportation costs, waiting for buses, navigating the subway (which can be confusing for visitors), and getting from one point of interest to another, it is worth every dollar!

I had a great visit to New York City on Big Bus Tour. My goal was to show the city to some friends from Italy who were visiting the US for the first time.

Since we only had about two days to spend together, the hop-on hop-off was undoubtedly the best decision.

From our experience, we’ll answer commonly asked questions about the Hop-on Hop-off bus while visiting New York City.

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Why take the big bus tour in new york.

While seeing New York from the open-top deck of the double-decker bus, the city unfolded block by block with panoramic views from every angle.

As we traveled through the streets, the sights were unobstructed and new visual backdrops were revealed.

The towering skyscrapers and colorful billboards filled the air with excitement and as the cityscape continued to change, it gave a grand feeling to the experience.

I especially enjoyed being able to relax from the upper deck of the bus while taking in the energy of city scenes.

Because I also live in a large city, the rhythm felt familiar from the elevated vantage point .

Car horns were honking, crowds traversed through the streets and there was an endless hum of activity.

Best of all, the tour gave me the chance to interact with other travelers who were seeing New York while waiting for the tour to began.

We struck up conversations and exchanged stories, insights, and recommendations during our stay in New York.

How Much is the Big Bus Tour in New York

The regular price of an adult and child ticket is $60.00 and $50.00, respectively. However, you can use the link below for discounted fares.

Get discounts for the Big Bus Tour NYC  here .

How Long is the Big Bus Tour in New York

The round-trip New York City Big Bus Tour takes about two hours from start to finish.

The bus is the perfect solution for visitors worldwide because they offer pre-recorded audio narratives and translations in five languages — French, German, Spanish, Italian, and English.

Are There Toilets on the Big Bus

No. Unlike charter buses, you won’t travel long between stops. So the best thing to do is exit at a stop, find a public restroom, see an attraction, if desired, and then catch the next bus.

If you are not sure where to find one, ask a Big Bus guide on the street. The driver may also have some suggestions.

Charter buses come equipped with a bathroom because travel is expected to be for a much longer period.

How Does the Big Bus Tour Work in New York City

The tour offers three options for purchase — 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day.

When you decide the number of days of your tour and purchase your ticket, the clock starts when your ticket is scanned while boarding the bus for the first time.

The ticket is good for 24, 48, or 72 hours. So, if you have a 1-day ticket and board the bus at 11:00 AM on Monday, it can still be used until 11:00 AM on Tuesday.

We found a ton of touring options for sightseeing in New York.

Aside from the extended period, the 2 and 3-day tickets also offer discounted bike rentals.

The buses run every 20 minutes on average. However, the first stop at the M&M store can be a long wait during peak season.

You can exit or board at any of the designated stops as much as you want.

The only exclusion is the one-loop tour Night Tour which is a panoramic non-stop tour.

Where to Catch the Big Bus Tour in New York City

During the tour, the buses only stop at designated stops.

Your ticket is good for as long as the buses operate during the day and it may be used on both the red and blue routes.

When you board, make sure you get a hop-on hop-off New York bus route map!

Big Bus NYC Red Route

The red route sightseeing tour covers lower Manhattan and you’ll see many landmarks like St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Wall Street, the Chrysler Building, and General Grant’s Tomb.

You can catch a tour at any one of the following bus stops and you can get your tickets in advance of boarding.

1 – M&M’s World – 7th Ave & W 48th St (Outside M&M World & Majestic Deli)

2 – Times Square East – W 42nd St & Broadway (at Knickerbocker Hotel)

3 – Empire State Building / Korea Town – 5th Ave & W 32nd St (at CVS Pharmacy)

4 – Flatiron District – 5th Ave & W 23rd St (at Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop)

5 – SoHo – Broadway and Spring Street (at Nike Store)

6 – Chinatown / Little Italy – 100 Lafayette Street (near the corner at Walker St)

7 – Brooklyn Bridge – Park Row & Beekman St (across from 33 Park Row)

8 – Wall Street / Charging Bull – Broadway & Wall St (Southwest corner near Rector St)

9 – Statue of Liberty / Battery Park – State St and Bridge St (at Subway Entrance)

10 – Circle Line Sightseeing – 12th Ave & 40th St (opposite Pier 81)

11 – Times Square North – 7th Ave & W 50th St (at Majestic Deli)

Big Bus NYC Blue Route

The blue route covers upper Manhattan, and half of the ride is mostly views of Central Park. You can switch to the blue route at red stop #2.

We recommend changing routes at stop #11 (the Majestic Deli) where you can take a break and have a nice lunch.

12 – The Metropolitan Museum of Art – 5th Ave & E 83rd St (near 83rd St)

13 – Central Park Zoo – 5th Ave & E 66th St (opposite 845 5th Ave)

14 – Columbus Circle – Central Park & Columbus Circle (SW corner of Central Park)

Tips and Things to Know Before You Go

The bus has two levels, the upper level offers panoramic views of the city but be careful of overhanging traffic lights and trees. Don’t stand while the bus is in motion.

• After you find a seat, check the audio to confirm it is working.
• Snacks are allowed. Bring a frozen bottle of water and protein bites to keep you energized.
• When on the upper deck, cover up with sunscreen to protect your skin on hot sunny days.
• If you are a family of 3 or more, take seats across from one another so you’ll have views and photos from both sides of the bus.

Tourists were lined up at stop #1 at least an hour before departure and the line extended the entire block and rounded the corner.

We decided to see other points of interest and returned around 11:00 AM.

The wait to board the bus was about 20 minutes. It was a relaxing ride and there we saw so much!

By the time we reached stop #9, we were pumped and ready to exit the bus so that we could explore the city! And you probably will be too.

Here’s the secret sauce that really made the experience memorable. Exit at stop #9 and take a FREE ferry to Staten Island.

To see the Statue of Liberty, stand on the left side of the boat. When returning, stand on the right side.

Traveling on a budget? Read my review of the Westside YMCA Hotel !

Final Thoughts About the Big Bus Tour in New York City

Overall, the tour was a pleasant way to see New York city and when you are on the upper deck, you hardly notice the traffic.

Some other advantages of seeing the city by bus include:

• Avoiding parking hassles. I mean, who actually drives in New York?!
• Photo opportunities. With the open-top or large windows, you have excellent photo opportunities as you pass by iconic landmarks and cityscapes.
• Comprehensive sightseeing of major landmarks and attractions within two hours.
• You can get local recommendations from the guides who operate the bus.

I usually opt for a hop-on hop-off bus when I am short on time or to get my bearings in the city before deciding what to do.

Either way, when you take the tour bus, it doesn’t appear impossible to take a bite out of the Big Apple.

Happy Travels!

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Exploring the Underground Railroad in upstate New York

Most Americans know the story of the incredible and heroic efforts of members of the Underground Railroad who helped slaves reach freedom over 150 years ago. Now, advocates are trying to ensure the learning of the story stays alive through the proposed Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Corridor .

The co-founders of the Underground Railroad Education Center, Paul Stewart and Mary Liz Stewart, joined Capital Tonight to discuss the work happening in the Empire State to keep the story and history alive.

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

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We Asked AI to Take Us On a Tour of Our Cities. It Was Chaos

With high hopes of finding some hidden gems in our home cities and $100 (£77) each burning a hole in our pockets, we—Natasha Bernal in London and Amanda Hoover in New York—asked AI to plan out the perfect day.

We decided to use Littlefoot, an AI-powered local discovery chatbot that can generate experiences in 161 cities around the world. It was created by Bigfoot, a startup founded by former Airbnb executives Alex Ward, James Robinson, and Shane Lykins that purports to enmesh the minds of all the publicly available AI chatbots, including ChatGPT, Claude, Llama, Anthropic, and Perplexity, in addition to 50 information sources such as Tripadvisor and Google. Bigfoot claims to use three different language models as “AI agents” to create itineraries.

We told Littlefoot our respective starting points, dates, and times, and introduced some caveats: Amanda asked that her New York tour be dog-friendly; Natasha was obsessed with avoiding London’s crowded tourist hotspots.

The results were, frankly, rather mad. Right now, Littlefoot has no concept of time or space or what a human being might find interesting. Its recommendations vary wildly from the incredibly niche (climbing up a hill in South East London) to the wildly vague (going to the London Zoo, no further instruction provided). The same attractions—such as the London Eye, the Namco Funscape arcade in Romford, a cycling studio in Brooklyn—kept coming up in recommendations, to the point that we suspected it might be paid-for advertising. (Bigfoot has confirmed that is not the case and that it has no plans to offer sponsored picks.)

It recommended back-to-back gym sessions in London, a concert and helicopter tour in New York that were out of our budget, restaurants for lunch that didn’t open until dinner time, and itineraries that would have sent us criss-crossing around our respective cities. In London, Bigfoot’s map function showed two out of the four suggested destinations in completely wrong locations, an issue that the company says it is working on.

“While we expect to face typical challenges associated with an early company, we are confident in our ability to meet them as we acquire more resources and continue to refine our approach based on user feedback,” says Bigfoot CEO Alex Ward. “We’re a preseed startup of six, and itineraries aren’t meant to be perfect just yet. But we are working to do everything we can to get there in the not-too-distant future.”

Bigfoot says its features—which are currently very contingent on the location you provide and how you phrase what you’re looking for—have been tested by 70 to 80 alpha users this year, and the company is refining the platform based on feedback.

A Day Around London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

I picked a day centered around the 560-acre sporting village, which features pedal boats, a track cycling arena, and tennis courts. I had never been before and assumed it would be great fun. It wasn’t.

My day started at 10 am at WIRED’s office in Central London. The first stop was in East London, to eat at a place called Pizza Union, which didn’t open until 11 and which Littlefoot claimed had slices priced £6. (It was wrong.) Armed with Google and a comrade, fellow Londoner and WIRED staffer Sophie Johal, I marched to the underground for a 3-mile trip to Aldgate East, a place I can confidently say no one goes to voluntarily.

We stalled until the pizza place opened. I ordered a margarita pizza pie and a bottle of water, and we sat on a wooden bench on the sidewalk, complete with a view of a strip club called White’s. I choked a bit on an inordinately crispy piece of basil.

Then we walked just over a mile to the next stop, the historic Borough food market, near London Bridge. On the way, in the 17th-century church of Saint Magnus the Martyr, we found a 2,000-year-old crusty-looking wooden log randomly tucked in under the entrance way. Were it not for this trip, we might have lived our entire lives never having seen it.

Across London Bridge, we arrived at the market, where we had to navigate around bag-wearing people and other obstacles to find Horn OK Please, a random Indian street-food stall that happened to be one of the only vegetarian eateries in the entire place. We stood next to a trash bin at around midday and ate dosa chaat (a wrap filled with masala potatoes, onion, coriander, and chutneys). I was sweating profusely, felt like I had eaten a brick, and began to worry about whether I would make it to the Olympic Village at all.

We jumped back on the tube and headed in a circle to Trafalgar Square—2 miles away and five minutes from WIRED’s office. We stood in a crowded queue for 10 minutes outside the National Gallery, and after seeing some familiar public art from the likes of Degas, Murillo, Raphael, and Gainsborough, rewarded ourselves with treats from the gift shop (some badges featuring Van Gogh and Manet artwork and the museum logo, and a chocolate coin—the only things we could afford on our budget).

Back on the tube, I took the Elizabeth Line—opened in 2022—for my first time ever, to get to Stratford and the Olympic Park. Severely tired and dehydrated, I led us beyond mega-supermall Westfield, which overlooked a gigantic car park, to a not-very-scenic path near blocks of flats. By that point, we had figured out that the pedal boats weren’t working, that you had to take a training course for the cycling track, and that the tennis courts were unaffordable on our meager remaining budget.

There was no sign of the hideous steel Orbit Tower , or anything else noteworthy for that matter—we just saw blocks of midrise flats and a rather large park. Invoking the spirit of the Olympics and taking advantage of the fact that we were practically alone, we attempted to complete an obstacle course in a nearby fitness playground. (We got stuck on the equipment a few times.)

And that’s how we ended up lost near the Wetlands Walk close to the River Lea, cycling around on the only available rental e-bike I could find. Unfortunately it could only travel at breakneck speed, so I spent about 20 minutes screaming in genuine fear as I hurtled back and forth through the same bit of stinky swampland, with Sophie perched precariously on the fender like a human pannier.

I gave up attempting to find anywhere after it started to pelt down rain, and realized I had paid £6 for the e-bike, for the pleasure of going absolutely nowhere. We never even found the bike track, and were too exhausted to go to our final stop, six miles away at Bradley’s Spanish Bar. Instead I had an ice cream (two scoops: one straciatella, the other chocolate and hazelnut) at a place near the station. I had a cuppa, and at £64 spent, called it a day.

In the darkest moments, I would have described the itinerary as a teeny bit evil and a lot pointless. It would take two minutes with an internet connection to come up with a better plan, but it would not be as chaotic and random—and ultimately unforgettable.

As soon as I got home, I asked ChatGPT to come up with a rival day: It suggested a cultural walk along the South Bank, winding around Big Ben and the London Eye, with stops to enjoy some art and culture along the way. It made sense, but a small part of me—the same one that screeched in delight at seeing a giant slide that we could go on—wonders whether there was some magic in Littlefoot’s mundane (and inane) picks.

A Day Around Washington Square Park and Central Park in New York

I wanted to see whether Littlefoot could do something a little challenging: Plan a day around Manhattan that I could bring my dog, a 22-pound poodle mix named Charlie, along on. Turns out, it couldn’t.

The app gave me recommendations for a park in New Jersey that wasn’t accessible without a car and two restaurants with the word “dog” in the name—although I’m not sure dogs would be allowed inside—and repeatedly tried to persuade me to take a spin class in Brooklyn, I’m assuming because the word “friendly” was in the description. It also highlighted an expensive helicopter tour of Manhattan when I asked for outdoor activities and, at one point, a Noah Kahan concert (sold out, with only pricey resale tickets available).

Sifting through the options took some work and reprompting. Some of the restaurants recommended were closed at the times Littlefoot suggested I go, and they would send me between the city’s boroughs, or even further out of my way—even when I asked for a day in Manhattan that was completely accessible by subway.

I combined and pruned two itineraries to save myself some agony of hours on the subway. I left Harlem at around 8 am and headed to my first stop: the Obelisk in Central Park, a 3,500-year-old monument brought over from Egypt. Charlie was particularly happy with this plan, as we made it to the park during off-leash hours, and he was free to roam the greenery and trails with other dogs.

We walked a mile across Manhattan’s Upper East Side to get to Claire’s Kitchen Cafe, a tiny Mediterranean-inspired spot with outdoor seating that Littlefoot had recommended. It definitely wasn’t a tourist trap, but rather a neighborhood spot. I had a cream cheese and smoked salmon breakfast sandwich and a latte, both of which were good, but not necessarily something I would travel to a new neighborhood to eat.

Charlie and I took the subway downtown and got off near Washington Square Park, our next suggested stop. The park was quieter than normal on a weekday morning, although I saw some probable TikTokkers running up to people on benches to interview them. We walked past the iconic archway and fountain, and stopped at the dog park, where I threw a tennis ball for Charlie.

We got back on the subway and rode to the AI-recommended 9/11 Memorial & Museum—a somber stop mixed in with all the recommendations for parks and pubs. With my dog in tow, I couldn’t go into the museum, but we did walk around the memorial, and Charlie made a few friends with tourists there.

Our last stop was at the Dead Rabbit for lunch. It was a quirky Irish pub with upscale bar food and drinks, and a bunch of dollar bills taped to the shelves holding liquor. It’s been deemed the best bar in the world by some, and luckily, it was dog-friendly, with one little table out front that was empty when I arrived. I had a burger and a drink, which ran me about $50 with tip. (Charlie slept at my feet during lunch, undisturbed by nearby construction sounds, but completely knocked out.)

About five hours later, I was exhausted and had spent $90 between the subway and food. We had traveled from Harlem, toward the top of Manhattan, to the Financial District at the bottom, taking five trains and walking 5 miles to hit Littlefoot’s recommended spots. I had to rely on my own knowledge of the city to create the most efficient route between the various recommendations provided by Littlefoot.

Afterward, I ran a similar prompt through Perplexity’s chatbot, and found an itinerary with more details about prices and how to get around. This wasn’t perfect, either. It recommended I take Charlie to Manhattan’s iconic High Line, which doesn’t allow dogs, and gave vague advice about buying a bagel from a street vendor “nearby” Central Park. But it did give recommendations in several known parts of the city that would keep me under budget.

Littlefoot got me to try some new restaurants and explore some new corners of famous parks—plus, it got me out of the house and away from my routine. But had I followed its recommendations exactly, I may have ended up going to Brooklyn or Queens to find restaurants with their doors closed, or gone way over budget on some experiences. AI might have some new recommendations, but until the technology improves, I’d rather just ask a fellow New Yorker where to go.

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Discover the secret underground world of Paris

From forbidden tunnels to the legendary catacombs, the City of Light harbors a deeper and darker side.

Paris’s fabled monuments, sublime churches, and iconic sites were created from limestone excavated from a vast maze of subterranean quarries, starting in the Middle Ages. Deserted over time, the tunnels stretch nearly 200 miles and are strictly off-limits. Yet so-called cataphiles, or urban explorers, can’t resist the temptation to trespass underground via sidewalk manholes and secret trapdoors.

The stories have become legend: The old quarries, their walls tagged with graffiti, have hosted nocturnal discotheques, illicit art shows, and secret cine­mas.  

The word “cataphile” takes its name from the cata­combs, a portion of the disused quarries housing one of the world’s largest ossuaries. Stretching nearly a mile beneath the 14th arrondissement in southern Paris, the catacombs contain the remains of an estimated six million Parisians. As the only legal place to explore the underground tunnels, it’s a popular tourist attraction.

The origins of Les Catacombes de Paris go back to a dramatic incident in 1774: A sinkhole engulfed houses on a street near present-day Place Denfert-Rochereau. The quarry network below the capital was unstable and at risk of collapse. To avoid further calamity, King Louis XVI appointed architect Charles-Axel Guillaumot Inspector of Quarries to map and secure the galleries in 1777.

( 9 of Europe’s underground marvels. )

‘The empire of death’

A few years later, a macabre spectacle played out on the Rue de la Lingerie. A retaining wall collapsed next to the Cimetière des Innocents, flooding a neighboring cellar with the rotting corpses of a mass grave. In fact, Paris’s largest cemetery—serving as a major burial ground since the 10th century—was overflowing with cadavers.

Get science-backed tips to nurture your mind and body

The city’s unsanitary and overcrowded cemeteries were thereby condemned, and the king ordered new ones to be constructed outside of Paris. The bodies were exhumed and transferred to their new subterranean resting place, inspired by the catacombs of Rome. Under­ground, the inspector general’s workers organized the skulls, tibias, and femurs into neatly arranged walls. Engraved plaques indicated the cemetery of origin, and the date of the bones’ transfer.

Les Catacombes de Paris did not open to visitors until 1809. The entrance to the necropolis itself is marked with the words: “Arrête! C’est ici l’empire de la mort— Halt! This is the empire of death.” The catacombs were so in vogue that emperors Francis I of Austria and Napoleon III visited, and, in 1897, a large crowd attended an orchestra’s performance of songs such as Frédéric Chopin’s Funeral March .

The celebrated photographer Gaspard-Félix Tournachon , known as Nadar, experimented there with the first photographs created with artificial light on a three-month stint in 1861. Scientists conducted research on the flora and fauna thriving in the pitch black; naturalist Armand Viré even discovered troglodytic crustaceans in the tunnels.

“Under suitable conditions, bones can be preserved for a long time. They nevertheless remain fragile,” says Isabelle Knafou, the site’s general administrator. To ensure the site’s sustainability, a large-scale resto­ration project kicked off in autumn 2023 with a newly imagined visitor experience unveiling in 2026.

( Beneath Paris lies a dark and forbidden world of the dead. )

Métro marvel

Ascending vertically in the city’s substrata, the Mét­ropolitain subway network has been part and parcel of Parisian life since the first line opened between Neuilly and Vincennes in 1900. It’s not just a fast and efficient public transport system—the city’s exacting residents love to bemoan a wait time longer than four minutes—it’s also a bastion of heritage preserved by RATP, the Paris transport authority.

Below the surface, stations brim with art: Pont Neuf is decorated with giant ceramic coins, channeling the nearby Paris Mint, while Louvre-Rivoli showcases reproductions of museum statues, and the copper-lined Arts et Métiers station—resembling the inside of a submarine—is straight out of Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. At street level, Métro signs are instantly recognizable, an iconic part of the cityscape.

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( Going underground: a subterranean tour of London's abandoned tube stations. )

Ride a Métro train underground and you might spy something mysterious out the window as you speed down the tracks: a dark, seemingly abandoned Métro station with nary a soul in sight. Operational in the early 20th century, four such ghost stations were closed at the start of World War II: Arsenal, Croix-Rouge, Champ de Mars, and Saint-Martin.

From the street near the Théâtre de la Renaissance, a set of stairs descends to a graffiti-tagged door. This is the unremarkable portal to a ghost station (Saint-Martin) that straddles lines 8 and 9. Behind another set of locked doors, the corridors are straight out of the post-war period, the walls decorated with colorful ceramics advertising Jav bleach, Capillogène hair loss cream, and Maizena cornstarch. After the war, this defunct station was used as a showroom to test different ad formats.

The platforms on the 9 line were never blocked off. Passengers on these Métro trains are still privy to a peek at the ghost station—if they happen to look up from their smartphones. In the darkness, the train’s headlights illuminate the gatehouse where the station manager once ran the show. Sometimes passengers can even see an illuminated spectacle, when larger-than-life adver­tising campaigns take over the platforms and walls.

( London's underground treasures reveal lifestyles of the rich and English. )

Sewer stories

Closest to street level, the sewers have long fascinated the public. “Visitors first visited the sewers in May 1867 during the Universal Exhibition ,” says Miquel “Mika” Berrichon, an égoutier (sewer worker) who is a guide at Paris Sewer Museum . “They put boats in some of the canals.” Demand was so high that elegant wagons were later built to shuttle the curious public underground.  

Sewage once ran through the center of Paris’s streets. A six-month cholera epidemic claimed 19,000 lives in 1832, leading to a focus on hygiene in urban planning. Under Baron Haussmann’s 19th-century modernization pro­gram, the brilliant engineer Eugène Belgrand transformed the sewer system into the vast, orderly assemblage of gravitational tunnels and pipes that’s still in use today. Baron Haussmann viewed Paris as a metabolic organism, its drinking water piped in from fresh springs, and refuse carried out—through the Paris underbelly—to fertilize fields on the outskirts.

In a section of Les Misérables (1862) titled “The Intes­tine of the Leviathan,” Victor Hugo wrote, “Paris has beneath it another Paris; a Paris of sewers; which has its streets, its crossroads, its squares, its blind-alleys, its arteries, and its circulation, which is of mire and minus the human form.” The book’s hero, ex-convict Jean Valjean, flees his nemesis and the barricades of the June Rebellion of 1832, carrying an injured Marius through the winding sewers—an escape route also used historically by real-life rogues and criminals.  

Today, the sewer network of pipes and tunnels com­prises 1,662 miles, what Berrichon says is “the equivalent of two round trips between Paris and Marseille.” Equipped with protective gear and carrying a sensor to detect noxious gases, sanitation workers navigate the subterranean maze, which is threaded with internet cables and marked by street signs corresponding to the streets above. These real-life heroes keep the city func­tioning for millions of Parisians and visitors.

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