New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour
Description
Learn the contributions of enslaved people to NYC including the brave uprisings against oppression. Then discover the exciting history of the Underground Railroad, a network of clandestine routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans primarily to escape into free states and Canada. Visit an archeological site and memorial dedicated to the memory of enslaved Africans in colonial America. Visit the site of a former station on the Underground Railroad. Learn about the revolts, kidnappings and dramatic escapes that occurred during the era of American slavery. Listen to tales of courage and triumph and discover the stories of real New Yorkers who risked their lives and properties to help people escape slavery on this historical New York City walking tour.
Tour Options
Itinerary
(Exterior Visit) Built in 1907, Alexander Hamilton Custom House stands as a Beaux-Arts treasure commemorating the rise of trade and commerce in NYC with 3 floors of art and artifacts dedicated to Native Americans.
For more than 200 years, The Battery has been an invaluable part of New York City’s history. Decades before Ellis Island was built or the Statue of Liberty gazed down at incoming boats, millions of newcomers arrived at The Battery from Europe and elsewhere.
(Exterior Visit) The location played a prominent role in history before, during, and after the American Revolution.
An actual wall existed on the street from 1685 to 1699. The heart of the financial system and the former location of the Wall was built by enslaved people.
Foley Square is the location of the “Triumph of the Human Spirit,” a sculpture honoring the presence of enslaved people in New York.
African Burial Ground and memorial is the oldest and largest known excavated burial ground in New York documenting the lives of enslaved people in New York.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(417)
The tour brought history to life. Our guide, Ludie, combined her deep knowledge of history with outstanding teaching skills, making every stop engaging and meaningful. Our whole family learned so much, and by the end of the tour, history felt real in a way that books alone could never capture. Highly recommended!
Really interesting and important tour explaining the history of slavery and the underground railroad in 17th/18th century NY. Our guide Ludie was superb in bringing the history to life, and kept us captivated by the way she weaved the history into a narrative story. I'd highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting NYC.
I took this tour in November 2024, loved it, and brought a family member back to enjoy it with me. This time, it didn't seem like the same tour. The guide, while knowledgeable, told long, rambling stories out of chronological order, which was very confusing. Needless to say, it was disappointing, so much so that we ended up leaving about 45 minutes before the tour was due to end.
Thank you for coming back to see us, and for bringing your family members along this time! We love when past guests return to share their experience with loved ones, and we are so glad you enjoyed your first tour with us in November 2024. To share a bit of insight, our history walking tour route and core historical content haven't changed at all. However, we sincerely apologize that this visit did not live up to your expectations. This guide usually receives wonderful feedback and gives excellent tours, but we recognize that everyone can have an off day. We will certainly investigate what may have happened during your specific tour to ensure we maintain our high standards. Again, thank you for your feedback and we look forward to seeing you on another tour with us.
Stacey is an extremely knowledgeable, passionate, kind and considerate guide. She gave us a very impressive tour that moved us deeply. Highly recommend!
Thank you for your heartfelt review! We’re delighted Stacey made your New York City walking tour deeply moving, informative, and memorable. Her extensive knowledge, passion, kindness, and thoughtful approach reflect the exceptional guided experiences Inside Out Tours strives to provide. We truly appreciate your enthusiastic recommendation and support!
Sean was absolutely amazing! He is an incredible guide and his depth of knowledge made the tour unforgettable.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled Sean made your New York City walking tour unforgettable. His exceptional knowledge, engaging storytelling, and passion for history reflect the high-quality guided experiences Inside Out Tours strives to provide. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again!
The tour guide Luby was amazing! So knowledgeable and attentive to the details, the narrative, and the story behind history. You walk away with such a thorough understanding of the topic, both in its more historical and systematic aspect, and in the lived realities of the people who were impacted and who made a difference within it. Can’t recommend it enough!!
Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re thrilled Ludie made the tour informative, engaging, and meaningful. Her detailed storytelling and historical knowledge helped connect broader systems with the lived experiences of those who shaped history. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on another Inside Out Tours experience.
My tour was canceled due to “weather”. There were zero weather issues in NYC today. It was a beautiful day. Yes, it’s cold but not dangerously cold. Bundled up like the rest of us and do the tour you promised.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. The tour scheduled for that day was canceled due to a snowstorm forecasted to impact travel and walking conditions. As a company, we prioritize the safety of our guests and guides above all else. We closely monitor weather forecasts and make operational decisions based on the best available information to ensure the well-being of everyone involved. While we understand that cancellations can be disappointing, we do not compromise on safety when conditions pose a potential risk. These decisions are made thoughtfully and with the sole intention of protecting our customers and staff. We appreciate your understanding and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you on a future tour under safer weather conditions.
Maia was an excellent tour guide. 2 1/2 hours went by so quickly. I lived in New York City for about 18 years and everything that I learned on this tour was pretty much new information to me. Maia was so knowledgeable and engaging. I can’t wait to do some more of these tours.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that Maia provided an excellent, knowledgeable, and engaging tour, and that even as a former resident, you learned new information. We look forward to welcoming you back for more tours in the future!
Great tour guide who shared her wealth of knowledge with us. Even if you think you already know a lot about the topic you'll learn something new
Thank you for your fantastic feedback! We are thrilled to hear that the tour guide's knowledge and passion made your experience so enriching, and that you learned something new. We aim for every tour to be insightful and enjoyable. We hope to see you again soon!
Ludie is a history professor. I learned so much on this tour. Her energy and enthusiasm made the tour more interesting then I expected. I want to come back a do another tour with her.
Thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that Ludie's passion for history and engaging style made your tour so enjoyable and informative. We look forward to welcoming you back for another tour with her soon!
