New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour

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.

1. 1

   National Museum of the American Indian

   10 min

   (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.

2. 2

   Battery Park

   10 min

   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.

3. 3

   Fraunces Tavern Museum

   15 min

   (Exterior Visit) The location played a prominent role in history before, during, and after the American Revolution.

4. 4

   Wall Street

   30 min

   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.

5. 5

   Foley Square

   15 min

   Foley Square is the location of the “Triumph of the Human Spirit,” a sculpture honoring the presence of enslaved people in New York.

6. 6

   African Burial Ground National Monument

   10 min

   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.

• 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

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