
New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 420 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour worth booking?
New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour is a 2.5-hour experience in New York, United States, from $49 per person. It scores 87 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 420 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 87 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (420)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- $49 per person
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.
What you get
About this experience
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.
What's included
Included
- History of the Underground Railroad
- Slavery in Historical Context
- The site of New York’s first slave market
- Local guide
- Fraunces Tavern
- African Burial Ground
- New York’s Role in Slavery
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What you'll see and do
National Museum of the American Indian
(Exterior Visit) Built in 1907, Alexander Hamilton Custom House stands as a Beaux-Arts treasure commemorating the rise of trade and commerce in NYC with 3 floors of art and artifacts dedicated to Native Americans.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Battery Park
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.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Fraunces Tavern Museum
(Exterior Visit) The location played a prominent role in history before, during, and after the American Revolution.
15 minutes here · Admission not included
Wall Street
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.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Foley Square
Foley Square is the location of the “Triumph of the Human Spirit,” a sculpture honoring the presence of enslaved people in New York.
15 minutes here
African Burial Ground National Monument
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.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New York
In front of the National Museum of the American Indian.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
Private Group of 1 - 10
Exclusive experience for your group with a dedicated guide.
Tour
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Inside Out Tours LLC
Know before you go
- 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
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 420 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
420 verified traveler reviews for New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A Powerful and Meaningful Historical Experience
A very interesting, informative, and meaningful tour. Sean, our tour guide, was extremely knowledgeable and presented the history of slavery in a very engaging and compelling way. He shared the history with great depth and sensitivity, helping us to better understand this painful and important part of history. His knowledge and storytelling made the tour both thought-provoking and valuable. Highly recommended!
via Tripadvisor
Here's a polished version...
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!
via Viator
Important but little known history
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.
via Tripadvisor
Disappointing Tour the Second Time
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.
Response from the operator: 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.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent tour that moves one deeply, highly recommend
Stacey is an extremely knowledgeable, passionate, kind and considerate guide. She gave us a very impressive tour that moved us deeply. Highly recommend!
Response from the operator: 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!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Price range
- $49 to $389
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 147
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Inside Out Tours LLC, who run 12 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 54.2.
See everything Inside Out Tours LLC runsWhy this scores 87
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.
How much does New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour cost?
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Prices start at $49 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour take?
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Plan for about 2.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New York is not rushed.
Is New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 87 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 420 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour?
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Around 147 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New York and add a light layer if any part of the 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in New York?
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New York has more bookable experiences than any other city on Outty, and the quality spread is brutal. Observation decks are commoditised, so we score them on timed-entry reliability and sunset slots. Food tours and borough walks are where the ranking really separates operators, and the top scores in the city all come from small-group guides. On Outty we rank every New York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown Walking Tour in New York. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit New York?
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September to early November, and late April through June. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in New York?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour?
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Included: History of the Underground Railroad; Slavery in Historical Context; The site of New York’s first slave market; Local guide; and Fraunces Tavern. Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour?
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In front of the National Museum of the American Indian. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; and Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour?
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Across 420 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, good for families. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Private Group of 1 - 10, Tour. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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