GROUP VISITS
Relive the experience of traveling through New York City during the early, mid, and late twentieth centuries! Explore our collection of vintage subway and elevated cars and objects from the archive that share the stories of public transportation.
TOUR SCHEDULE
In-Person (60 minutes)
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: 1pm and 2pm
Saturday: 10:30am and 12pm
Group capacity limited to 20 participants.
Adults
Up to 20 people
College/University Groups
Up to 20 people
Senior Groups
Up to 20 people
Adults with Disabilities
Up to 17 people (including staff and chaperones)
A limited number of fee waivers are available for groups of adults with disabilities. The waiver is limited to one visit per site each year. The application process runs on a first-come, first-served basis. Please email [email protected] for more information.
Plan a unique outing for your company, club, or community group. Led by museum educators, these tours bring to life the people, technology, and history that keep the city moving. Choose from one of the themed experiences below to suit your group’s interests—from the history of our historic Court Street Station to hands-on team-building activities.
FOR ADULTS
Learn about the unique history of the New York Transit Museum, which was once Court Street Station. The station home to the HH shuttle train opened in 1936 but closed ten years later due to low ridership. In 1976 the station re-opened as the New York Transit Exhibit, and today is home to the New York Transit Museum, the largest museum in North America devoted to public transportation. During your educator-led tour you will travel through time by visiting vintage train cars, seeing highlights of the museum’s collection, and touring special exhibitions.
FOR ADULTS
Perfect for team building or just a little friendly completion. After an introduction to the museum, divide into groups and compete to see which group can get the most correct answers on our challenging scavenger hunt through the museum. An educator will be with the group for the duration of the visit to provide the introduction, assist with group division, and score the answers at the end to declare a winner.
FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ONLY
Explore New York City’s subway system from past to present. Track the history of our complex transit system on a tour of our vintage train collection while also discussing how we safely ride the subway today, from entering the system with a MetroCard or OMNY tap to recognizing potential concerns and social cues.
For questions about adult group tours and the booking process, please email [email protected].
For questions about accessibility please email [email protected] or visit our accessibility webpage.
Payment by credit card is preferred but checks are also accepted. If payment is not received at least weeks prior to your visit, your program will be canceled. Refunds cannot be given less than three weeks before your visit. If bus service is suspended due to inclement weather or other factors, we may be able to reschedule groups. Additional payment information will be sent upon booking.
Reservations are required for all group visits. The Museum does not allow self-guided or unscheduled groups at any time. The Museum does not have lunch facilities. We encourage groups to eat, weather permitting, at some nearby outdoor eating options including Columbus Park, Korean War Veterans Plaza, or Cadman Plaza Park. The Museum does not have a coat or bag check and cannot store backpacks and coats during your program.
Due to the Museum’s popularity and historic subway station home, we are unable to accommodate unscheduled or self-guided group visits.
To help keep this unique space safe, accessible, and enjoyable for all visitors, please note the following guidelines when planning your visit:
Our goal is for every visitor to have a safe and enjoyable experience while also preserving our beloved subway station and collections. Our staff are here to help make your visit run smoothly, and we appreciate your cooperation with these guidelines.
If guidelines or staff instructions are not followed, visitors may be asked to leave and tickets will not be refunded.
Please arrive no more than 5 minutes before your scheduled tour; the Museum cannot accommodate entry any earlier. Upon arrival, your educator will meet you at the top of the stairs outside the Museum. Do not enter until you are with your educator. Late-arriving groups will receive an abbreviated program. We cannot extend tours due to late arrival for any reason. If you anticipate a late arrival, please email [email protected].
All groups must depart at their scheduled time. Groups may not stay in the Museum after the program ends.
Tours are non-refundable within three weeks of the scheduled visit, though changes to times and dates may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis and as space allows.
Upon booking, you will be asked to share any specific needs for your group so we can best assist you. The Transit Museum is wheelchair accessible via a lift which has a total weight limit of 450 pounds. The lift moves slowly and allows one person at a time, so please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your program’s start time. If you need to use the lift, please inform us in advance. For more information about accessibility options, including ASL Interpreters and listening devices, please visit the Museum’s accessibility page on our website.
Traveling by Subway
Taking the train is the best way to begin your visit to the Transit Museum. We are conveniently located a short walk from:
Borough Hall station: 2, 3, 4, and 5 lines (0.2 miles)
Jay Street–MetroTech station: A, C, F, and R (0.2 miles)
Hoyt-Schermerhorn station: A, C, and G (0.2 miles)
Traveling by Charter Bus
Buses may make drop offs on either Boerum Place or Schermerhorn Street. Parking is limited and unpredictable in Downtown Brooklyn.
