JEWEL IN THE CROWN:
OLD CITY HALL STATION

Event Date Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Time: 11am-12:30pm ET
Off-Site
$50

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Group of people touring Old City Hall in 2017

Image: Marc A. Hermann / MTA

In 1904, New York City’s very first subway ride left from the City Hall Station amidst great civic pride. With exclusive access through the New York Transit Museum, explore the elegant chandeliers, leaded skylights, vaulted tile ceiling, and graceful curves of this decommissioned subway station.

The tour begins above ground with the fascinating history of Alfred Beach’s Pneumatic Tube and the development of City Hall and the subway system. Then head underground to explore the station designed by renowned architects George Heins & Christopher LaFarge, with innovative vaulted tile ceilings by master artisan Rafael Guastavino. Tours last approximately 90 minutes.

Though its track is still active as a turnaround for the 6 line, trains no longer stop at Old City Hall station. New York Transit Museum members have the unique opportunity to explore this New York landmark through exclusive guided tours.

Tickets will be available at 10am ET on Wednesday, August 6th to Transit Museum members only.

Registration for Old City Hall Station is a two-step process:

First, become a member!

Then go to your selected tour’s page and log into your membership account at the top right-hand corner of the page (if you are already a member, you may need to reset your password). Then click the registration link to purchase ticket(s). You can buy as many tickets as there are people covered by your membership. Ticket allowances for each Membership Level are available here. If you are not yet a member, join now to access all the perks of membership.

Second, all ticket holders, including the purchaser and any intended guests, must provide a copy of a government-issued ID and sign the Visitor Release form within 48 hours of your ticket purchase.

Old City Hall Station is a restricted access site, and all visitors must comply with the security process.

A link to the ID submission and Visitor Release form will be included in your confirmation email.

Each ticket holder (except those ages 10-17) are required to complete this step. If you are purchasing tickets for additional guests, you must forward the link to the form to them as they will not receive a separate email.

If you are purchasing a ticket for a youth ages 10-17, you will include their names on your form in the space designated.

Failure to complete both steps will result in the cancellation of your registration and your ticket cost will be converted into a tax-deductible donation to the New York Transit Museum.

Additional Information & Policies

Ticketing

Tickets cost $50 per person and are only available to New York Transit Museum members.

Please note:

Our ticketing page is different from our online store and the two accounts are not connected.
If you have not logged into your account recently, we recommend checking and/or updating your password prior to sales.
Museum guest passes and caregiver add-ons are valid only for Museum admission. The PCA add-on for members with disabilities is valid for member-only programs but must be requested by emailing [email protected] as soon as tickets are purchased.

Members can buy discounted tickets for the number of people covered by their membership. For more information on membership ticket allocations for the Old City Hall station tour, visit this page.
Visit this page for more member ticketing FAQs.

All ticket sales are final. If you cannot attend the program on the date you reserved or do not submit security materials in time, the total price of unused tickets will be treated as a donation to the Transit Museum and is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Tickets are non-refundable, cannot be transferred to another date, and cannot be used by another individual. 

Age Requirements

Children ages 10 and up need their own ticket to the program.

Children must be at least 10 years old to attend an Old City Hall Station tour and must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Program Experience

Tours run rain or shine, and require walking, standing, and stair climbing. Restrooms are not available on the tour route and there may not be places to sit or amenities like climate control. The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, with about 20 minutes in the Old City Hall Station (which can be noisy).

Please wear comfortable shoes (flip flops and backless shoes are prohibited) and dress for the weather, as part of our tour takes place above ground.

Accessibility

Walking and climbing stairs required. Some parts of the tour are accessible for small, lightweight wheelchairs, but the full tour is not.

Pets, or comfort, therapy, or emotional support animals are not permitted at Museum programs. Only service animals as defined by the ADA are permitted.

For information on American Sign Language interpreter requests, Assistive Listening Devices, or other accessibility matters please visit our accessibility page or email [email protected]. If you secure tickets, please request any accommodations via email at least two weeks after the time of ticket purchase.

Review and download the Old City Hall Tour Social Narrative to learn more about what to expect at this popular event.

More Policies

Please click here to learn more about the Old City Hall Station tour and its policies.

Questions? Email [email protected].