Guests tour Old City Hall station, leaded skylights and arches are visible and a train goes past

HOW TO TOUR OLD CITY HALL STATION

Old City Hall tours go on sale three times a year to members. The next round will go on sale in January 2026. Sign up for our newsletter for all the updates. 

In 1904, New York City’s very first subway ride departed from the architecturally stunning City Hall station in Lower Manhattan, a moment of great civic pride for the city. Though the station is still active as a turnaround for the 6 line, it was decommissioned in 1945. Only New York Transit Museum members have the exclusive opportunity to step inside this landmark through guided tours, and discover its elegant chandeliers, leaded skylights, vaulted tile ceiling, and sweeping structural curves.

Tours last approximately 90 minutes and begin above ground with the fascinating history of Alfred Beach’s Pneumatic Tube and the development of the city’s first subway system. The tour then heads underground to explore the station designed by renowned architects George Heins & Christopher LaFarge, featuring innovative tiled ceilings by master artisan Rafael Guastavino.

Below, find out everything you need to know to visit Old City Hall Station.

Ticketing Details

Tickets cost $50 per person and are only available to New York Transit Museum members. They go on sale three times a year and sell out quickly so don’t miss your chance!

To view upcoming tour dates, visit the programs calendar. Sign up for our newsletter for all announcements and updates.

Registration for Old City Hall Station Tours is a Two-Step Process

Step 1: Become a Member and Register

First, become a member! Create an account in our online ticketing system. If you bought your membership online, you likely already set this up! If you’ve never bought tickets from us online before, create an account here. You do not need your membership card or number to buy tickets.

Then head to your selected tour’s ticketing page and log in to your membership account using the button at the top right corner. Once you’re logged in, you can purchase your ticket(s). See below a full list of ticket allowances for each membership level.

Step 2: Complete Security Requirements

Ticket purchase does not guarantee admission. Because Old City Hall Station is a restricted site, each attendee must pass a required background check. Ticket holders must complete security requirements within 48 hours of purchase:

  • After you complete your purchase, you will receive instructions via an email from [email protected] to upload a government-issued ID for a required background check and to sign the Visitor Release form.
  • All ticketholders 18+ must complete the security requirements individually. If you are purchasing tickets for any guests, forward the link to them as they will not receive a separate email. Guests ages 10-17 do not need to submit an ID but must be listed by name on the purchaser’s form in the designated space.
  • Failure to complete this step within 48 hours will cancel your registration and your ticket cost will become a tax-deductible donation to the New York Transit Museum.
  • If a guest does not pass the background check, we will contact the guest via email as soon as we are notified.

Ticket Allowances for each Membership Level

You can buy as many tickets as there are people covered by your membership. For example, to buy two tour tickets, you will need a Dual, Dual Plus, or higher membership. Use the chart below to see how many tickets each membership type allows.

chart explaining what type of tickets each level of membership buys

Please note:

  • Tickets for children (included with Family membership and above) are for youth ages 10-17 only. Adults may not be substituted for children’s spots on any tours. Children under 10 are not permitted on the Old City Hall Station tour.
  • 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.
  • Tickets are nontransferable and all sales are final. If you or your guest(s) cannot attend the tour, the full cost price of the unused ticket(s) will be considered a tax-deductible donation to the Museum.
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Additional Information & Policies

Ticketing

Tickets cost $50 per person and are only available to New York Transit Museum members. They go on sale three times a year and sell out quickly so don’t miss your chance!

To view upcoming tour dates, visit the programs calendar. Sign up for our newsletter for all announcements and updates.

You can buy as many tickets as there are people covered by your membership. For example, to buy two tour tickets, you will need a Dual, Dual Plus, or higher membership. Use the chart above to see how many tickets each membership type allows.

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 on the ticketing page 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.
  • Tickets are nontransferable and all sales are final. If you or your guest(s) cannot attend the tour, the full cost price of the unused ticket(s) will be considered a tax-deductible donation to the Museum.
  • 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.

Photography & Filming

Personal photography and short video clips are permitted at Museum programs. Continuous audio or video recording of our programs is not permitted. Tripods, monopods, stands, selfie sticks, Go Pros, and external lights may not be used. All photographs taken must be for personal, non-commercial use and permission to photograph may be revoked at any time.

Professional photography and recording are not permitted, unless authorized with advanced approval by the New York Transit Museum’s Press and Marketing Department. Professional photography and recording include taking photographs or videos for publication, advertising, or commercial purposes. To contact the Press and Marketing Department, please email [email protected].

Old City Hall Station is not available for press visits, film shoots, photo shoots, or private events. 

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.

Visitor Release

Attendees assume for themselves and anyone in their party including minors under the age of 18 all risk of injury, harm, or death, and agree to release, indemnify, defend, and forever discharge New York Transit Museum and our partner organization(s) for this event from all liability, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses, and causes of action.

Any materials (images or recordings) provided or shared by the Museum or presenters during programs are for personal use only. These images may not be used by media or for commercial purposes, including in blog posts, social media, news coverage, or promotional materials of any kind. All such images remain the intellectual property of the New York Transit Museum or presenters unless otherwise stated.

By attending this program, you consent to having your image, voice and/or likeness filmed, recorded, and/or photographed. The resulting materials may be used by the Museum without restriction, credit, financial compensation, or other consideration, for any and all purposes. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please notify a Museum staff member before attending the program.

Newsletter

By registering for an event, excursion, or program, you will be added to the New York Transit Museum’s email newsletter list, which allows you to receive reminder emails, notices of upcoming programs, and news. You may unsubscribe anytime using the link at the bottom of the newsletter. Please Note: Unsubscribed individuals may not receive important program reminders and updates, which may include necessary information to participate such as Zoom links and departure locations.

Contact Us

Questions? Email [email protected].