HOW TO TOUR OLD CITY HALL STATION
Old City Hall Station tours go on sale three times a year to members. The next round will go on sale August 6, 2025 at 10am ET.
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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! Then head to your selected tour’s registration 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
Because Old City Hall Station is a restricted site, ticket holders must complete the following within 48 hours of purchase:
- Upload a government-issued ID and sign the Visitor Release form using the link provided in your confirmation email.
- 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 will cancel your registration and your ticket cost will become a tax-deductible donation to the New York Transit Museum.
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.
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.
Additional Information and Policies:
Ticketing
To buy a ticket, 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.
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.
- Visit this page for more ticketing FAQs.
All ticket sales are final. If you cannot attend the tour 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 tour date, and cannot be used by another individual.
Age Requirements
Children must be 10+ 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.
By registering for this event, 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.
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].
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 unless otherwise stated.
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 nytransitmuseum.org/accessibility or email [email protected]. If you secure tickets, please request any accommodations via email at least two weeks in advance.
Review and download the Old City Hall Tour Social Narrative to learn more about what to expect at this popular event.
Questions? Email [email protected].