Summary

  • NYC has a vast subway system with 472 stations and 800+ miles of track, one of the first and largest in the US.
  • Abandoned tunnels & stations in NYC, like Old City Hall, Track 61, and Myrtle Avenue, hold hidden histories.
  • Explore NYC's underground, from secret military tunnels to catacombs under St. Patrick's Old Cathedral.

Manhattan. Brooklyn. The Bronx. Queens. Staten Island. Five boroughs make up this glorious social haven known as New York City. Recognized as having some of the tallest buildings globally and housing some of the most iconic structures in America, like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building, the acclaimed "City that never sleeps" is one of the most sought-after cities on the globe.

With its immense skyscrapers, flashy Broadway performances, and never-ending traffic, it can be easy to forget that there's more to New York than its shining surface — literally. Just think of all the tunnels under NYC and, in particular, the tunnels under Manhattan.

New York City is home to 472 subway stations with more than 800 miles of track — the subway being one of the best things about NYC — and that's not even counting the ones forgotten about, such as well as secret military tunnels (like the rumored Fort Totten tunnel).

Yes, NYC is known for its subways and sewers, but what else? Just what is lying below the bustling city streets? Is subterranean New York more than just another hole in the ground? What forgotten tunnels under NYC are there? Read on and embark on a journey to discover New York City underground.

UPDATE: 2024/03/11 21:43 EST BY AARON SPRAY

More Tunnels Underneath New York City

There are many kinds of tunnels underneath New York City, including subway tunnels, access tunnels, and sewer tunnels, and likely others like secret military and escape tunnels. But there are also catacombs under NYC under St. Patrick's Old Cathedral. This article was updated and expanded with more types of tunnels underneath NYC.

Numerous Tunnels Exist Under NYC

NYC has one of the first and largest subway systems running beneath it (and that's just the start)

Now let's start to wander below the busy streets of New York City. New York City has some hidden tunnels underneath. A long time ago, these tunnels were constructed for the comfort of travelers. These include Track 61, Grand Central Terminal, Myrtle Avenue Tunnel, West 91st Street station, Worth Street station, East 18th Street subway station, South 4th Street subway station, and Old City Hall subway station.

NYC Subway System:

  • Number of Stations: 472
  • First NYC Subway Tunnel: 1869 (experimental); 1904 (operational)
  • 60%: Percentage of tracks below the surface
  • Longest: In the USA (13th longest by tracks globally)
  • Number of Lines: 28

There are also seven secret tunnels, like the Farley-Morgan Postal Tunnel, McCarren Pool Tunnels, East New York Freight Tunnel, Columbia University Steam Tunnels, Atlantic Avenue Tunnel, Hidden Concourse at 1271 6th Avenue, and Underground Spine of Goldwater Hospital.

These subway stations have been a part of the city's fascinating history. Stories about these tunnels have been told from one generation to another. Most of these tunnels are abandoned and already forgotten, though there are said to be people who live in these abandoned tunnels.

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Lost Stops & Tunnels Under Manhattan

Many subway stations and various tunnels have been forgotten or become lost under Manhattan

Yellow lines in a subway station in New York, Manhattan
Shutterstock
Yellow lines in a subway station in New York, Manhattan, one of the tips on how to use NYC subway as a tourist

Whether due to expansion, World War II, or lack of use, many subway stations that once transported thousands have now worn out their service and become abandoned with time. Still, these subway stations have been a part of the city's fascinating history, and their stories deserve telling.

Old City Hall

Erected in 1904, City Hall was the first New York City subway station to open to the public. Bedecked with leaded skylights, elegant chandeliers, and grand arches, the Old City Hall subway station is like an underground cathedral.

Service at Old City Hall ended because the station couldn't withstand larger trains, thus rendering it amongst the least-used stations. Though no longer in use today, New York Transit Museum members may — for a fee — explore the station through exclusive guided tours.

  • Operated 1904-1945
  • Designed by Heins & LaFarge

Track 61

Located beneath the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Track 61 at Grand Central Terminal was initially used to carry freight and store old train cars. However, after its acquisition by the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, the track was repurposed for other means.

Due to its ideal location beneath the famous hotel, the track became a means of discreetly allowing distinguished guests to and from the hotel. Today, the track is unused, but you can catch a brief glimpse of it while riding the Metro-North out of Grand Central.

Some myths of its uses persist today:

  • Train car (formerly) on the track alleged to belong to President FDR
  • Andy Warhol private party in 1965

Myrtle Avenue

The unsuspecting victim of the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit line rebuild, Myrtle Ave subway station used to run on the BMT line between Bridge and De Kalb Avenue. The station ran until its closure in 1956 when the entire area underwent renovations due to congestion issues at the De Kalb Ave section.

During the rebuild, Myrtle Ave lost its southbound platform entirely, and the northbound platform became deserted. Today, the abandoned station is home to an artwork of 30 images (228 hand-painted panels) by Bill Brand called Masstraniscope, which was installed in 1980 and is visible on the Q and B commutes to Manhattan.

Subway train in Brooklyn, New York City
Shutterstock
Subway train in Brooklyn, New York City
  • In use from 1915-1956
  • Built with re-enforced concrete
  • Sometimes referred to as Gold Street

Though many of these tunnels have faded from memory, others survived in the lore shared from one generation to another. The following tunnels have withstood the test of time, and some have even managed to regain use.

Atlantic Avenue Tunnel

Known today as the world's oldest subway tunnel, the Atlantic Avenue Tunnel is an abandoned tunnel that runs through the neighborhoods of Downtown Brooklyn and Cobble Hill. It was built in 1844 as an open cut but was roofed over and converted into a tunnel five years after opening.

Following an 1861 controversy, the tunnel remained sealed until 1981, when Brooklyn local Bob Diamond rediscovered it and gave tours of the tunnel until its reclosure in 2010. Though no longer accessible to the public, its barrel-vaulted ceilings can be glimpsed from inside the bar Le Boudoir.

  • Guinness World Record Holder for oldest subway tunnel
NYC subway turnstiles
Photo by Paulo Silva on Unsplash
NYC subway turnstiles

Columbia University Steam Tunnels

Beneath Columbia University, there exists a tunnel system connecting most campus buildings. These tunnels act as a conduit for much of the campus' infrastructure, such as steam, electricity, and telecommunications. The oldest tunnels date back to the days of the Bloomingdale Insane Asylum and are extremely hot.

  • Students traveled these tunnels during the 1968 Student Strike
  • Tunnels once used to tap the university's telephone systems
  • Linked to the Manhattan Project
Train tunnel with light literally at the end of the tunnel
Via: Photo by Claudia Soraya on Unsplash
Train tunnel with light literally at the end of the tunnel

Freedom Tunnel

Located beneath Riverside Park in Manhattan, Robert Moses erected this tunnel in the 1930s to increase mobility for the residents on the Upper West Side. The tunnel, which used to run freight trains until 1980, expands about 2.6 miles.

It became a haven for graffiti artists when regular operations on the track ended, and it's believed that the track's name came from Chris "Freedom" Pape, a prominent graffiti artist who used the tunnel walls to create some of his most notable work.

  • Once occupied by the homeless population
  • Amtrak began the use of the tunnel in 1991
  • The Freedom Tunnel is mentioned in several documentaries and books
  • More To Be Discovered?

The Unseen Beauty Of NYC's Subway

Some of the abandoned subway stations are beautifully decorated

What is buried underground of the city is not any ordinary tunnel or subway that simply has passages and railroads. While most of the structures are abandoned, other tunnels are preserved for good. Some of the tunnels are quite beautiful because of their architectural designs. Some are seen with ornate decorations and stained glass.

Others are simply seen with attractive ceilings. Who would not dare to go down the Old City Hall Subway Station which is littered with skylights, chandeliers, and spectacular arches? It is like an underground cathedral that was hidden all this time. Another one is the Atlantic Avenue tunnel, which is known to be the oldest subway tunnel in the world. Its barrel-vaulted ceiling gives the place an extraordinary view.

What Tunnels Under NYC Can People Visit?

There are a number of abandoned tunnels and stations that people can visit in NYC

To see a glimpse of some of the lost tunnels under NYC, consider booking the NYC Underground Subway Tour. Explore what was once the largest subway system in the world and learn how the first subway in NYC was actually built illegally under the cover of night. The subway tour explores some of the abandoned stations that people can not ordinarily access.

The NYC subway system started at City Hall Park and that is where the tour starts (guests also get to explore some decommissioned parts of City Hall Station).

  • Cost: $29 - $35
  • Duration: 2 Hours

The tour is a trip through time, including discovering the first attempt at building a subway in NYC in 1869 (it was a concept demonstrator and only 300 feet long). The NYC Underground Subway Tour takes around 2 hours.

New York Also Has Catacomb Tunnels (& You Can Visit)

Journey under St. Patrick's Old Cathedral and discover NYC's hidden catacomb tunnels

An exterior view of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral
jrtwynam / Shutterstock
An exterior view of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral

Unknown to many, but NYC has catacombs. Granted, these are not the vast tunnels under cities of Europe (such as Rome and Paris) but they are catacombs nonetheless.

These catacombs are under a functioning church, so visitors are asked to dress and conduct themselves respectfully.

The only Catholic catacombs in New York City are hidden beneath the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral. These catacombs are now over 200 years old and are the resting place of some of New York's most influential figures.

Catacombs Of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral:

  • Tour Duration: 80 minutes
  • Location: 266 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012
  • Tour Tickets: Starting from $32.00
The large wooden doorway to the catacombs at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, New York City, USA
Shutterstock / jrtwynam
The large wooden doorway to the catacombs at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, New York City, USA

These are open to the public and can be visited with a guided tour. The tours include an expert guide, access to areas off limits to the general public, and tours of areas above and below the surface (including the catacombs, walled cemetery, and cathedral).

One of the best ways to see these unique catacombs is with the candlelight tour designed to thrill the visitors (a great option for the Halloween season).