A hidden passageway under a dresser drawer, discovered in the 1930s and confirmed as an Underground Railroad stop in 2024, gives families a tangible way to talk about the journey to freedom with kids.
History
Family
Walking Tour
Day Trip
Educational
NYC Landmark
I first heard about the Merchant’s House Museum passageway from a friend who lives in Harlem. She told me about the 2-foot-by-2-foot wooden hatch hidden under a dresser drawer on the second-floor hallway, and how you climb down a built-in ladder into a 15-foot shaft. That image stuck with me. Here was a secret space in a 19th-century row house, built at a time when helping someone escape slavery was illegal in New York City and carried severe penalties. The 2024 research confirming the first owner, Joseph Brewster, was an abolitionist turned a local curiosity into a national story. For families, it also turned a history lesson into something you can actually walk into.
The question is whether that history works for your kids. The payoff is real: a hands-on encounter with a route to freedom, in a city where bounty hunters once made a living capturing freedom-seeking Black people. The comfort tradeoff is that the sites are spread across the boroughs, some in residential neighborhoods with limited kid-friendly infrastructure, and the subject matter demands honest conversation. Manageable for a morning at one site, but a full-day trail across multiple stops risks fatigue, especially for younger kids.
What the Trail Actually Feels Like With Kids
The Underground Railroad sites near NYC are not theme parks. They are private homes, small museums, and historic markers tucked into regular city blocks. The Merchant’s House Museum at 857 Riverside Drive operates as a preserved 19th-century home, and the passageway is the centerpiece of its story. Climbing down the ladder into the shaft is the kind of thing Sofia (13) found genuinely gripping—she wanted to know who hid there, how they stayed quiet, what they ate. Emma (6) needed more context: the space itself is small and dark, and I had to frame it as a hiding place, not a play space.
Around each of the five boroughs, there are homes that were hideaway stops, though not all are open to the public. The National Park Service restored the original Harriet Tubman and Underground Railroad webpage in March 2025, which helps families find sites and prepare before they go. The physical demand is low—walking, standing, some stairs—but the emotional demand is real. Kids need to be ready for talk about slavery, escape, and the people who risked everything to help.
The Stops Worth Your Time
I focused on the sites that are open to visitors and have clear family appeal. The Merchant’s House Museum leads the list because of the passageway, but a few other spots around the city give the trail more depth.
Merchant’s House Museum
The hidden hatch is under a dresser drawer in a second-floor hallway. You descend a 15-foot shaft with a built-in ladder into a narrow space that served as a hiding spot for people escaping slavery. The museum director, Emily Hill-Wright, noted that the discovery substantially increased foot traffic, and the site now faces a threat from a proposed nine-story mixed-use building next door, which engineers say could cause structural damage. That tension—preserving history against development—is something older kids like Sofia can engage with. The museum’s own tours are the only way to see the passageway, and they fill up fast. A guided walking tour of the area can add context about the surrounding neighborhood’s abolitionist history.
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Harlem Historical Society
Jacob Morris, director of the society, provided key context about the dangers abolitionists faced—homes burned, people tarred and feathered, bounty hunters working the streets. The society doesn’t run a permanent exhibit on the Underground Railroad, but it offers walking routes and can point families to nearby safe-house sites. Leo and I stopped by on a Saturday morning and found a small but helpful collection of maps and reading recommendations for kids.
Other Borough Stops
Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx each have known safe-house locations, though most are private residences with plaques or markers. A private sightseeing tour can be customized to visit several of these in a half-day loop, which saves parents from navigating unfamiliar blocks with tired kids. The kid-friendly tours focused on NYC history often include a stop at the Merchant’s House and a nearby abolitionist site, which keeps the pacing reasonable for a 6-year-old.
| Site | What Kids See | Best For Ages | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merchant’s House Museum | Hidden passageway, 19th-century home | 8+ | 1–1.5 hours |
| Harlem Historical Society | Maps, walking routes, reading list | 10+ | 30–45 min |
| Borough safe-house markers | Plaques, exterior views | All ages | 15–20 min per stop |
Getting There, Cost, and Timing
The Merchant’s House Museum is in Manhattan, accessible by the 1 train at 157th Street. Driving is possible but parking is tight—expect to pay around $15–$25 for a lot. The museum charges admission, typically around $15 for adults and $10 for kids, though the passageway tour may have a separate fee. The Harlem Historical Society is a short walk east, and the borough stops require subway or car connections.
Spring and fall are the best windows for a trail day. Summer heat makes walking between stops harder, and winter limits access to some outdoor markers. A city tour that covers multiple historical sites can simplify logistics, especially if you’re not familiar with the subway system. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission is still evaluating the development next to the Merchant’s House, so check for any access changes before you plan your visit.
How to Prepare Kids for the History
This trail requires a conversation about slavery before you go. For Sofia (13), I gave her a short book about Harriet Tubman and let her lead the discussion. For Emma (6), I focused on the idea of hiding and helping, without the full brutality of the system. The key is to match the detail to the child’s maturity—Leo listened in on our conversation and asked simple questions about the ladder and the dark space.
Bring water, snacks, and a small flashlight for the passageway, which is dim. Comfortable walking shoes are essential—you’ll cover a few blocks between stops. A full guide to NYC with kids can help you layer this trail into a broader trip without overloading the day.
- Book the Merchant’s House Museum tour online at least a week ahead—passageway slots fill up, especially on weekends.
- Visit the museum in the morning (9:30 a.m. opening) to avoid crowds and give kids fresh attention spans.
- Pair the Harlem Historical Society with a walk through nearby St. Nicholas Park, which has a playground and green space for a break.
- Bring a printed map of the borough markers—cell service can be spotty in some residential blocks.
Is This Trail Safe and Age-Appropriate for My Kids?
Is the Merchant’s House safe for young kids?
The museum is a historic home with narrow stairs and the passageway hatch. Emma (6) managed fine with hand-holding, but the space is dark and enclosed—kids prone to claustrophobia may struggle. The museum staff are patient and used to family visitors.
How do I talk about slavery without scaring my child?
Focus on the rescue and the helpers—the abolitionists, the safe-house owners, the people who ran the network. The National Park Service’s restored Underground Railroad page has age-appropriate language and suggested reading.
Can we do the whole trail in one day?
You can, but it’s a long day with a 6-year-old. I recommend the Merchant’s House plus one other stop, with a lunch break in between. The borough markers are best saved for a second visit.
What if the museum is closed or the tour is sold out?
Check for last-minute cancellations, or visit the exterior of the building and read the historical marker while you talk about the passageway. The Harlem Historical Society’s walking route can fill an afternoon without a reservation.
Is the development threat still active?
Yes. The Landmarks Preservation Commission is reviewing the proposed nine-story building next door, and the museum’s future access is uncertain. Follow the museum’s social media for updates before planning your trip.
What I’d Tell Another Parent
This trail works best for families who want to talk about real history, not just see it. The hidden passageway gives kids a physical anchor for a story that can feel abstract. Emma remembered the ladder and the dark space for weeks afterward. Sofia asked to read more about Harriet Tubman. Leo just wanted to know if there were more secret doors. That range of reactions is exactly what makes this trail worth the trip—for the right ages, and with the right preparation. For more ideas on building a history-focused NYC itinerary with kids, check out our guide to Fort Greene Park, a historic green space with its own abolitionist ties.
Sources
NYC’s Newly Identified Underground Railroad Passage Is Under Threat. NBC New York, 2024.
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. National Park Service, 2025.
