New York City has so many strata of history, and one of the most fascinating ways to explore the past is by taking the Candlelight Catacombs NYC tour! This unique experience takes you beneath the busy streets of Little Italy to discover hidden burial sites, historic churches, and stories that date back centuries. Walking through these peaceful, candlelit corridors gives you an insight into the lives of early immigrants, the growth of the Catholic community and the complex history of the city. Our adventure travel family was fascinated from the very first step. Buttercup and Spider Monkey were fascinated by detailed carvings and the sense of mystery in every corner. It is both instructive and slightly eerie in the best way possible! This tour is perfect for families who love history, architecture and a little thrill. You will leave with a new appreciation for the layers of culture of New York City and the stories of the people who helped shape it. Every moment seems to me like stepping back in time!
What is the Catacombs NYC by Candlelight Tour?
The Catacombs NYC by Candlelight Tour is such a hidden gem! It takes you under the authentic St. Patrick’s Basilica in Little Italy, showing a side of New York most visitors never see. We were instantly drawn by the idea of exploring centuries-old burial sites, historic rooms and stories of early immigrants who shaped the city. The Basilica itself is beautiful and steeped in history, and walking through it feels like stepping back in time.
Our girls were fascinated from the very first moment on. Buttercup loved dreaming of the lives of families who lived in New York long before us, while Spider Monkey couldn’t stop asking questions about secret rooms and candlelit hallways. The tour guide told stories about priests, parishioners and the early Catholic community in ways that were both spooky and fun! We learned how these underground catacombs were used for burials and how the cemeteries above ground eventually moved, abandoning a quiet, mysterious world beneath.
This tour is great for families who love history, architecture and a bit of adventure. Every part of the catacombs has its own distinct story, and exploring them together felt like we were exposing the secrets of New York City. We learned a lot about the past of the city and left with a feeling of wonder that kept us talking all the way home.
Getting Catacombs NYC by Candlelight Tour Tickets
You can buy tickets for the Catacombs NYC by Candlelight Tour online or in person. The website has options for regular tickets and private groups.
If you book online, you’ll receive a confirmation message containing your meeting time and your entrance details. It is helpful to print your ticket or have it ready on your phone. If you buy tickets in person, try to arrive early at the Basilica to get your place. Lines can get long, especially after school or during weekends.
When You Arrive for Your Catacombs NYC by Candlelight Tour
Finding the correct St. Patrick’s Basilica is the first little adventure! There are a few St. Patrick’s churches in Manhattan, but the Catacombs NYC tour takes place at the Original St. Patrick’s Basilica in Little Italy, tucked away on Mott Street. The historic brick facade and quiet charm make it feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
When we arrived, we checked in at a small room just outside the main Basilica. The staff verified our tickets and directed us to the meeting spot for our guide.
Once everyone is together the guide gives a quick overview of the tour and gives safety instructions. The catacombs are lit with electric candles, creating a soft, twinkling light that feels warm and mysterious, without any fire hazards. Walking down the stairs as a family, we felt the thrill of exploring a hidden part of New York’s history. That first moment in the check-in room really built the excitement, and the light of the electric candlelight made every corner of the catacombs feel magical and just a little bit spooky!
Catacombs NYC by Candlelight Tour Stops
Outside Cemeteries
The tour begins with a walk around the earliest cemeteries that once surrounded the Basilica. These peaceful, historic grounds were the resting places of early Catholic immigrants and parishioners who helped build New York City. Walking among the old headstones and monuments, our family felt connected to the people who lived so long ago. Buttercup was fascinated by the inscriptions and the dates, and Spider Monkey kept pointing out the different figures carved into the stones.
The guide told stories about the people buried here and why these cemeteries were eventually closed and moved. Each headstone tells a story, and our girls were curious about all of them. Being in this space appeared to be both peaceful and full of history. We talked about what life must have been for these early immigrants and how important the church was in their daily lives. Starting the tour here gave us a real sense of place and set the stage for exploring underground catacombs. It was a quiet, thoughtful and inspiring start to our adventure!
Original St. Patrick’s Basilica
The Original St. Patrick’s Basilica in Little Italy is such a beautiful piece of history! Walking inside, our family was immediately amazed by the colors, carvings, and the peaceful feeling of the space. The church was built in the early 1800s to serve the growing Catholic community of New York, especially Irish and Italian immigrants. Back then, the life in the city was challenging for newcomers, and the Basilica became a safe place for worship, learning and neighborhood support.
Every detail of the church tells a story. The stained glass windows show saints and biblical scenes meant to inspire faith in early parishioners. The woodwork and the altar reflect the craftsmanship of the time and the devotion of those who contributed to building it. Our guide explained how the church acted as a center for social services, helping families new to the city, providing education and providing guidance during difficult times.
The Basilica is also connected to the early cemeteries and catacombs. Walking through it, we could really picture the busy streets outside filled with immigrant families, children running to school, and the sounds of worship filling the church. It’s amazing to think that this building has stood for centuries, quietly witnessing generations of New Yorkers grow and thrive!
Catacomb Rooms
Exploring the catacomb rooms seemed as if you were entering a hidden chapter of New York’s history! Each room was lit softly by electric candles. Small iPads in each room offered short videos and information, helping to bring the accounts of those buried here to life. Buttercup and Spider Monkey loved tapping through the iPads to learn more about the people and history around us.
These catacombs have been the final resting place for over 200 years, holding the remains of bishops, priests and prominent New Yorkers who played key roles in the city’s development. One of the most important figures interred here is Pierre Toussaint, a former Haitian slave who grew to be a renowned philanthropist and was declared “Venerable” by Pope John Paul II in 1996. His remains were later moved to the new St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue, and his legacy lives on in the catacombs.
An additional significant figure is Bishop John Dubois, the third bishop of New York, who requested to be buried under the front steps of the church so that people could “walk on me in death as they wish in life.” His grave remains today, a tribute to his strong connection with the community.
The catacombs also house the remains of Thomas T. Eckert, a Union Army officer and confidant of President Abraham Lincoln who played an essential role in military communications during the Civil War. Walking through these sacred spaces as a family and seeing the history come alive through the iPads made the visit both educational and deeply moving.
Family Verdict
Our adventure travel family loved Catacombs NYC by Candlelight Tour! Exploring the Basilica, the cemeteries and the catacomb rooms brought history to life in such a way and was both fun and educational. Buttercup and Spider Monkey were fascinated by the stories, carvings and electric candlelit rooms, and the iPads made learning significantly more engaging. Walking through the spaces where priests, bishops and early New Yorkers are buried gave us a real sense of the city’s past. It was a memorable, slightly spooky and totally inspiring experience, that generated so many questions and conversations as a family.
Make sure to check out our nearby adventures at NBC Studios, the NYC Catacombs, the Crown of the Statue of Liberty, the United Nations Headquarters, Rockefeller Center & Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall, and Central Park via Pedicab. Also, follow along on our complete family adventure through New York City!
Follow along on our other amazing family travel adventures at www.adventureisinoursouls.com.
