The Underground Railroad was the secret network set up to assist slaves escaping to freedom from the Southern States of the USA in the mid 19th century. It was made up of meeting points, secret routes, transportation and safe houses, with help along the route provided by abolitionist sympathisers.

Arena Travel have put together a tour allowing you to discover the fascinating history of Black slavery in the USA and retrace key parts of the route taken by slaves as they escaped to freedom in the northern states and Canada. Underground in the sense of ‘secret’, the Railroad was marked by ‘stations’ along the way where fugitive slaves could call on help, run by ‘station masters’ who were a mixture of free slaves and white abolitionists.

The tour takes in some key Black History sites, and all in the company of local experts who will share with you their in-depth knowledge. But that’s not all as you’ll also see some of the best New York State has to offer in terms of scenery, including magnificent Niagara Falls, New York's second city, the thriving metropolis of Buffalo, the beautiful Finger Lakes region, the tranquil Lake Erie Canal, and the Hudson Valley.

Throw in some wine tasting, the annual Pinkster Festival in Sleepy Hollow (a vibrant celebration of Black culture) and two days in buzzing New York City, and you have a fascinating journey of discovery brimming with new sights and experiences.

During the 1800s, it is thought more than 100,000 enslaved people sought freedom via the Underground Railroad. Escaping slaves would move along the route from one ’station’ to the next, steadily making their way north. ‘Conductors’ and ‘Station Masters’ on the Railroad included free-born blacks, white abolitionists, former slaves (either escaped or manumitted), and Native Americans. Churches also often played a role.

One of the most famous of all conductors on the Railroad was Harriet Tubman, who guided over 70 slaves to freedom. The slaves would move under cover of darkness, travelling about 15-30km (10-20 miles) per night, usually on foot. They would stop at the so-called ‘Stations’ during the day and rest. A message was then often sent down the line to let the next Station Master know that the slaves were on their way.

Southern newspapers of the day were often filled with notices giving information about escaped slaves and offering rewards for their capture and return. As a result, Federal Marshalls and bounty hunters pursued fugitives as far as the Canadian border. Slavery was eventually abolished in the USA in 1865.

A journalist from The Voice also went on this tour with Arena. You can read what they had to say about it by clicking here.

For further infomation and enquiries please contact Arena Travel on 01473 660 80.