underground seattle city tour

Underground Seattle: Visit The Subterranean City Hidden Under Pioneer Square

Explore the underground pathways that were built in Seattle more than 120 years ago.

A hidden gem for tourists that enjoy paranormal and unique experiences. Certainly one of the most unusual tourist attractions in Seattle is the Bill Spiedel underground tour, which visits a subterranean city built under the Pioneer Square neighborhood after the Great Fire of 1889.

A historic walk through these interconnecting tunnels will change your perception of Emerald City forever.

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The story behind underground Seattle

The city’s first neighborhood hides the remnants of a fascinating underground world. Under restaurants and shops, you will find an entire network of subterranean hallways, corridors and basements. Buried for decades, these abandoned spaces have become a popular tourist attraction and a real-life history museum of Seattle’s past.

The structures were constructed after the Great Seattle Fire on June 6th, 1889, a fire that destroyed more than 25 blocks of stores, homes and workshops. Soon after, city leaders decided that all new structures had to be built of stone and brick instead of wood and it was ruled that the streets would be raised 22 feet higher. New buildings made the ground level a basement and others simply left their businesses on the underground floors.

A historian and columnist for the Seattle Times, Bill Spiedel, took notice of the subterranean ruins. He mounted a citizen campaign that restored some of the tunnels to their authentic state. Finally, in 1965, he began doing an Underground Tour for any tourists and locals that would like to time-travel to the 1900s.

Where: 614 1st Avenue, in Pioneer Place Park, Pioneer Square, between Cherry and James Street.

Tour info: The tour is 75 minutes long, the underground can be rugged, so don’t hesitate on using comfortable shoes.

You can buy tickets online from Bill Spiedel’s official website and also by phone or on-site.

Featured image from Shutterstock.

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Seattle's Highest Rated Underground Attraction!

Beneath the Streets offers boutique tours dedicated to providing authentic and unique guided explorations through the historic underground passageways of Seattle’s original neighborhood, Pioneer Square.

Our ONE HOUR walking tours are led by fun, professional, and seasoned tour guides who live and breathe Seattle history. We never use scripts and enhance the guest experience with insider tips and local favorites!

     10:00am - 4:30pm

  Seven Days a Week

Tours are ONE HOUR in length departing multiple times daily

__________________________

--  After Hours: Red Light District Tour  

Adults only tour with a focus on the "underside" of underground history. Humorous  discussion about  prostitution, gambling, drinking and vice. 18 yrs +

 6:30pm  Select weekend evenings

 75 minutes in length

 Closed Christmas Day.

* 15.35% tax added to all sales

For parking information click here and enter 102 Cherry Street as your destination.

Operating Hours

The Queer Underground History Tour

OUR NEWEST TOUR Every third Sunday at 1 pm.  Adults only. 75 minutes.

$28 pl us tax

A Comparison of Seattle Underground Tours

There’s another Seattle beneath your feet and it’s possible to explore it now on one of these fascinating underground tours.

(Photo: Getyourguide.com)

Seattle was given its first burst of life as a product of one of the many gold rushes that pulled prospectors and hopeful future millionaires west into the North American continent. A sleeping timber town before that, and previously Native American for 4,000 years before that, the city has undergone a rapid expansion in the last 120 years, with some elements of the older neighborhoods being covered over with newer developments. Tours exploring this oft-unseen side of the city are a great way to take a deeper dive into Seattle life.

Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour

In 1889, the Great Seattle Fire turned the entire downtown business district to ash and ruin. Rather than destroy everything entirely and start again, the new city was rebuilt on top of the old, and some of the remains are open to exploration on this intriguing and entertaining 75-minute walking tour. Underground highlights include Doc Maynard’s Public House, plus a look at the tunnels beneath Pioneer Square. This tour is regular, starting on the hour between 10am and 6pm daily, with extra tours in summer. From $22 per person.

Book at Undergroundtour.com

Beneath the Streets Underground History Tour

Another portal to the paved-over past of Seattle is this history-focused, hour-long tour. The underground portion of the tour takes you to explore three tunnels and four blocks of the city that once was, and still is to a certain degree, buried away beneath the current Pioneer Square. Learn all about how Seattle came to be, how it came to burn, and how it came to be rebuilt. This tour runs around seven times a day throughout the year. From $30 per person.

Book at Getyourguide.com

Seattle Underground Donut Tour

A very different underground to the above two tours is the Underground Donut Tour of Seattle, which is literally above ground and figuratively alternative, in that nobody else is running tours to sample delicious treats like this in Seattle. You’ll stop by four different, top-quality donut purveyors, with tasting samples at each stop. This two-hour tour also acts as a good exploration of Seattle’s best dining spots, including Pike Place Market. From $40 per person.

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Underground Tour, Bill Speidel’s

Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour is Seattle’s most unusual attraction, a humorous stroll through intriguing subterranean storefronts and sidewalks entombed when the city rebuilt on top of itself after the Great Fire of 1889. The 75-minute guided walking tour begins beneath Doc Maynard’s Public House, then spills into historic Pioneer Square, Seattle’s birthplace, before plunging underground for an exclusive, time-capsule view of the buried city. It’s the only way to tour the interconnecting tunnels of the world-famous Seattle Underground—don’t be fooled by imposters. All the while, tour guides regale you with sidesplitting stories our pioneers didn’t want you to hear. It’s history with punch lines! Tickets available in advance, online at undergroundtour.com and by phone at (206) 682-4646, or at our ticket counter at 614 First Avenue, in Pioneer Place Park, Pioneer Square.

• Address 614 First Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
• Phone (206) 682-4646

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The Underground Tour, Seattle – Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour

Home | Travel | North America | United States | Washington | Seattle | The Underground Tour, Seattle – Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour

Seattle is known for rainy weather and the Space Needle, but there is a lot more to this city than meets the eye. As a hub for Pacific-Northwest nature, urbanization, and counterculture, Seattle isn’t without its weird side. One of the best ways to experience the city is by taking  Bill Speidel underground tour .

The underground tour in Seattle  is one of the most popular activities today, but the history behind it goes back to 1889 when a great fire ravaged the city. After the destruction, the city had to undergo complete reconstruction, and, as a result, the former streets now sit beneath the modern downtown district.

When I first came to Seattle, I wanted to see the vast landscape and majestic mountains nearby. Yet, when I learned that there is a whole other side to this city, I was intrigued.

This  Seattle underground ghost tour  isn’t a typical haunted attraction. Lighthearted guides walk you through the  tour  of Pioneer Square’s subterranean depths, including old sidewalks, warehouses, and storefronts.

You’ll start at an 1890s saloon before embarking on a journey through the decrepit tunnels and passageways. Along the way, you’ll learn about the previous glory of old Seattle and visit the sites of former shops, houses, and pubs. The tour is equal parts eerie and entertaining, and something you don’t want to miss!

I’m glad I experienced this part of the city, and to help you plan your trip, I’ve this guide with everything you need to know about exploring  underground Seattle .

The history of the Underground Tour in Seattle, WA

The passageways you’ll traverse during  the Seattle underground tour  were once at ground level back in the mid-1800s.

On June 6, 1889, a young man tripped over a glue pot in a carpentry shop, igniting the Great Seattle Fire, which burned through the entire central downtown district. In less than a day, the blaze destroyed 25 city blocks.

However, the Seattle residents were steadfast in their commitment to rebuild. Work began almost immediately to reconstruct the city center, right on top of the burnt remains. Today, the buildings in Pioneer Square sit 20 feet above the 1880s  underground city of Seattle .

Of course, the former streets and alleyways fell into disuse and remained underground, nearly forgotten. In the 1960s, a  Seattle Times  columnist named Bill Speidel reignited interest in this area. After receiving a reader question about the underground ruins of Pioneer Square, Speidel began guiding people through the tunnels. From there, the tour grew and became one of the most unique attractions in Seattle. Now, anyone can take an  underground tour of Seattle ‘s old ruins!

What will you see on Bill Speidel’s Underground City Tour?

The underground tour of Seattle  starts in Pioneer Square. While today, the neighborhood makes up the southwest section of downtown Seattle, in the mid-1800s, it was the city center.

There are now several  Seattle underground city tours , including the  Bill Speidel underground tour , which begins on 1st Avenue, near Cherry Street.

Throughout the  tour , you’ll travel beneath Doc Maynard’s Public House and wind through the eerie passageways under Pioneer Square. The tour covers several ruinous blocks full of abandoned storefronts and remnants from the past, like old furniture and cutlery.

The guide will take you above-ground a couple of times, stopping at some historic structures before descending back underground. For example, you’ll stop at the Howard Building, which was one of the first major buildings in Pioneer Square.

You’ll also learn about the Klondike Gold Rush, the indigenous Coast Salish population, and Skid Row, where the city’s working-class lived and congregated. While some people consider this to be a  haunted Seattle underground tour , the ambiance is quite lighthearted and humorous.

As you continue your journey, you’ll see the ladders that residents used to traverse the underground and the new, elevated city streets, as well as the purple-glass pavement lights. You can also see restored artifacts that were salvaged from the 1889 wreckage, such as old machinery and public baths.

Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour times

The  Seattle underground history tour  lasts anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes.

The Bill Speidel  Seattle WA underground city tours begin every hour, on the half. From April -September, the company operates from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. From October – March, the hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Also,  the underground tour in Seattle  will go on rain or shine, so dress accordingly!

Seattle Underground Tour Tickets

The  Seattle underground tour tickets  are affordable, yet the costs can add up for families. Kids under 6 are free, although they might not enjoy this type of tour.

I think the price is worth it, especially if you want to know more about  Seattle’s underground tunnels . I really enjoy the tour we took, and our guide was super helpful and willing to share with us so many interesting facts about the underground Seattle.

Please consider that this is a very popular tour, so I recommend purchasing your  Seattle underground history tour tickets in advance since your preferred time might sell out.

Who is Bill Speidel?

While you’re researching the  best Seattle underground tours , you’re sure to come across the name Bill Speidel. So, I think it’s a good idea to give you some background history of this influential man.

Bill Speidel was a columnist for the  Seattle Times . While he joined the paper in the late 1930s, his most notable work didn’t appear until the 1960s. In addition to his newspaper columns, he also wrote two books in 1967 and 1978. Most of his work focused on the history of Seattle’s early settlers.

Speidel was passionate about preserving the city’s history, especially Pioneer Square, which was quite rundown in his days. When a Seattle Times reader asked about the underground remnants of the square, it piqued Speidel’s interest. He investigated the area and then invited the reader to come and see what he found.

Well, that reader ended up bringing along 500 friends. Word spread about this unique  walking tour of Seattle’s underground , and more residents followed Speidel into these previously unexplored depths of the city. He began collecting a $1 fee from each visitor, and the rest is history.

Today, the  Bill Speidel Underground Tour  is one of the weirdest and most popular ways to learn about Seattle’s history.

FAQS about the Seattle underground tunnels tour

Still not sure about exploring the  underground in Seattle, WA ? Here is some more information to help you decide and plan your trip.

Is the Seattle Underground tour worth it?

Yes! This is a very different  tour of Seattle  that you won’t be able to experience anywhere else. Not only do you get to learn about the  Seattle underground tunnels , but you can walk through some of the remains.

How much is the Underground Tour in Seattle?

While the cost depends on the tour company, most  Seattle Washington underground city tours  are $30. The  Bill Speidel Underground Tour  is about $30, but that doesn’t include tips.

Is it necessary to book the Underground Tour in Seattle?

You can have a great time here without doing a  Seattle Underground City Tour . However, if you want to learn more about  Seattle’s underground history , this tour is a must-do.

Where can I book the Underground Tour in Seattle?

You can book the  Bill Speidel Underground Tour   here.

Is there parking for people who are going to do the Bill Speidel Underground Tour?

There isn’t a designated parking lot for the  Seattle underground tour . Instead, visitors should take public transportation since the bus and light rail stops at Pioneer Square LINK station.

Can you eat or drink during the Underground Tour in Seattle?

You can bring a covered drink with you, but food isn’t permitted during the  Seattle underground history tour . The tours start near Doc Maynard’s Public House, and many visitors stop there before or after their tour.

How long is Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour?

The  Speidel Underground Tour  lasts 1 hour.

That’s everything you need to know about exploring the  underground city in Seattle . If you have any other concerns, or you want to share your experience, leave me a comment below and I’ll get back to you!

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5 Reasons To Go Underground For Seattle’s Most Unusual Tour

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Visitors with a curiosity about the other side of Seattle’s story need look no farther than a few feet below them, into the city’s notorious Underground.

Thanks to fascinating guided tours in the city’s historic Pioneer Square neighborhood, venturing beneath the streets is a fairly easy feat. For decades, Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour has been giving tourists a glimpse into Seattle’s colorful past — complete with stories of muddy streets, sinking buildings, non-existent sewage disposal, and ultimately, the devastating Great Seattle Fire of 1889.

As a frequent visitor to the Emerald City over the years, I was familiar with modern Seattle’s top attractions like the Space Needle , Pike Place Market , and Chihuly Garden and Glass . But as I was planning a recent return visit, I realized I had barely scratched the surface of Seattle’s early history as a logging town.

The Underground tour certainly helped to fill in the blanks, from Seattle’s start as a town built on a muddy tide flat, to the destruction wreaked by the Great Fire, and the development of the Underground as a fix for many of the early problems.

Here are 7 reasons to go underground for Seattle’s most unique tour.

1. Quirky History Of Seattle

Bill Speidel’s Seattle Underground Tour lasts about 75 minutes, and an enormous amount of information is packed into that time, all in an entertaining format. My tour guide threw in plenty of humorous stories about Seattle’s early history, including how the first steam-powered sawmill of the Pacific Northwest came to be located in Seattle, as well as the difficulties the pioneer city had disposing of its sewage.

Starting in a theater beneath Doc Maynard’s Public House in Pioneer Square , the tour also features a montage of early-Seattle personalities, including town founders David “Doc” Maynard, Arthur Denny, and Henry Yesler. Cardboard cutouts of the three men are arranged around the room, helping to bring their stories to life.

Tale Of The Great Seattle Fire

The Great Seattle Fire of 1889 was the impetus for the Underground, and the tour focuses considerable time on that devastating event. As relayed by my tour guide, at 2 p.m. on June 6, 1889, a 19-year-old carpenter-in-training burned the city down when he was melting glue in a pot. Halfway through the melting process, the young carpenter left the glue unattended for about 10–12 minutes. By the time he returned, the glue had come to a boil and began splattering onto the kindling that was lying all around.

Hours later, Seattle’s business district, which consisted mostly of wood buildings, was burned to the ground. Seattle opted to start over with stone and brick buildings, and the Underground was born.

Book Now on GetYourGuide

2. Walking Tour Through Historic Pioneer Square

Starting at Doc Maynard’s, the tour heads into Pioneer Square and under the neighborhood’s famous pergola archway. Known as the birthplace of Seattle, Pioneer Square offers a frozen-in-time look at the brick and stone buildings of downtown Seattle in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The cast iron and glass Pioneer Square Pergola was originally built in 1909 and served as a shelter for cable car passengers on the James Street and Yesler Way lines.

3. Underground Passageways And Storefronts

The Bill Speidel tour is billed as a “stroll through intriguing subterranean storefronts and sidewalks entombed when the city rebuilt on top of itself after the Great Fire of 1889.”

The tour delivers on that claim, taking the participants (there were about 20 of us in my tour group) down a series of stairs and into an area of narrow wooden walkways bordered by brick walls bearing vintage signs that read, “South End Steam Baths” and “Northern Hotel.”

Along the way, my tour guide explained the origin of the Underground. He told the group that after fire wiped out about 33 blocks of Seattle’s main business district in 1889, the city came up with the idea of building high-stone-retaining walls around the city blocks and then dumping dirt between them.

The tour’s website adds that the plan involved building walls on either side of the old streets, filling in the spaces between the walls, and then paving over the fill “to effectively raise the streets, making them one story higher than the old sidewalks that still ran alongside them.” Eventually, hollow tunnels were left between the old and new sidewalks, “creating the passageways of today’s Underground.”  

Book Now on GetYourGuide

4. Seattle Street Views

The Underground Tour includes several separate underground areas, as well as walks in between and along the above-ground city streets and alleys.

One of the highlights for me was walking amidst the vintage Seattle buildings, soaking in the history. I learned, for instance, that tour founder Bill Speidel spearheaded the preservation of the buildings of Pioneer Square , many of which had fallen into disrepair by the mid-1950s. Through letter-writing and petition campaigns, Speidel succeeded by 1970 in getting 25 blocks of brick and stone buildings in Seattle’s birthplace listed on the National Historic Register . Along the way, he founded tours to tell the story of Seattle’s Underground.

Pro Tip: One of the standout buildings in the area is the 38-story Smith Tower , an early Seattle skyscraper. Today, it offers tours and an elevator ride to its observation deck with sweeping views of the region.

5. Underground Museum

The tour concludes in the Underground Tour’s Rogues Gallery, which features photos of characters featured in the tour narrative, as well as Northwest memorabilia from Seattle’s early days.

The Underground Gift Shop offers souvenirs and books, including the Sons of the Profits , a book written by tour founder Bill Speidel, who died in 1988.

• Located on 1st Avenue in Pioneer Square, the Bill Speidel Underground Tour is just a few city blocks from the Seattle Light Rail Pioneer Square Station and is an easy 5-minute walk.
• As another option for underground guided tours in Pioneer Square, Beneath the Streets tours offers a choice of a family-friendly exploration of Seattle’s Underground; an adults-only exploration of the debauchery and vice of early Seattle; and a Queer History Tour.

Related Reading:

• 9 Amazing Things To Do In Seattle When It’s Raining
• My 6 Favorite Attractions To Visit With The Seattle CityPASS
• 14 Ways To Spend A Long Weekend In Washington’s Emerald City: Seattle

Cindy Barks is an Arizona-based newspaper reporter, freelance travel writer, and travel blogger. Her blog, NearandFarAZ gives readers an insider's view of the wonders of the U.S. Southwest, and a traveler's take on far-off locales from Panama to Hong Kong to the Czech Republic. Regardless of the destination, her goal is to find the perfect scenic hike, city walk, beach stroll, or road-trip jaunt, and bring it to life in her blog. Cindy's articles about outdoor adventures have appeared in numerous regional and national publications.

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• Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour

Bill Speidel's Underground Tour

600 1st Ave

(206) 682-4646

9:00am-7:00pm

A Little More About Us

BILL SPEIDEL'S UNDERGROUND TOUR is a leisurely, guided walking tour beneath Seattle’s sidewalks and streets. As you roam the subterranean passages that once were the main roadways and first-floor storefronts of old downtown Seattle, our guides regale you with the stories our pioneers didn’t want you to hear. It’s history with a twist!

The tour begins inside Doc Maynard’s Public House, a restored 1890s saloon. Following a short intro, we’ll walk through historic Pioneer Square to three different sections of Underground—about three blocks in all.

The tour ends in Rogues Gallery, the Underground Tour gift shop. Here you will find a mix of historic displays and an array of contemporary gifts showcasing Seattle’s quirky character.

You can get a memento of your Underground Tour experience at Rogues Gallery; a copy of Sons of the Profits, the book by Bill Speidel upon which the tour is based, or a Seattle souvenir or two.

After hearing the history of the invention of the flush toilet in England on the tour, you can check out our beautiful, original Crapper toilet imported from England.

Bill Speidel's Underground Tour

• See all photos

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Bill Speidel's Underground Tour - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

CS Ginger Travel

A Complete Guide to the 2 Best Seattle Underground Tours in 2024

LOOKING FOR THE BEST SEATTLE UNDERGROUND TOURS?

You’ve landed on the right article! We’ve been traveling together since 2010 and have spent months exploring the Pacific Northwest. Seattle is one of our family’s favorite spots to visit in this region of the United States.

Did you know there’s more than the Space Needle and Pike Place Market when it comes to landmarks in Seattle? A Seattle underground tour opens up a whole new hidden part of The Emerald City!

We had a great time as we explored the underground city of Seattle. We had no idea Seattle had such an interesting history, and we were walking on top of it during all of our other trips to Seattle.

🏆 Best Seattle Underground Tour

Don’t have time to read the whole article? The hands-down best Seattle Underground Tour is Beneath the Streets Seattle Underground Tour .

Tag along as we share the most exciting and interesting parts of venturing beneath the streets in Seattle. As well as offer pointers on which tour to take and why! 

Quick Guide: Seattle Underground Tour

Beneath the Streets Seattle Underground Tour ✔️ Unique and Memorable Underground City Tour in Seattle ✔️ Explore Historic Pioneer Square with Expert Guide 

Seattle Underground Donut Tour  ✔️ Includes Delicious Pastries ✔️ Local Guides Provide Fun and Historical Facts 

Beneath the Streets Seattle Underground Tour  

⭐️ RATING : 4.5 out of 5 Stars | 🕑 TOUR LENGTH : 1 hour | Check Rates & Availability

Beneath the Streets Underground History Tour is an amazing tour. We’ve visited Seattle a lot in the past, and this tour definitely stands out as a highlight. It was so fun to explore a new part of the city that we felt we already knew so well. 

The tour begins when you purchase your Underground tour tickets and meet your tour guide at a predetermined spot in the city. The guides for this tour know so much about Seattle’s history and the many cultures that have influenced the place it is today. 

After a short intro, the guide leads you into the underground portion of the tour. Throughout your walk of many city blocks in the Seattle Underground City, you will learn so much about Seattle Underground history. From Seattle’s birthplace and architecture to side stories about how the city was influenced by the Klondike Gold Rush and Skid Row. 

The tour guide was very passionate and entertaining, made the whole experience wonderful. The tour itself was very cool, they did a great job at preserving the history that was left. – Frank (Read More Reviews )

This definitely isn’t a Seattle Underground haunted tour or a ghost tour in Seattle Underground, but walking through Pioneer Square and the attached passageways can feel a little eerie. It’s fascinating to see history right before your eyes while also seeing and hearing current-day happenings above your head through the skylights.

This tour’s underground landscape also makes for the best Instagram-worthy underground tour photos! If you’re interested in taking a journey back in time on a beneath-the-street underground history tour, you will love this tour.

▶️ BOOK Beneath the Streets Seattle Underground Tour

Seattle Underground Donut Tour  

⭐️ RATING : 5 out of 5 Stars | 🕑 TOUR LENGTH : 2 hours | Check Rates & Availability

Seattle Underground Donut Tour isn’t a standard underground city tour in Seattle. This tour takes place along the city’s main roadways but is underground in a playful and hidden sense. Sort of like the pastries you will devour on this tour are so special and exclusive that they are hidden from the common traveler’s eye! 

Unlike the underground tour discussed earlier, this tour is a bit more lighthearted and fun. There is a limited number of participants, so you don’t have to worry about a large group. Local guides will still offer some great insights about the city and fun facts along your journey, but this presentation has a far less historical tone than the underground walking tour in Seattle.

The tour begins at Top Pot Doughnuts, one of the city’s best donut shops. The tour admission covers donut tastings at each stop, but if you’re interested in choosing your own pastry, this spot offers all your favorite old-fashioned classic donuts, as well as a selection of fancier options. 

The tour was great. It was a nice break and easy way to see the city, eat donuts and get a history lesson. The donuts were amazing. – Krista (Read More Reviews )

Depending on the time of year you visit, they may even have some of their seasonal creations on display. The Apple Cider Cake pairs so well with the crisp fall Seattle weather! 

From there, you’ll wander over to Dahlia Bakery, where they boast made-to-order and oh-mochi donuts. As well as breakfast sandwiches, pies, tarts and more. Finally, you’ll reach Pike Place Market and end your donut journey at Daily Dozen Doughnuts, where mini-doughnuts are the name of the game. 

We recommend this tour for first-time visitors to Seattle who would love a guided tour of the city’s highlights while enjoying a fun outdoor atmosphere. Also, families traveling with kids would really enjoy this environment. The walking aspect of it all allows everyone to feel free and able to move, and who doesn’t love a sugar rush? It’s the best thing about the whole tour!

▶️ BOOK Seattle Underground Donut Tour

Things to See and Learn During Your Seattle Underground Tour 

History of seattle .

Underground tours offer visitors a specific look into Seattle’s history. From its tragedies like the 1889 Great Seattle fire to its triumphs in the beautiful city it is today. We find we always appreciate a city more when we know something about the city’s history and the journey it has taken to get to where it is today. 

Historic Pioneer Square 

There’s nothing quite like walking through actual history. The Seattle underground tours offer travelers the opportunity to witness the still intact world of the Historic Pioneer Square over 130 years after it was covered. It’s like taking in a time-capsule view of the buried city.

Underground Passageways 

Pioneer Square isn’t the only highlight of an underground journey in Seattle. Exploring the connected subterranean passages and old sidewalks and visualizing the people who used to forge through them along the uneven terrain over a century ago is just as thrilling 

Above-Ground Street Views 

As you make your way through the underground neighborhood, you will sometimes notice grids above you. These are referred to as skylights. They offer a blurred peek of Seattle’s sidewalks at ground level from the underground neighborhood.

It’s a strange meeting of past and present time. Noticing the light or hearing a sound from the skylights can jolt you from your walk through the past in the historic subterranean neighborhood.

History: Why Is There An Underground City in Seattle? 

Pioneer Square neighborhood, where everything takes place, is below ground today, but in the late 1800s, it was at street level. The historic great fire ravaged the city on June 6, 1889.

As the city put itself back together, city planners and city leaders decided to raise the city streets 1 to 2 stories to a higher level to eliminate flooding issues that plagued the neighborhood often. This left Pioneer Square beneath the present-day streets. 

FAQ: Seattle Underground Tour 

What is the Best Underground Tour in Seattle?

Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour is our top pick for best Underground tour in Seattle. It’s one of the best Pioneer Square underground tours and is such a unique and fun way to experience the city in a new light. 

We also love that it’s an activity you can enjoy year-round. Whether you’re visiting Seattle in December or in the heat of the summer, an Underground Tour is always a great choice!

Can You Visit the Underground City in Seattle? 

Visitors to the Emerald City are more than welcome to explore the Underground City, but a tour is required. Once you purchase tour tickets, the specific tour company will grant you access to the underground world. 

Can You Walk Seattle Underground Without a Tour? 

Tourists cannot walk through Seattle’s underground without a tour. A tour is the only way to gain access to the underground areas.

How Long is the Underground Tour in Seattle? 

Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour is a relatively short tour, about 1 hour long. This includes a fascinating tour of Seattle beneath the streets of the city.

Is Seattle Underground Free? 

Seattle underground tour tickets typically are not free. Ticket prices vary depending on which tour you choose. In some cases, kids six and under can be admitted for free. 

Conclusion: Seattle Underground Tour 

Seattle is a captivating city. It’s beautiful, and there’s so many fun things to do with kids in Seattle . But no matter how many times you visit Pike Place Market, gaze at the gum wall, enjoy a boat tour , or sit in the stands for a Mariners game, you’ll never really know Seattle’s full story.

Still not sure about the best Seattle Underground Tour? We recommend the Beneath the Streets Seattle Underground Tour .

Take the leap and enjoy the underground wonders and history of Seattle’s most unusual attraction. Don’t miss a fun and educational tour on your next visit to the Pacific Northwest. We had a great time on our tour and learned so much about the history of Seattle.

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Candice Steele is the owner of CS Ginger, a blog that helps travelers explore the United States in their RVs. Since 2017, she and her family have been providing valuable insider tips about travel experiences suitable for families. They love exploring the country in their RV and offer helpful insights to make RVing easy and family-friendly.

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The Underground Tour in Seattle

Seattle Travel Guide › Underground Tours Updated: October 15, 2023 By Santorini Dave

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The Seattle Underground Tour

The Underground Tour is pretty much what it sounds like – a tour of the former city streets, alleys, signs, and storefronts now buried a level below the existing city.

Tours of Seattle’s “underground” take visitors down beneath Pioneer Square, and through the maze of buried alleys and storefronts that were once Seattle’s surface streets. They’re a great crash course (or refresher) on Seattle history, and kids and adults both find them fascinating. Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour is the original and most famous. Groups are large, and guides are friendly and knowledgeable – but lean heavily on the “schtick.” (You may find this super fun or supremely irritating, depending on your personality.) This popular daytime tour touches briefly on the city’s seedier side, in coded language so that the kids in the crowd are none the wiser. All bets are off, however, for the company’s after-hours Underworld Tour , which positively revels in this town’s bad and bawdy history of drugs, crime, and prostitution. All the same locations are visited as during the day, but the stories are raunchier at night and guests receive a free cocktail upon completion of the tour (Age 21+). You’ll want to buy your tickets in advance, as both tours routinely sell out.

Seattle Underground Tour Hours & Information The Underground Tour descending to the old city below. Tour Length : 75 minutes Schedule : Tours start hourly every day; 9am-7pm April to September, 10am-6pm October to March. Additional tours on the half hour June to August (box office only), limited hours December 24, and December 26-31. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Location : Tours depart from Doc Maynard’s Public House in Pioneer Square, 614 First Avenue . Website : undergroundtour.com Telephone : (206) 682-4646 Ticket Prices : $22 Adult (18-59 yrs); $20 Senior (60+ yrs) and Student (13-17 yrs or with valid college ID); $10 Youth (7-12 yrs); Kids 6 and under are admitted free, but may find the tour challenging. Parking : There are 3 parking garages within a block of the tour ( interactive parking map ). Limited street parking is also available, but hard to come by. Getting There : 3-minute walk from Pioneer Square light rail station, 7-minute walk from King Street Amtrak Station, and a 7-minute walk from the downtown ferry dock. Pioneer Square is served by Metro bus routes 120, 132, 18, 268, 303, 311, 40, 43, 550, and 62 ( route planning tool ). Nearby Restaurants : The surrounding area is one of Seattle’s best for dining and drinking. The best restaurants near the Underground Tour are Halal Guys (falafel & gyros takeaway, 1-minute walk ), Damn the Weather (cocktail bar/pub, 2-minute walk ), The London Plane (cafe and dining room, 4-minute walk ), Salumi (Italian deli, 6-minute walk ), and Taylor Shellfish (seafood, 6-minute walk ). Recommended Seattle Tours The Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour is our favorite tour in downtown Seattle. Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour – Awesome tour of the specialty shops and top restaurants in Pike Place Market and a few surrounding streets.

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Destinations Detours and Dreams

Underground Seattle: City Beneath a City

Exploring the history of the original Seattle, Washington,

One to two stories below current ground level.

Walking through historic Pioneer Square in Seattle, Washington, it’s hard to imagine the original city is actually underneath me, below street level.

Seattle was founded in 1851 by Illinois settlers known as the Denny Party. Pioneer Square was the heart of the early city. Even though it was built on tideflats and subject to flooding, the city grew. By 1889, the year of the Great Seattle Fire, the city had about 20,000 residents. On June 6 of that year a cabinet-maker accidentally spilled a glue pot. It started on fire. Attempts to put out the grease fire caused it to spread.  Firefighters responded but used too many hoses at once and depleted water pressure. Fire spread rapidly through the wooden buildings and 31 blocks of Pioneer Square were destroyed.

The city rebuilt. New construction in the area was required to be of brick or steel. The city took the opportunity to raise the city out of its swampy grounds. Retaining walls were built along the sides of the street and filled in to raise the roads one to two stories higher than the original grade.

Businesses which had rebuilt now found their first or second story below ground level. Initially pedestrians climbed ladders to get to the sidewalks below, sandwiched between store fronts and the retaining walls. It can’t have been easy for the ladies with their long dresses.

Skylights with small panes of glass were installed at street level to provide light to the sidewalks below. Some can still be seen today, many of the panes turned amethyst-coloured over the years because of the manganese in the glass. Eventually new sidewalks were built at ground level and building owners moved their businesses to the ground floor. However, merchants also continued to use the lower level and pedestrians the underground sidewalks. In 1907, the City condemned the Underground out of fear of bubonic plague. Some basements continued to be used for storage or seedier purposes (flophouses, speakeasies, drug dens), but over time the underground city was forgotten.

In the 1960s, Bill Spiedl, Seattle Times columnist and self-made historian, researched the history of the underground city and began giving tours. His company still gives tours today. Other companies now also offer tours. I took my tour with Beneath the Streets . Underground ghost hunt tours are available through other companies.

Only a portion of Seattle’s underground has been restored and made safe for tour groups. We saw three different sections of the underground – one looking much as it might have years ago, one in the process of being renovated for modern use, and one already renovated and in use. We went above ground between the sections, hearing stories of Seattle’s past along the way.

The tour was an entertaining way to get a glimpse into Seattle’s past and hear some of its colourful history. Have you toured Seattle’s underground or visited any other underground cities?

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28 Comments

Love these hidden gems you found! xo Loren // http://www.thinkelysian.com

Thanks Loren.

I am so sorry I missed this when I was in Seattle How very interesting!

Jacquie, it was very interesting. Such a fascinating story of raising the street level. Something to keep in mind for a future visit to Seattle.

That’s something I’d love to do in Seattle, and I may actually get the chance. We’re hoping to go this fall. I had no idea about the underground tours in Seattle, though. Totally up my alley. Thanks for this.

Jill, I hope you do get to Seattle – lots to see and do. The Pioneer Square where the underground tours occur is full of history.

We did this tour in 2007! Quite a “city!” Hope all the renovation will not obliterate all sections.

Carol, quite a city indeed! It’s nice that renovation is making use of parts of the underground, but I too hope they are able to keep parts of it close to original while still making it safe for tourists to visit.

Hi Donna, Wow, I had no idea this existed. What an amazing thing we humans have accomplished! I have been to the Atlanta underground a while back, but it seems more commercial. The Seattle underground is so raw and practically untouched. Very cool. ~Josie

Josie, I didn’t know that Atlanta also had an underground. It would be interesting to visit that someday. Much of Seattle’s underground is untouched (and likely not safe). It might be interesting to see if it becomes more commercial over the years.

I love Seattle, but never knew about the underground – how cool! Will definitely have to check it out next time I am there!

It is a fun tour.

Hi Donna, Found your blog by doing a “Blog Journey” on my own reaching out to new bloggers and connecting. How interesting! I live in New Jersey and have never been out west. I hear things about Seattle from those who have traveled there.. but how interesting – I never knew this or heard about it! What a tour this must be. What I love is the history you bring to life… life and years just keep plowing by. It’s nice to know in some places we can look back.

Lesley, welcome. I’m glad you came across my blog. This was my first trip to Seattle – it’s a great place.

I have heard about the Seattle underground city but have only explored above ground. Nice photos and narrative.

Thanks Charles. There is certainly lots to explore above ground in Seattle too.

I’ve been to Seattle three times, but two of those times were for a writing conference. The other time was for a few days, and that is when I first learned about the underground tunnels. On my next visit I’ll be sure to make time to fit a tour in.

Jeri, I think you’d enjoy the tour and the history of the Pioneer Square area.

Wow, We had no idea this existed. Next time in Seattle we have to see this, it is incredible.

Veronica, I think it is the type of tour you and David would enjoy.

You just expanded my reasons to visit Seattle, Donna. I think this tour would be great fun–what a way to view a thriving, bustling city. Tagging this post for future reference!

RoseMary, Seattle was a fun visit in total.

I’ve never taken the Underground Seattle Tour, but I did enjoy taking it just now via your story and images. It’s on my list for next time I’m in town.

Thanks Carole – glad you enjoyed my version of the tour!

I have visited Seattle several times, but I’ve never heard of underground Seattle. Just another excuse for me to make another visit to that beautiful city and the Pacific Northwest. 🙂

Suzanne, I think it would be pretty easy to come up a long list of excuses to visit Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, but I’m glad I could help you with one.

I’ve never been in Seattle, but your post definitely made me very curious about this city. I should definitely visit the city and when I do I won’t forget to visit the underground part. Thanks for letting me know about this part of it.

Anda, I found Seattle to be a beautiful and interesting city. The underground tour was certainly a unique find.

Love Exploring

Incredible Underground Attractions In The US

Posted: December 27, 2023 | Last updated: December 27, 2023

Going underground

America’s cities and scenery may be spectacular, but have you ever thought about what lies beneath? From labyrinthine caves and hidden towns to subterranean hot springs and even a zipline park, these cool attractions are all tucked away.

Read on to discover the most awe-inspiring underground experiences in the USA...

Greenbrier Bunker, West Virginia

Hidden beneath the West Virginia wing of the Greenbrier resort, behind 18-tonne blast-proof doors, is the Greenbrier bunker. It was built as a top-secret project in the late 1960s, to safeguard the US Senate in the event of nuclear war. Designed to house 1,100 people, the two-story building has bedrooms kitted out with bunk beds, decontamination showers, and its own power plant. Tours are available.

City Market Catacombs, Indiana

Delve beneath the buzzing cafés of City Market in Indianapolis and you'll find an eerily quiet network of catacombs, stretching for 22,000 square feet (2,044sqm). The limestone and brick arches and pillars were originally the basement of Tomlinson Hall, a vast municipal building that was demolished after a fire in 1958. An organized tour gives visitors the chance to explore the musty underground warren, which is popular with ghost hunters. However, the tours are currently suspended due to construction work around the City Market.

Onondaga Cave, Missouri

Deep in the belly of Onondaga Cave State Park sits Onondaga Cave, a subterranean world of spectacular stalactites and lofty stalagmites. The cave system includes the Lily Pad room, so-named for its lily-like calcite deposits, resting gently on a crystal clear pool. You can take a tour, but bring a jacket as it can get quite chilly no matter what time of year. 

Dinosaur Caves, California

The San Luis Obispo County stretch of the Californian coast is home to a world of grottoes, arches, rock gardens, and caves. It's possible to explore their watery depths on a kayaking excursion – some of the caves run up to 30 feet (9m) deep. There are seals, otters, and dolphins around too.

Old Sacramento Underground, California

In 1861, Sacramento was hit by 45 days of powerful Pacific storms, which caused the rivers to surge through the town, sweeping thousands to their deaths. Instead of deserting their hometown, locals spent 15 years slowly raising the streets and houses by nine feet (2.7m). Today the Sacramento History Museum runs tours around some of the abandoned basements, alleyways, and underground streets.

Inner Space Cavern, Texas

The Texas Highway Department stumbled across what's now known as Inner Space Cavern in 1963, when drilling through rock to test if it could support an overpass. When a drill fell through the roof of the Discovery Cave, the workers realized they were above a vast subterranean network of chambers, with sharp stalagmites, still pools, and even coral (this was once the ocean floor).

Take a look at America's most stunning natural wonders

Indiana Caverns, Indiana

The Binkley Cave system opened to the public in 2013 as Indiana Caverns and holds the title of the longest cave in Indiana – it's also in the top 10 longest caves in America. Activities on offer include cave tours and kayaking on a subterranean river (look out for the cave crayfish).

Wetherill Mesa, Colorado

Tucked beneath overhanging cliffs in Mesa Verde National Park are around 600 sandstone cliff dwellings, dating back some 820 years. These ancient villages were built by Ancestral Pueblo Indians who farmed the land above. You can access the unique structures in the Wetherill Mesa part of the park via self-guided or ranger-led tours.

Learn more secrets and mysteries of Mesa Verde

Valley of Fire cave, Nevada

This rusty red cavern is only four feet (1.2m) wide and deep, but its vibrant color and otherworldly rock formations certainly pack a punch. Tucked away down a dirt track in Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park, the sandstone rock has slowly been eroded by wind, forming the Windstone Arch and alien-like shapes. If you want to see it for yourself, check the GPS coordinates as it isn’t easy to find.

Discover these charming small towns that hide amazing underworlds

Seattle Underground City, Washington

When a fire razed Seattle to the ground in 1889, the city was rebuilt one story higher to lift it out of the boggy land. Roads were filled in and raised, and buildings reconstructed so their ground floors became basements. New pavements then bridged the gap between the raised roads and first-floor entrances, leaving tunnels below. Visitors can explore these subterranean passageways on a guided tour, taking in shop facades, bank vaults, and even a toilet.

Strataca, Kansas

If you loathe lifts, you might not relish the 90-second descent into Strataca, an underground salt mine museum – but it’s worth the ride. The lift takes visitors 640 feet (195m) down into the vast mined-out area. Here, you’ll see giant salt rocks, learn about mining through the ages, and take a train ride through areas that were actively mined in the 1950s. A tram will take you deeper, if you dare, even turning off the lights for a few seconds so you can experience true darkness.

Luray Caverns, Virginia

Buried on the fringes of Shenandoah National Park, Luray Caverns is hard to beat for its staggering scale. You’ll find epic chambers with ceilings over 10 stories high, as well as crystalline pools such as Dream Lake, which has a surface so glassy it perfectly mirrors the stalactites above. There’s also the legendary Great Stalacpipe Organ, which can play Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata by using rubber mallets to strike 37 stalactites of varying sizes.

Antelope Canyon, Arizona

With its rolling waves of vibrant red rock, Antelope Canyon looks like it could belong on Mars. Eerie beams of daylight pierce through from above and cast shadows on the dusty canyon floor. The sandstone walls, which tower up to 100 feet (30.5m) high, have been sculpted into their wave-like shapes by the wind over millions of years. The canyon can only be visited on a guided tour as it's located within the Navajo Nation.

Check out these stunning images of the world's most beautiful canyons

The Edison, California

What do you do with the basement that housed Los Angeles’ first power plant? You turn it into a bar of course, keeping the turbine steam generators and utility tunnels as a feature. Enter The Edison, one of the hottest spots in downtown LA, legendary for its cocktails and fizzing burlesque shows.

You can stay in these extraordinary underground hotels

Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico

Over 119 caves make up New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns. Within this vast cave network, 750 feet (229m) deep underground, is the so-called Big Room, a chamber so huge it could hold over six football pitches. The caves are home to half a million bats that can be seen swirling out into the night sky at dusk. Advance reservations are required to enter the national park.

Lockport Cave, New York

It took nearly 15 painstaking years for workers to blast this 2,000-foot (610m) man-made cave out of solid rock. Created in the 1850s underneath the city of Lockport in New York, the chamber was designed to supply water from the Erie Canal to local industries. Underground boat tours can be booked in advance.

Take a look at the strangest sights in America's biggest cities

Butte underground city, Montana

Hiding beneath Butte, Montana is a deserted secret world, including a barber, shoe shops, a prison, and the Rookwood Speakeasy, a hidden bar from Prohibition days. These are well-preserved relics from the early 20th century, when mining was at its height and the population swelled to around 100,000. Space was at a premium so people started using underground areas connected by tunnels. Today, you can visit on a subterranean tour.

Lehman Caves, Nevada

Over millions of years, subterranean streams dissolved the limestone rock to form this spectacular cave system in Nevada's Great Basin National Park. During Prohibition it was used as a secret speakeasy but now the attraction is the thousands of delicate columns, hollow stalactites (known as soda straws), and needle-like crystals. Look out for "cave popcorn", formed from small lumps of calcite. It looks surprisingly like the real thing. It's recommended that you book a ranger-led cave tour in advance as they regularly sell out.

Homestead Crater, Utah

This geothermal spring in Utah is buried within a dome-shaped limestone rock. Here, you can swim, snorkel, and scuba dive in the blue, bath-like water (it’s 35°C/95°F). For divers, the charm isn’t the marine life (there is none), but the experience of diving down to 45 feet (13.7m) without the need for a wetsuit. Reservations need to be made in advance for the self-guided tour.

Marvel Cave, Missouri

In the 19th century, hopeful miners explored this cavern in Branson, Missouri on a quest for silver. Instead, they discovered bat dung so they set up a lucrative operation, selling it for fertilizer. Down some 600 steps, there are waterfalls and the epic Cathedral Room, big enough to house the Statue of Liberty. Marvel Cave is part of the theme park Silver Dollar City. 

Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

Deep under the South Dakota grasslands is Wind Cave, one of the world’s longest cave networks. Here, the oldest rock formations date back some 310 million years and powerful winds blast in and out of the cavern mouth, causing a whistling noise. To date, over 123 miles (198km) of rocky passages have been explored and six lakes discovered. Here the big draw is boxwork, where calcite forms in an intricate honeycomb pattern.

Mega Zips, Kentucky

Louisville Mega Cavern is actually a vast 100-acre limestone quarry, hollowed out by blasting when it was mined in the mid-20th century. Today, it houses Mega Zips, which boasts the title of the world’s only fully underground zip line course. Get your blood pumping as you slide through the air, reaching heights of up to 70 feet (21m).

Discover the world's most incredible underground attractions

Emerald Cave, Arizona

The unspoiled Black Canyon is just a 45-minute drive from the bright lights of Las Vegas. Emerald Cave is the highlight on the Black Canyon National Water Trail, with its vivid green sparkling water. Visitors can kayak through the still waters of the cove, then paddle out of the glare of the sun and into the caves that burrow into the cliff face.

These are America's most stunning lakes

City Hall subway station, New York

With its leaded skylights, vaulted tile ceiling, and chandeliers, the abandoned City Hall subway station makes you wonder why other stations have to look so functional. City Hall opened in 1904 but closed in 1945 due to short platforms. The New York Transit Museum runs regular tours of the station, but you must book in advance.

Take a look at more amazing abandoned subway stations around the world

Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

Called mammoth for a reason, this labyrinthine network of caves within Mammoth Cave National Park has more than 405 miles (652km) of mapped passages, making it the longest system in the world. And now a team of researchers has discovered eight more previously unknown miles (13km) of underground passages. Visitors can explore 10 miles (16km) of tunnels on a guided hike. The formations are staggering – don't miss Frozen Niagara which looks just like a waterfall sculpted out of rock. 

Ruby Falls, Tennessee

Ruby Falls is hidden 1,120 feet (341m) inside Tennessee’s Lookout Mountain. This cascade of water tumbles 145 feet (44m) into a limestone cave, against the backdrop of music and illuminated by colorful lights. Guided tours take you on the underground walk to the falls and, if bright lights and music aren’t your thing, there are limited spots available on evening tours, where the walk and falls are lit only by lanterns.

Now discover the world's best underground attractions

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• UNDERGROUND TOUR HOME

614 1st Avenue, in Pioneer Place Park, Pioneer Square, between Cherry and James Street. Take the James Street Exit from Interstate 5.

206-682-4646

The Underground Paranormal Experience gives you the expertise and equipment to do your own investigation. You experience what trained paranormal investigators face—in Seattle's notorious Underground! The Underground, created when the city rebuilt on top of itself after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, is renowned for paranormal spirits thought to be the neighborhood’s notoriously murdered, unrequited souls. Hear their stories as you roam the exclusive passageways of the world-famous Underground Tour. Search for paranormal activity using the same sophisticated investigative equipment employed by trained professional paranormal investigators. The Underground Paranormal Experience may haunt you for the rest of your life.

A Hands-On, Lights-Off Attraction Brought to you by the Underground Tour

Tour Schedule

June-August 9 pm Daily September 9 pm Fridays & Saturdays October-March 8 pm Fridays & Saturdays April-May 9 pm Fridays & Saturdays Halloween 10 pm Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Tickets: $33 Recommended for ages 13 years and over. Guests are responsible for the equipment issued to them for the investigation. A deposit is required in the form of a credit card. Items are returned at the end of the evening. The tour is 90 minutes. Please arrive 15 minutes early for paranormal equipment training. Guests who appear to be intoxicated will not be granted admission.

614 1st Avenue, in Pioneer Place Park, Pioneer Square, between Cherry and James Street. Take the James Street Exit from Interstate 5 [206] 682 4646