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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.

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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.”  

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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.

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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