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Historical Tours

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Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square Tours

26 Tours & Activities

Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour

Badge of ExcellenceSeattle, United States

From $29.03

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Secure your spot while staying flexible
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
Seattle Tours
All Seattle Tours
Audio Guides
Likely To Sell Out
  • 1 hour (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Discover Seattle’s original neighborhood, Pioneer Square, on this guided walking tour. Explore the underground pathways that were built in the southwest corner of the Emerald City more than 120 years ago. Learn about Seattle’s history and the events that transformed this once-small Indigenous dwelling place into one of the most popular and thriving cities in the United States. Each small-group tour is unique, with insider tips from a professional, local guide.
  • Enjoy a walking tour of old Seattle
  • Discover Pioneer Square, the Emerald City’s original neighborhood
  • Learn about Seattle’s history and the events that led to its beginnings
  • Compare modern-day Pioneer Square with that of yesteryear
  • Small group ensures a personalized experience
Operated by:

What's Included

  • Professional guide
  • Gratuities
  • Disposable masks available for purchase at $1.00 each for guests unable to provide their own mask

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

  • 102 Cherry St
    102 Cherry St, Seattle, WA 98104, USA

    Look for the black awning over the sidewalk; the stairs beneath will lead right to the check-in desk.

End point

  • 119 South Main St
    119 South Main St, Seattle, WA 98104, USA

What To Expect

Get ready to discover the original Emerald City, the city of Seattle, Washington, from its inception in the 1890s. This entertaining and educational underground voyage travels beneath the streets to uncover three blocks of historic, old Pioneer Square. Explore not only the underground passageways that were built more than 120 years ago, but also the modern Pioneer Square that exists today.

Hear tales from the past, like the story of the stampede to the Yukon gold fields and Seattle's crucial role in what would become the Klondike Gold Rush. Find out about Skid Row, a dilapidated urban area that served as the main street in Pioneer Square. And get to know the history of a group of people called the Coast Salish, the ethnically and linguistically related Indigenous peoples that first settled here.

Beneath the Streets

Beneath the Streets focuses on factual, historical information that details the birth of our city, 1890’s architecture, and several other stories including the Klondike Gold Rush, Skid Row, and the Coast Salish Peoples that first inhabited the area. Our tour guides participate in workshops on cultural traditions and history with special guest historians and Native Tribal members as continual professional development.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Pioneer Square

We cover four city blocks of historic Pioneer Square and explore three underground passageways originally constructed in the 1890's. You'll see and hear the history of the neighborhood from both the original and current street levels.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Operates rain or shine, please dress appropriately
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

about cancellations.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

It was raining the day we went so there were some puddles to deal with so wear comfortable shoes that are appropriate for the weather.
The tour is only one hour, so great for kids.
Reviews
4.5
4,111 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 4,111 reviews
A time travel to old Seattle via underground tunnels.
Anita_S, Jan 2023
Tour started started Imogen - our host - with historical background of Seattle, and the forgotten city that leaves underneath. Her excellent story telling continued as we walked through the underground tunnels, the first exhibit was pillar that was left from the original fire that reshaped the industry. It was surreal to see it stand just before you. She took us through various tunnels, and talked about historical buildings along with cute stories that accompanied them.
Kept trying to...
Jonathan_M, Jan 2023
Kept trying to reschedule, because I couldn't make it due to an accident that happened on my way there. I would like a refund.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
oh no! I am sorry you did not get your refund! Please email me at Terrilyn@beneath-the-streets.com and I am happy to help you with this!
Awesome and educational!!
Dennise_A, Jan 2023
Our tour guide was wonderful! Had so much knowledge of Seattle! I recommend doing this tour the day you arrive in Seattle so you can go see the sights she shows you!
Great tour of the Seattle underground
Thomas_S, Jan 2023
Jerry was a fabulous guide….knowledgeable and engaging. Such a fascinating and unique story. The one hour tour is a great overview. I think they should offer a two hour version of the tour for those interested in more details of how the project was carried out.
Worth the time and $
Kristie_C, Jan 2023
Such a neat tour and our guide was terrific. Very educational about Seattles past. I had no idea Seattle was named after an Indian chief
Lots of History
Janette_W, Jan 2023
I wish the tour had been longer and that we had been able to see more of the tunnels. I'm not sure it's worth the price, but it was still very interesting. I learned a lot of history of the building of the city.
1 traveler found this review helpful
Lovely tour guide
Sydney_P, Jan 2023
Lovely tour guide and a fascinating history of the city of Seattle. An excellent way to learn about and see hidden gems within a beautiful city.
Being a tourist in our town
Kristen_B, Jan 2023
After living in Seattle for over two decades it was a nice experience to hear more about Seattle's historic district and past. A fun family day and our kids thought it was cool to be underground. Great personable tour guide too.
Beneath the Streets Tour- a “must see” experience!
Michael_L, Jan 2023
Jim was an excellent tour guide. We learned so much about Seattle’s rich history in such a fun an interactive way, from the building of the streets, the fires and the firefighters memorial, sea walls, building architecture—even the small colored glass squares we were walking on. It is a “must see” experience!
Amazing Experience! Highly Recommend
kourtney_g, Jan 2023
Absolutely loved this tour! The guide was excellent and was able to share so much history as well as local recommendations in just one hour. Highly recommend!
Enjoyed every minute of it!
Jenny_P, Jan 2023
It was fascinating to hear the history of Seattle and to hear about the early days of this beautiful city. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and very engaging.
Learn about Seattle
Alex_A, Jan 2023
Worth the price. It is very educational, personal, and fun. If you have an hour and a half to spare it is worth the time and money to learn about the city, but plan on a dry day.
Best hour in Seattle!
John_B, Jan 2023
So interesting listening to the history of Seattle. My kids age 13 and 10 were so interested to hear the stories. Our guide was so informative and fun! Also you get discounts to local businesses which is awesome too! Go to Intrigue chocolates for Sure!!!
Great chance to learn about the history of Seattle in a dungeon.
Semin_K, Jan 2023
It was inspiring and a great chance to learn about the history of Seattle. I recommend this if you do not know much about Seattle or want to explore the city underground.
Jennifer (and the tour) rock!
Brian_K, Jan 2023
This tour was incredible. Jennifer was our guide and she gave the city a life. She answered my questions and then some. She was awesome. I learned a ton about the history of Seattle. She kept the group together and kept everyone close to hear her and not get left behind.
Interesting and entertaining
Laia_C, Jan 2023
The history of how Seattle grew as a city was very interesting. The spaces helped picture the background. The guide was very knowledgeable and definitely made the experience ten times better.
Wonderful experience!...
Julie_E, Jan 2023
Wonderful experience! Learned so much and had a terrific tour guide! We got to see so much of the city and learn things we didn’t know.
Not your average tourist tour.
Andrea_H, Dec 2022
If you're a history, architecture, or engineering buff... do this tour. Ask questions! They love it.
Our tour guide Dave was...
Blanca_B, Dec 2022
Our tour guide Dave was VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE! Best tour in Seattle area. Learned a lot more of Seattle's history and new local landmarks that we visited after the tour.
Recommend
Stacy_C, Dec 2022
Wonderful guide and tour. 10,000 years of Seattle history in 1 hour! You definitely get your moneys worth.
...

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Product code: 36129P1

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