Astoria Underground Tours - Astoria, Oregon

Exploring Astoria's Hidden Past: A Deep Dive into Astoria Underground Tours

Nestled in the charming coastal city of Astoria, Oregon, lies a unique and captivating attraction that transports visitors back in time to explore the city's rich history and forgotten stories. Astoria Underground Tours, located in the lower parking lot of the Columbia River Maritime Museum, offers an unforgettable journey into Astoria's subterranean past, revealing the stories of the city's earliest residents and the events that shaped its destiny.

Main Services

• Historical Walking Tours: The signature service of Astoria Underground Tours, these guided walking tours delve into the hidden underground tunnels and cellars of Astoria's historic buildings, offering a unique perspective on the city's past. Participants will learn about the city's role in the fur trade, the impact of the 1922 fire that destroyed much of downtown Astoria, and the lives of the early residents who once walked the same streets.
• Private and Specialty Tours: In addition to their regular walking tours, Astoria Underground Tours offers private tours for groups of up to 10 people, as well as specialty tours focused on specific themes, such as the city's role in the Prohibition era or its connection to the Lewis and Clark expedition.
• Educational Programs: Astoria Underground Tours works with local schools and educational institutions to provide engaging and interactive learning experiences for students. These programs include guided tours, classroom presentations, and hands-on activities that bring history to life.

Location and Access

Astoria Underground Tours is conveniently located in the lower parking lot of the Columbia River Maritime Museum, at 1125 Marine Drive, Astoria, Oregon 97103. The museum is situated in the heart of downtown Astoria, just a short walk from the Columbia River waterfront and many of the city's other popular attractions. The location offers easy access to public transportation, with the Astoria-Megler Bridge and the Astoria Column nearby. Free street parking is available in the surrounding area, as well as paid parking at the museum.

Featured Characteristics

• Expert Guides: Led by knowledgeable and engaging guides, Astoria Underground Tours ensures that each tour is both informative and entertaining. Guides are passionate about Astoria's history and share their enthusiasm with participants, bringing the city's past to life in a engaging and interactive way.
• Unique Access: Through partnerships with local businesses and organizations, Astoria Underground Tours provides exclusive access to underground spaces and historic buildings that are not typically open to the public. This unique access allows participants to explore Astoria's hidden history firsthand.
• Storytelling: More than just a walking tour, Astoria Underground Tours is a storytelling experience. Guides weave together historical facts, anecdotes, and local legends to create a captivating narrative that immerses participants in Astoria's past. The tours are designed to appeal to a wide range of interests, from history buffs to curious travelers.

Practical Information

• Tours: Astoria Underground Tours offers daily walking tours from May through October, with additional tours available throughout the year by appointment. Tours typically last between 1.5 to 2 hours and cover approximately one mile of walking. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather, as tours take place rain or shine.
• Pricing: Ticket prices for Astoria Underground Tours vary depending on the type of tour and the group size. Regular walking tours are priced at $20 for adults, $15 for seniors (65 and up) and students (with ID), and free for children under 12. Private and specialty tours are priced individually, with group discounts available for parties of 10 or more.
• Booking: Tickets for Astoria Underground Tours can be purchased in advance online or by phone at 415-713-4141. Walk-ups are welcome, but reservations are recommended to ensure availability and to receive the best pricing. Appointments are required for private and specialty tours.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google My Business, Astoria Underground Tours has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from satisfied customers. Many reviewers praised the engaging and knowledgeable guides, who brought Astoria's history to life in an entertaining and informative way. The unique access to underground spaces and historic buildings was also a highlight for many participants, providing a fresh perspective on the city's past. Additionally, reviewers appreciated the convenient location of the tours and the flexibility of the scheduling options.

One reviewer, who gave the tour a perfect 5-star rating, raved about the experience: "Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and made history come alive in a way that was both engaging and fun. The underground spaces were fascinating, and I loved learning about Astoria's past. This is a must-do for anyone interested in history or looking for a unique way to explore the city." Another reviewer, who visited with a group of friends, noted that the tour was "the perfect blend of history, adventure, and camaraderie, making for an unforgettable afternoon."

In conclusion, Astoria Underground Tours offers a unique and captivating way to explore the rich history of Astoria, Oregon. With expert guides, exclusive access to historic spaces, and engaging storytelling, the tours provide an immersive and unforgettable experience for history enthusiasts and curious travelers alike. Whether you're a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor, Astoria Underground Tours is a must-do attraction that sheds new light on the city's past and its enduring spirit.

👍 Reviews of Astoria Underground Tours

Tosh&Wendy H.

5/5

My son was doing research on Astoria Underground and what better way to learn and research than to take a little field trip. We took him and two of his friends on the tour and they absolutely loved it!!!
We drove up from Salem, which is almost a 3 hour drive and we were running late by 15 min because of unexpectedly longer traffic time, and the hosts of the tour were so kind to wait for us, even when they didn’t have to. We appropriate you guys sooo much!!!
The tour itself was super informative and fun. The kids were talking about it all the way back home, how much history Astoria has under the ground, and how fun the tour guides were.
Definitely a must when you come visit Astoria 🙂 plus Astoria itself is beautiful.

Thank you!!!

Maeve H.

5/5

This tour was fantastic and I cannot recommend it enough! The tour guides are entertaining and informative with deep connections to historic Astoria. They pack a lot of fascinating local history into just 1 hour. You cannot miss it!

Jason B.

5/5

The was such a fun and educational tour. The 3 “gentlemen” were entertaining and had local attachments and personal experiences with the underground.
It lasted about an hour but honestly I could’ve listened to their funny interactions more.
Give it a try the next time you’re in Astoria!

Hannah G.

5/5

We had such an amazing time! I believe the tour guides names were Chad and Jeff, they were AMAZING!!! I definitely recommend this experience to everyone! So many cool things to learn about this little town!

Seth B.

5/5

Interesting tour under the Astoria sidewalks. Guides gave an entertaining overview of the history of the city.

Elizabeth A.

5/5

Our group of ladies had such a great time on the Underground tour! As someone from Oregon who has been to Astoria numerous times, it was so fun to learn more about the town's history in a fun way. Highly recommend!

Yana O.

1/5

My review will be detailed and substantiated.

- 1. We came here for the first time on
weekend, around 7pm, because Google Maps showed that they were open, but in fact all the doors were closed. No one answered the phone, so after that we tried to book through the website. If you are not working, then write about it, or change your work schedule, because someone may come to you and have bad internet, which will not allow you to pay and book online.

-2. Of course, it is interesting to listen to a little history, but on this excursion it was really stretched out, in several hours, but it is not worth the time.

-3. Price. The ticket cost $20 per person + tax. There are cool museums in Astoria, much more interesting and exciting and they cost $5-6 each. Of course, everyone sets their own price, but in comparison, it will be expensive for a tour of such a low level.

-4. Atmosphere. Overall, this tour looks interesting as long as you stand at the front door. And on the way out, when you see clown cars. Nothing more interesting.

I gave 1 star because people at least came to work.

Lindsi F.

5/5

I have visited Astoria a few times, but going on this tour made me appreciate this amazing town even more! The tour guides were so fun and really seem to enjoy what they do. ◡̈ Astoria has a fascinating history… who would’ve guessed that CLOWNS were so heavily involved?! 😂🤡 We also picked up some tips about more local events that we’d like to attend. We will be back! And we think that everyone should visit Astoria, take the underground tour, and enjoy this special place to the fullest. 🩶

Arianna D.

5/5

My boyfriend & I took a day trip to Astoria without doing any research on what to do there. We were exploring the city when we came across a flyer promoting the underground tours & bought tickets, not really knowing what to expect. We walked in & were greeted by 3 friendly gentlemen that were very knowledgeable on the history of Astoria. This tour was very informative however, never boring. They interacted with all the members on the tour & cracked jokes along the way. I would 100% do this tour again & recommend anyone who just wants something interesting to do.

Tosh&Wendy H.

5/5

My son was doing research on Astoria Underground and what better way to learn and research than to take a little field trip. We took him and two of his friends on the tour and they absolutely loved it!!!
We drove up from Salem, which is almost a 3 hour drive and we were running late by 15 min because of unexpectedly longer traffic time, and the hosts of the tour were so kind to wait for us, even when they didn’t have to. We appropriate you guys sooo much!!!
The tour itself was super informative and fun. The kids were talking about it all the way back home, how much history Astoria has under the ground, and how fun the tour guides were.
Definitely a must when you come visit Astoria 🙂 plus Astoria itself is beautiful.

Thank you!!!

Hannah P.

5/5

These guys are hilarious and shared so much history of the town in a fun memorable way. They went above and beyond in chatting with us and sharing extra things after the tour ended. Highly recommend!

Maeve H.

5/5

This tour was fantastic and I cannot recommend it enough! The tour guides are entertaining and informative with deep connections to historic Astoria. They pack a lot of fascinating local history into just 1 hour. You cannot miss it!

Hannah G.

5/5

We had such an amazing time! I believe the tour guides names were Chad and Jeff, they were AMAZING!!! I definitely recommend this experience to everyone! So many cool things to learn about this little town!