Astoria Underground Tours - Astoria, Oregon

Astoria Underground Tours: Exploring the Rich History of Astoria, Oregon

Nestled in the heart of Astoria, Oregon, the Astoria Underground Tours offer a unique and captivating journey into the city's rich history and fascinating past. Operating from the lower parking lot at 1125 Marine Drive, this tourist attraction and tour operator provide an unforgettable experience that delves into the origins of Astoria and its role in the early days of the American West.

Main Services

• Underground Tour: The highlight of Astoria Underground Tours, this guided walk takes visitors through the original streets of Astoria, which were buried after a devastating fire in 1922. Participants will explore the remnants of the past, learning about the city's growth, the people who shaped it, and the events that forever changed its landscape.
• Custom and Private Tours: In addition to their regular tours, Astoria Underground Tours also offers custom and private tours tailored to the specific interests and needs of groups. These tours can be scheduled in advance and provide a more personalized experience for small groups or families.
• Educational Programs: The knowledgeable guides at Astoria Underground Tours can also provide educational programs for schools and other organizations. These programs combine history, storytelling, and interactive activities to engage students and foster a deeper understanding of Astoria's past.

Location and Access

The Astoria Underground Tours operate from the lower parking lot at 1125 Marine Drive, located in the heart of Astoria, Oregon. This central location makes it easily accessible for both locals and visitors alike. The area is served by several public transportation options, including the city's bus system, which has a stop nearby. Additionally, free of charge street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood, making it convenient for those who prefer to drive.

For those traveling from out of town, Astoria is approximately 90 miles northwest of Portland, Oregon, and can be reached by car via the I-84 or US-30 highways. Alternatively, visitors can take the Amtrak Cascades train, which provides service between Portland and Astoria, with a stop at the Astoria Riverwalk Inn station located just a short walk from the tour's starting point.

Featured Characteristics

• Experienced and Knowledgeable Guides: The Astoria Underground Tours are led by experienced guides who are passionate about sharing the city's history. Their expertise and enthusiasm help bring the stories of Astoria's past to life, creating an engaging and memorable experience for all participants.
• Storytelling and Interactive Activities: Unlike traditional tours, Astoria Underground Tours focus on storytelling and interactive activities to immerse visitors in the history of the city. This approach helps create a more vivid and engaging experience, making the tour enjoyable for visitors of all ages.
• Accessible and Comfortable Pathways: The underground tour follows a well-maintained and accessible pathway, ensuring that visitors of all abilities can participate. The route is mostly flat and paved, with some uneven surfaces in the areas where the original streets are still visible.

Practical Information

Astoria Underground Tours typically operate from May through October, with tours departing from the lower parking lot at 1125 Marine Drive at 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Private and custom tours can be arranged throughout the week with advance notice. It is highly recommended that visitors book their tours in advance, as space is limited, and tickets can sell out quickly.

Tours last approximately 90 minutes and cover a distance of about one mile. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers, as temperatures can vary throughout the day. While the tour is designed to be family-friendly, children under the age of 6 are not permitted on the underground portion of the tour due to safety concerns.

In addition to their regular tours, Astoria Underground Tours also offers a variety of special events throughout the year, such as haunted tours during the Halloween season and candlelight tours during the holiday season. These special events provide a unique and festive twist on the traditional underground tour and are always popular with both locals and visitors.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

The Astoria Underground Tours have received overwhelmingly positive reviews from visitors, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google My Business. Many reviewers praised the knowledgeable and engaging guides, who not only shared fascinating historical information but also created a fun and immersive atmosphere. Others appreciated the unique perspective offered by the underground tour, which provided a rare opportunity to explore the hidden history of Astoria.

Several reviewers also highlighted the accessible and well-maintained pathways, making the tour enjoyable for visitors of all ages and abilities. Additionally, many praised the convenience of the tour's central location and the ease of parking in the nearby lot. Overall, the Astoria Underground Tours have left a lasting impression on visitors, who consistently recommend the experience to friends and family.

In conclusion, the Astoria Underground Tours offer a captivating and engaging way to explore the rich history of Astoria, Oregon. With their knowledgeable guides, interactive storytelling, and accessible pathways, these tours provide an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages. Whether you're a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor, the Astoria Underground Tours are a must-see attraction that sheds new light on the fascinating story of this historic city.

👍 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!