Bill Speidel's Underground Tour

The idea is great, and the tour - historical session was interesting. I appreciate knowing a little more history about the city and its past. The price was a little spendy for what you get, and visually it wasn't nearly what I had expected. The tour guides are hit and miss, some are funny while others are boring. Overall, something worth doing, but not more than once. Out of towners are better off doing a street tour. more

I’m not sure if I put this in the right category, but I wanted to let people know about the Underground Tour. I thought that the Tour was only okay. It wasn’t super fun. They really pack people in to the tour and it was not cheap (make sure to bring your student i.d. if you want to get the student discount). The tour guides make really corny jokes and get (understandably) annoyed when people don’t laugh. The best part of the whole thing was hearing the background and history of Seattle and the Pioneer Square area. However, I could have gotten this out of reading a book. The actual physical tour, where they take you underground, did not have much to offer. There was not much to see and I would not recommend this for claustrophobic people. more

The Seattle Underground Tour starts off in a Pioneer Square tavern, which is a restored saloon from Seattle's early days in the late 1800s and proceeds through the basement level of Pioneer Square. This is one of my favorite experiences to share with visitors to town because I don't know of anything else like it anywhere. Basically Seattle streets in the Pioneer Square area used to be about 12 feet lower. Once the City raised the streets, all of the second floors became the first floors, but many of the original first floors were amazingly well preserved. So what you see on the tour is what much of Seattle was like over 100 years ago. And if you've always been curious about the glass squares and circles on the sidewalk in Pioneer Square, you'll find out what they were for on the tour (I'm not going to ruin it for you). Adult tickets are $11.00, probably a couple of bucks too pricey, but this is America's most overpriced city, so not too bad for a very unique and entertaining experience. Tour lasts about an hour and change, so it can be done before an M's game or late in the afternoon if you want to get to the Pioneer Square bars early. more

One of the most interesting things to do in Pioneer Square is to take Bill Speidel's "Underground Tour." While the tour begins at Doc Maynard's Public House (a restored 1890's saloon) with a very interesting explanation of Seattle's gritty history, the tour quickly goes subterranean as you are guided through the passages where you will hear tales of Seattle's colorful if somewhat sordid past. This "underground" area is really what was "street level" in the early days of Seattle. I expected to see old buildings and storefronts, if not actual businesses as in "Underground Atlanta." However, if you go expecting the same in Seattle, you will be disappointed. The tours lasts between an hour and an hour and a half. I would have enjoyed the tour more if our guide would have quickened the pace and joked alot less. Be sure to enjoy a soda or beer in the Underground Tour Cafe before the tour. At the conclusion of the tour, you will also want to browse through the Rogue's Gallery Shop for souvenirs, books and postcards. However I preferred antique shop next door! Admission: $10.00 (adults 18-59yrs) $8.00 Seniors (60+) $8.00 Students (13-17 or w/ valid College ID) $5.00 Children (7-12yrs) Under 7 don't even think about doing this!! more