Astoria Underground Tours - Astoria, Oregon

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

Nestled in the heart of Astoria, Oregon, lies a unique and captivating attraction that promises to transport visitors back in time. Astoria Underground Tours, located in the lower parking lot of the Columbia River Maritime Museum, offers a thrilling journey into the city's rich history and the secrets hidden beneath its streets. This in-depth article will delve into the main services, location, featured characteristics, practical information, and positive aspects of Astoria Underground Tours, ensuring you're well-informed before embarking on your historical adventure.

Main Services

• Underground Tours: The flagship experience, Astoria Underground Tours takes visitors on a guided exploration of the city's historic underground tunnels, once bustling with activity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Group Tours: Perfect for families, friends, or organizations, group tours can be arranged with advance notice, accommodating up to 60 people at a time.
• Special Events: Astoria Underground Tours hosts unique events throughout the year, such as wine tasting tours, murder mystery nights, and private parties, adding a touch of fun and excitement to your historical experience.

Location and Access

Astoria Underground Tours is situated at the lower parking lot of the Columbia River Maritime Museum, located at 1125 Marine Dr, Astoria, OR 97103, United States. The museum is easily accessible from both the Columbia River Highway (US 30) and Highway 101, offering ample free street parking along the nearby streets and in the museum's lot.

Visitors should note that the tour starting point is at the lower parking lot, not inside the museum itself. To reach the meeting point, follow the signs for the Columbia River Maritime Museum's parking lot and descend the stairs to the lower level. Here, you'll find the Astoria Underground Tours check-in area, marked by a distinctive yellow and black awning.

For those relying on public transportation, the Astoria-Warrenton Area Transit (A-WAT) bus service operates regularly throughout the city, with several stops near the museum. Additionally, the Astoria Riverwalk, a scenic pedestrian path, connects the museum to various points of interest in downtown Astoria.

Featured Characteristics

• Historic Tunnels: The primary attraction of Astoria Underground Tours are the historic tunnels themselves, which were once home to a vibrant and bustling business district. These tunnels offer a fascinating glimpse into the city's past and provide a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs faced by its early inhabitants.
• Experienced Guides: Led by knowledgeable and engaging guides, Astoria Underground Tours ensures an entertaining and educational experience. Each guide brings their own personal touch to the tour, sharing captivating stories and anecdotes that bring the city's history to life.
• Multimedia Presentation: To enhance the overall experience, Astoria Underground Tours incorporates a multimedia presentation that combines historical images, maps, and audio recordings. This presentation supplements the guided tour, providing additional context and depth to the story of Astoria's underground tunnels.
• Accessible and Safe: Astoria Underground Tours is committed to providing a safe and accessible experience for all visitors. The tunnels have been carefully restored and maintained, with handrails, lighting, and well-maintained surfaces ensuring a comfortable and secure journey through history.

Practical Information

• Tour Duration: The standard Astoria Underground Tour lasts approximately 60 minutes, with group tours and special events varying in length. Be sure to allocate sufficient time for the tour itself, as well as any associated activities or attractions.
• Tour Frequency: Astoria Underground Tours operates daily, with multiple tours departing throughout the day. The exact schedule may vary depending on the season, with more frequent departures during peak tourist months. It is recommended to check the website or contact the tour operator for the most up-to-date schedule.
• Tickets and Pricing: Tickets for Astoria Underground Tours can be purchased online in advance or at the check-in desk on the day of the tour. Prices vary depending on age and tour type, with discounts available for children, seniors, and military personnel. It is strongly recommended to secure your tickets in advance, as tours can fill up quickly, especially during peak season.
• Appropriate Attire: As the tour takes place primarily underground, visitors should dress accordingly for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes suitable for walking on uneven surfaces. Layers are recommended, as temperatures can vary throughout the tour.
• Accessibility: While Astoria Underground Tours has made efforts to ensure the tunnels are accessible to all visitors, some areas may present challenges for those with mobility issues or specific accessibility needs. It is recommended to contact the tour operator directly to discuss any concerns or requirements before booking.
• Cancellation Policy: Astoria Underground Tours operates a fair and flexible cancellation policy, allowing visitors to reschedule or cancel their tour with at least 24 hours' notice. In the event of inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, the tour operator may cancel or reschedule tours at their discretion, with affected customers notified as soon as possible.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

With a glowing average rating of 4.5/5 stars on Google My Business, Astoria Underground Tours has received widespread praise from satisfied customers. Some of the most frequently mentioned positive aspects include:

• Engaging and Knowledgeable Guides: Many reviewers highlight the exceptional quality of the guides, praising their enthusiasm, expertise, and ability to bring the city's history to life through captivating storytelling.
• Unique and Fascinating Experience: Visitors consistently rave about the uniqueness of the underground tour, describing it as a memorable and captivating journey through Astoria's past.
• Well-Organized and Safe: Numerous reviews commend Astoria Underground Tours for its smooth operation, safe environment, and efficient management of tour groups, ensuring a pleasant and worry-free experience for all participants.
• Accessible and Inclusive: Several reviewers with mobility challenges or accessibility needs have praised the tour operator for their efforts to accommodate and include all visitors, making the underground experience enjoyable for everyone.
• Highly Recommended: With so many satisfied customers, it's no surprise that Astoria Underground Tours is frequently recommended as a must-do activity in Astoria. Many visitors describe the tour as an unforgettable highlight of their trip.

In conclusion, Astoria Underground Tours offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the rich history and hidden secrets of Astoria, Oregon. From the fascinating tunnels themselves to the engaging guides and multimedia presentations, this unique attraction is a must-visit for history enthusiasts, curious travelers, and anyone seeking a memorable and captivating experience. With its convenient location, accessible pricing, and exceptional customer reviews, Astoria Underground Tours is an unforgettable addition to any itinerary.

👍 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!