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 offers visitors an exclusive glimpse into the city's rich and often overlooked history. Astoria Underground Tours, located in the lower parking lot of the Columbia Memorial Hospital, is not just a tour; it's an immersive experience that transports you back in time to the 19th century, when Astoria was a bustling port town and the epicenter of the city's underground activities.

Main Services

• Historical Walking Tours: The signature service of Astoria Underground Tours is their historical walking tours. Led by expert guides, these tours take visitors on a journey through the labyrinthine streets and alleyways of downtown Astoria, uncovering the city's hidden secrets and forgotten stories. The tours focus on the city's late 19th-century heyday, a time of prosperity, corruption, and intrigue.
• Underground Speakeasies and Prohibition-Era History: Astoria Underground Tours specializes in shedding light on the city's Prohibition-era history. During the 1920s and 1930s, Astoria was home to a thriving underground network of speakeasies, bootleg operations, and other illicit activities. The tours provide a fascinating look into this tumultuous period, revealing the city's darker side and the colorful characters who inhabited it.
• Custom and Private Tours: For those seeking a more personalized experience, Astoria Underground Tours offers custom and private tours. These tours can be tailored to fit the interests and abilities of the group, providing a unique and unforgettable exploration of Astoria's history.

Location and Access

Astoria Underground Tours is located at the lower parking lot of the Columbia Memorial Hospital, situated at 1125 Marine Drive in Astoria, Oregon. The address is 1125 Marine Dr, Astoria, OR 97103, United States. The tours typically begin and end at this location, with the exact meeting point indicated upon booking. The tours are walking tours, so comfortable shoes are a must. Public transportation in Astoria is limited, so driving or arranging a ride is recommended.

Parking is available in the lower parking lot of the hospital, with free street parking also available nearby. The tours operate rain or shine, so visitors should dress appropriately for the weather. The tours are not recommended for those with mobility issues, as they involve walking on uneven surfaces and navigating stairs.

Featured Characteristics

• Expert Guides: One of the standout features of Astoria Underground Tours is the guides. They are knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about Astoria's history. Many of them are local historians or have a deep personal connection to the city, which adds an authenticity to the tours.
• Storytelling: The tours are not just a recitation of facts and figures; they are a compelling narrative, brought to life by the guides' storytelling skills. The tours weave together personal anecdotes, historical context, and local lore to create a rich and immersive experience.
• Access to Private Properties: One of the unique aspects of Astoria Underground Tours is that they provide access to private properties and locations that are not typically open to the public. This allows visitors to see parts of the city that they would not ordinarily have access to, providing a more comprehensive understanding of Astoria's history.

Practical Information

• Booking: It is strongly recommended that visitors book their tours in advance. This can be done through the Astoria Underground Tours website (oldastoria.com) or by calling the tour operator at 4157134141. Walk-up bookings may be possible, but cannot be guaranteed.
• Duration: The tours typically last around two hours, although this can vary depending on the specific tour and the group's pace.
• Pricing: The pricing for Astoria Underground Tours varies depending on the specific tour and the group size. Generally, the tours are quite affordable, with prices starting at around $20 per person. Discounts are available for students, seniors, and groups.
• Appropriate for: The tours are appropriate for all ages, although some of the content may be too mature for younger children. The tours are not recommended for those with mobility issues, as they involve walking on uneven surfaces and navigating stairs.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

Astoria Underground Tours has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from visitors. On Google My Business, the company has a rating of 4.5/5 from 103 reviews, with many reviewers praising the tours for their unique perspective on Astoria's history and the engaging storytelling of the guides. Some of the most common positive aspects mentioned in the reviews include:

• Engaging and Knowledgeable Guides: Many reviewers praised the guides for their engaging personalities and deep knowledge of Astoria's history.
• Unique Perspective on History: Several reviewers mentioned that the tours provided them with a unique and different perspective on Astoria's history, one that they had not encountered before.
• Immersive Experience: Several reviewers described the tours as an immersive experience, one that transported them back in time and made them feel like they were part of the history.
• Access to Private Properties: Some reviewers mentioned that the access to private properties and lesser-known locations was a unique and valuable aspect of the tours.

In conclusion, Astoria Underground Tours is more than just a tour; it's an experience. It offers visitors a unique and engaging way to explore Astoria's rich history, providing a perspective that is often overlooked by more traditional historical tours. With its expert guides, compelling storytelling, and access to private properties, Astoria Underground Tours is a must-do for anyone interested in history, or for anyone looking for a unique and unforgettable way to experience Astoria.

👍 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!