Seattle: Bill Speidel's Underground Tour
When we first moved to Seattle, one of the first things we did, was Bill Speidel's Underground Tour.
Seattle has a very unique history and this tour takes you underground to explore that history. The SparkNotes version: Seattle was built on super muddy ground, causing a ton of trouble for everyone. One day the city burns down, and when they rebuilt, the built the city a floor higher. So, the second floor became the new first floor. I won't go into more detail, because the tour is great and I don't want to spoil everything!
During the tour, you are led through the old city sidewalks and told the history and some fun stories along the way. I wouldn't say there is a ton to look at. Most of it just looks like a creepy old basement. But if you have a good imagination, you can picture how it might have looked when it was being used. Similar to walking through a field where they had a civil war battle. It just immerses you in the stories.
So far, I've been on the tour twice. Both tour guides were great. Not only telling the story of how Seattle came to be, but also adding in some humor along the way. With different tour guides, the tour felt new each time.
The tour does include some walking, stairs and a bit of uneven ground. If you are unable to do any of those things, sadly I don't think you will be able to take the tour.
The tour is located in Pioneer Square. Its a short walk or bus ride to the Klondike Gold Rush Museum (if you're in the mood for more history) and the International District.
The Underground Tour has become one of our favorite places to take our friends and family to come to visit. It gives you a completely different way to look at the city. I definitely recommend going if you are visiting or moving here!
