What are the opening hours?

Monday 10:15am - 4:30pm Tuesday 10:15am - 4:30pm Wednesday 10:15am - 4:30pm Thursday 10:15am - 4:30pm Friday 10:15am - 6:30pm Saturday 10:15am - 6:30pm Sunday 10:15am - 4:30pm

Beneath the Streets

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Beneath the Streets

Go Down In History With Seattle's Most Experienced Underground Guides at Beneath The Streets. Additional tour times are added on weekends and in the summer.
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Tours offered daily at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30
Tours last approximately one hour. Tickets are sold at 102 Cherry St. The ticket office is open between 10:15am and 4:30pm.

02/08/2025

Book Your Tour Today: www.beneath-the-streets.com OR Booking Link In Bio

02/05/2025

We have decided due to the wintery weather that the shop will be closed for tours today, 2/5/2025. We plan to reopen tomorrow with regular hours. Thanks & Stay Safe!

02/03/2025

Our : Honoring Washington’s Trailblazing Black Women by Marilyn Morgan.

Breaking barriers, leading movements, and making history—Washington’s Black women have shaped our state in powerful ways. From Nettie Craig Asberry, founder of the Tacoma NAACP, to Dr. Dolores Silas, a leader in education and civil rights, their impact is undeniable.

Author Marilyn Morgan brings their stories to life, highlighting musicians, scientists, politicians, and activists who fought for change. Whether working as Rosies at Boeing during WWII or leading protests, these women paved the way for future generations.

A powerful and accessible read, this book is a must-have reference for anyone interested in Washington’s history. Let’s celebrate their legacies together! Swing by our Cherry Street gift shop to grab your copy today.

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01/31/2025

Discover the timeless beauty of Pioneer Square. This 1952 watercolor by Jess Cauthorn offers a glimpse into the neighborhood’s historic charm, from the elegant iron pergola to the towering totem pole.

Step into the past with us at Beneath The Streets Seattle Underground Tour and explore the stories that shaped Seattle. There’s history around every corner, waiting to be uncovered. Booking link in bio or at www.beneath-the-streets.com

📷 Pioneer Square, Jess Cauthorn, 1952, MOHAI

01/29/2025

Have a safe and happy Lunar New Year!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Tour Guides At Beneath The Streets

01/24/2025

Before Seattle was a city, it was a wild frontier town—and the Felker House was at its heart. Built in the 1850s by Sea Captain Leonard Felker, this two-story hotel was managed by the infamous Mother Damnable, a foul-mouthed innkeeper with a legendary temper. Under her watch, the Felker House became more than just a hotel, rumored to double as Seattle’s first brothel, catering to loggers, sailors, and pioneers looking for more than just a warm bed.

Seattle’s early leaders, including Doc Maynard, recognized that vice fueled the local economy, and they looked the other way as the city’s first red-light district took shape.

The Felker House burned in the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, but its legacy lives on in the stories of Seattle’s early underworld.

Want to hear more? Our Red Light District Underground Tour dives into the city’s seedy past—prostitutes, bootleggers, crime bosses, and the forgotten figures who shaped Pioneer Square.

Friday and Saturday Night at 6pm. Book tickets at www.beneath-the-streets.com or booking link in bio.

📷 Seattle Hotels. Felker house. Jackson St. and Front St. Built 1853., SPL

01/23/2025

In 1974, the Skid Road Theater was putting on Two Gentlemen of Verona. Today, the show is over, but the stories remain—our Historic Underground Tour begins right where this theater once entertained Seattle. If you look closely at our awning, you’ll spot the old lettering, a reminder of its dramatic past.

Join us for a tour! Booking link in bio or at www.beneath-the-streets.com

📷 The Skid Road Show theater entrance, August 1974, spl_wl_thr_00011, SPL

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01/20/2025

In November 1961, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. arrived in Seattle for what would be his only visit to the city. Invited by Rev. Samuel B. McKinney, a close friend and classmate from Morehouse College, King came to share his vision of justice, equality, and brotherhood.

But not everyone was ready to welcome him. Originally scheduled to speak at First Presbyterian Church, the invitation was rescinded just weeks before King’s arrival. The excuses offered—construction, scheduling conflicts—were thin veils for a deeper resistance to his message.

Rev. McKinney didn’t back down. With determination, he found alternative venues, ensuring King’s voice could be heard. Over two days, Dr. King addressed crowds across Seattle, captivating audiences with his powerful words. It was here that he tested ideas that would later resonate in his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.

Dr. King’s time in Seattle wasn’t just about speeches. He shared meals with Rev. McKinney, laughed over barbecue in the Central District, and visited the home of his childhood friend, Dr. Blanche Lavizzo. Though his visit was brief, the city left an impression on him, as did the resilience of Seattle’s Black community.

Today, we honor Dr. King’s legacy, reflected in Seattle landmarks like Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park. His visit reminds us that even in the face of resistance, persistence and courage can pave the way for change.

As we celebrate his life and dream this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let’s recommit to the work of justice, equality, and unity.

📷 Martin Luther King Jr., during his visit to Seattle in 1961. (Larry Dion / The Seattle Times

01/17/2025

In the heart of Pioneer Square, the 611 Tavern became a safe haven for Seattle's Q***r community starting in 1962.

Co-owned by John Chadwick and MacIver Wells, the 611 was more than a bar—it was a sanctuary. Its elegant crystal chandeliers, rich red and gold drapes, and iconic mirrors provided a space where patrons could connect, despite the challenges of the era.

Dancing between men was initially prohibited, but Wells refused to back down. He negotiated with police for permission, ultimately agreeing to an audacious demand: buying a separate bar for officers to use as a card room. This persistence allowed the 611 to host dances, making it one of the few places where gay men could connect and express themselves authentically.

The 611 remained a cornerstone of Seattle’s gay community until its closure in 1999. Today, the space is vacant, but the 611's neon sign lives on at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), a testament to its legacy.

Want to hear more about the pivotal role bars like the 611 played in shaping Seattle's Q***r history? Join us this Sunday January 19th at 1 PM for our Q***r History Tour!

Booking link in bio or at www.beneath-the-streets.com

01/16/2025

Before Pioneer Square gained recognition as Seattle's first national historic district in 1970, it was a neighborhood in flux. By the mid-20th century, this area—home to some of Seattle’s earliest landmarks—was at a crossroads. The Smith Tower still stood tall, a beacon of the city’s early ambitions. But around it, change was evident.

On April 3, 1961, demolition began on the iconic Seattle Hotel building (pictured here), making way for a parking lot many residents would come to lament as the “Sinking Ship.” This act of destruction became a catalyst for preservation efforts, sparking a movement to save the neighborhood’s historic charm and architecture.

Today, Pioneer Square is still changing rapidly, and the need for preservation remains as vital as ever. Its historic charm stands as a reminder of the delicate balance between progress and honoring the past—a challenge the neighborhood continues to navigate.

📷 Yesler Way, east from Western Avenue, April 4, 1961, spl_dor_00035, Seattle Public Library Online Archive

01/11/2025

The Pioneer Building, standing proud next to the Chief Seattle fountain, is a timeless gem of architecture in the heart of the neighborhood. Its intricate design and historical significance make it a true icon of the area—a perfect backdrop to the rich stories of Seattle’s past.

Join us on a tour -
booking link in bio or at www.beneath-the-streets.com

📷 Pioneer Building and Chief Sealth fountain, January 1975, Werner Lenggenhager Photograph Collection, Seattle Public Library Special Collections Department

01/09/2025

01/08/2025

This incredible photograph from 1882 shows the original Lowman & Hanford Stationery & Printing Company building on what was then Front Street (now First Avenue), just steps from our location at 102 Cherry Street. Before the Seattle Great Fire of 1889, this corner of the city was already buzzing with innovation and enterprise.

Founders James D. Lowman and Clarence Hanford were innovators of their time, offering a wide range of goods that went beyond books and stationery—everything from typewriters and sewing machines to pianos and organs. After the fire, they reopened their business nearby, playing a pivotal role in rebuilding Seattle.

When you visit us for the Beneath The Streets Seattle Underground History Tour, you’ll walk through the very streets where Seattle’s early history unfolded. The stories of resilience and innovation are woven into every corner of Pioneer Square, just waiting to be uncovered.

📷 MOHAI, Lowman and Hanford Company Records, 1970.5046.3

01/02/2025

Explore the vibrant history of Seattle with Skid Road by Murray Morgan! This engaging book offers a rich overview of the city’s first hundred years, from dramatic events like the Great Fire of 1889 and the Alaska gold rush to the labor movements and cultural shifts that shaped the city. Through lively stories and vivid details, Morgan captures the essence of what makes Seattle unique.

Whether you're a local wanting to learn more about your city or a visitor curious about the Emerald City’s past, Skid Road is a must-read. A perfect addition to any bookshelf!

01/01/2025

Happy New Year from all of us at Beneath The Streets!

Let’s make 2025 a year full of discovery and adventure—both above and beneath the streets!

12/30/2024

Booking Link In Bio or at www.beneath-the-streets.com

12/28/2024

We have added extra tour slots all weekend! Tours are selling fast - book online today! www.beneath-the-streets.com or BOOKING LINK IN BIO

Address

102 Cherry Street
Seattle, WA
98104

Opening Hours

Monday	10:15am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	10:15am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	10:15am - 4:30pm
Thursday	10:15am - 4:30pm
Friday	10:15am - 6:30pm
Saturday	10:15am - 6:30pm
Sunday	10:15am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+12066241237

Website

http://www.beneath-the-streets.com/

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They Do Move In Herds...

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