Bill Speidel's Underground Tour Vs Beneath The Streets
Seattle is a city filled with mysteries and secret stories beneath its bustling streets. The city’s underground tunnel system is a fascinating place, and many tour companies offer visitors a chance to explore this world. Two of the most popular underground tours in Seattle are the Bill Speidel's Underground Tour and Beneath the Streets. In this article, we will compare and contrast these tours, so you can decide which one is best for you.
History and Background
Bill Speidel's Underground Tour is one of the oldest and most popular underground tours in Seattle. The tour company was founded in 1965 by Bill Speidel, a local journalist and historian. The tour takes visitors through the underground tunnels of Pioneer Square, which were once the main streets of Seattle before the Great Seattle Fire of 1889.
Beneath the Streets is a smaller and newer tour company, founded in 2016. It takes visitors through the underground tunnels of Pioneer Square as well, but with a focus on the prohibition era and Seattle’s role in the national bootlegging industry.
Tour Experience
Both tours offer unique and educational experiences for visitors. The Bill Speidel's Underground Tour takes visitors through the underground tunnels, exposing the history of the city before the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. The tour guides are well-informed, and the experience is entertaining and informative. The tour lasts approximately 75 minutes.
The Beneath the Streets tour focuses on the prohibition era and Seattle’s bootlegging industry. Visitors are taken through the same tunnels as Bill Speidel's Underground Tour, but with a different perspective. The tour guides are very knowledgeable about Seattle’s role in the national bootlegging industry. The tour lasts approximately 60 minutes.
Ticket Price and Availability
Bill Speidel's Underground Tour tickets start at $22 for adults and $16 for children. They are available for purchase on their website or on-site. They offer tours daily, with tours every 30 minutes during peak season.
Beneath the Streets tickets start at $29 for adults and $22 for children. They are available for purchase on their website or on-site. They offer tours daily, but with fewer tour times than Bill Speidel's Underground Tour.
Conclusion
Both Bill Speidel's Underground Tour and Beneath the Streets offer unique and educational experiences for visitors. The decision of which tour to take ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you are interested in Seattle’s pre-fire history, Bill Speidel's Underground Tour is the way to go. If you are more interested in the prohibition era and bootlegging industry, Beneath the Streets is the better option.
