Salem, Oregon, offers an unexpected adventure right beneath its historic streets—and The Underground is your gateway to it. This unique experience combines a walk through time with a practical exploration of the city's hidden past. Booking with The Underground isn’t just a tour; it’s a discovery of Salem’s fiercely independent spirit, captured in the secret passages and shadowed corridors that dare you to explore.

The Underground tour covers roughly 1,200 feet of passageways below downtown Salem, built in the 19th century as a response to city fires and shifting urban design. The terrain here isn’t natural; it’s man-made, with brick walls that lean with age and stone steps that creak beneath your feet. It’s a different kind of hike—less about elevation, more about depth, as you descend into a realm where history pushes forward in every shadow.

Temperature and lighting shift as you walk these halls, the air cool and still, carrying whispers of voices long gone. The Underground offers both an immersive journey through architecture and a practical lesson in adaptive reuse. For practical visitors, expect about 45 minutes to an hour for the tour, guided carefully to accommodate various mobility levels, with some stair navigation involved.

Booking with The Underground provides a rare balance of excitement and education. Before you go: sturdy shoes are a must, as stone floors can be slippery. Timing your visit in the afternoon might avoid crowds, allowing a more personal passage through these hidden corridors. Hydration remains important, even underground—the air’s coolness can mask your thirst.

For those curious beyond the tour, Salem itself reveals rich urban hikes with tree-lined river trails and urban parks that continue the conversation between history and natural adventure. But The Underground stands out as a chance to confront a challenge that is fiercely itself—immersed in history, yet alive with a palpable sense of place and time.

Whether you're an urban explorer or a casual visitor craving a one-of-a-kind experience, The Underground offers a compelling reason to see Salem from a different angle—literally beneath the surface. This is history that pushes against your every step, daring you to understand the city’s past while appreciating how close it remains to the present.