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Wabasha Street Caves

See the only remaining restored Gangster Era site in Saint Paul. Come on our Historic Cave Tour , and see the extensive caves carved into the hillside in long abandoned mining ventures in 1800's. These caves later, became a mushroom farm, and then developed as a Restaurant Casino and Gangster Hotspot during the 1930's prohibition era. Newspapers reported of an unsolved gangland murder at the casino, and tour guides point out the bullet holes, and tell stories of ghostly activity (voted most haunted place in Minnesota by the Star Tribune). Weekly "Down in History" Tours of the caves, plus Seasonal themes thru out the year, such as: T he Original Saint Paul Gangster Tour , Haunted Halloween, Ghosts & Graves, and special group tours. The Wabasha Street Caves are the perfect blend of history and intrigue in the heart of Saint Paul.

Wabasha Street Caves 215 Wabasha St S Saint Paul, Minnesota 55107

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Ultimate Guide to Wabasha Street Caves, Minnesota (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)

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Wabasha Street Caves is a yesteryear event hall built into the sandstone caves on the Mississippi River’s southern shore. The caves have been home to speakeasies, mob meetings, live vocalists, and dances that were open to the public. The Wabasha Street Cave tours are one of the best cave tours you will ever have. 

Wabasha Street Caves, Minnesota

Every visitor comes to Wabasha to learn about the history of these sandstone caves. You will get an opportunity to view the original mined caves and hear the legends of the gangster massacre that supposedly took place here. 

History of Wabasha Street Caves

The Wabasha Street caves are technically called mines as they are man-made. The caves were carved of sandstone, and their origins date to the 1840s. Throughout history, the caves have been used for multiple activities such as storing food, live music, dancing, and growing mushrooms.

Indigenous tribes used these caves before the arrival of the European settlers in the area. In 1840, natural silica used to be mined from the caves and was used for glass making. In the early 1900s, a French family developed a mushroom farm here. 

In the 1920s, the caves were used as a dining place and a nightclub known as Wabasha Street Speakeasy. It is said that the speakeasy was visited by noted gangsters like Ma Barker and John Dillinger, but there is no concrete evidence available to support these claims. So, stories of the gangsters visiting the caves are, at best, considered legends. 

In October 1933, Josie and William Lehmann opened the Castle Royal, which was constructed into the side of the caves. However, it was soon closed due to World War II, and the room became a place for growing mushrooms. In the 1970s, Castle Royal 2 was opened as the venue for disco music.

The caves were also used to keep the debris washed up during the flooring. Some of these things can be found in the caves even today. The caves continued to be an event spot till 2019. The caves are now said to be haunted by the murdered gangsters and speakeasy patrons. 

Geological Cave Formations in Wabasha Street Caves

Since the Wabasha Street caves are man-made, no known geological formations exist inside the cave.

Wildlife in Wabasha Street Caves

The street caves are fully man-made, were home to mobsters, speakeasies, and were also used as a nightclub. The caves are used as a storage place for mushrooms, but there are no known wildlife species in this cave. 

Are Wabasha Street Caves Haunted?

The caves are said to be one of the most haunted places in Minnesota. However, the ghosts which inhabit the caves are not of cavemen but gangsters. In the Prohibition era, caves were mainly used as speakeasies.

The Wabasha Street Speakeasy has been a hideout for gangsters, such as Ma Barker & John Dillinger, for a long time. Afterward, the cave owners opened another speakeasy, the Castle Royal. The speakeasies were hugely successful during the 1930s, but the caves were closed to the public after World War II.

The caves were then used to grow mushrooms. This continued until the 1970s when the caves became a new dance club called Castle Royal 2. Since the caves were opened, many reported sightings of people who laid their lives doing ‘mob business’ in these caves. There is a side room of the main cave known as the Fireside Room, which was the main hub for the mob. 

The local legends say that a shootout occurred at one time in the Fireside Room wherein three gangsters were killed, and one got away with the man who came in later and presumably shot the others with the Tommy gun. The police were called in, but they did not find any bodies or evidence and accused the waitress of false police report filing. 

There have been reports of sightings of one of the gangsters walking past the cave visitors, glaring at the visitors, or disappearing into a cave wall. The main cave at Wabasha has a stage where the live performances were held. In the 1970s, many people claimed that the equipment would fly off the stage without any apparent explanation. 

There have been other sightings – of a spooky woman in the bar area, a man wearing a Panama hat. Another story says that a ball had bounced into the men’s bathroom, and the young boy, who was playing with the ball, saw a man dressed in gangster clothes smiling at him and then disappeared into thin air after winking at the boy. 

It is advisable not to venture deep into the caves alone to see the ghostly figures. This is because the caves are very dangerous, as there have been many deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning. 

How Big are the Caves?

The caves occupy a total area of 12,000 square feet. 

Wabasha Street Caves Tours

Wabasha Street Caves are not open for the public to explore freely, and visitors can choose from a wide range of tours that varies in length and price. The tours will give you an excellent overview of the caves’ history and the legacy in St Paul.  

Historic Cave Tour (1 hour)

This is the only remaining and fully restored gangster-era site. Newspapers of that time had reported an unsolved gangster massacre at the site. The tour guide will point out the bullet holes, and many people believe that the caves are haunted by the murdered gangsters whose bodies were never found.

The original Bar from the 1930s has been fully restored, and another popular attraction here is the Swing Dancing with the Big Band Music on Thursday evenings. Reservation is not required for this tour. 

Saint Paul Gangster Tour (2 hours)

The Saint Paul Gangster Tour is a Bus tour that starts at the Castle Royal Gangsters nightclub, known today as Wabasha Street caves. Through this tour, you will learn why Saint Paul was a center for all kinds of criminal operations during the Prohibition era of the 1930s.

The route will cover all the major gangster sites within the 5-mile radius of St Paul, where the gangster carried out some of the most notorious crimes. The tour will take the visitors past the gangster hideouts and the nightclubs where the gangsters spent some time socializing. Reservations are required for this tour. 

  Lost Souls Cave Tour (1 hour)

It is a special one-hour cave tour focusing on the caves’ haunted events. Although the tour guide will be a haunted character, the tour is not intended to frighten you. Some people believe caves are haunted by the murdered gangsters whose bodies were never recovered. Haunted happenings have taken place in the caves since this incident. The tour ends with an enjoyable slide show that showcases some of the stories about these caves. One can bring his camera to take pictures. 

Troll Tales

It is a fun-filled tour for the kids only during holiday breaks. The kids are given a hands-on tour of the caves guided by the trolls. There are photo sessions and meet and greet opportunities too. 

Swing Dancing Nights

The Dancing Nights take place every Thursday between 7 pm to 10 pm. People are allowed to get in at 6:30 pm for the dance lessons. 

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Wabasha Street Caves Tour Prices and Discounts

We already know that visitors are spoilt for choices when asked to choose a tour of the Wabasha Street Caves. Although there are plenty of tours on offer, we must understand that each tour has a different price which we must be aware of. 

• Historic Cave Tour – USD 10 + USD 1 as a convenience fee
• Saint Paul Gangster Tour – USD 40
• Cave Tour + Gangster Tour (3 hours) – USD 50 
• Lost Souls Cave Tour – USD 15
• Troll Tales – USD 8
• Swing Dancing Nights – USD 10

Are Wabasha Street Caves Cold?

The temperature of the caves remains around 54 degrees throughout the year. It created an ideal environment for growing mushrooms and storing cheese. 

What to Wear?

Touring the Wabasha Street Caves involves a lot of walking. So, investing in a good pair of walking shoes is good. You can wear loose, comfortable clothes as visiting these caves do not involve crawling or squeezing. 

Wabasha Street Caves Hours

• Cave Tour Times: Thursday – 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday – 11 am
• Swing Dance Nights: Thursday – 7 pm
• Lost Souls Tours: Last Sunday of each month at 12:30 pm

What to Do at the Street Caves (Beside Tours)

There are a lot of attractions near the caves. So, once the caves tour is over, you can check out several tourist attractions within less than a one-mile distance from Wabasha Street Caves. Some popular attractions are Wabasha Brewing Company, the Science Museum of Minnesota, and the Wabasha Street Bridge. 

Best Time to Visit Wabasha Street Caves

Wabasha Street Caves is not season dependent and can be visited any time of the year. We suggest that you come here on a Thursday so that you get to enjoy the cave tour and the Swing Dance nights. 

How to Get to Wabasha Street Caves

Wabasha Street Caves are located just across the beautiful river from downtown St Paul on the famous Wabasha Street. 

Hotels near Wabasha Street Caves

There are several decent accommodation options near Wabasha Street Caves, such as Radisson Hotel St Paul Downtown, The Saint Paul Hotel, and Celeste St Paul. 

Places To Stay Nearby

Wabasha street caves fun facts.

• During the Prohibition Era, Wabasha Street caves have been home to mobsters and speakeasies. 
• The caves are, technically speaking, mines as they are man-made and carved out of sandstone. 
• The caves have been used as storage for debris that came up with the floods. It was also used for the storage of cheese. 

Wabasha Street Caves Details 

• Length: 12,000 sq ft
• Time Recommended: 2 to 3 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Dog-friendly: Yes
• Fees: USD 10 for adults, USD 8 for kids, and kids under 2 years of age are admitted free.
• Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri – 9 am to 4 pm, Thu – 12 to 10 pm, Saturday – 10:30 am to 5 pm, Sun – 10:30 am to 4 pm

Download our Wabasha Street Caves Guide (Unofficial) 

Visiting wabasha street caves.

Do you need more information before visiting Wabasha Street Caves? Call (651) 224 – 1191 for an information packet. 

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• Wabasha Street Caves

From downtown Saint Paul, Wabasha Street crosses the Mississippi and marches due south until the bluffs force it to jog left. The bluffs here -- deep sandstone beneath a thin limestone cap -- tell some of St. Paul's geological history. Sand piles up where land meets water; limestone, from the deposits of tiny sea creatures, forms in shallow seas. What is now St. Paul was, for eons, the edge of the epicontinental sea that divided North America in two many millions of years ago. The downtown canyon, through which the Mississippi now flows, once held the stupendous glacial River Warren; the bluffs on both sides mark its width and depth. A giant waterfall crossed the river's path thousands of years ago, retreating slowly upstream until it dwindled to nothing. St. Anthony Falls in downtown Minneapolis, now completely artificial, is a remnant.

The soft St. Peter sandstone (named for the St. Peter’s, now Minnesota River) is easy to dig, and small caves were dug to grow mushrooms. Yoerg's Brewery, built into the bluff nearby, dug a mile of caves to store beer, and even advertised the product as “cave aged.” The caves have also been used for entertainment -- the Castle Royal nightclub (1933 -- 1940), carved out dining rooms, a bandstand, and a reputation as a gangster haven during the Depression.

In the 1930s, a professor from the University of Minnesota determined that these caves replicated the conditions of the famous Roquefort caves in France. Thus began an attempt to make St. Paul “the blue cheese capital” of North America. After a faltering start, World War II gave the venture a boost by cutting off imports from France. In 1941, St. Paul produced nearly three million pounds of the stuff. The ex-Castle Royal was the Land O'Lakes cheese cave from 1940 to 1959 and Kraft had cave space too. For reasons now lost, cheese production petered out in the 1950s.

The caves attracted a variety of casual users over the years, particularly, adventure seekers. A series of accidental deaths of young cave explorers – by fire, cave-ins, and three by asphyxiation in 2004 – provoked the city to try to close them all. There have been no deaths since then, but no doubt people still find their way in from time to time.

Cite this Page

Related tours.

• West Side: The Flats
• Saint Paul: Cultural Heritage
• Castle Royal Nightclub
• Yoerg's Brewery

Related Sources

• To learn more about some of the historic photographs displayed in this story, visit the Minnesota Historical Society’s Collections Online

St. Paul Historic Cave Tour provided by Wabasha Street Caves

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Historic Twin Cities

Revisiting Twin Cities history one place at time.

Wabasha Street Caves

December 10, 2019 By htc

Opened in 1933 on St. Paul’s West Side, the Castle Royal was publicized as the “World’s Most Gorgeous Underground Nightclub” by local newspapers.  Performers such as Cab Calloway , the Dorsey Brothers and Harry James performed at the club during its heyday.  Rumor also has it that patrons of the club included gangland legends such as John Dillinger and Ma Barker among others.  Today, the former site of the Castle Royal is operated as the Wabahsa Street Caves.

Carving Out a Niche

Before European settlers arrived in St. Paul in the 1800’s, indigenous tribes used a number of naturally formed caves carved out of the soft St. Peter sandstone by the Mississippi’s rushing waters.  Around the 1840s, some of these naturally formed caves were enlarged and new ones dug when the area was mined for silica sand to be used in glass production. 

Beginning in the 1880’s, mushrooms were grown in the cool, damp interiors of these West Side caves.  At its peak, the area was referred to as the “Mushroom Capital of the Midwest” and more than 50 of the caves were used for this purpose.  Several miles of the Mississippi River gorge in St. Paul, including what are now Plato, Water, and Joy Streets were dubbed “ Mushroom Valley ”.  The area’s mushroom industry lasted for a century until around 1980.

Albert Mouchnotte, a French immigrant who arrived in St. Paul in the early 1900s started his mushroom growing operation with other investors in what are today the Wabasha Street Caves.  During Prohibition in the 1920s, Mouchnotte converted the caves into a restaurant and nightclub venue known as the Wabasha Street Speakeasy.  

On October 26, 1933, William & Josie Lehmann opened the Castle Royal in the same caves.  In its heyday, the Castle Royal was decorated with elegant chandeliers, lavish oriental carpets and a gambling room in the back.  As with the Wabasha Street Speakeasy, the Castle Royal was said to be frequented by known criminals such as John Dillinger , Ma Barker and Alvin “Creepy” Karips .

Gangland Cover Up

According to local legend, four gangsters were playing cards in the Fireside Room at the Castle Royal when a man with a case arrived and abruptly asked the band to leave. They complied, and the cave emptied leaving just the five men and a waitress. The waitress briefly left the men and went to the kitchen.  While there she heard what sounded like the pops of a Thompson submachine gun . She ran back to the Fireside Room to find three men shot dead. The fourth card player had run off with the man carrying the case, his likely accomplice.

The waitress immediately contacted the St.Paul police.  Upon arriving , the police went in to check the caves without her. When they returned, the police accused the waitress of filing a false police report. They claimed they had found no bodies, no blood and no evidence that a crime ever took place there. The waitress, however, insisted that bullet holes left in the stones of the fireplace were evidence that a crime occurred. 

Rumor has it that the three murdered men were buried in another cave, either by the killers or the police themselves.  To this day, bullet holes can still be seen in the ornate fireplace of the Fireside Room.

Over the Years

Castle Royal was closed in the late 1930s due to the start of World War II and was again used as a mushroom growing operation.  Over the years, the Wabasha Steet Caves have been used for a variety of other purposes as well.  From 1940 to 1959, they were used as a storage facility for Land O’Lakes cheese.  In the late 1970s, Castle Royal 2 was opened as a venue for Disco music.  The caves have also been used as a place to storage debris that was washed up from the flooding Mississippi River. Some of these things still remain in the caves.

Today, the former site of the Castle Royal is operated as the Wabahsa Street Caves and is host to a variety of events such as weddings, banquets, swing dancing nights and cave tours. 

The Wabasha Street Caves are located at 215 Wabasha Street South, St. Paul, MN 55107

References:.

• Brick, Greg, “The Caves of Mushroom Valley”, The Growler, August 4, 2014, Retrieved from: https://growlermag.com/the-caves-of-mushroom-valley-bygone-industry-and-entertainment-of-subterranean-st-paul/
• Maccabee, Paul, ‘John Dillinger Slept Here’, Minnesota Historical Society Press, 1995
• Nelson, Paul, Wabasha Street Caves, St. Paul Historical, Retrieved from : https://saintpaulhistorical.com/items/show/127?tour=31&index=2
• Birt, Lydia, MN’s Most Haunted: Wabash Street Caves,  October 22, 2018, Retrieved from: https://www.kare11.com/article/news/mns-most-haunted-wabasha-street-caves/89-606690242

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St. Paul Historic Cave Tour provided by Wabasha Street Caves

St. Paul Historic Cave Tour provided by Wabasha Street Caves

Wabasha Street Caves

Review Highlights

“ The cave tour had less and laughs and informations, but it was still really cool to see - especially for only $10. ” in 14 reviews

“ These caves started out as a mine, then a mushroom farm , then a speakeasy frequented by gangsters. ” in 2 reviews

“ Our tour guide was hilarious, another gangster from the improve, so that is probably why it was so enjoyable. ” in 8 reviews

Location & Hours

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215 Wabasha St S

Saint Paul, MN 55107

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See the only remaining restored Gangster Era site. Historic Tour of extensive caves carved into the hillside in long abandoned mining ventures in 1800's. Later, was a mushroom farm, and then developed as a Restaurant Casino and Gangsters' Hotspot during the 1930's prohibition era. Newspapers reported of an unsolved gangland murder at the casino. Tour guides point out the bullet holes. Some believe the caves are haunted by the murdered mobsters whose bodies were never found. Weekly "Down in History" Tours of the caves, plus Seasonal themes thru out the year, such as Gangster Bus Tours, Haunted Halloween, Ghosts & Graves, and special group tours. Current facility also hosts Private events for up to 200 guests, for banquets, weddings, and corporate functions. Another very popular attraction is the nostalgic Swing Dancing with live Big Band music, happening on Thursday evenings. Most tickets $11. …

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Went in for a Friday afternoon historic cave tour. Check-in/ticket pickup is outside of the cave in the coffee/merch shop. There was a decent amount of parking but am sure more is needed when they are having bigger events. Our tour guide Brett was phenomenal, a great story teller and made sure to keep the tour interesting! The tour was definitely worth the $10 (if you pay cash) or $11 via card. Lots of history regarding the events that occurred inside the caves and it is fascinating to hear the story of the venue evolving over time!

This was a lot of fun. Our tour guide definitely loved his job and made sure to give us a lot of information. This was really cool. I was very surprised about the space and seeing pictures of the wall with it filled, not sure how they fit so much in there! The open areas where changes occurred from owners and the information given was great. A one-hour tour was definitely enough and perfect. The people getting you checked in were not the nicest, that is my only complaint.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I booked this tour, but I'm SO glad that I did. Our tour guide (John Dillinger actor) was hilarious! I don't think I've laughed that hard on a tour in a long time. The people on the tour with me were hilarious as well. A good group can really make or break these trip, and my group was incredible. I was traveling solo so I loved all the group engagement. Ok enough with the laughs :) The tour itself was also full of interesting information about the gangster history in St. Paul. I was coming into this tour with zero knowledge and I feel like I learned so much. I ended up getting to the bus tour an hour early so I joined the cave tour as well. The cave tour had less and laughs and informations, but it was still really cool to see - especially for only $10. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a rainy, cold day activity in St. Paul. It's also something totally different than what you will get visiting a museum or historical house.

My friend and I were in Minneapolis/St. Paul for Memorial Day weekend, and a tour of Wabasha Street Caves was our very last fun thing before heading the airport to go home. We did the 1-hour historic cave tour. The tour - just like the caves themselves - is so unique! The caves aren't really caves - well not natural caves; they're caves created as a result of mining. But that's now why they're famous or a must tour. The caves' history is what makes them a must visit! They were used a speakeasy during prohibition and home to a restaurant/nightclub after the end of the prohibition. They were allegedly host to many gangsters and famous big band groups! Our guide Ryan was hilarious and clearly loves his job. We learned so much about St. Paul (and its being a safe haven for gangster for decades of the early 20th century), the various use of the caves over the 20th century (nightclub, mushroom farm, storage). It was such a great tour. I'd love to visit again - for a special tour (they offer a 2-hour gangster tour and a lost souls (ghost) tour, for swing dancing night (every Thursday), or other special events they offer! Such a unique place and great tour. A must visit for anyone who's interested in local history, ghosts (it's considered one of the most haunted places in Minnesota), swing dances, fun tours, Prohibition,....! Definitely check it out.

I tried the gangster tour of St Paul. 2 hours in a bus with no AC We did not get out of the bus at all. Imagine a guide talking for 2 hours telling you amazing stories about the gangster of St Paul but you don't get a chance to visit or explore any of the location the guide mentions. Too bad... this has so much potential! I feel like it would be best as a virtual tour since the guide is really fun and knowledgeable.

Great place for social dancing on Thursday nights! The parking lot fills up quickly, so come early. Free lessons are available when doors open at 6:15PM and the love band starts at 7PM. In the summer, it's pretty busy and hot, but I hope to be back!

I did the 1-hour tour. It was amazing! Our guide was very knowledgeable and funny. If you have a knack for history, this is an awesome place to go and learn more about the era itself and the cave's involvement. Also, it was a fair price for two people attending which made this experience even better!

The swing dance nights are quite nice, no food sold but plenty of free water and admission is affordable. The tours are expensive but fun. The staff are friendly and patient people. The exterior and interior of the place is beautiful and quite educational! The bands they get to perform are perfect and overall the caves are a terrific place!

Excellent tour, filled with fascinating history and a healthy sprinkling of humor. Never would have guessed a few caves carved into the side of a hill would have held such far-reaching impact on the Twin Cities and beyond.

We did a gangster tour that left a lot to be desired. The bus driver seemingly was not given a route to drive so the guide "Edna" gave him directions over the microphone the whole time (very odd) with several wrong turns. She read often from her notes. You get off the bus once, but there seems to be no reason to, as you do not actually see anything at this stop. I got a few fun facts from the tour but not a good sense of history or gangster culture in general in St. Paul

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Chicago can swing between oppressively hot and brutally cold, but the city’s underground Pedway takes the pain out of the weather for pedestrians. About 5 miles of hallways connect buildings and train stations in a 40-plus-block area of the central business district. It’s free to walk through. 

Underground Atlanta

Atlanta boasts its own “ city beneath the streets ” in the Five Points neighborhood. Stretching over the equivalent of six city blocks, the area encompasses three underground levels filled with shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. There’s even an Art Walk showcasing six artist galleries and weekly immersive art activations.

Wabasha Street Caves

St. Paul, Minnesota

These sandstone caves , carved out during the mid-1800s, are accessible from downtown St. Paul. Once upon a time, they were the scene of mobster meet-ups and housed speakeasies, but these days, the caves are the setting for tours and select nights of live, big-band music. The caves can be toured for $11.

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Seattle Underground

The Great Seattle Fire destroyed 31 downtown blocks of walkways and basements in the mid-19th century. After the streets were elevated, the network of abandoned underground spaces became a historic attraction. Touring the area costs $22, but Google reviews give the tour — especially the entertaining guides — high marks. 

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Cumberland Caverns

McMinnville, Tennessee

With 32 miles of caves and underground passageways, this national natural landmark  is one of the longest caves in America. Besides being a site for tours and exploration, the caves are also the venue for Bluegrass Underground, a musical performance broadcast regularly on PBS. Tours are separated into three different categories, sorted by difficulty, and prices vary between the options. For the "easy" tour, visitors ages 13 and up can expect to pay $27 for the experience. 

Buffalo Bayou Cistern

A drinking-water reservoir built in 1926 for the city of Houston, this underground marvel has been repurposed as a public space that will house temporary art installations. Tour prices start at $8 for adults. Children under 9 are not allowed, and advance reservations are required. 

Related:   Free Walking Tours From Across the U.S.

Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

This national park in central Kentucky is the longest known cave system in the world. To date, 400 miles of the caves have been explored. Prices vary depending on the tour but are as low as $8 for adults.

Ape Cave Lava Tube

Mount St. Helens, Washington

Ape Cave Lava Tube , located on the south side of Mount St. Helens, is the longest continuous lava tube in the continental United States. It’s also a popular hiking destination. The cave is free to visit, but daily parking costs $5.

Port Angeles Underground

Port Angeles, Washington

Downtown Port Angeles had a problem with constant flooding and high tides in the early 1900s. The streets were raised in 1914, leaving a network of underground tunnels that visitors can explore. Tours cost $15 for adults, and less for seniors, students, and children.

Niagara Cave

Harmony, Minnesota

Niagara Cave is a geological wonder. Along the route of the 1-mile tour, visitors pass an underground waterfall, view ancient fossils and passageways created by an underground stream, and stop at a chapel where scores of couples have married. Admission is $20 for adults and $12 for children ages 3 to 12.

Old Sacramento Underground

Sacramento, California

The city of Sacramento is yet another community lifted above floodwaters during the latter half of the 19th century, leaving behind underground spaces. Adults can tour the historical remnants with a guide for $22 ($15 for kids).  

Havre Beneath the Streets

Havre, Montana

Fire destroyed the business district of Havre in 1904. While the town rebuilt, business owners moved underground, creating a city beneath the streets. Visitors can tour spaces once used as saloons, markets, and even a bordello. Adults pay $17; tours cost less for seniors and children.

Underground Eureka Springs

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Underground Eureka is the result of road improvements to the downtown area that required businesses to create new entrances on their second floors. The original entrances were walled off, leading to a series of basement passageways . A tour is required for viewing, and adult tickets cost $17.50; children under 12 enter free.

Moaning Cavern

Vallecito, California

Moaning Cavern is so deep that the entire Statue of Liberty could stand inside. While visitors can rappel into the cave, the cheapest (and least daring) option is a family-friendly walking tour , priced at $22 for adults and $16 for children ages 3 to 11.

Indianapolis City Market Catacombs

Indianapolis City Market sits atop a hidden network of brick catacombs . The space was originally part of Tomlinson Hall, a large building that seated 3,500 people until it burned down in 1958. The basement of arches was left behind, and now visitors ages 12 and up can tour the space for $12. The fee for 6- to 11-year-olds is $6.

SubTropolis

Kansas City, Missouri SubTropolis is a giant underground business complex built in an excavated mine with limestone walls. About 1,000 people toil here every day in enterprises ranging from specialty food packaging to cloud computing to storage for postage stamps.

Ellinwood Underground

Ellinwood, Kansas The city of Ellinwood features a well-preserved underground space from the 1800s that once housed saloons, a barbershop, and a bathhouse — basically everything a cowboy would need. Visitors can still see some of the original items, such as the barbershop’s wallpaper and flooring. Tours are $6 for adults.

Grants, New Mexico

Visit the Ice Cave  to see natural layers of crystal-clear ice that accumulate year-round in a collapsed lava tube. General admission for a guided tour is $12 for adults and $6 for kids. Visitors may want to bring a jacket; the ambient temperature in the one-room cave is below freezing. 

The Mystery Hole

Ansted, West Virginia

If you want to try defying gravity, look no further than the Mystery Hole . The tourist trap is a series of underground rooms with walls and floors built on various angles to make visitors feel like there's something wonky with the gravity. Adults pay $10 for guided tours ($8 for ages 3 to 11) and no infants are allowed.

Related:   Weird Tourist Attractions Across America

Florida Caverns State Park

Marianna, Florida

Stalactites and stalagmites abound in the depths of Florida Caverns . Visitors can explore the limestone underground cave system that is amplified with a new LED lighting system for a truly colorful experience. Tours cost $10.75 for ages 13 and up; $5 for ages 3 to 12.

Carlsbad Caverns

Carlsbad, New Mexico

As far as underground caverns go, the Carlsbad Caverns are a must-see — and visitors only have to pay $15 to tour them. Located in Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico, the caverns are in the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, which is home to more than 100 limestone caves that are known as some of the most incredible, beautiful environments in the country.

This article was originally published on Cheapism

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