Are you tired of touring the same tourist spots as everyone else? Are you looking for something a bit different? If so, we have just what you’re looking for, fellow travelers. .Here then, without further ado, are America’s 25 amazing underground attractions. 

1.  The Greenbrier Bunker, West Virginia

The Greenbrier Bunker can be found far below the well-known West Virginia wing of the popular Greenbrier resort. Constructed in the late 1960s, this bunker was a “top-secret” project meant to protect the United States Senate in the event of an actual nuclear war.

This two-story bunker has 18-ton blast-proof security doors and can host 1100 people. Run by its own power plant, it includes bunk beds and decontamination showers.

2.  Ruby Falls, Tennessee

Ruby Falls is a hidden 45-foot tall, sheer waterfall that plummets through a shaft 1,120 feet inside Lookout Mountain into a cave. The waterfall is lit by colorful LED lights and fed by a comparatively deep subterranean stream. The water drops 145 feet into a cave of limestone.

It was discovered by Leo Lambert in 1928. He named it for his spouse, Ruby.

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3.  Wetherill Mesa, Colorado

Situated ‘neath the overhanging cliffs in the Mesa Verde National Park is approximately 600 sandstone cliff dwellings. Some of them are over 820 years old. They are the ancient villages of the ancestral Pueblo Indians who once farmed the earth now over them. Visitors can see these unique buildings that make up the popular Wetherill Mesa area of the park via ranger-led or even self-guided tours.

4.  The City Market Catacombs, Indiana

Deep beneath the busy cafés of Indianapolis’ City Market is a desolate network of quiet catacombs, spanning an area of 2,044 square miles. The brick and limestone pillars and arches here were once actually the basement of old Tomlinson Hall. Tomlinson Hall was a huge city building that was torn down following a fire back in 1958. Organized tours are available but are presently “limited.” 

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5.  Onondaga Cave, Missouri

You will find exciting Onondaga Cave deep within the bowels of Onondaga Cave State Park on the Meramec River in Leasburg. Explore this striking subterranean place full of stunning stalagmites and stolid stalactites. One of the highlights of this particular system of caves is

the memorable Lily Pad Room. It is named after its numerous lily-like calcite deposits, which are gently situated atop a pool of crystal clear water.

6.  The Dinosaur Caves, San Luis Obispo County

Along the coast here you’ll discover a world of arches, caves, grottoes, and caves. Take a kayaking excursion to explore the mysterious watery depths. Paddle past the breakers and see the coastal vistas, the kelp forests, and protected coves that lead to the intriguing, mysterious Dinosaur Caves. Some of them are 30-feet (nine meters) deep. There are dolphins, otters, and seals as well.

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7.  Old Sacramento Underground, California

The city of Sacramento was blasted by 45 days of Pacific storms in 1861. All the rivers surged through the city and swept thousands of people to their drowning deaths. Rather than run, the residents had a plan  

They would raise their homes and streets by nine feet. Today you can tour the abandoned alleyways, basements, and underground streets thanks to the Sacramento History Museum. You can even catch a live virtual tour on their website.

8.  The Inner Space Caverns, Texas

The exotic Inner Space Caverns were accidentally discovered by the Texas Highway Department in 1963. They were drilling through the rock there to determine if the rock could actually support an overpass. The drill dropped through the roof of what is now named the Discover Cave. It was shortly after that they discovered they were standing above a large subterranean network of caverns complete with still pools, sharp stalagmites, and coral from what was once actually the Pacific Ocean floor.  

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9.  The Indiana Caverns, Indiana

The family-friendly Indiana Caverns near the city of Corydon opened to the public back in 2013. They are officially a part of the Binkley Cave system. Binkley Cave is the state’s longest cave and is one of America’s top ten caves. The Indiana Caverns staff offers visitors several different options including various cave tours and even kayaking on a subterranean river where you can spot cave crayfish.

10.  The Valley of Fire Cave, Nevada

The rust-red cavern here in Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park in Overton is no more than four feet wide and not much deeper. Still, the otherworld-like rock formations and striking color make it truly worth a visit. See how the powerful wind eroded the sandstone there to form the wondrous Windstone Arch and an assortment of other alien-like shapes as well.

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11.  Seattle Underground, Washington

Following a devastating fire in 1889, Seattle was rebuilt one story higher. Roads were raised and ground floors became basements to lift it out of the boggy ground. New pavements were created and tunnels were left underneath it all. Today you can explore these old subterranean tunnels via guided tours and see what remains including bank vaults, shop fronts, and even an old toilet. 

12.  Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

This mammoth labyrinthine cave network in Mammoth Cave National Park has over 405 miles of documented passages. It’s the world’s longest cave system. Here you can take guided hikes through 10 miles of tunnels. See the famous Frozen Niagara which resembles a waterfall sculpted out of rock. These caves are also home to albino shrimps, endangered bats, and cavefish but book in advance. 

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13.  Strataca, Kansas

Take the 640-foot elevator drop into the bowels of the earth and in 90-seconds you’ll find yourself in the underground salt mine museum known as Strataca. Here in this huge mined-out space to see vast salt rocks, learn about mining, and ride a train through areas that were mined during the 1950s. Take a special tram ride even deeper into the earth if you dare!.

14.  Luray Caverns, Virginia

Luray Caverns lie deep beneath the outskirts of Shenandoah National Park. Here you’ll see huge chambers with ceilings more than 10 stories high. Visit Dream Lake, a pool with a surface so glassy it actually mirrors the stalactites above it. Be sure to see the famous Great Stalacpipe Organ too, where a musician plays Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata by striking 37 stalactites of varying sizes with rubber mallets.

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15.  Antelope Canyon, Arizona

Antelope Canyon’s dusty canyon floor and waves of unusual red rock make it look like Mars. The sometimes shadowed sandstone canyon walls rise as high as 100 feet. Their unique wave-like shapes are the product of millions of years of wind-powered erosion. You can only visit this special place on guided tours because it is legally within the confines of the Navajo Nation.

16.  The Edison, California

Looking for an electrifying hot spot? How about the basement where the Los Angeles power plant was originally located? Yes, it’s now a bar, complete with utility tunnels and the old turbine steam generators. Comedically christened, The Edison, this place is one of the coolest clubs in the city and is reported to be nigh legendary for its drinks and buzzing burlesque shows.

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17.  Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico

The country’s most popular underground cave network has roughly 400,000 visitors swarming to it each year. The 119 beautiful caves as a result of sulphuric acid dissolving the region’s limestone, thus leading to formations of all types, colors, and sizes. Explore the stunning undersea world of the cave’s popular Big Room section that’s teeming with natural stalactite and stalagmite creations.

18.  Lockport Cave, New York

For almost 15 years workers blasted through the rock to create this impressive 2,000-foot cave beneath the city of Lockport in the state of New York. Opened in the 1850s, this man-made chamber was originally meant to move water from the Erie Canal to various industries located in New York. An underground boat ride is usually available here. Walking tours are available.

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19.  The Butte Underground City, Montana

Hidden under the city of Butte, you will find a deserted prison, shoe stores, a barbershop, and the once lively Rookwood Speakeasy, The Rookwood was a secret bar that thrived during America’s Prohibition days. These surprisingly well-preserved remnants from the early 1900s when the mining industry was in its heyday and 100,000 residents used underground areas joined by tunnels.

20.  Lehman Caves, Nevada

The limestone Lehman Caves were formed by millions of years of erosion from subterranean streams. Ensconced in Great Basin National Park, these caves were once the home of a secret speakeasy during Prohibition. Today you’ll see thousands of needle-like crystals and hollow, delicate stalactites nicknamed “soda straws.” You’ll also see “cave popcorn”, formed out of little lumps of calcite that truly resembles the real thing.

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21.  The Homestead Crater, Utah

Located in the city of Midway, this popular geothermal spring is deep within the unique dome-shaped limestone rock. The water is a beautiful blue and bath-like with a temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Visitors can go scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, or simply relax and enjoy. There’s no marine life here but divers love diving 45 feet down without wearing a wetsuit.

22.  Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

The Wind Cave is underneath the grasslands. It’s the longest network of caves in the world. Its name is apropos as mighty winds blow in and out of the mouth of the cavern and some of the rock formations here are over 310 million years old. Be sure to see the popular box-work where the calcite has created interesting intricate honeycomb patterns. 

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23.  Mega Zips, Kentucky

Mega Zips is the planet’s only totally underground zip line course. It is situated in a huge hollowed-put 100-acre limestone quarry now known as the Louisville Mega Cavern. The cavern is so large it stretches out under sections of the Louisville Zoo and the Watterson Expressway. Here you can fly through the air as high as 70 feet on this exciting underground attraction.

24.  Emerald Cave, Arizona

You will find the Emerald cave a mere 45-minute drive out of Las Vegas in the as yet unspoiled Black Canyon. Veteran visitors say this cave is the true highlight of the canyon with its striking sparkling green waters. Here you can go kayaking in the calm cove’s water or escape the glaring sun by paddling into the caves that run through the cliff face.

25.  The City Hall Subway Station, New York

Finally, you’ll wonder why the other New York subway stations are so drab-looking once you see this place. This abandoned City Hall subway station comes complete with chandeliers, a vaulted tile ceiling, and leaded skylights. Opened in 1904 this station was shut down in 1945 because of its short platforms. Ah, but you can still see this outstanding spot thanks to tours offered by the New York Transit Museum.

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If you feel like you’ve been “living underground” recently, folks like the residents of Coober Pedy will tell you to chill out because they are one of the communities that have actually dug down beneath the earth to establish their home. Here then, are several awesome underground cities that might make you want to live in a cave.

Awesome Underground Cities

1. Coober Pedy, South Australia

This famous albeit remote spot in South Australia has been used in several movies including The Adventures of Priscilla, Kangaroo Jack, Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome; Queen of the Desert; and Red Planet. A lot of this town’s 1800 residents work in the opal-mining business. When they’re off the clock, they still choose to stay underground. After all, the desert sun pushes the temperatures into the triple-digits for most of the year. These locals beat the heat in their multi-room “dugouts.” If you would like to see for yourself you can stay underneath “Down Under” by getting a nice subterranean suite at the nearby Comfort Inn.

2. Matmata, Tunisia

Star Wars fans will recognize Matmata’s Berber village from the 1977 film Star Wars and 2002’s Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. While Luke Skywalker no longer “lives” there, this place is still home to the real-life, cave-dwelling nomads who roamed this region for centuries. Their homes, or “troglodytes, were actually dug out of the ground by hand.

They start with a single circular opening that eventually is used as a courtyard for other rooms that are dug off of it. It wasn’t a well-known place until the 1960s when the area was impacted by flooding. Today it’s quite popular.

3. Derinkuyu, Turkey

Here in Turkey’s Nevsehir province, there were once dozens of underground villages. Some of those villages harken back to circa 700 BC. The largest one had multiple levels and was home to over 20,000 people.

This community includes all the elements of civilization. Chapels, schools, stores, and even a water system. Cappadocian Greeks sheltered here during wars up ‘til the 1900s. Sometime in 1969, this complex became less of a residence and more of a cool tourist destination. Mind you, when you’re as much as 250 feet underground amidst reportedly “hundreds of thousands of square feet of tunnel,” who knows what you’ll discover.

4. The Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain

Located close to the southern tip of the famous Iberian Peninsula, Setenil is truly a bizarre sight to see. A major portion of this town and the streets are actually built into the stunning surrounding cliffs. Here you’ll see huge rock overhangs 20 to 30 feet overhead as you explore the main drag.

Additionally, you’ll also discover that a number of the storefronts and homes here are little more than façades. In truth, caves are what constitute the majority of the enclosed space because 900 years ago this used to be a Moorish fortress. Today it’s a charming place with 3000 residents.

5. Guadix, Southern Spain

Since you’re already in Spain, hop in your car and head 2.5 hours east. There you can visit the ancient troglodyte village known as Guadix. There are almost 2000 underground homes across the property, dug into the now compacted earth.

The locals here are famous for their hospitality. They often invite travelers in to see their unique homes. Of course, if you’d rather enjoy a more upscale experience, then you’d best reserve a room at the five-star Casas Cuevas Almagruz y Centro de Interpretación Hábitat Troglodita Almagruz. It’s a popular hacienda burrowed into an old sandstone outcropping located on the edge of town.

6. Matera, Italy

The ancient city of Matera was once considered a slum. To those who had never seen Roberto Benigni’s 2019 film Pinocchio, it was even called “the shame of Italy.” In truth, it is one of the oldest still inhabited cities in the world.

It is now alive with wine, culture, and art while its ages-old cliff architecture essentially remains unchanged. Technically, this specific city is not exactly underground since it is actually carved into the rock and gray limestone to one side of the ground. Still, these caves, known as sassi, are incredible. This city, which appears to be both stratospheric and subterranean, includes arches, courtyards, connecting stairways, and tunnels.

7. The Beijing Underground, China

Beijing is one of the most densely populated and largest cities in the world. Space is at a premium. That’s one reason why roughly 1 million people live underground at “bargain-basement prices.” These underground dwellers are called shuzu or “the rat tribe.”
It began during the Cold War when Chairman Mao decided that 20,000 bomb shelters would be excavated to protect people from possible Soviet missile strikes. This small, windowless network of boxes that range from 30 to 300 square feet each. They were turned into hostel rooms back in the 1980s. At less than $60.00 per month, it was a deal the shuzu couldn’t refuse.

8. Singapore

Here in Singapore, you don’t get so much of a historic feel for underground living but a glimpse into the future. There have been underground museums and malls in this admittedly densely populated city-state for over 10 years now. The country’s Urban Redevelopment Authority continues to move heaven and (ahem) earth to promote their progressive concepts.

They have put at over $150 million into related projects. One of the more well-known proposals is the creation of the planet’s first “earth scraper.” People in the know report that these projects are not simply about conserving space but also about conserving energy.

9. Similar Projects

As this goes to press, similar projects for cities are in the works in places like Singapore’s underground park project meant in part as a response to the threat of global warming. There is also New York’s “Lowline” which was meant to be the first subterranean park complete with remote skylights to allow sunlight in for the vegetation. While mounting costs have halted work, officials in Helsinki, Finland, have already announced their own “Underground Master Plan.”

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