There are a lot of cool places to visit on the planet, but have you ever looked beyond the surface?  This column will remind you that the world has a lot of unique locations underground too.  So in hopes of inspiring you to dig into things when planning your next trip, here are the top 15 underground places to visit on Earth.

1.  The Marble Cathedral, Patagonia in Southern Chile

Travelers will discover the impressive Marble Cathedral located on lovely Lake General Carrera in Patagonia in Southern Chile.  Once you’re actually inside, you can’t help but be impressed by this marble that was once mere limestone.

This cathedral’s striated interior takes on beautiful blue hues.  This is because the lake’s turquoise waters are reflected onto them and blend with the stone’s whiteness.  In order to see the inside of the magnificent Marble Cathedral, you can either try kayaking or sign aboard one of the boat tours offered there.

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Hannans North Tourist Mine, Western Australia

Are you a fan of the famous Wild West?  If so then you are going to really enjoy Hannans North Tourist Mine situated in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.  Here you can explore a city full of colorful pubs, defunct brothels, and numerous historic buildings.

Here you will also learn something about a place rich in over a century of gold rush history.  Ride the old wire-mesh elevator 30 meters below the earth and visit the various excavated galleries.  Veteran visitors say that to this day you may still find a gold nugget or two!

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Mammoth Cave National Park, United States of America

Located near Brownsville, Kentucky, the popular Mammoth Cave National Park was founded in 1941.  It includes almost 53,000 acres and spans three different counties.  It is named for Mammoth Cave which features the largest network of underground galleries and natural caves on the planet.

With cave names such as “Frozen Niagara” or “Grande Avenue”, it should be obvious how truly spectacular these well-known caves really are.  These various formations were created roughly 10 million years ago.  In other words, they were here approximately 9.5 million years before the first human ever walked the earth.

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The Aktun Chen Natural Park, Mexico

This nature park in the famous Riviera Maya is nestled amidst the thick jungle just northeast of popular Quintana Roo.  Here visitors may choose from a number of different recreational activities within a natural environment.  The highlight here, of course, will have you strolling along the crystal clear underground rivers.

The caves are underneath an actual equatorial forest.  Here you will see a nigh supernatural underworld rife with noteworthy mineral formations like fossils, stalagmites, and stalactites.  You can explore this park on foot or go diving and have an underwater adventure.

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The Catacombs of Paris, France

The creepy Catacombs of Paris have been open to visitors since 1809.  Here beneath the “City of Lights”, you can explore the dark labyrinth in the capital city’s underground.  This is one of the world’s largest ossuaries and holds the remains of literally millions of residents.

The remains themselves harken back as far as the 1700s, during a period when the city’s cemeteries were starting to become overcrowded.  As a stopgap solution, many of the remains from the old cemeteries were relocated into disused, renovated quarries.  Be careful not to get lost, or you might become part of the attraction.

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The “Wieliczka” Salt Mine, Poland

You can find the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine in the little town of Wieliczka in the Kraków metropolitan area. In South Poland.  Salt was actually a precious mineral back in the day of knights and castles.

Over nine centuries of exploitation have given birth to huge caves and galleries that span an area of more than 287 kilometers.  This mesmerizing place also features memorable salt-carved statues, lakes, and chapels.  You simply must see the statues of Leonardo’s the Last Supper and Saint Kinga.  The salt mine also includes the largest mine museum on the planet and even concert halls with unbelievable acoustics.

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The Berlin Bomb Shelter, Germany

Travel back through the mists of time to the historic Berlin Bomb Shelter in Berlin.  This German city was a major target during World War II.  Civilians frequently took shelter beneath the streets.

Here you can experience one of the only remaining civil air raid shelters in Berlin.  You can see such preserved artifacts as photographs, utensils, and even weapons.  This bomb shelter was originally designed to house roughly 3000 civilians.  You will be both chilled and stunned by this relic from a truly turbulent time.

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The Catacombs of Rome, Italy

The mysterious Catacombs of Rome were once the burial place for the first few generations of Christians.  Hundreds have been laid to rest here in these extensive catacombs.  These impressive underground tunnels are man-made.

They were actually dug by hand more than 2,000 years ago.  Veteran visitors suggest exploring them with a tour guide.  A visit to this place will definitely reveal a side of the popular city that you probably never knew was there.  It will no doubt be a truly memorable experience.

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The Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt

This aged attraction is reported to be the last remaining “wonder” of the famous Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.  This is a remarkable place that seasoned travelers say everyone should see before they die.  The grand Great Pyramid of Giza is also known as the Pyramid of Cheops and the Pyramid of Khufu.

The pyramid is now over 5,000 years old making it the oldest of the three structures in the complex.  It is 146.5 meters tall.  The pyramid has stood as the highest man-made structure anywhere in the world for more than 3,800 years.

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The tunnel beneath the Castle of Lucca, Italy

Travel to the quaint town of Lucca, Italy, where you will find a locale truly rich in tradition and history.  Take the long medieval pilgrimage route known as Via Francigena.  It is lined with medieval abbeys, castles, churches, and villages.  Ah, but the true highlight here is the extensive tunnel beneath the medieval Castle of Lucca.

Here you will cross the illuminated, wide alleyways and take in the ancient stones, which harken back to the era of the knights.

The Caves of Maresha and Bet-Guvrin, Israel

The famous Caves of Maresha and Bet-Guvrin are ensconced in the well-known Judean Lowlands.  There are more than 1,000 caves here.  Hundreds of them are shaped like bells.

These caves here are man-made.  Men once dug through a thick layer of limestone to create them.  Due to the many rooms one will find there, this place has been long known as “the city under the city.”  It was officially designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.  It is truly a spectacular monument to visit.

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Grotte de Choranche, France

The great Grotte de Choranche is in Choranche in the French province of Isere.  Ensconced in the beautiful Vercors massif, the cave is known for its mysterious inner beauty.  Those in the know say it is one of France’s “most beautiful caves.”  The cave overlooks underground rivers and lakes and some have even said it provides visitors with “a truly magical display.”

Take in the view of the emerald green reflections, crystal white rugged rock formations, and the thin, fragile “straws” or stalactites as well.

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The underground town of Derinkuyu, Turkey

The underground town of Derinkuyu may be over 1,000 years old, but it remained undiscovered until a passage to the lost locale was found some time in 1963.  Located 60 meters under Turkey’s Cappadocia region, this excavated city was designed to be large enough to house up to 20,000 residents, their food stores, and livestock as well.  It includes places of worship, stables, warehouses, and more.  Walk through the narrow, historic corridors of this fascinating, ancient, multi-level underground metropolis.

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The Saint Marcel Cave, France

Visit the gorgeous Gorges de l’Ardeche.  For it is there in the French department of Ardeche that you can explore the Saint Marcel Cave.  This cave was actually discovered in 1836 by an unknown hunter who was looking for his lost ferret.

As this goes to press, officials have discovered 60 kilometers of grand halls and galleries.  This underground network was carved out by the surrounding water.  See the calcite basins, and unique formations all enchantingly illuminated.  Veteran visitors recommend taking the self-guided tour.

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15.  The Cu Chi Tunnels, Vietnam

If you visit Vietnam, be sure to stop in the Củ Chi District of Ho Chi Minh City to explore the famous Cu Chi Tunnels.  This incredible complex of underground tunnels leads to an actual underground village.  This place harkens back to 1954 when it was created by Communist forces during the infamous Vietnam War.

Thousands of Viet-Cong soldiers once took refuge here in this place that includes a dormitory, a kitchen, and a hospital too.  Despite the heavy bombing, this underground village did not surrender to the surrounding destruction and is ready to visit now.

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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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