Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings

Portland’s Shanghai Tunnels offer a look beneath Old Town, where narrow passageways once linked businesses with the Willamette River. I like the access to old underground rooms and the way guides such as Natasha, Doug, Skippy, and Kaitlin bring local stories to life. I also like ending with beer at Old Town Pizza & Brewing.

The main drawback is expectation. This is more of a dark-history tour with ghost stories than a long walk through a vast tunnel network. The spaces are limited, the footing is uneven, and some of the ghost material depends on your guide and your own appetite for spooky tales.

Key points to know before you book

• The tour lasts about 90 minutes, with the underground visit followed by beer.
• The history covers crimping, a cruel practice tied to nineteenth-century Portland and the sailing trade.
• Nina is the resident ghost, though the amount of haunting material can vary by guide.
• The tasting package includes three beer tasters and one full pint, with small pours during the tasting portion.
• The route is physically awkward, with narrow stairs, low obstacles, pipes, doorways, and uneven dirt floors.
• The $48 price works best if you value both the history tour and the beer finish, not simply a short look at tunnels.

Entering Portland’s underground past

You begin at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, at 226 NW Davis Street. This is a useful meeting point because the tour starts and ends in the same place, and you can add pizza before or after if the timing suits you.

From there, your guide takes you below the streets of Portland. The underground spaces are tied to the old business district and to routes that once connected local establishments with the riverfront. You are not walking through miles of open tunnels. Instead, you visit the remaining underground areas beneath the building, including rooms and passageways linked to Portland’s darker past.

That distinction matters. If you expect a large underground maze, you may feel shortchanged. The experience is better understood as a guided look at preserved or surviving spaces, mixed with storytelling, historical explanation, and a few ghost tales.

The group can include up to 15 people. That is small enough for a guide to speak directly to you, though the narrow spaces can feel close when everyone gathers around one room or doorway.

The history behind crimping

The most serious part of the tour concerns crimping. In nineteenth-century port towns, men could be forced, tricked, or incapacitated and then sent into work aboard ships. The practice connects Portland’s waterfront economy with stories of coercion, human trafficking, drug use, violence, and death.

This is not light Halloween entertainment from start to finish. Your guide may use humor to keep the group engaged, but the subject matter is grim. I appreciate that the better guides treat it with care while still keeping the presentation lively.

The strongest guides named in the tour material include Natasha, Doug, Skippy or Skipper, and Kaitlin or Katelyn. The exact guide depends on the departure. Natasha is described as especially engaging and well informed about Portland’s past, while Doug has a relaxed style that works well for families attending the permitted afternoon times. Skippy is praised for making the difficult history entertaining without losing sight of its seriousness.

Your experience can change with the guide. One guide may focus on documented local history, while another may lean harder into atmosphere and ghost stories. That variation is worth knowing before you reserve.

What you actually see underground

The physical route is short, but the setting gives it character. You move through old rooms and tight passageways beneath the building, with pipes and structural features overhead and underfoot. Some parts require you to duck, turn sideways, or step carefully around obstacles.

The floor may be uneven dirt, and the stairs are narrow. You should wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Sneakers are a smart choice. High heels are a poor match, and anyone with mobility concerns should think carefully before booking.

The tour description uses the term Shanghai Tunnels, but some of the remaining area is more like a limited section of the original underground network than a long connected system. That does not make the visit worthless. It simply means the stories and setting carry much of the experience.

I like this kind of tour when I know what I am getting. You are seeing a compact historic site that gives context to Old Town. You are not taking an extended underground hike.

The ghost story of Nina

Nina is presented as the resident ghost of the tunnels. The guide may describe reported encounters and unexplained events tied to the site. If you enjoy ghost lore, these moments add suspense to the historical material.

Still, this is not a pure ghost hunt. Some departures spend more time on Portland’s history than on hauntings. One account of the experience specifically found the history stronger than the ghost content, while another felt the ghost stories were too scattered. Your expectations should match the setting.

The atmosphere is naturally dark and enclosed, but the tour is not built around high-tech effects or a long series of staged scares. Props may appear in the underground area, and their connection to the stories can feel loose. For me, the real interest is the mix of place and past: you are standing below a modern city while hearing about people who were exploited in an earlier Portland.

If you want documented local history with a spooky edge, this is a good fit. If you want constant paranormal activity, you may find the ghost element too thin.

Beer at Old Town Pizza & Brewing

The tour finishes back at Old Town Pizza & Brewing with beer. The package includes three tasters and one full pint of the brewery’s award-winning beer.

The tasting pours are small, so do not treat the three samples as three full drinks. The exact tasting selection can vary, and some descriptions of the experience refer to two small pours rather than three. The full pint is the more substantial part of the beer component.

The brewery adds real value because it gives the tour a relaxed finish. After a serious discussion of forced labor, violence, and death, sitting down with a local beer changes the mood. The beer is not just an add-on for people who like alcohol. It also makes the $48 price easier to justify if you planned to visit the brewpub anyway.

The pizza is another practical reason to arrive early or stay afterward. Old Town Pizza & Brewing is the meeting point, and the pizza has received strong praise. Check the timing of your departure, especially for later tours, since the restaurant may close not long after the tour ends.

The activity is aimed mainly at adults. All tours other than the 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. departures are for people aged 21 and older. The supplied information also says no babies, infants, or children under 12 are allowed, and minors are not permitted on most departures.

Is $48 a fair price?

At $48 per person, this is not the cheapest way to hear Portland history. The price includes about 90 minutes of guiding, access to the underground site, three tasters, and a full pint.

The value depends on how you divide the price in your mind. If you see this as a 90-minute attraction with beer included, it is reasonable. If you judge it only as admission to a small tunnel area, you may find it expensive.

I would book it when I wanted a compact Old Town activity that combined history, an unusual setting, and a drink afterward. I would skip it if I had already taken several Portland history tours or if I wanted a large, authentic tunnel complex.

The small maximum group helps. You are paying for a live guide rather than simply entering a room with a sign. The best part of the value comes from the storytelling, so the guide matters.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

This experience suits you if you like local history, unusual city sites, ghost stories, and craft beer. It works well for a date night, a small group of friends, or a solo visit when you want an activity with a clear start and finish.

It is also a good choice for anyone curious about the less polished side of Portland’s past. The tour does not soften every subject. It covers exploitation, drug use, sexual content, violence, and death, so you should make sure everyone in your group is comfortable with adult material.

The afternoon departures offer the only stated option for teenagers. The rules are stricter at other times, with 21+ requirements. Check the departure time before booking if your party includes anyone under 21.

I would not recommend it for anyone who has trouble with stairs, narrow spaces, uneven floors, or ducking under obstacles. The route requires a moderate level of physical fitness. There is no suggestion that the site is wheelchair accessible, and the old building has narrow stairs and doorways.

Timing, transportation, and practical preparation

The meeting point is near public transportation in central Portland. You return to the same location at the end, which makes planning easier than a tour with a separate drop-off point.

Arrive early. Late arrivals are not refunded, and same-day cancellations are not refunded. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes made inside that window are not accepted.

Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. Avoid high heels. You may need to duck beneath pipes, navigate uneven dirt, and manage narrow stairs while staying with the group.

The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of people. If the provider cancels for weather or because the minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Gratuity is not included. If your guide handles the heavy history with care and keeps the group together in the cramped spaces, plan to tip.

How the guides shape the experience

The guide is central here. The tunnel space alone is limited, so the storytelling carries much of the 90 minutes.

Natasha is associated with a strong command of Portland history and an engaging sense of humor. Doug is described as a warm host who works well with groups and adds an easygoing tone. Skippy or Skipper is praised for balancing entertainment with respect for difficult subjects. Kaitlin or Katelyn is linked with clear explanations of how the underground network worked and how people were forced into maritime service.

That does not mean every departure will feel the same. You might get a guide who uses theatrical jokes, or one who focuses on facts and gives the paranormal material less time. If you are choosing this mainly for ghosts, accept that the tone can vary.

I would treat the guide’s personality as part of the price gamble. A strong guide can make a short route memorable. A weaker fit can make the same rooms feel staged or under-explained.

Should you book the Shanghai Tunnel tour?

Book this tour if you want Portland history with a spooky edge, a short underground visit, and beer at the end. The stories about crimping give the experience more weight than a standard ghost walk, and the brewpub finish is useful rather than decorative.

Skip it if you want a long network of authentic tunnels, a dedicated paranormal investigation, or an easy-access attraction. The underground section is limited, the physical route is demanding, and the ghost material may take second place to history.

For the best match, choose it as an Old Town evening or afternoon activity. Wear sneakers, arrive early, and plan for serious subject matter. If that sounds appealing, the $48 package offers a distinctive way to connect Portland’s present-day brewpub culture with the city’s darker past.

FAQ

How long does the Shanghai Tunnel tour last?

The tour lasts about 90 minutes, including the underground visit and the beer tasting.

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, located at 226 NW Davis Street in Portland.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, the same place where it begins.

Does the tour include beer?

Yes. The package includes three beer tasters and one full pint of Old Town’s beer. The tasting pours are small, and the exact selection can vary.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Children under 12, babies, and infants are not allowed. Most departures are for people aged 21 and older. The 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. tours are the stated exceptions for teenagers.

Is the tour physically demanding?

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. The route includes narrow stairs, uneven dirt floors, low obstacles, pipes, and narrow doorways.

What topics does the tour discuss?

The tour covers Portland’s dark history, including crimping, human trafficking, sexual content, drug use, violence, and death. It also includes stories about Nina, the resident ghost.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the tour, late arrivals, and same-day cancellations are not refunded.