Portland: Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Beer Tasting

Portland has a past best explored underground. This 90-minute tour leads you beneath Old Town through the Shanghai Tunnels, mixing local history, ghost stories, and the tale of Nina, the area’s resident spirit. I like the strong balance between history and spooky entertainment, and I like that the tour ends with a craft beer tasting and a full pint at Old Town Pizza. The main drawback is the physical setting: narrow stairs, low pipes, uneven dirt floors, and tight doorways make this a poor fit for anyone with mobility issues.

The $44 price feels fair if you enjoy both a guided history walk and Portland beer culture. You get a live English-speaking guide, a special tasting, and one pint, all in a compact afternoon or evening outing. Just arrive early. Late arrivals may find the group already underground, with no refund.

Key points to know before you book

• The tour begins at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, in the former Merchant Hotel, not at a separate street entrance.
• The route is short but physical, with stairs, low obstacles, narrow passages, and uneven dirt floors.
• Portland history comes first, with stories about sailors, ships, Chinatown, and the city’s darker past.
• Ghost lore is part of the show, especially the story of Nina, but the tour also appeals to people who are not devoted to paranormal tales.
• The finish includes a special beer tasting and one full pint, making the outing more than a simple tunnel walk.
• Young visitors face time restrictions: ages 13 to 20 may attend only the noon, 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. tours.

Starting beneath Old Town Pizza and the Merchant Hotel

Your meeting point is Old Town Pizza & Brewing. Go inside and tell the staff you are there for the tour. If you arrive before business hours, knock on the door.

That starting point matters. You are not meeting beside a generic tour bus or a modern visitor center. The tour begins in the lobby of Portland’s former Merchant Hotel, a building tied directly to the stories you are about to hear. The pizza restaurant also gives you a convenient place to eat before or after the tour, though the beer comes as part of the experience at the end.

Plan to arrive 10 minutes early. This is not a flexible meet-up where you can simply catch the group at the next stop. The guide takes the group below ground, and late arrivals receive no refund. That rule may feel strict, but it makes sense once the tour begins in cramped passages where finding a separated person would be difficult.

The tour lasts about 1.5 hours. It is usually offered in the afternoon and evening, though the exact start time matters if you are bringing someone under 21. Ages 13 to 20 are allowed only on the noon, 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. departures. Later tours are for people 21 and older, and some departures are 21-plus only.

What the Shanghai Tunnels actually feel like

The phrase Shanghai Tunnels suggests a vast underground maze. You should adjust that picture before booking. The route includes atmospheric underground areas, but much of the tunnel network is closed off. You will not spend the full tour racing through a huge series of open passages.

That is not necessarily a weakness. The accessible areas still provide the setting for the stories, and the limited route lets the guide focus on what you are seeing. You may crouch beneath pipes, move through narrow sections, and look at old features such as a cell and a creepy photograph mentioned during the tour. The physical surroundings do a great deal of the work. Low ceilings and dirt floors are more convincing than a polished museum display.

You need comfortable shoes. High heels are a bad idea, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Expect stairs, narrow doorways, uneven surfaces, and obstacles between the floor and ceiling. Even if you are generally fit, the crouching and awkward footing can make this feel more demanding than an ordinary city walk.

The setting also affects the pace. You may stop often while the guide explains what the passages were used for and how the stories connect to Portland’s waterfront past. This is a listening tour with some careful maneuvering, not a brisk exercise walk.

The stories of sailors, ships, and Portland’s darker past

The central story concerns the tunnels’ reported use in moving unsuspecting sailors toward ships docked on the river. Your guide explains this part of Portland’s past while you stand in the same underground setting connected to the tale.

This is where the experience works best. The tunnels are not presented only as a haunted attraction. The tour uses ghost stories to open the door to broader local history, including Portland’s rougher side and the role of Old Town and the riverfront. I appreciate that balance because it gives you something to think about even if you are not convinced by paranormal claims.

Your guide also introduces Nina, the tunnel’s resident ghost. The story adds suspense, especially in the darker sections, but the tone is not meant to replace the historical material. The best guides use the ghost as one thread in a larger story about place, memory, and Portland’s past.

Guide quality matters a lot here. Doug has been praised for his storytelling and for taking time to explain the tunnels and Portland history. Natascha has also been singled out for her narration, fun facts, friendly manner, and ability to involve the group. One guide was especially appreciated for speaking clearly enough for everyone to hear, which is important in rooms where sound can bounce or get lost.

You may also find that the tone changes with the guide. Some build suspense carefully, while others put more weight on local facts and questions. That variation is normal for a live tour, but the overall feedback points to guides who keep the group engaged rather than simply reciting a script.

A ghost tour that works for skeptics too

I would not recommend this only to people who collect paranormal experiences. The history gives it wider appeal.

If you are fascinated by ghosts, Nina and the underground setting provide the spooky side you came for. If you are more skeptical, you can treat the supernatural material as folklore and still get a useful introduction to Portland’s Old Town past. One of the strongest features is the way the tour lets both types of visitor enjoy the same hour and a half.

The experience does not seem designed around theatrical scares or constant jump moments. Instead, the guide builds suspense through the place itself, then adds stories about spirits and unsettling events. That approach is more effective for many adults because the setting remains central.

You should also keep your expectations realistic. The route is not a full exploration of every underground passage. Some sections are closed, and the accessible parts are relatively limited. You are paying for interpretation, atmosphere, and the combination of stories and beer, not for a long underground expedition.

Returning upstairs for beer at Old Town Pizza

After the tunnel portion, you head back upstairs to Old Town Pizza, located in the lobby of the former Merchant Hotel. This is a smart finish. Instead of ending on a sidewalk with a quick goodbye, the tour gives you time to sit, taste beer, and discuss what you have just heard.

The package includes a special tasting of award-winning beer and one full pint of Portland craft beer. That gives the $44 price more weight. A 90-minute guided walk alone might feel expensive to some visitors, but the drink portion turns it into a compact history-and-food outing.

The beer is not just a token sample. You receive a full pint at the end, which gives you time to settle in after navigating the stairs and low obstacles. The restaurant setting also means you can order pizza if you want to extend the evening. The pizza is not listed as part of the price, so treat it as an optional extra.

The beer finish also makes this a good choice for a first night in Portland. You get a look at Old Town, hear a memorable set of local stories, and end with something strongly associated with the city’s food and drink culture. It is less demanding than a full evening tour across town, and you do not need separate transportation between the tunnel and the final stop.

Is $44 a good value?

At $44 per person, the price is reasonable for the package, especially if you would otherwise pay for a ghost walk and a drink separately. You receive the guided tour, the guide, the special tasting, and one pint. The 1.5-hour length also fits neatly into a day of sightseeing.

The value depends on what you want from the tunnels. If your priority is a long route through many open passages, you may feel the experience is brief because several areas are closed. If you want a focused story, a historic building, a bit of paranormal atmosphere, and a beer at the end, the price makes more sense.

I would rate the beer as a genuine part of the experience rather than a marketing add-on. You finish in a place connected to the tour, not at an unrelated bar. The setting allows questions and conversation, and one guide was especially praised for holding a good question-and-answer session during the tasting.

The 4.3 rating from 102 reviews suggests a strong experience with some reasonable limits. The most consistent praise goes to the guides, especially their storytelling, clear delivery, humor, and ability to mix facts with ghost lore. The most important caution is also consistent: the tunnels are physically tight and do not offer a large, open route.

Who should book this Portland tour?

I think this suits you best if you:

• Like local history with a spooky edge
• Want a short evening activity in Old Town
• Enjoy Portland craft beer
• Prefer a live guide to a self-guided museum
• Can handle stairs, crouching, narrow doorways, and uneven floors
• Want an activity that works for both paranormal fans and skeptics

It is less suitable if you have trouble with stairs or balance, dislike confined spaces, or want a polished attraction with smooth floors and wide paths. Children under 13 are not allowed, and the age rules for teenagers require careful attention when you book.

Bring a passport or other ID card, and be prepared to sign a waiver. Same-day cancellations or changes are not allowed, and cancellations made within 24 hours do not receive a refund. The practical message is simple: check the time, check the age rule, wear sensible shoes, and arrive early.

How this compares with other Portland activities

This tour fills a different role from a standard city walking tour. A city tour gives you a wider look at Portland, while this focuses on one Old Town site and the stories beneath it. If you have only one day in Portland and want major city sights, choose a broader tour first.

It also differs from a dedicated ghost tour. A ghost-focused outing may give you more locations and more paranormal stories, while the Shanghai Tunnel tour keeps you in one historic building and its underground spaces. That tighter focus makes it easier to pair with dinner or drinks nearby.

Compared with a waterfall or Columbia Gorge trip, this is a small urban activity. You do not need half a day, a vehicle, or a long transfer. It works well on a rainy day or as a break between larger Portland plans, though the underground surfaces still demand careful footing.

Should you book the Shanghai Tunnel tour?

Book it if you want history, ghost stories, and Portland beer in one compact outing. The guides are the star, and names such as Doug and Natascha have earned praise for making the material lively, clear, and fun. The beer tasting and full pint give the experience a satisfying finish.

Skip it if you expect to explore a huge network of open tunnels or if stairs, low pipes, tight doorways, and uneven dirt floors will make you uncomfortable. For everyone else, this is a memorable way to see an unusual side of Portland, with enough history to satisfy skeptics and enough ghost lore to keep the lights feeling just a little too far away.

FAQ

How long does the Shanghai Tunnel tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $44 per person.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the guided tour, a live English-speaking guide, a special beer tasting, and one full pint of beer.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet inside Old Town Pizza & Brewing and announce that you are there for the tour. If it is before business hours, knock on the door.

Are children and teenagers allowed?

Children under 13 are not allowed. Ages 13 to 20 may attend only the noon, 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. tours. Later departures are for people 21 and older, and some tours are 21-plus only.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The tour includes stairs, narrow doorways, obstacles that require ducking, pipes at different heights, and uneven dirt floors.

What should I bring and when should I arrive?

Bring a passport or ID card and be ready to sign a waiver. Arrive 10 minutes before the start time because late arrivals may miss the underground portion and will not receive a refund.