Buzz
There’s just something about exploring an underground passage that grabs me. It’s dark, eerie, filled with cobwebs and low-hanging pipes—and occasionally, it’s home to the departed. It’s a blend of mystery and learning! (I swear, I wasn’t your average thrill-seeker as a kid!)
When I think of crypts, catacombs, and subterranean cities, my mind first jumps to ancient times. Think of the necropolis beneath the Vatican Basilica or the burial crypts of ancient Egypt. And let’s not forget the iconic Catacombs of Paris and Palermo. By definition, a crypt is a “vault or chamber, typically underground, especially one beneath a church’s main floor.” Naturally, we associate crypts and cities of bones with European history and ancient civilizations. It’s not the sort of thing we expect to find beneath our feet in places like Boston, New York, or even Seattle.
So, here’s a tour of some of America’s crypts and underground cities that you can visit (and I totally recommend it) if you’re into winding corridors, mysteries, history, and, well, the occasional centuries-old skeleton. No judgment here.
10. Seattle, WA
Believe it or not, Seattle, Washington, is home to a hidden underground city that was destroyed in a massive fire in 1889. The new city was built right on top of the old ruins, which are still accessible for tours today. Between 1890 and 1907, the surviving bottom floors were still in use. Merchants operated their businesses either in the surviving ground-level areas or the newly constructed above-ground spaces. Meanwhile, pedestrians traversed the underground levels, where sidewalks were illuminated by pavement lights above.
As you can imagine, the Underground became a haven for the more illicit businesses. In 1907, fearing the spread of the bubonic plague along the West Coast, the city condemned the Underground. It was abandoned, left to decay, and repurposed for storage. The vacant underground spaces attracted vagrants, illegal gambling, prostitution, opium dens, and even speakeasies.
Today, you can explore the Seattle Underground on various tours. The area still holds artifacts and remnants from bygone decades. It’s known for its eerie vibe and is rumored to be haunted, as many underground cities are said to be.
9. New York, NY
If you prefer a more solemn crypt tour, New York City offers a visit to St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, located just off Mulberry Street. It houses the only active Roman Catholic cemetery in Manhattan. Some of the graves date back over 200 years. The cathedral itself was once the largest in the U.S. when completed in 1815, and it served as the seat for the first Bishop of the Diocese of New York. Much of the wooden interior of the cathedral was destroyed in a 1866 fire caused by a kitchen stove.
Step inside today and head down into the basement, where you can take a 'candlelight' (which is actually an LED flashlight, thanks to the fire) tour of the crypt beneath the church. While you won’t encounter any visible bones, you’ll find hallways lined with decorative vaults and the resting places of notable figures, including Countess Annie Leary, the Delmonico family, and 'Honest John' Kelly, just to name a few. Oh, and if you head upstairs, you’ll see the spot where Francis Ford Coppola filmed the baptism scene in The Godfather.
8. Indianapolis, IN
Indiana might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of an underground network of catacombs, but it actually exists. And, let me tell you, it’s incredibly creepy, especially if you’re there alone. Trust me on this one.
In 1886, Indianapolis built two public buildings on Market Street designed by architect Dietrich Bohlen. These buildings were City Market and Tomlinson Hall. City Market continues to thrive and is a cherished part of downtown Indianapolis. Tomlinson Hall, on the other hand, vanished from the city in January 1958 after a devastating fire. The remains of the building were demolished later that year.
Today, only the iconic arch and the basement, known as the Catacombs, remain as a reminder of this once bustling space. And yes, you can tour the catacombs! According to the city, the Catacombs qualify as both a ruin and a redevelopment opportunity, and they invite visitors to explore the city’s past, present, and future. They’ve even stated that there are no bones or crypts down there (as far as they know), just numerous brick barrel-vaulted arches. Still, it’s a fascinating place to visit, but if you do stumble across bones, you might want to make a quick exit.
7. Atlanta, Georgia
Let's dive into The Crypt of Civilization at Oglethorpe University. You may not have heard of it unless you were a fan of the Guinness Book of World Records in the early '90s or lived in Atlanta. As someone who grew up in Atlanta, I once went on a field trip to Oglethorpe University where I encountered The Crypt of Civilization. At 10 years old, I was fascinated by it and have been curious about unlocking its secrets ever since.
There are no remains (at least, we think) inside the crypt, nor any treasures like gold or jewelry. So, what exactly is it? The Crypt's history is shrouded in mystery. According to Oglethorpe University, 'The Crypt of Civilization at Oglethorpe is the world's oldest millennial time capsule and the largest in existence. In 1936, detailed plans were made to create a monumental time capsule, one intended to preserve records for over 6,000 years—a scale never before envisioned. The brainchild behind this ambitious project was Oglethorpe University president Dr. Thornwell Jacobs, known as the 'father of the modern time capsule.' He believed his generation had a responsibility to 'perform our archaeological duty,' which he defined as providing future historians with an accurate, thorough record of life in the 20th century.'
• The Crypt of Civilization was sealed on May 28, 1940 • It is not scheduled to be opened until May 28, 8113 • No, you can't go inside, but you can visit the sealed stainless steel door.
Much has changed since 1940, and Oglethorpe University now has access to a vast array of human archaeological records. What lies within this crypt? It's anyone's guess. We'll likely have to wait for National Treasure 3 or the end of the world to learn what's inside. If you're in the area, I suggest checking out the door. It's as eerie and enigmatic as you'd expect.
6. Waterbury, Connecticut
Holy Land, USA, a religious theme park in Waterbury, CT, is the only catacomb that truly fills me with fear. It’s far from your typical family-friendly destination; in fact, it’s more likely to give you tetanus or trap you in a decaying structure.
The park first opened in 1955, courtesy of lawyer John Baptist Greco, a seemingly average figure. However, by 1984, it had closed and was left to the ravages of time and vandalism. Tragically, in 2010, the site became notorious for the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl. The property was later purchased by a local non-profit and, after some time, reopened in 2014 with a Mass and access to the ruins. So, what’s the deal with the catacombs here?
During its heyday, the park boasted an attraction called 'Catacombs: A History of the Church.' Today, however, it stands as a grim reminder of the space’s decline. A local review states: 'Any attempt to explore these ancient burial chambers could easily end with a tumble down a hidden staircase and your forehead meeting a rusty nail.' Count me out.
The catacombs originally spanned around 200 feet along the old parking lot, forming a series of corridors. Though they looked underground from the parking lot, they were actually above ground. At the far end, a small entrance bore a sign that read 'The Pictorial Life of Christ—From the Cradle to the Cross.' Another hand-painted sign listed the popes up until 1978. The area remains open to the public during the day, but I’d advise avoiding it after dark. The park is set to be restored to its former glory.
5. Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati boasts a wealth of old European-style architecture woven into the city's fabric, from the eateries to the apartment buildings and even the way it handles its burial practices. It's not everyday that families come together to ensure their ancestors remain buried in the same place, but that's exactly what happened at St. Francis Seraph Church in Over-the-Rhine. The church was originally named Christ Church and was established in April 1819 by Cincinnati’s first Catholics. In March 1822, Edward Fenwick, the first bishop of Cincinnati, made it his cathedral. Later that year, the bishop relocated the church to a new site downtown.
As the city expanded, the cemetery remained untouched. In November 1858, the cornerstone for the current St. Francis Seraph Church was placed. The bodies from the old cemetery were entombed in a crypt beneath the altar of the new church, which was consecrated on December 18, 1859. The crypt became a Poets’ Corner-style resting place for the dead.
For over a century, the crypt remained hidden from view, accessible only to those living in the friary, which remained cloistered until the 1970s. Today, thanks to the American Legacy Queen City Underground Tour, you can now visit this crypt in person.
4. Newark, New Jersey
In 1937, Father Mateo Amoros was serving as the assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s Church in Newark, New Jersey. That same year, Father Amoros traveled to Montreal, where he visited some catacombs and was struck with the idea that his own church should have one. The only problem? New Jersey’s authorities were not in favor of opening a new burial site beneath the church, and they told him it wasn’t going to happen. However, Father Amoros had a much grander—and arguably more macabre—vision for his catacomb.
Rather than burying human remains, he envisioned placing wax figures of saints and martyrs. By doing so, he created America’s first wax museum, and this so-called 'crypt' is still open to visitors today. Among the exhibits, you’ll find figures like St. Tarsicio, a 12-year-old altar boy who was beaten to death for refusing to give up the Eucharist. There's also St. Genaro, who endured being 'thrown into a lighted oven' and 'cast into a pit with wild animals' for choosing Christianity over paganism. Nearby, you’ll find St. Ines, who was an 'obedient girl and role model' that refused to marry a Roman man because she was already married to God. After surviving an attempted murder due to her virginity, she was dragged to a brothel, defiled, and murdered in revenge.
By the way, this catacomb is also listed as one of the top places for Catholic field trips. Lovely!
3. Boston, Massachusetts
If you’ve visited Boston, chances are you’ve stopped by the Old North Church, or at the very least, you’ve heard the famous story of Paul Revere’s ride. It’s practically a rite of passage for anyone living in America. What you might not know is that beneath the Old North Church lies a rather elaborate crypt, and there’s still plenty of room if you fancy being buried there yourself. It’s surprisingly affordable, and you won’t even need to worry about displacing the long-time tenants—though, you would need to be cremated!
The Old North Church hides beneath its floorboards a crypt that holds approximately 1,100 burials. Between 1732 and 1860, the church interred its members below the sanctuary, making efficient use of the basement in a time when space was limited above ground. The crypt contains 37 brick vaults, each one capable of holding between 20 to 40 full coffins.
The crypt tour is dim, dusty, and steeped in history—just what you’d expect. If you’re taller than average, watch out for the low-hanging pipes. Among the sights is an open vault with an 18th-century coffin still intact. And as for the possibility of encountering a ghost or two? Well, it’s hard to blame them for lingering in a city where history itself began.
2. Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. offers a bit of everything. You can visit the White House to catch a glimpse of the current president, grab a bite at Ben’s Chili Bowl, or even wander through the stunning catacombs and gardens at the Franciscan Monastery. Wait, what?
Constructed in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Franciscan Monastery was designed as a place for Americans who could not make the journey to the Holy Land. Visiting the catacombs here feels like an extraordinary adventure, quite unlike a typical museum visit. The monastery’s creators even traveled to the Holy Land and consulted with travelers to ensure every detail was captured authentically. Since the 1920s, the catacombs have also been the resting place for the bones of Saint Innocent, a martyr, who was brought from the Catacomb of St. Callistus.
1. Columbia, South Carolina
While you can't purchase a ticket to explore the catacombs in Columbia, South Carolina, you can, if you're daring enough, venture into the mysterious tunnels that locals are all too familiar with. However, the true reason for their existence remains unsolved.
"Elaborate brick arches. A centuries-old enigma. Cypress flooring. Confederate gold. Exquisite brickwork. An underground marvel. Secret passages for state officials. A segment of the Underground Railroad." These are some of the descriptions that Columbia residents use to try to explain the tunnels, which were built in the 1800s, but their original purpose still baffles many.
Chris Robinson, a professor at the University of South Carolina, has extensively researched and written about the catacombs. He has even taken artifacts from the site in an attempt to unravel the mystery of their purpose. To date, no human remains have been discovered, but the tunnels stretch for miles, as intricate as they are long. If you have a sense of adventure, consider exploring them yourself and maybe even solve a centuries-old riddle.
