Crystal City Underground
Crystal City Underground
4.5
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
67 within 3 miles
Attractions
10 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
54 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
15
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Christopher
1 contribution
Nov 2021 • Couples
To start off, the cave was beautiful and something my wife and I had been wanting to do for close to a year now.
I was told when I originally booked the tour that I would be getting a text a few days before the tour with some instructions. Not only did I not receive a text, I called the company 9 times (during business hours) the day prior and 1 time the day of without anyone answering.
The tour itself was just alright. It was disorganized and Don had actually felt it appropriate to tell my wife that one of her questions was stupid, as he proceeded to laugh.
I am glad we finally got to do this tour and I would never do it again with Don.
I was told when I originally booked the tour that I would be getting a text a few days before the tour with some instructions. Not only did I not receive a text, I called the company 9 times (during business hours) the day prior and 1 time the day of without anyone answering.
The tour itself was just alright. It was disorganized and Don had actually felt it appropriate to tell my wife that one of her questions was stupid, as he proceeded to laugh.
I am glad we finally got to do this tour and I would never do it again with Don.
Written November 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kent A
Lone Tree, IA53 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
Although the Underground area of the complex is closed due to flooding, Don Marsan's Kayak tours are still going! Brought my wife along this time after talking about it since last year. This is a true treasure unlike any you have seen. Calm paddling, cool all year, dark, and one of the best guides I have ever known! No experience, too old, can't swim? No worries. Easy gliding, very stable, no stress. Relax and explore!
Written July 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tatyana L
6 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
We just took Don's tour and we are thrilled! The experience was breathtaking and awe-striking. My fiancé and I were both smiling the entire hour long drive back home! We just experienced something so amazing that words can't do it justice! Thank you Don for the stunning tour and expect to see us again soon!
Written August 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernie
Florida128 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
We had a wonderful time on the pontoon boat ride with Skipper Shaun! Friends from New York were here and we wanted them to experience the sand mines. Shaun took us on a great ride into the depths of the mine. Lots of history, silence and enjoyment of the underground wonder. A highlight of our Total Eclipse experience in Festus. Hosts Tom and Kathy are genuine folks who want you to enjoy the beauty of this natures mystery. Excellent tour with real Missouri hospitality! A must see if you are in this area.
Written August 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sunny10017
Mishawaka, IN41 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
We found a groupon and gave it a try. There are no signs leading to the site. We followed the directions on the website which were confusing. They just said take this street then that street...we didn't know how far the streets were apart. Our favorite part was "follow the fence until you see an opening." We drove along the fence as it zigged and zagged...also not seeing a single sign. Finally after a good 3/4 mile there was a hand written poster to drive across a narrow single lane former train bridge thru a tunnel. Finally we saw a parking lot with an opening to a cave. We again had to figure out where to go...we saw an arrow and a sign to go left to sign in. Finally we found a bar area with an employee.
She was friendly and directed me to the port a potties. After she took the groupon she told us to walk to the barge loading dock. We walked by ourselves with no other souls in sight approximately 3-4 minutes. Then we saw the barges and 2 other families. We waited 10-15 minutes before the captain arrived. He didnt say much other than "You guys ready to go for a ride?"& a few rules. He stopped twice pointed some things out and answered questions.
All in all we were there for a little over an hour. It was worth it with the groupon. It was very informal. It is not a guided tour. They sell alcohol and have a lot of other activities such as disc golf, kayaking, and live bands which we did not participate in.
They are open until 10 pm which is nice but if you haven't been there before would be scary to find in the dark.
She was friendly and directed me to the port a potties. After she took the groupon she told us to walk to the barge loading dock. We walked by ourselves with no other souls in sight approximately 3-4 minutes. Then we saw the barges and 2 other families. We waited 10-15 minutes before the captain arrived. He didnt say much other than "You guys ready to go for a ride?"& a few rules. He stopped twice pointed some things out and answered questions.
All in all we were there for a little over an hour. It was worth it with the groupon. It was very informal. It is not a guided tour. They sell alcohol and have a lot of other activities such as disc golf, kayaking, and live bands which we did not participate in.
They are open until 10 pm which is nice but if you haven't been there before would be scary to find in the dark.
Written March 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimsey30
Litchfield1 contribution
Jul 2014
Drove 2 hrs to experience the most disorganized, over hyped place ever! No guidance what so ever! Girl behind bar taking our money was extremely rude,sarcastic & not helpful in the least! You are on your own to find your way thru dark paths (even as employees are zipping by u on golf carts!),when u FINALLY get to the barge, what a disappointment! Was expecting barge & "caves" to be at least partially lit enough to get decent views-not so! Barge itself sounds like it is on its last legs & will quit any minute,even tho not deep in places, no life vests on board, and there's no way u r underground as far as advertised- apparently tge subDivion u r under is counted in footage! 5-10 yrs from now(if this place is still in business, which I doubt!) it may b an awesome place to party! Set up for drinkers & large parties- machine ry all over the place- lots of unlit tunnels to get lost in or have a romantic encounter if u like sand becaus
e no one would see u OR come looking for u since there is NO supervision whatsoever! Hope they have good insurance because this whole place is an accident waiting to happen!!!
e no one would see u OR come looking for u since there is NO supervision whatsoever! Hope they have good insurance because this whole place is an accident waiting to happen!!!
Written July 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cr8tvgrl
Chesapeake, VA16 contributions
Feb 2014 • Friends
I'm not sure what the fascination really is. We were all for experiencing an "underground lake" on a barge ride, but it just wasn't all that fun or fascinating. First, it's not a natural site. This is a a series of underground caves that were mined for sand for many years. The cave is rather cold in temperature, eerie and dark. The Groupon that I purchased mentioned a walking tour. Tours usually mean there's a guide, but there was no such thing. You had to walk your way through a dark winding path to find the barge. I am more used to places like Luray Caverns (Virginia), which are natural underground formations, well-lit paths with a well-informed tour guide. Our barge tour guide was average. He didn't talk to the group until the middle of the "tour." The black-out, when the guide turned off the lights on the barge and let us sit in the dark for 15 seconds, was less than exciting. I kept thinking, "I don't get it." We won't be returning.
Written February 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kay F
Glen Mills, PA31 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
The underground tour of Orvieto is an amazing chance to see the work of the Etruscans who predated the Romans. They spent 2500 years digging into the mountains to construct these structures that wind underground below the city. People used them in medieval times also. The town owns only 2 of them.the residents own the remaining ones.
Written October 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2TravelWisely
361 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
This is a mall of convenience. It can be a lifeline if you’re already staying in the area and don’t want to take transportation. Quick place to grab a meal and there’s a drugstore for necessities.
Not a destination mall - no anchor shops and parking is expensive.
There are a number of vacant stores and some are closing. A number of the businesses look like they depend on servicing the local apartments. There are medical offices, a dry cleaner, and other local services. Some quirky specialty shops, no real fashion choices.
Not a destination mall - no anchor shops and parking is expensive.
There are a number of vacant stores and some are closing. A number of the businesses look like they depend on servicing the local apartments. There are medical offices, a dry cleaner, and other local services. Some quirky specialty shops, no real fashion choices.
Written June 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LGJCMO
Festus, MO113 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
I bought a groupon for this adventure. We had family in town and were looking for things to do. You cross a neat old bridge and go through a tunnel to get there. The boat ride through the cave was fun! Quite a different experience from the norm. Take a sweater if you tend to get chilly. We explored outside afterwards and enjoyed that too.
Written July 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingCrystal City Underground - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Crystal City Underground
- Hotels near Crystal City Underground:
- (1.43 mi) La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Festus - St. Louis South
- (1.76 mi) Holiday Inn Express & Suites Festus - South St. Louis, an IHG Hotel
- (1.68 mi) Comfort Inn Festus
- (1.46 mi) Quality Inn
- (4.08 mi) Cozy Beautiful View Upstairs 2 Bedrm 1 Bath Apartment Off I-55 in Gobbler Hollow
- Restaurants near Crystal City Underground:
- (0.56 mi) Stop Light Drive In
- (0.48 mi) Krabby Daddy's
- (0.60 mi) Lam's Garden Restaurant
- (0.78 mi) Pogolino's Pizza Place
- (0.53 mi) Pizza Hut