Offbeat Tours
Skip the crowds and change your perspective with these unusual city tours
WAIKIKI, OAHU, HAWAII
Atlantis Submarine Tour: An underwater tour in a 48- or64-passenger submarine explores artificial coral reefs off DiamondHead.
Highlights: Tropical fish in habitats created by theUniversity of Hawaii’s reef enhancement project.
Who knew? Sunken airplanes make great coral reefs. Daily; $60-$100. (808) 973-9811 or www.go-atlantis.com.
SEATTLE
Houseboat Tour From funky vintage cottages to floating familysuburbia, see the houseboats of Lake Union from the deck of acomfy, quiet, electric motorboat.
Highlights: The Sleepless in Seattle houseboat.
Who knew? Houseboats can have basements. By appointment; $25. (206) 322-9157.
SAN FRANCISCO
Coffeehouse Tour On Javawalk, outgoing local Elaine Sosaserves up the city’s cafe culture and North Beach neighborhoodhistory.
Highlights: Gleaming espresso machines for sale at Thomas E.Cara, Ltd. and cappuccino at Caffe Trieste.
Who knew? Both Folgers and Hills Bros Coffee boast S.F.roots. Sat mornings; $20. (415) 673-9255.
DENVER
Gunslingers, Ghosts, and Gold Certified paranormalinvestigators wearing 1880s Western garb lead walking tours of thecity’s LoDo historic district.
Highlights: The circa-1933 bar at the Oxford Hotel ―legend has it that the first keg of Coors beer was tapped here.
Who knew? Ghosts haunt the tunnels beneath the capitolbuilding. Daily; $15. (303) 860-8687.
