Tucked in the corner of George Washington Way and Symons Street in Richland’s Uptown Shopping Center is a local treasure called Adventures Underground. The locally owned business serves as a hub for books, comics, collectibles, games, vinyl records, and delicious coffee. For many years, this shop has been a staple of the Uptown, offering something for people of all ages to discover and enjoy. With an extremely friendly and helpful staff, it’s easy to find exactly what you’re looking for in a matter of moments. However, after spending a couple minutes in this shop, you’ll want to stay for hours.
Books
With an extremely broad selection of books, Adventures Underground feels like a local neighborhood library. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find more literature in town outside of the Public Library or Barnes & Noble. If there is a certain niche novel you’ve been keeping your eyes out for, there is a good chance that you can find it here. Be sure to ask one of the friendly staff members for help finding something specific, and they’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.
Comics & Collectibles
Notoriously difficult to find in our region is a broad selection of comic books and collectible items. Adventures Underground has an extensive collection of both, ranging from old-school to brand new. Whether you’re seeking original Marvel comics or Funko Pops and Action Figures, you’re more than likely able to find it here.
Games
When it comes to finding board games, card games, and table-top role-playing games (TTRPG’s), there is perhaps no better location in Eastern Washington than Adventures Underground. The staff is extremely knowledgeable about these items and will be happy to speak with you in depth about new arrivals and classics alike. From Cards Against Humanity to Dungeons & Dragons, the selection here is unrivaled.
Records
Vinyl has seen a resurgence in popular culture over the past five to ten years after being largely pushed to the sidelines by CD’s and now streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. However, music lovers have never stopped collecting on the old format. There’s something special about finding a record that you love and purchasing it on vinyl. It can be difficult to truly own a piece of music history today, but vinyl records have once again become the definitive format in this niche. In the back room of Adventures Underground, you’ll find a sonic library. Music of all genres can be found here, making it the best spot to shop for records in the Tri-Cities.
Coffee
The Caterpillar Café is part of Adventures Underground, as the two are connected via an indoor passage. The café used to house the aforementioned vinyl collection, but the sonic library was moved to a different part of the store, allotting more space for the coffee lovers to congregate. With a variety of delicious caffeinated beverages (available both hot and cold) available at reasonable prices, the café has become a popular destination among Richland locals. Find a book to enjoy and pull up a seat with a coffee for the full experience here. Just watch the clock, as hours seem to fly by in the Caterpillar.
