Heart of the Tunnel Walk

Highlights / General details

Tunnel into the heart of Houston on this adventure from the 1920's to now. Trade in Art Deco for contemporary and head underground into the city's tunnel system to discover what lies beneath. A nifty chance to escape the Texan heat, this Houston tour even surprises locals. Discover Houston’s underground Tunnel System, with a local guide. Learn about the history of Houston through its architecture and art. Take pictures from the 60th floor of the tallest building in Texas, the Chase Tower. Shop at Houston’s visitor centre inside City Hall. Grab a bite to eat in one of Houston’s underground food vendors.

Inclusion

Local English speaking guide.

Exclusion

Personal Food and beverages; Gratuities for your local guide.

Hours of operation

Available: Wednesday - Friday; Start time at 9:30am.

Duration

Approximately 4 hours.

Location Meeting/Finish point: Georgia's Market, 420 Main Street, Houston 77002.

Itinerary We would be the first to say that walking through the streets of Houston is pretty special, but did you know that there is a whole underground system of tunnels below the city? This Heart of the Tunnel Walk will take you through the city, over and underground, and into the sky to the best lookout point in Houston. You’ll meet your guide and begin this Houston tour by taking a walk down Main Street towards the Chase Bank Building, which features eight frescoes depicting Texas history. With your local guide to explain these pieces, you’ll gain a greater understanding of what these mean for the city of Houston, and it will give you an easy introduction into the history of the city. From here you’ll head underground into Houston’s Tunnel System and walk over to the Chase Tower, the tallest building in Texas. You’ll take an elevator ride up to the 60th floor and take some epic photos of Houston from the sky lobby. Time to head back to ground level, and from the Chase Building you’ll head outside for a photo op in front of Joan Miro’s 1982 Personage and Birds. Next on this historical Houston Tour you’ll head across the street and enter Philip Johnson’s award-winning Pennzoil Place. You’ll ride the elevator down to the Tunnel and walk underground to Skidmore, Owings and Merrill’s 1972 One Shell Plaza, where you’ll have a shopping opportunity at Mendota, a unique boutique featuring gifts from around the world. Next, you’ll head above ground and walk outside along Hermann Square Park into Houston’s City Hall, home to one of the largest visitors centers in the U.S. Watch a short video about Houston, pose for a photo with a life-size statue of Houston’s namesake, purchase cowboy hats, postcards and souvenirs, look at exhibits, and pick up free literature about what to do in the nation’s fourth-largest city. You’ll return to the Houston Tunnel and join the lunch crowd for a bite to eat from one of the many food vendors, and then finish your Houston tour by walking through downtown’s newest tunnel and heading back up into Houston’s Theatre District, the Downtown Historic District, and MetroRail.

Participant restrictions

This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour. Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.

Additional Information Please wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing. While the weather outside from May-November can be hot and humid, the Tunnel System is air-conditioned. While the weather from December-February can be cold, the Tunnel System is heated. Please check the local weather forecast and dress appropriately in case of rain and/or high winds. You may not take photographs or film video in the Tunnel System and most building lobbies. Cameras are permitted in Chase Tower's sky lobby, the Chase Building's lobby, outside, and in the Visitors Center.

Itinerary

We would be the first to say that walking through the streets of Houston is pretty special, but did you know that there is a whole underground system of tunnels below the city? This Heart of the Tunnel Walk will take you through the city, over and underground, and into the sky to the best lookout point in Houston. You’ll meet your guide and begin this Houston tour by taking a walk down Main Street towards the Chase Bank Building, which features eight frescoes depicting Texas history. With your local guide to explain these pieces, you’ll gain a greater understanding of what these mean for the city of Houston, and it will give you an easy introduction into the history of the city. From here you’ll head underground into Houston’s Tunnel System and walk over to the Chase Tower, the tallest building in Texas. You’ll take an elevator ride up to the 60th floor and take some epic photos of Houston from the sky lobby. Time to head back to ground level, and from the Chase Building you’ll head outside for a photo op in front of Joan Miro’s 1982 Personage and Birds. Next on this historical Houston Tour you’ll head across the street and enter Philip Johnson’s award-winning Pennzoil Place. You’ll ride the elevator down to the Tunnel and walk underground to Skidmore, Owings and Merrill’s 1972 One Shell Plaza, where you’ll have a shopping opportunity at Mendota, a unique boutique featuring gifts from around the world. Next, you’ll head above ground and walk outside along Hermann Square Park into Houston’s City Hall, home to one of the largest visitors centers in the U.S. Watch a short video about Houston, pose for a photo with a life-size statue of Houston’s namesake, purchase cowboy hats, postcards and souvenirs, look at exhibits, and pick up free literature about what to do in the nation’s fourth-largest city. You’ll return to the Houston Tunnel and join the lunch crowd for a bite to eat from one of the many food vendors, and then finish your Houston tour by walking through downtown’s newest tunnel and heading back up into Houston’s Theatre District, the Downtown Historic District, and MetroRail.

Participant restrictions This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour. Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.

Location

Meeting/Finish point: Georgia's Market, 420 Main Street, Houston 77002.

Itinerary We would be the first to say that walking through the streets of Houston is pretty special, but did you know that there is a whole underground system of tunnels below the city? This Heart of the Tunnel Walk will take you through the city, over and underground, and into the sky to the best lookout point in Houston. You’ll meet your guide and begin this Houston tour by taking a walk down Main Street towards the Chase Bank Building, which features eight frescoes depicting Texas history. With your local guide to explain these pieces, you’ll gain a greater understanding of what these mean for the city of Houston, and it will give you an easy introduction into the history of the city. From here you’ll head underground into Houston’s Tunnel System and walk over to the Chase Tower, the tallest building in Texas. You’ll take an elevator ride up to the 60th floor and take some epic photos of Houston from the sky lobby. Time to head back to ground level, and from the Chase Building you’ll head outside for a photo op in front of Joan Miro’s 1982 Personage and Birds. Next on this historical Houston Tour you’ll head across the street and enter Philip Johnson’s award-winning Pennzoil Place. You’ll ride the elevator down to the Tunnel and walk underground to Skidmore, Owings and Merrill’s 1972 One Shell Plaza, where you’ll have a shopping opportunity at Mendota, a unique boutique featuring gifts from around the world. Next, you’ll head above ground and walk outside along Hermann Square Park into Houston’s City Hall, home to one of the largest visitors centers in the U.S. Watch a short video about Houston, pose for a photo with a life-size statue of Houston’s namesake, purchase cowboy hats, postcards and souvenirs, look at exhibits, and pick up free literature about what to do in the nation’s fourth-largest city. You’ll return to the Houston Tunnel and join the lunch crowd for a bite to eat from one of the many food vendors, and then finish your Houston tour by walking through downtown’s newest tunnel and heading back up into Houston’s Theatre District, the Downtown Historic District, and MetroRail.

Participant restrictions This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour. Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.

Additional Information Please wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing. While the weather outside from May-November can be hot and humid, the Tunnel System is air-conditioned. While the weather from December-February can be cold, the Tunnel System is heated. Please check the local weather forecast and dress appropriately in case of rain and/or high winds. You may not take photographs or film video in the Tunnel System and most building lobbies. Cameras are permitted in Chase Tower's sky lobby, the Chase Building's lobby, outside, and in the Visitors Center.

Policies For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people. If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation