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Heart of the Tunnel Walk

General Info | Photo Gallery | Traveller Feedback
Highlights:

• Enjoy a westward view from Chase Tower’s 60th-floor sky lobby
• Stroll through the Downtown Houston Tunnel System
• Eat a Dutch-treat lunch in an air-conditioned, underground food court
• Shop at Houston’s Visitors Center and in an underground boutique
• Tour the lobbies of the 1929 Chase Building and 1976 Pennzoil Place

Tour style:Walking & Orientation, Local Life & Culture, Heritage & History
Inclusion:

English-speaking guide

Exclusion:

Personal food, beverages, tips, and gratuities for your local guide.

Group size:Maximum 12
Schedule details:

• Duration: 3 hours
• Pickup location:

  Georgia's Market, 420 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002; (713) 225-0990 

• Pickup Time: 9.30 AM
• Drop off location:

  Georgia's Market, 420 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002; (713) 225-0990

Additional information :

• Voucher exchange details:

  Please present your voucher to the local guide at the beginning of the tour.

• Confirmation of booking:

  Please contact Houston Urban Adventures to confirm your tour 24 hours prior to departure.

• Additional information:

  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.

• Dress standard:

  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.

• Child policy:

  Children must be 6 years of age to 11 years inclusively. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.

• Language: English

Itinerary:

Learn about the grand old state of Texas as you walk down Main Street into the 1929 Chase Bank Building, an Art-Deco banking hall that features eight frescoes depicting Texas history. Also within the hall is an impressive stained-glass window portraying the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto, where Texas won its independence from Mexico; and 12 portraits of the heroes of the Texas Revolution.

 

From there, stroll 20-feet underground through Downtown Houston’s air-conditioned Tunnel System to Chase Tower, the tallest building in Texas. Take in sweeping views and snap amazing photos of the westward view from Chase Tower’s 60^th-floor sky lobby. Return to the lobby and go outside for a photo op in front of Joan Miro’s 1982 Personage and Birds.

 

Next, visit Philip Johnson’s award-winning 1976 Pennzoil Place, where you’ll return to the Tunnel. Continuing underground, we’ll pay a visit to Skidmore, Owings and Merrill’s 1972 One Shell Plaza for a unique shopping opportunity at Mendota, a boutique featuring gifts from around the world.

 

We’ll return outside for a walk along Hermann Square Park, a visit to Houston’s 1939 City Hall, and a walk to Wells Fargo Plaza, the tallest all-glass building in the Western Hemisphere. Join the busy lunch crowd underground as you enjoy a Dutch-treat meal in an air-conditioned food court featuring fare from all over the world.

 

You’ll finish your Houston tour with a newfound love and appreciation for Houston’s unique style and way of life, and will be perfectly situated to further explore everything Houston has to offer.

 

Photo Gallery:

Traveller Feedback:

Ms. Crista C.
~ 30 Apr 2013[back to top]

we loved our guide (maybe ray or roy...it was a pace that was very comfortable, we were not rushed...and what a pleasant surprise that we were all called by our first names

 

Mr. Greg Q.
USA ~ 30 Apr 2013[back to top]

We have lived in Houston 30+ years and did not know that the tunnels existed. Sandra did an excellent job explaining the history of the downtown area as well as the development of the tunnel system. Her passion for the city is very evident and made the tour a great experience for all! Highly recommend!!!

 

Mr. Lindon G.
USA ~ 22 Apr 2013[back to top]

Loved it! Sandra was unbelievable with all the dates & info she gave us. She was the best we could have received! Will definitely do another tour.

 

Mrs. Stacy W.
USA ~ 18 Apr 2013[back to top]

Ron was quite knowledgeable.

 

Mrs. shelley j.
USA ~ 26 Mar 2013[back to top]

the tunnel walk was truly an adventure. i have talked to many people, some that actually live in houston, and they didn't even know there were tunnels under downtown. the guide was well versed on many of the buildings in the area, and their history. very enjoyable tour .

 

Mrs. Rosana Sonia J.
USA ~ 29 Jan 2013[back to top]

Thank you Sandra Lord!!!

 

Mr. Cledir L.
Brazil ~ 29 Oct 2012[back to top]

Ms. Sandra Lord was awesome! I really like it.

 

Mr. James S.
USA ~ 15 Aug 2012[back to top]

I have been living in Houston for 17 yrs and never been to the tunnels. This was a good introduction and the "non-tunnel" activity was better than the focal point of the tour. Susan was an excellent guide and would consider her for future tours without hesitation.

 

Mr. Eric H.
USA ~ 12 Aug 2012[back to top]

Great guide. She gave information about the Houston tunnels and city history that we would otherwise have missed. Good fun and enjoyed the educational experience.

 

Mr. Brian Z.
USA ~ 22 Jul 2012[back to top]

Great tour! Sandra is an outstanding guide, extremely knowledgeable,enthusiastic,and personable. Thank you!

 

Mrs. Carol B.
USA ~ 09 Jul 2012[back to top]

This tour was great! Our ladies'group had talked about touring the downtown tunnel for years, so we were really looking forward to this event. Sandra led the way and we gladly followed. She was a combination of Texas history & Houston information. We learned some things about Houston that we didn't know while admiring the various buildings on the tour. Sandra was great about letting us know when pictures could be taken & even showed us how to get that "perfect shot" from the 60th floor. We do have a great group shot that one of our ladies is planning on using on her blog - watch for that! Lunch was delish, we got to shop at the Visitor's Center and Sandra even showed us how to get to a local specialty grocery store downtown. Thanks to Sandra for making our experience such an enjoyable one.

 

Your trip:

For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.

Tipping:

If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides and drivers a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Intrepid Urban Adventures destinations. Please consider this when budgeting for your extra expenses on this tour