Heart of the Tunnel Walk

Walking & Orientation, Local Life & Culture, Heritage & History

• 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 60^th 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

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 get to know the city from every angle on this Houston walking tour!

 

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 60^th 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. 

Children must be 6 years of age to 11 years inclusively. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour. Personal food, beverages, tips and gratuities for your local guide.

For cancellation up to 3 days, a full refund will be given. For cancellation up to 1 days, 50% refund will be given.