Houston Tunnels Tours
We offer 3 different downtown tunnel tours by themes and geographic area in downtown. Each spends time pointing out the architectural features, architects, history, usage of buildings, and history of Houston. Each of these tours has 6 options in terms of the length of 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.5 hours.
For exclusive or nearly exclusive downtown walking tours that are conducted only from October through April, please read about the four (4) options that are identified on the Downtown Walking Tour page.
All of the tours cost the same amount, based on the number of people and the number of hours. The ideal number of people on a tour is less than 10.
Each tour has a different area, theme, and length of walking. The following information may be useful in choosing your tour. The time frames below are based on having less than 10 people with the exception of A6, B6, and C6. The most popular tour lengths are the tours of 2.5 hours, 3.0, and 3.5 hours. These are the A3, A4, and A5 Tours, B3, B4, and B5 Tours, and C3, C4, and C5 Tours.
We always have a stop for lunch on 3.5 and 4.5 hour tours. If you would like to have a lunch stop on a shorter tour, just tell us and we will customize the tour for you by deleting some of the tunnels and or buildings that we would we would normally enter to create sufficient time for lunch. Lunch in a food court is normally about 40 minutes.
Beginning and Ending Location:
All of the downtown daytime walking tours begin and end in the rotunda of City Hall, located at 901 Bagby Street, Houston Texas 77002. If an event is taking place, the tour will begin either outside of City Hall on the east side of the building where the reflecting pool is located or outside the Jesse H. Jones Central Library at 500 McKinney Street, Houston, Texas 77002, across the street from City Hall.
It has been our experience that about 25% of the people who contact us do not know what the word rotunda means. As used here and by City Hall, it is the large more-or-less square, not round, central area that can be used for receptions. It does not have a dome over it. It is enclosed with controlled ventilation.
Entering City hall:
One can enter City Hall from:
- The west side Bagby Street entrance and go through a security check.
- The east side by the reflecting pool and avoid security.
- From a basement tunnel from a parking lot and go through security, possibly twice.
City Hall was built in 1937 and 1938, and opened in 1939. It is 17-floors tall. The architect was one of the two most notable architects in Houston from the 1920s to the 1950s, the Jewish Austrian Joseph Finger (1887 – 1953).
The Tours
We offer the following Houston Tunnels Tours. Select the tour that sounds best to you.
General Information About the Tunnels
Detailed Descriptions of Tours A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5
This tour focuses on historical buildings that are north of City Hall. This tour has fewer buildings than Tours B and C, but we go into more buildings to see their intricately designed interiors than any other tour. This tour has the least amount of walking as we take time to explore inside of buildings.
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Reflection of the Niels Esperson Building. Completed in 1927, is is 32 stories tall. It was the tallest building in Houston from 1927 to 1929. This is on Tunnel Tour A. (Photo by Jennifer Zhang.) |
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This view is looking up within the Pennzoil Place buildings. Completed in 1976, it is 36 stories tall. This is on Tunnel Tour A. (Photo by Jennifer Zhang.) |
# |
Tour |
Hours |
Theme – History and Architecture |
Walking |
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1 |
A1 |
1.5 |
| About |
||
2 |
A2 |
2.0 |
| About |
||
3 |
A3 |
2.5 |
| About |
||
4 |
A4 |
3.0 |
In addition to what is on Tour A3, you have your choice of adding the: |
About |
||
5 |
A5 |
3.5 |
It includes all of the above. |
About |
Detailed Descriptions of Tours B1, B2, B3, B4, and B5
This tour focuses on retail and small businesses, eating establishments, and food courts that are east of City Hall. Remember that a walking tour only moves as fast as the slowest person.
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In the photo, to the far left, one can see the second tallest building in Texas, the 71 storsy Wells Fargo Plaza (WFP). We go into the WFP is on Tunnel Tour B. (Photo by Jennifer Zhang.) |
# |
Tour |
Hours |
Theme – Shopping, Visual Stimuli, Eating, and Variety |
Walking |
|
1 |
B1 |
1.5 |
|
About kilo-meters |
|
2 |
B2 |
2.0 |
In addition to what is on Tour B1, it goes into the green and light blue tunnels.
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About 2.0 miles/ 3.2 kilo-meters | |
3 |
B3 |
2.5 |
|
About |
|
4 |
B4 |
3.0 |
|
About |
|
5 |
B5 |
3.5 |
It includes all of the above. |
3.0 miles/ 4.8 km |
Detailed Descriptions of Tours C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5
# |
Tour |
Hours |
Theme – Hotels and Businesses |
Walking |
|
1 |
C1 |
1.5 |
| About |
|
2 |
C2 |
2.0 |
In addition to what is on Tour C1, it goes up the glass elevators in the Hyatt Regency Hotel with its huge atrium interior to the closed Spindletop bar and restaurant.
|
About |
|
3 |
C3 |
2.5 |
In addition to what is on Tours C1 and C2, it goes into the:
|
About |
|
4 |
C4 |
3.0 |
|
About |
|
5 |
C5 |
3.5 |
It includes all of the above. |
5.0 miles/ |
Extended Tours for Large Groups
| A6, B6, and C6 | 4.5 hours |
The length of these tours is to accommodate large groups of 10 or more people, who otherwise would be signing up for A5, B5, or C5. Large groups move slowly. |
Tunnel Tours A3, A4, and A5 are most popular with 4th and 7th grade Texas history classes, individuals who like history and architecture, and people over the age of 40 who may want a shorter walk.
Tunnel Tours B3, B4, and B5 are most popular with people under the age of 40, women, shoppers, and out-of-town tourists.
Tunnel Tours C3, C4, and C5 are most popular with those who have or are staying in any of the 3 hotels in which we enter, those people who have business connections with any of the companies in the buildings that we enter, and or those who are in excellent physical shape and want a more extensive walking tour.
The following pictures were provided by Jennifer Zhang.
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Looking at 4 different tunnel maps, see north pointing left, right, up, and down. It can be confusing to be in the tunnels. |
Tunnel Map. The tunnels are, in theory, color coded.
History:
These tunnels began in the 1930s to connect private buildings with employee parking garages. Initially, Ross Sterling connected two buildings that he owned. Movie theater operator Will Horwitz connected 3 of his theaters through the tunnel system. More tunnels were added for receiving and shipping goods, and moving freight and garbage. In 1961, Bank of the Southwest was linked to the 1010 garage and the Mellie Esperson Building. This was the beginning of opening the tunnels to the general public. The city of Houston became involved in the late 1970s and 1980s when it excavated under streets and sidewalks to create linkages amongst the tunnels. As new structures are erected, owners may decide to be connected to the tunnels. As old structures are closed or torn down, tunnel passages may be closed temporarily or permanently.
Since the 1990s, companies are more likely to choose to be connected to the system through skywalks or skybridges. These are cheaper, faster, and safer to construct and install, and easier to maintain.
Visual and Auditory (Sites and Sounds) Imagery:
These are probably the most clean and pristine tunnels open to the public in the United States. They have waxed floors. Some areas have marble walls and staircases. Over 500 businesses and 10 food courts can be found in the tunnels while thousands of people work in subterranean Houston. One cannot help but to be impressed and wonder why other cities have not achieved what Houston has.
What, When, Where, and Why:
What:
Houston has the largest collection of pedestrian tunnels in the world without a subway system. We have approximately 7.5 miles/12.1 kilometers of walking tunnels. Currently, some 95 blocks are connected.
When:
We conduct tunnel tours on Mondays through Fridays throughout the year. The tunnels are open from approximately 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. None of these tunnels are open on weekends or major holidays. Our tours normally begin at 10:00 AM. However, we can be flexible. If you want a full 2.5 hour tunnel tour, the latest we can schedule a tour for you will be at 3:30 PM.
If you would like to go on an enclosed walking tour on the weekends or later in the day, please see our Texas Medical Center (TMC) Walking Tours. We offer a variety of 3 different sets.
Where:
The tunnels are located exclusively in downtown, but are not inclusive of all of downtown. They primarily cover the west and central part of downtown. Over 80 entrances exist to enter into the tunnels, yet most are not identified from the outside. They are between 1.5 and 3 stories below the ground.
Why:
The weather, health, and efficiency.
- Escape the oppressive heat and humidity and inclement weather such as tropical storms and hurricanes.
- Avoid the carbon monoxide of the vehicles and other pollutants on the street.
What Else:
- We start the tours with an introduction of between 20 to 30 minutes depending on the number of people and questions asked. We will provide you with a history of the current and past city halls, identify what you can expect to see, what to look for in identifying the age of buildings and building renovations, and the issue of bathrooms.
- We will show you a good site for photo opportunities for images of skyscrapers and or group photos.
- We can provide you with underground tunnel maps.
- You will receive narratives about the history of these buildings, businesses, people, art, and sites.
- Cellular telephone reception is spotty. Do not rely on a cellular telephone operating in the tunnels.
Miscellaneous Other Tunnels:
Other unconnected downtown tunnels exist. These are generally not open to the public. These include the former Exxon Mobil/Humble building to its garage, the Courthouse District tunnels, and 1300 Main to the Travis Garage.
Your Personal Achievements:
You will experience and know more of the tunnels than probably over 90% of all Houstonians. Many Houstonians have heard about the tunnels, but have not been in them. Basically two groups of people use the tunnels:
- Employees who work downtown, and
- People who come for the high culture at night.
Employees and patrons of the arts do not have the time or opportunity to see as much of the tunnels as you will experience!
You will achieve some good low impact exercise by walking at a steady pace. As a general rule, when walking on a flat surface without obstructions and stops, a person walks at about 2 miles/3.2 kilometers per hour.
Myths to be Broken:
Have you ever heard people state that Houston homes cannot have basements because we are too close to water? Think again about this bizarre claim when you are walking for miles far lower than any basement in a residential house. Think again when you realize that we have 12 buildings with 50 or more floors and 27 buildings with 40 or more floors; each one of these with a foundation that goes several feet and floors into the ground as a foundation. Think again when you see 3 levels of underground parking for tens of thousands of vehicles.
These are not dungeons or catacombs with leaking water pipes, sparks flying from exposed wires, the underground ruins of some earlier civilization, old boardwalks and dirt roads, and rodents scurrying through stone and cement openings. These are well-maintained, attractive, and efficient corridors and centers for and to businesses.
Starting Time:
Tours normally start at 10:00 AM, but because these are relatively short tours, we can be flexible. Let us know if you want to start at a different time. We can start earlier, but consider driving through rush-hour traffic to go to downtown. Because most people want a tour that is usually a minimum of 2.5 hours, the latest that you might want to start and to be able to see everything is 3:30 PM as the tunnels are normally closed by 6:00 PM. We can start after 3:30 PM, but the tour will be abridged. Consider driving through rush hour traffic in the evening.
Walking in the Tunnels:
The walking is leisurely and at a steady pace with usually a stop to point out sites within every 5 minutes. The stops are for a couple of minutes and not to sit down.
Groups of 10 or more people should stay to the right and walk in columns of two inside the tunnels. This will allow for the free movement of other walkers in each direction.
Topics:
We covered topics of architecture (styles, materials, designs, and periods) and architects, history, art, race, ethnicity, bigotry, businesses, usage, housing patterns, science with heat, cold, and ventilation, illumination, ventilation, population, mass transit, and people.
Parking:
Metered street parking is available on Walker Street on the north side of City Hall and McKinney Street on the south side of City Hall. Underground parking is beneath Tranquility Park via Rusk Street between Bagby Street and Smith Street on the north side of City Hall. Use a fictitious address of 510 Rusk Street in a GPS to find the entrance. A parking garage behind the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (HCFPA) that is diagonally located at 800 Bagby Street is another option. The closest parking entrance is on Walker Street between Bagby Street and I-45. Use a fictitious address of roughly 620 Walker Street in a GPS to find this entrance. If you rely on a smart phone GPS, and not a dedicated GPS, the GPS will malfunction the majority of the time. Be prudent, look up the address on an online map site, and print out the directions before going downtown.
Bathrooms:
Bathrooms in the tunnels are generally NOT open to the public. Use a bathroom before beginning the tour. We may walk 1.0 to 1.5 hours before a bathroom will be available. Public bathrooms are available in City Hall’s basement and in the libraries on McKinney Street, across from City Hall.
Clothing:
Wear comfortable shoes. Bring a sweater if you become cold easily. Some tunnels have excellent ventilation.
Photography:
Take photos anywhere you like except in banks.
Decorum/Behavior:
Proper decorum is expected in professional buildings. Large groups should walk in pairs or columns of two and stay to the right so other people can pass from behind and from the opposite direction. Private conversations should remain private. If other people can hear you, you are too loud. If people are going to talk amongst themselves, they should do so quietly, so as to not disrupt others, and to allow for other members to hear the tour guide.
Notes for School and Camp Groups:
For school and camp groups, the ratio of chaperones to students/campers should be at least 1:10. Ideally, the ratio should be 1:5. At least one week in advance, the school or camp should provide Houston Historical Tours in writing, via email or fax, a list of all of the chaperones and the cellular telephone numbers where they can be reached on the day of the tour. We conduct tours for schools and camps only when they provide sufficient and trained supervision for the safety of the children with minimal disruptions in the buildings and public areas that we occupy. IF A SCHOOL OR CAMP GROUP DOES NOT PROVIDE CHAPERONE NAMES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND OR SUFFICIENT CHAPERONES, DO NOT EXPECT THE TOUR TO BE CONDUCTED. EXPECT TO FORFEIT THE DEPOSIT. THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS AND THE STUDENTS’ APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR IS PARAMOUNT TO US.
Chaperones and Teachers:
Chaperones and teachers are supposed to supervise, guide, and discipline students and campers. They should be trained and knowledgeable of their responsibilities. They should be role models. They are to be spread out amongst the children. With the exception of the caboose, their cellular telephones should be turned off. One chaperone or teacher should be in every elevator with students. At least one chaperone/teacher should be a male and one a female so that each one can check the bathrooms and or serve as monitors when used by youngsters. IT IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE TOUR GUIDE AND INAPPROPRIATE TO ASK OR EXPECT THE TOUR GUIDE TO GO INTO BATHROOMS TO CHECK ON STUDENTS/CAMPERS. The adults should know the names and have a list of the specific students for whom they are responsible.
When walking in the tunnels, teachers/chaperones should spread out on the left side of every 5 to 10 children to ensure that they are walking in columns on the right side of the halls and that their behavior is appropriate.
Cost for Chaperones and Teachers:
As a courtesy from Houston Historical Tours, chaperones and teachers are FREE up to a ratio of 1:5. They do not have to pay. As such, they also do not count toward the total number of students in a school group. For example, if a school has 18 students + 3 chaperones = 21, the school is paying at the appropriate rate for 18 people.
Group Sizes and Challenges:
Walking tours only move as fast as the slowest person. The larger the group – the slower the tour. You may wish to extend the tour by 1 hour. More time is needed to wait for people to use bathrooms, ask questions, and for the slowpokes to catch up. Please be understanding. The maximum number of people on a walking tour should be 49. The tunnels and an observation deck can only accommodate so many people at a time. Talking to a large group outside will result in problems for people who cannot hear what is being said with other distractions.
We may cover a shorter distance and have to delete going through some tunnels and entering some buildings whose elevators and corridors do not easily accommodate large numbers for groups of 10 or more people or with slow walkers. You may wish to extend the tour by an additional hour to accommodate the size of the group.
For groups of 10 or more people, have one person, preferably tall, responsible, and possibly with a cellular telephone, to serve as the sweep or caboose at the end of the pack. The leader will look for this person to always be the last person and ensure that no one is left behind.
Escalators and Elevators:
All of these tours have escalators and elevators. If you have a fear or phobia of these, do not go on these tours.
Physical Condition and Warning:
Not all tunnels are American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible. Buildings erected before 1990, when the ADA was passed, were grandfathered. Some escalators are not wide. Some minor climbing on staircases of about one dozen steps is included on all tours. If one uses a cane, wheelchair, or walker, these tours are not appropriate. Be prepared to not see all the sites that are described in the tour due to the slower pace. Furthermore, if a person with a disability ignores this information and cannot complete the tour and or slows the tour for everyone else in a group, his or her lack of consideration will have made this an unpleasant event for the other participants who may feel cheated of getting the full tour.
Observation Decks:
- As of June 20, 2016, the observation deck on the 60th floor of the JP Morgan Tower has been CLOSED to the public.
- As of June 27, 2018, the observation decks on the 59th and 58th floors of the Well Fargo Plaza have been CLOSED to the public.
- No observation decks are available on any of theTunnel Tours A and B.
- An observation deck on a 12th floor of one building is available on Tunnel Tour C.
For prices of these tours, click here. Note that you will require the free Adobe Reader in order to read these pricing documents. You can download the latest version of this software by clicking this link.