Tour Details

Heart of the Tunnel Walk

From: £19.22

Duration: 3 hours

Categories: Culture & History, Cruises & Sailing, Outdoors

Group size: 1 - 12

How do Houston’s 140,000 downtown workers survive hot summers? By going 20 feet underground to the Tunnel System. Join them as you see world-class architecture, enjoy a view from the highest sky lobby in Texas, learn Houston history, enjoy a Dutch-style lunch and shop underground and at the Visitors Center on this unique Houston walking tour.

Highlights

  • Walk to Chase Tower and enjoy a westward view from its 60th-floor sky lobby.
  • Stroll through the Downtown Houston Tunnel System.
  • Eat lunch in an air-conditioned food court, Shop underground and at Houston’s Visitors Center.
  • Tour the lobbies of three of the city’s most important buildings - the 1929 Chase Building.
  • Pennzoil Place and Bank of America Center.
Pick up:
Georgia's Market, 420 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002; (713) 225-0990 
Drop off:
Lancaster Hotel, 701 Texas Avenue, Houston 77002
Included:
English-speaking guide
Not included:
Personal food, beverages, tips, and gratuities for your local guide.
Clothing:
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.
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
Notes:
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.

Tour Itinerary

Discover how Houston’s residents beat the heat as you tour the highest buildings and web of tunnels that make up the city. Kick off this Houston tour from Georgia's Market, where you’ll learn about the epic Downtown Houston Tunnel System, then walk over to Chase Tower, Texas’s tallest building. Pause for a photo in front of Joan Miro’s brightly-coloured Personage & Birds sculpture, then go inside the massive tower and ride the elevator up to the 60th-floor sky lobby. Take in the sweeping views that take in the city’s famous skyline.

Next, explore the city from beneath as you descend six meters (20 feet) below the city streets into one of the Tunnel System’s ten colorful food courts. Walk through the air-conditioned Tunnel to the 1929 Chase Building, then take an elevator up to its Art Deco banking hall. Look at a stained-glass window portraying the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto, where Texas won its independence from Mexico, and eight frescoes depicting the history of Texas. Descend back into the Tunnel and walk into a food court where you can enjoy a Dutch-style lunch as you watch the hum of Houston’s work force walk by. Stroll into One Shell Plaza and meet the owners of an underground gift shop before taking an escalator up to the street.

Walk through Hermann Square Park into Houston’s City Hall and Visitors Center. Get a history lesson by watching a video about the city, pose for a photo with a life-size statue of its namesake, and check out some of its many fascinating exhibits. Head into the Theater District Garage, before reentering the Tunnel to walk to two of Philip Johnson’s architectural masterpieces – the 1976 Modern Pennzoil Place and 1983 Post-Modern Bank of America Center. Return above ground in the city’s bustling Theater District, where this Houston walking tour comes to an end.

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Culture Shock Rating

We have a wide range of tours designed to give you an insight into the destination you're travelling in and there is something for everybody. The culture shock ratings considers the destination visited, transport used, activities undertaken and that "Wow, I'm really not at home now!" factor. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our gradings is as follows…

20%

This is the least confronting of our tour range. Transport used on the trip is either private or a very comfortable public option, the activities included are usually iconic sites and locations that are not all too confronting.

40%

The tour can include a mix of private and public transport providing a level of comfort that is slightly below what you would experience at home. Sites visited are usually iconic sites, tours can also include market visits, visits to communities etc that provide the traveller with a fantastic insight into destination.

60%

Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether it's a packed public bus where you are forced to stand, a visit to a local market, a local community, you are sure to have an experience that is very different from what you're used to at home.

80%

The comforts of your home town and the environment you are used to are more of a rarity. Expect some challenging transport options, visits to local sites and areas that don't resemble anything at home.

100%

You're out there in the global community! You are likely to be exposed to the elements, travel in whatever means of transport is available and basically take it as it comes, whatever comes! It can be tough.

Physical Rating

Our physical rating gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our gradings is as follows…

20%

These tours have very limited physical activity. Usually climbing in and out of the transport provided, walking through sites, markets etc included in the itinerary.

40%

These tours have a bit of physical activity but nothing that should challenge you too much. This could be climbing on and off public transport through to a walk through the destination you're travelling in, they can include walking only tours or a combination of walking and transport.

60%

These tours involve a bit of physical activity from walking up and down hills in the destination you're travelling in or the surrounding areas. Climbing on and off local transport or riding a bike up to 30 kms along predominantly flat terrain or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.

80%

These Tours will provide you with some solid physical activity. Whether its bike riding, walking, trekking, kayaking or riding on public transport you will need to have a good level of fitness to enjoy this tour.

100%

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. These tours are our most challenging and involve some serious walking, hiking or bike riding. Can involve step climbs by foot or pedal and some challenging public transport options in the destination you are travelling.

Luxury Rating

Some trips are like a stroll on the beach, while others have you trekking alpine passes. Some of you thrive on camping out on the savannah, while others may prefer a hot shower and a comfortable bed in a lodge. Follow the grading systems below to find the right trip for you.

To help you choose the trip that's right for you, we've broken all of our trips down into four service levels. Measuring the comfort level of the accommodation and transport. So whether you're travelling on a budget and want to save money by using public transport, or prefer upgraded accommodation and are happy to pay a little more, then we have a level for you.

25%

This is grassroots travel at its most interesting

50%

Authentic experiences with some of the comforts of home

75%

For those who like to travel in comfort

100%

All the unique experiences wrapped up with a gold ribbon