Downtown Tunnels
Downtown Tunnels
3.5
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To avoid the hot sun Houstonians get around through underground tunnels that connect 55 buildings.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.5
161 reviews
Excellent
45
Very good
53
Average
41
Poor
11
Terrible
11
Michael
Woking, UK255 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
The downtown tunnels we found entirely by chance after walking into one of the many buildings they connect and just happening to go down some escalators that led to them. It was fascinating to find out they run all below the city and we walked about 0.5km of them. It was spooky as for the most part we were the only ones in these long tunnels but I imagine at rush hour or during hotter or wetter weather then they may be more busy. It is certainly something cool to explore, and a good way to move around the city on a damp or very warm day!
Written April 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glen W
Baltimore, MD73 contributions
Oct 2014 • Solo
The Houston Tunnel system serves mainly to allow downtown workers a way to leave their cubicles during break and scurry of for lunch while staying out of the stifling humidity of Houston. By default, the tunnels also insulate said works from the outside world. Not only do the tunnels drive restaurant and small shops underground, they keep them locked up and out of sight after 5. That's right, the surface completely empties after work and DT Houston resembles a ghost town after work. There is nowhere to go at night on the west side of DT and nothing to do.
I guess the tunnels are worth a look as a tourist, but I lived here 7 years before I set foot in one.
I guess the tunnels are worth a look as a tourist, but I lived here 7 years before I set foot in one.
Written October 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hcmjkm
Houston, TX721 contributions
Apr 2016 • Family
I've read a few reviews that criticize the tunnels because "there were no guides" or "after work hours it's a wasteland." What is amazing about the Houston Downtown Tunnel System is it's incredible function and usage for those who work downtown. It's not meant to be a tourist attraction. Yes, there are tunnel tours you can book, but otherwise, just go downtown, park somewhere, descend, and take it in! It is by far the largest tunnel system in the US, and is emblematic of Houston - innovative, enormous, highly functional, well designed and yet organic - it was not planned, it has simply grown, one block at a time, as tenants from adjoining buildings wanted to be a part of the growing system. And it could only have been created in the city that developed air conditioning. In Houston, you just don't want to walk in a business suit for blocks in July in August. But because of the tunnels, tens of thousands of people who work in downtown Houston have this huge interconnected ecosystem where they can shop, eat, and get from place to place without going outside. It's unique in the world, go see it.
Written May 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaltaBound
Houston, TX1,007 contributions
Apr 2011
We obtained a map of the underground tunnel system on-line. With our granddaughter, we planned a semi-circular walking route that took hours due to a lunch stop. This must be done on a Monday to Friday, day time, or much of the tunnel will be closed. They are built for business people to walk from tower to tower, but it was a different activity for us and open to all to use.
HIGHLIGHTS: There are numerous restaurants to eat, and two downtown observation towers to visit that zing you to the near-top with breathtaking views of Houston: The J.P. MORGAN CHASE TOWER and the WELLS FARGO TOWER...BOTH completely FREE. And apparently unknown to many, we were the only people on one of the towers!
What a fantastic outing for only the cost of lunch it turned out to be, with memories that will last.
HIGHLIGHTS: There are numerous restaurants to eat, and two downtown observation towers to visit that zing you to the near-top with breathtaking views of Houston: The J.P. MORGAN CHASE TOWER and the WELLS FARGO TOWER...BOTH completely FREE. And apparently unknown to many, we were the only people on one of the towers!
What a fantastic outing for only the cost of lunch it turned out to be, with memories that will last.
Written May 14, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hayleyhibbert
Houston, TX106 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
The tunnels are a great place to walk for lunch and avoid the ever-changing Houston weather (100+ degree heat, wind, rain, 50 degree winters, etc.). There are many restaurants (many more than you will find on the street level) where you can grab a burger or sandwich, a coffee, some BBQ or fast food, etc. Be prepared to wait in long lines at places like Beck's Prime, Which Wich, Salata, Subway, etc., but the lines do move fairly quickly. Once you receive your food, you may have to fight for a table as there sometimes aren't enough to accommodate all diners. Inside the tunnel there are also plenty of clothing stores, gift shops, nail & hair salons, dry cleaners, and doctors offices, as well as a CVS pharmacy, which means you can knock out some errands during your lunch break without having to drive across town.
I personally have not eaten at many of the establishments in the tunnels save for Wendy's, Whataburger, and the restaurants I mentioned previously, but I find that the tunnel loop is a great place to squeeze in some mid-day exercise. A couple times a week I will throw on a pair of tennis shoes and take a nice 40 minute walk from my office, around the loop and back. It's about a 2.5 mile trek and a good way to get in those steps without sacrificing evening couch-lounge time. It can be a bit of a chore zigzagging around the oblivious lunchtime wanderers, but that's the price you pay when walking during peak hours (11a-1p). If you haven't been down there before, you should definitely check it out! Just be sure to print a tunnel map because it's easy to confuse your location. When in doubt, take the stairs or an elevator up to street level to reorient yourself.
I personally have not eaten at many of the establishments in the tunnels save for Wendy's, Whataburger, and the restaurants I mentioned previously, but I find that the tunnel loop is a great place to squeeze in some mid-day exercise. A couple times a week I will throw on a pair of tennis shoes and take a nice 40 minute walk from my office, around the loop and back. It's about a 2.5 mile trek and a good way to get in those steps without sacrificing evening couch-lounge time. It can be a bit of a chore zigzagging around the oblivious lunchtime wanderers, but that's the price you pay when walking during peak hours (11a-1p). If you haven't been down there before, you should definitely check it out! Just be sure to print a tunnel map because it's easy to confuse your location. When in doubt, take the stairs or an elevator up to street level to reorient yourself.
Written July 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
letsgofamily4
Houston, TX39 contributions
Oct 2013 • Family
My family and I had always heard so much about the tunnel system in Houston, so we tried it out one Saturday morning. We did not find it worth our time. Many of the stores were closed. It was easy enough to navigate. It might be better during the week when more may be open for downtown employees.
Written July 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jess B
Houston, TX151 contributions
Feb 2016 • Business
I work in one of the buildings connected to the center loop of the tunnels, and I can confirm that they are 100% not tourist attractions. They are purely for the convenience of the workforce downtown.
If you're already downtown and just need some A/C or lunch on a weekday then they're totally fine, just don't expect to find anything more than Subway and other cheap eats with a few chiropractors, etc sprinkled in.
If you're already downtown and just need some A/C or lunch on a weekday then they're totally fine, just don't expect to find anything more than Subway and other cheap eats with a few chiropractors, etc sprinkled in.
Written February 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Samantha J
Cincinnati, OH419 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
Cool to explore. Just look for the "tunnels entry" on the doors into businesses around downtown Houston. Very easy to locate once you are looking but keep a good map as it is easy to get loss. Lots of different food options down there and mostly used by business professionals in the area.
Written March 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Muhammad Saqib
Houston, TX339 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
Nicely maintained underground tunnels, best for foodies with lots of restaurants around and to avoid heat.
Written January 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Art H
Dartmouth, Canada840 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
There are over 6 miles of tunnels under downtown Houston. I assume they serve to keep people out of the heat of the summer. They are an interesting way to spend an afternoon. There is nothing really there to see except the well designed tunnel system, but they are well marked and it is an interesting way to get around the city. Did you know that Montreal Canada has over 20 miles of tunnels connecting things in their downtown, but there it us to keep people out of -20 C winter temperatures.
Written December 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Necesito el número de teléfono de la oficina de túneles para rentar un espacio gracias
Written January 26, 2023
Is it free to enter and walk-around on your own or do you have to buy a tour?
Written June 8, 2019
It’s free you can enter from most of the parking garages and we stayed at the J W Marriott and there was a separate entrance there as well.
Lot of shops and eateries wish we had tried to get down there sooner.
It is also only open during the week and they start shutting down about 530 each day. Also lots of the eating places start closing after lunch.
Hope that helps.
Written June 8, 2019
The 'tunnels' refers to a network of underground passages leading to underground shopping levels beneath various buildings, enabling people to move around without crossing roads and in air conditioned surroundings, escaping the summer heat. There is no cost and not tours. Just obtain a map of the underground interconnected areas, of which there are several independent of each other, around 6 miles long. Maps can be obtained from a tourist office, or on-line if you post 'Houston Tunnels' in a search engine.
Written April 4, 2019
It is open Monday thru Friday, 7:00am to 6:00pm. Closed on weekends and holidays.
Written October 26, 2016
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