Houston Underground??

Man, you've never heard of the tunnel system??? Have you ever been on street level downtown in mid-July and wondered, "With the thousands of people that work down here, how come there are no people on the streets?"

Tunnel System Info

 

More tunnel links:

http://houston.citysearch.com/profile?id=11355370
http://www.houstontravelguide.com/tours/tunnel.shtml
http://houstonhistory.com/landmarks/history9e.htm

 

I must plead ignorance to this as well, and I work for the city

 

You guys should really go on a tour. It is a very unique part of Houston.

I can still remember all the photos they took of the flooded tunnels after Allison.

 

I never knew about this either.

 

Whaaaa?

 

i believe it's the longest underground pedestrian tunnel system in the country, if not the world.

it's a b**** to walk through, though. that tunnel is pretty long.... haven't been in 5 or 6 years, so i couldn't really give much of a description.

 

i havent been in there in years.
seems kinda like a security risk though

 

Four words: New York Subway System.

 

there's a ballpark and a basketball stadium downtown, too. you guys should give it a look!

oh, yeah...and there's a domed stadium on the south side.

i've heard rumors about a space center or something on the way to Galveston....but i don't believe that crap.



just kidding obviously...but i didn't realize that people didn't know about the tunnels. i use them very often..and they're usually packed with people. connects a lot of the key buildings downtown, including the courthouses and other public buildings...but does not connect any of the federal buildings, i dont' think. lots of restaurants throughout...shops...dry cleaners...newsstands...stuff like that...keyed on serving downtown workers.

 

Dallas' is pretty huge as well.

 

It's been awhile for me too. When I worked at the Alley, I practically lived in the tunnel. The McDonalds, Treebeards and Super Salad down there kept me fed. If I recall correctly from talking to people about it, it is the second largest tunnel system in the Northern Hemisphere. I think Toronto has the largest.

 

I would think that the underground PATH in Toronto is much bigger (and nicer!). I could be wrong, though.

Paging MacBeth...

(EDIT: oomp beat me to it.)

 

Yeah, my first experience with the tunnels was back in junior high when my family entered a "race" in the tunnels. And by race I mean they gave you a t-shirt, you walked around down there, stopped in the resturaunts where you got to taste samples of everything, and eventually you popped out at the end where they handed you a medal.

Honestly I haven't been down there in years. Dunno how well they look post-Alison.

 

they're cleaned up and fine. i think the nicest area is right underneath the Chase building...across the street from the Chronicle on Texas. Ninfa's is right there, too...alongn with a fairly good pizza place and a sandwich shop.

 

I work downtown and walk through the tunnel system every day. I know it like the back of my hand and I can answer almost any questions you have.

The tunnel system has been around for decades and grows bigger and bigger every day. At its center is a loop called the "tunnel loop" which acts as a central hub. From this hub different branches of tunnels spread out across the city.

The tunnels are used by many business people to get across town without getting wet, hot, or cold (depending on the weather) and to avoid the smog, smell, bums and traffic of the street. There are also many businesses that operate in the tunnels - most of them restaurants. But there are many other businesses, such as watch repair shops, shoe repair and shine shops, drug stores (including Eckerd drugs), banks, and a few shops which sell trinkets and souvenirs.

Though you may have feelings of security in the tunnels, you should know that crime does occur in the tunnels (it occurs everywhere) and you should always be aware of your surroundings.

It's very easy to get lost in the tunnels because of a lack of recognizable landmarks. Here is the best way to get around:

• first identify what your destination is, and is the name of the tunnel branch(es) you will be taking
• While you're walking, follow the color coded signs (usually on the ceiling). As you walk, it is easy to be distracted by the people and shops - pay attention to the signs or you will get lost.
• If you get lost, I recommend that you stop and ask a shop person how to get back on track. There are also maps on the walls here and there to help you, but many people find them confusing. Also, if you've just had enough and want to get out, as a shop person how to get up to the street.

That brings up the next question - how do you get to the tunnels? There are many different entrances. The best way to find access is to go to a nearby shop, info desk, or reception desk and ask where is the nearest tunnel access.

And there's no place better in Houston during the holidays than in the tunnels. There are string quartets, choirs, Santas with saxophones, fruit buffets, and many other things that just make you want to hang out there all day.

For a list of businesses downtown and in the tunnels, and for an online map of the tunnels check out http://www.tunnelquest.com.

-- droxford

 

I loved the tunnels when I worked downtown. Even if I didn't need to eat something, I would go down there to get to another downtown location (as opposed to walking outside in the heat).

Yes, there are lots of businesses down there, but I don't see how any of them make money, excluding the dining places and stores like Eckerd. I don't see how the stores in the park shops make money either.

 

Is this the same thing as the mall that's underneath I think the Shell buildings? If so, yes it's cool and I worked above it. If not, then no, I've never been.

 

I love the tunnels, altho the train has me going to lil Vietnam for lunch more these days.