One of the unspoken features of the City of Houston is our network of underground tunnels 20 feet below Downtown, Houston. Spanning over 6 miles, these air-conditioned tunnels were initially created back in the ’30s as a single tunnel between two buildings so that Downtown employees wouldn’t have to melt in the hot sun when walking across the block on their lunch break.
After undergoing (no pun intended) a series of expansions, the network now entails 95 city blocks, as well as a variety of retailers, florists, eateries, and more. If for nothing else, the tunnels serve as a great way to explore the city on a deeper level (pun intended). Without further ado, here’s your guide to the Houston underground tunnels.
How to access the Houston underground tunnels
For direct access, visitors can enter the tunnel network from the street via the Wells Fargo Plaza and/or the McKinney Garage on Main.
Visitors can find other entry points through various elevators, escalators, and street-level staircases located in office buildings – most of which are open to the general public. See the color-coded Houston underground tunnels map here.
What to Do
The underground network features a variety of businesses, retailers, and shops. In the Downtown Tunnel Loop, you can find men’s wear and tailoring services at R. Rose Clothier, get your haircut at Randie’s Barbershop, and/or drag yourself to Downtown Houston Dental for a necessary check-up.
Services like Evolutionary Eye Care are located in the W. Walker Tunnel; Downtown Vision Source, Hair Cutters, and Midtown Dentistry are located in the N. Travis Tunnel; where 811 Fitness center and Red’s Barber & Style Shop are tucked inside the Lamar Tunnel.
Additional businesses are located in the E. McKinney Tunnel, such as Behold The Beauty, Crest Printing, Dr. Brian Clemons Chiropractor, Fix UR Gadget, Renato Jewelers, Saul Hair Studio, Sparkle Dry Cleaners, and World Shoe Shine Parlor.
The tunnels also house a number of consignment stores for snacks, print news, and other items, including Gateway Newstand, Paradise Cards & Gifts, and Glamours Newstand.
In addition to a variety of great underground eateries, and shops, the Houston underground tunnels also provide ample opportunity for shopping, retail, and wellness at The Highlight.
Formerly known as the Shops of Houston, The Highlight is an above and below-ground retail center in walking distance to George R. Brown Convention Center, Discovery Green, and other iconic Houston venues. Here, visitors can find GNC and Hallmark outlets.
If addition to the aforementioned attractions, The Highlight also features an engaging entertainment space, digital water wall installation, beautiful staircase, and is now home to the Puttshack mini-golf experience.
What to Eat/Drink
As mentioned, the underground tunnels are home to a variety of restaurants available throughout the week. Here you can find franchise favorites like Chick-Fil-A, Jimmy John’s, and Potbelly, to Starbucks, Which Wich, and Shipley Do-Nuts.
Featured eateries in the downtown tunnels include Cassidy Mesquite Chicken (E. McKinney Tunnel), Charlie’s BBQ & Salads (Lamar Tunnel), Maggie Rita’s (N. Travis Tunnel), and Uncle Sharkii Poke Bar HTX (N. Louisiana Tunnel).
For local coffee options, the tunnels harbor a number of different area roasters, including Kona Cafe (N. Louisiana Tunnel), Boomtown Coffee (N. Travis Tunnel), Blackwater Coffee Roasters (Lamar Tunnel), and Adair Downton (Downtown Tunnel Loop) for coffee, breakfast, and pasta, salads, and burger lunch options.
For an afterwork drink, wander over to Silver Lining in N. Travis Tunnel for palomas and margaritas.
If you have a sweet tooth, the underground network also features a number of confectionaries and snack shops, including Cupcake and a Smile (N. Travis Tunnel) and Michael’s Cookie Jar (N. Louisiana Tunnel).
The fabulous Underground Food Hall also offers more local options, including: Bird Haus, Rice Box, 5411 Empanadas, Doozo Dumplings and Noodles, and Cafe Basil.
The tunnels are open on weekdays from 6 am to 6 pm. The Houston underground tunnels are not open on weekends.