Houston Tunnels

In August, when the heat and humidity outside seem to be soaring out of control, we feel lucky to have the “climate controlled” option of walking in the Downtown Tunnels.  
Hidden from view (and a surprise to many visitors) a network of more than 7 miles of tunnels and skywalks connect much of the central downtown district and provide a huge variety of services to the 200,000+ business men and women who travel to work in the city center each day. 

Here you can find everything from eating places, hair salons, and retail stores to banks, doctors, opticians and much more. 


We parked in Smith parking garage on Dallas and Smith because the metered street parking did not become available until after 9:00 a.m.  With hindsight it would have been less expensive to use one of the more reasonably priced parking lots in the area.  On the plus side we were able to access the tunnels by the escalator inside the building. 
Color coded tunnel maps are available online, showing all the entrances, if you want to prepare your route in advance and you will find good signposting and the same maps at regular intervals throughout the tunnel system.  Despite this, you will often find small groups gathered round a wall map in serious debate about which direction to take.  We decided to use the maze strategy of keeping to the right all the way round.  

Once underground a whole new world opens up. The tunnels are of varying ages dating back to the 1930’s and construction continues today as new buildings are added to Houston’s growing skyline. Each section of tunnel is owned by the building above and often reflects the character of that building. 

A good example of this is the marble clad section beneath the Mellie Esperson building.  As well as a variety of colors and textures, there are many permanent and temporary exhibitions displayed along the walls and from time to time some arresting artwork or beautiful plant displays. Frequently the tunnel will open into a large food hall or an inviting seating area or you will catch a glimpse of the downtown skyline. 

On East McKinney the tunnel leads into the 2 storey shopping mall of “The Shops at Houston Center” and on into the new skywalk section offering views over to the George Brown Convention Center. 

Be sure to take the opportunity to pop up a stairway into the grand foyer of a large corporation or go all the way up to the viewing gallery of one of the tallest buildings – but that’s a blog for another day.

The visitor’s center in City Hall offer walking tours of the tunnels enriching the tunnel experience with historic information, building statistics and ghost stories.

 We had quite literally walked miles before opting to stop for a drink at one of the many coffee shops!  Restrooms are available in many areas but we have found that you have to ask for a key or a code from the nearest business or restaurant to the facility.  The tunnels are open weekdays during regular business hours – check on line for exact times.  

This is a comfortable, safe and very popular venue with morning walkers of all ages.  We would recommend that you plan to finish your walk by 11:00 a.m. when suddenly the morning quiet is shattered by hordes of hungry workers in search of lunch.  Although the tunnels stay open until 6:00 p.m. they become very quiet after lunchtime.

We covered much of the 8 main linked tunnels leaving only a part of N. Louisiana and Walker tunnels and the disconnected Harris County Tunnel for another day.  Whilst we enjoyed our cool August walk we were both happy to emerge into the real world and the hot summer sunshine.

Enjoy Houston
Elaine

Memorial City Mall

Again this week, we were forced indoors by the weather - this time the rain. Not to worry though, we turned our indoor walk into another adventure. We made our way out to Memorial City Mall, just off of Gessner Rd. and I-10. Prior to the visit -my first to this mall- I read on line about how walker-friendly it is, and we found that to be true. There's a sign-in sheet at the information kiosk, in the middle of the mall, for those who participate in the participating Medicare Advantage insurance plans. There are mileage markers found throughout - stop by the information kiosk for a walking map, which indicates where the markers are. They weren't that easy to find otherwise. The markers are found as a tile in the floor, next to the wall, about every half mile or so. The mall itself opens for business at 10:00AM, but other websites refer to the doors being open as early as 5:30am for walkers and employees. You should check this yourself by calling first if you're an early bird. We didn't show up 'til nine and there were probably 50 walkers there by then.

 Memorial City Mall is not the largest in size but it has bang for the buck. The mall itself seems very clean and modern, with an attention catching mix of shops, and five anchor stores. I actually look forward to going back there and shopping one day. There's a very nice play area for kids, a carousel, an ice rink, a huge food court, lots of natural light, and lots and lots of walkers. If ever you felt silly walking in a mall, there's no need for that here 'cause you'll fit right in.  

We started our walk near Target and just did our standard right turn thing. If you walk the entire mall, including the pedestrian bridge that leads to Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center and Westin Hotel, you will have walked approximately 2 miles. We did it twice for good measure.

Elaine had been to Memorial City before and insisted we visit this small park located just outside the mall - practically in the parking lot. I had my doubts. Once we were done with the inside walk we took the Macy's sky bridge (off of the Macy's second story parking structure) to see the Cobalt building fountains and then we walked across the parking lot to the very amazing Texas Heritage Park. Elaine was correct for insisting. This place too has bang for the buck (even though it's free). It's a beautifully maintained park, donated to the Memorial City Management District by a real estate developer named MetroNational. It's so worth a look! It is Texas heritage themed and has on display some super fun iron art, along with amazing Texas flora all throughout. This is one of those little places in Houston that few mention, but it's there, just waiting to be visited - making Houston the really great city it is.

We topped the whole thing off with a cup of coffee from a wonderful, quiet and modern little coffee/sandwich shop located just on the Westin end of the pedestrian bridge. I want them to stay in business of course, but loved the place so much I'm reluctant to give the name so we can keep it all to ourselves - Ingredient's Cafe was the place. 

I'm usually not too excited about walking indoors, but this walk changed my mind. It was worth every step.

Happy Houston (Indoor) Trails,

Tamara

Houston Galleria

View from inside the Williams Tower pedestrian walkway.

The heat has finally arrived and forced us indoors. We try to choose paths outside as often as possible, but when it hits 109°F, air-conditioned walkways are a must. There aren't that many to choose from in Houston, so we'll hope for cooler days ahead so we can get back to nature. This year, our first stop indoors was at the Houston Galleria®. The shopping center has four flours and a two story annex - there's no possible way to get bored. Also, after walking there a few times last summer, we discovered a walkway over to Williams Tower, where we in turn discovered even more interesting sights.

I can't say how early the mall doors are open for walkers and employees but they are certainly open by 8:00AM. Since most of the shops don't actually open for shopping until 10:00AM, one would think that the place would be oddly quiet and subdued. Not the case. It's quite busy, not Saturday afternoon busy, but there are several walkers and quite a lot of employees and security bustling around.

Since we need to walk there several times each summer, we like to change around our walking routine, but I think what we find works best is to start on the third floor. This is a little know area where most shoppers don't go, but it is a public space in the mall with a couple of banks, a tailor, a law firm, an eye care specialist, and mall security, to list a few. This third floor is the warmest of the floors, so we like to get it out of the way. From there we work our way down - making either all right turns or all left turns, until we're back at square one, then we take the stairs down to the next level.  

Williams Tower Gallery Art

For added fun and interest; at the east end of the Houston Galleria®, on level two, near Neiman Marcus there is an unmarked hallway that heads south. This walkway is a nice diversion on the walk as it winds around and leads you through a pedestrian bridge (which crosses W. Alabama) ending in Williams Tower - second floor lobby. Once there, If you look south out the window and through the trees, a glimpse of the Williams Water Wall (Gerald D. Hines Water Wall Park) may be seen. Also here, here one could enjoy a Seattle's Best cup of coffee before heading down to the first floor lobby, where local artists hang art in an open gallery there. The art changes every so often so visiting doesn't get boring. Always something new to see. 

Ice at the Galleria - Skating Rink

Ending the walk on the basement level, near the ice-skating rink, is nice and cool and we always enjoy watching the skaters while sipping our coffee. For mall walking, the Houston Galleria® is fantastic, as it provides miles of air-conditioned walking space, and quite literally, something new and interesting around every corner.

Happy Houston (Indoor) Trails

Tamara