Houston "Tunnel system" (underground) (McKinney, Wells: restaurants, shops, things to do)

[OzzyRules]

Would you consider this downtown underground area to be a major city attraction, even for a brief visit?

[houstoner]

No. They're mostly the same kinds of shops and chain restaurants you see in strip malls, only they're underneath all the skyscrapers. All you're going to see are a bunch of office workers getting lunch or killing time before they have to get back to the office. Big whoop.

It could be a major city attraction, I guess, if not for that.

(Sorry, I'm feeling cynical today. )

[OzzyRules]

No problem. I expected that, those kinds of shops. But I think I would still like to see it sometime.

[desertsun41]

Houstoner I never been down there yet but cant wait to see what its all about. I have some very old Texas Highways magazines and recently went through them. There was an article from back in 1986 I think it was. I read all about the tunnel system with interest and quickly googled it to see what has been updated.

It has not grown much since the mid 80s. I guess it can never be a tourist attraction since it only opens monday through friday during business hours only. But like you said, seems like a bunch of business people having lunch from what I read. But whats wrong with that? You get to walk to almost anywhere you want and never have to feel the rain, cold, heat or deal with traffic.

I think its pretty neat and is on my things to do list real soon.

[Eastender67]

"You get to walk to almost anywhere you want and never have to feel the rain, cold, heat or deal with traffic."

That's pretty much the purpose of it. Not a tourist attraction, but a functional, all-weather tunnel for pedestrians. Works fine too and, many years ago, I walked many miles in it. I think I entered at the old downtown Foley's and went from there. Now days I've no idea where you enter.

[Spade]

But whats wrong with that? You get to walk to almost anywhere you want and never have to feel the rain, cold, heat or deal with traffic.

I guess. Hurts the virbancy of downtown that should be on the street.

[jfre81]

Inside the tunnels. Not much to see down there really, and I didn't bother taking too many shots. Mainly, I hardly looked the part of someone who was working there, and I always got the feeling that I'd get seen by some security type and kicked out.

There's an entrance from the street at Wells Fargo Plaza, and I think another one on Main at McKinney.

[texas7]

yes - a bunch of blah looking tunnel rats - just part of the daily grind.

[OzzyRules]

I'm more interested in functional/hub type places that are actually used by people, even more so than glittery "touristy" areas. So I think that's part of what interests me in the first place.

[Mr. Krinkle]

No, and I blame the tunnel system for the lack of retail downtown. Downtown looks dead in the summer because of the tunnels. I would imagine downtown would have a much more of a vibrant night life if all of these places were open after the hours of 4:00pm. Downtown needs more street traffic.

Don't get me wrong, I love the tunnel system, but I think it doesn't help the downtown population at all. I would love to go to Beck's at 9:00pm.