Tulsa’s guided underground tunnel tours return Aug. 9

History buffs and curious locals will soon have a rare opportunity to explore downtown Tulsa from below the surface.

The Tulsa Foundation for Architecture (TFA) is once again offering guided tours of the city’s underground tunnels — a unique experience only available to the public twice each year. The next date is Friday, Aug. 9.

Here’s what you need to know before you go:

Tour Explores Tulsa’s Oil Boom Past

The underground tunnels beneath downtown Tulsa connect some of the city's most iconic buildings, many of which date back to the 1920s and 1930s — when Tulsa was known as the Oil Capital of the World.

Participants on the guided walking tour will visit the lobbies of seven buildings and pass through tunnel corridors that link historic skyscrapers like 320 South Boston, the Kennedy Building, Mid-Continent Tower, Atlas Life Building, Philtower and Philcade, along with parking garages and the Hyatt Regency hotel.

Along the way, tour guides will share stories from the city’s boomtown era, including the dramatic steps oilman Waite Phillips took to avoid being kidnapped for ransom — like building two private tunnels for his own safety.

Not Built for Booze: Myths vs. Facts

While many people assume Tulsa’s tunnels were used to smuggle alcohol during Prohibition, that’s not quite accurate. Most of the current tunnel system was constructed after World War II for the convenience of workers moving between office buildings and nearby parking garages.

Though Tulsa did once have whiskey caves and bootlegger routes, those have since fallen into disrepair and no longer exist.

Accessibility, Tickets and What to Bring

Tickets for the tunnel tour typically sell out quickly. They can be purchased through the Eventbrite page or via the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture’s website.

Start times for the Aug. 9 tours range from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The route includes between half a mile to a mile and a half of walking, much of it on uneven sidewalks and in various weather conditions. Seating is limited, and attendees are encouraged to bring a lightweight stool or walking stick if needed.

TFA plans accessible routes for participants who need to avoid stairs, and tour guides use personal microphones to help everyone hear clearly.

Why It’s Worth the Walk

This tour offers a rare look at the hidden infrastructure that helped shape downtown Tulsa. With rich storytelling, architectural highlights, and a glimpse into a forgotten world below street level, it’s one of the most unique events the city has to offer.