JPMorgan Chase Tower

The Basics

Although the tower's 60th-floor Sky Lobby observation deck is closed to the public, visitors to the tower can enjoy the natural light and design of the lobby, which opens out onto the plaza outside; get a sense of the scale of the state's tallest structure from its base on a Houston city tour that covers all the essential landmarks; or view the tower as you emerge from one of the city's pedestrian tunnels on an underground tour led by an expert guide.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Chase Tower is considered to be one of the best free things to see in Houston's city center.

• Much of the building is office space and unavailable to the public, so it is best admired from the lobby, the street, or afar.

• Don't miss the 55-foot (16.7-meter) steel and cast sculpture by Spanish artist Joan Miró at the plaza outside the building, his largest freestanding work of art in America.

How to Get There

The JP Morgan Chase Tower is located at 600 Travis St. in downtown Houston. It is not currently connected to the Houston tunnel system, but it is set near a tunnel entrance.

When to Get There

You can view the tower exterior at any time of day. Note that regular building business hours are Monday to Friday from 6am to 6pm. The ground floor is a working bank, while most other tenants are offices.

Things to Do Near Chase Tower

The downtown Houston tunnel system makes for a unique experience that can be accessed near the tower. The Houston Symphony Orchestra is just one block to the west of the tower, while other nearby sights include Hermann Park, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Houston Zoo, and the Downtown Aquarium. Most attractions can be seen on a city sightseeing tour, either by double-decker bus or on foot.

Ways to explore

Consisting mainly of office space, most areas of JPMorgan Chase Tower are closed to the public, including the 60th-floor sky lobby. It’s still well worth peering up at the granite structure from the outdoor plaza, which has seating and tables for a picnic surrounded by skyscrapers.

You can get a unique perspective of the tower on a downtown Houston tunnel tour, which shows you the city’s extensive network of underground pedestrian paths. These guided experiences also give you an overview of downtown’s landmarks, from City Hall to Market Square Park.

Accessibility

The sidewalks surrounding the tower are wheelchair accessible.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Bring bottled water and sunscreen if you’re visiting the tower on a sightseeing tour—Houston is known for hot, humid weather.

What to wear

Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes, especially if you’re exploring downtown on a walking tour.

Not allowed

While the public can’t access the building’s upper floors, you’re welcome to enjoy the plaza’s outdoor seating and Personage and Birds sculpture.

Address 

Located in the middle of downtown, JPMorgan Chase Tower is easy to reach on foot from attractions such as Sam Houston Park and the Downtown Aquarium. You can also get there via public transit or on a guided tour by private vehicle.

Driving

It can be tricky (and pricey) to park in downtown Houston, but the tower is easy to reach from nearby I-10 or I-45. Snag a spot next to the building on Travis Street or in one of many paid garages.

Public transportation

The city’s light-rail system, METRORail, makes it really easy to navigate downtown Houston. The Red, Green, and Purple Lines intersect at Central Station, just a couple of blocks from the tower.

Best times to visit

To avoid walking around downtown under the hot midday sun, visit the tower in the morning or late afternoon.

Best days to visit

You can explore the exterior of JPMorgan Chase Tower any day, but if you’d like to explore downtown Houston’s tunnel system, go on a weekday when the pathways are open.

Best months to visit

The best time for a pleasant walk around downtown Houston is during the milder months of February–April and September–November.