Looking Forward to 2016

Lots to look forward to in 2016: Exciting Houston openings, happenings and big events

There's a lot going on in Houston in 2016. Here are some of the big things we're looking forward to:

The sports world will focus on Houston when the NCAA Final Four basketball championships come to NRG Stadium in games April 2 and 4. Non-sports fans can catch big free concerts and a host of other fun activities surrounding the big event.

2. MATCH official opening

Although the new Midtown Arts & Theater Center has featured performances in a "soft opening" for several months, it officially opens with a series of activities, including a big block party called "Light up the Night!" on January 15 and a free Family Day on January 17.

3. Republican presidential debate at University of Houston

A few days before the all-important "Super Tuesday" primaries, the Republican presidential candidates will meet at the University of Houston on February 26 for a debate sponsored by NBC News and Telemundo.

4. New retail openings in The Galleria

If 2015 was the year of retail at the River Oaks District, the momentum swings to Houston's venerable Galleria this year, with a new Saks Fifth Avenue slated to open in April. Throughout the year a host of new stores are scheduled to debut, including the Miami-based luxury retailer The Webster and the London-based Yatauatcha's in the newly-constructed "jewel box" on Westheimer, as well as such luxury stores as Christian Louboutin and Céline in the mall.

5. Restaurant openings at River Oaks District

The new mixed used complex focuses on restaurants, with a slew of openings planned in 2016, includingAustin-based burger chain Hopdoddy and four Dallas-based chains — pizza restaurant Thirteen Pies, comfort food spot The Porch, a pizza and pasta concept called Taverna and the French-influenced Belgian fare of Toulouse Cafe and Bar.

Also on tap is an upscale steakhouse called Steak 48 and Le Colonial, a San Francisco import offering French-Vietnamese fusion.

6. The University of Houston takes on Oklahoma

Fresh off an exciting 13-1 season and a Peach Bowl win, the University of Houston Cougars will get another chance to prove they can play with the big boys when they take on perennial powerhouse the University of Oklahoma in 2016 AdvoCare Texas Kickoff at NRG Stadium on September 3.

7. New Marriott Hotel with pool in shape of Texas

The 30-story Marriott Marquis hotel, with 1,000 guest rooms and a Texas-shaped lazy river and infinity pool, is scheduled to open around Labor Day near the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. It's one of several downtown hotels scurrying to open before this year before the 2017 Super Bowl, including the Hampton Inn/Homewood Suites (at Crawford, between Rusk and Capitol streets), Hotel Alessandra (at Fannin and Polk streets), and Aloft Houston Downtown (at Fannin and Walker streets).

CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler contributed to this article.

A big Republican presidential debate, featuring frontrunner Donald Trump, will take place at the University of Houston in February.

Photo via nydailynews.com

A big Republican presidential debate, featuring frontrunner Donald Trump, will take place at the University of Houston in February.

openings trends

want to ride my bicycle

Houston's citywide bike ride goes west with 3 routes for 2026

Courtesy of Houston First Corporation

Tour de Houston will take riders from downtown through West Houston.

Once again, Houstonians have the opportunity to explore their city on a lengthy bike ride. The Tour de Houston returns Sunday, April 26, Houston Mayor John Whitmire announced.

Presented by the Apache Corporation, an oil and gas company, the annual ride began in 2005 as a way to celebrate the beauty and diversity of Houston neighborhoods.

Similar to last year’s route, riders will begin and end at Discovery Green and the Avenida Plaza in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center. With distances of 10, 20, and 45 miles, the ride is open to beginners, intermediates, and those training for te MS 150. Riders will travel west through downtown, Memorial Park, Tanglewood, Piney Point Village, Bunker Hill Village, and Briar Forest — almost all the way to Highway 6 — before returning.

Along the route, cyclists will have the opportunity to take breaks at rest stops with music and entertainment, as well as medical support and on-site bike mechanics. Upon returning to downtown, riders can stay for a post-ride party at Discovery Green with food and drinks, music, and an expo with local bike shops and bike clubs.

“I’m grateful to Apache for their longstanding support of this event and our community. Tour de Houston is something that cyclists of all ages and abilities truly look forward to each year,” Mayor Whitmire said in a statement. “It’s a great way to experience our city from a new perspective while directly supporting our beautification and reforestation work through Re-Plant Houston. I encourage everyone to ride, volunteer, or support this year’s event.”

RePlant is a program through the Houston Parks and Recreation Department that increases the amount of canopy trees in the city. Since 2005, the event has raised more than $1.2 million for the RePLant project.

Registration is open now. Riders are encouraged to sign up before the price increases from $50 (kids 12 and under $35).

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