• Home
  • popular
  • EVENTS
  • submit-new-event
  • CHARITY GUIDE
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • TRENDING NEWS
  • News
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Innovation
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • subscribe
  • about
  • series
  • Embracing Your Inner Cowboy
  • Green Living
  • Summer Fun
  • Real Estate Confidential
  • RX In the City
  • State of the Arts
  • Fall For Fashion
  • Cai's Odyssey
  • Comforts of Home
  • Good Eats
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2010
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2
  • Good Eats 2
  • HMNS Pirates
  • The Future of Houston
  • We Heart Hou 2
  • Music Inspires
  • True Grit
  • Hoops City
  • Green Living 2011
  • Cruizin for a Cure
  • Summer Fun 2011
  • Just Beat It
  • Real Estate 2011
  • Shelby on the Seine
  • Rx in the City 2011
  • Entrepreneur Video Series
  • Going Wild Zoo
  • State of the Arts 2011
  • Fall for Fashion 2011
  • Elaine Turner 2011
  • Comforts of Home 2011
  • King Tut
  • Chevy Girls
  • Good Eats 2011
  • Ready to Jingle
  • Houston at 175
  • The Love Month
  • Clifford on The Catwalk Htx
  • Let's Go Rodeo 2012
  • King's Harbor
  • FotoFest 2012
  • City Centre
  • Hidden Houston
  • Green Living 2012
  • Summer Fun 2012
  • Bookmark
  • 1987: The year that changed Houston
  • Best of Everything 2012
  • Real Estate 2012
  • Rx in the City 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Houston
  • London Dreams
  • State of the Arts 2012
  • HTX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • HTX Good Eats 2012
  • HTX Contemporary Arts 2012
  • HCC 2012
  • Dine to Donate
  • Tasting Room
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • Charming Charlie
  • Asia Society
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2012
  • HTX Mistletoe on the go
  • HTX Sun and Ski
  • HTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • HTX New Beginnings
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013
  • Zadok Sparkle into Spring
  • HTX Let's Go Rodeo 2013
  • HCC Passion for Fashion
  • BCAF 2013
  • HTX Best of 2013
  • HTX City Centre 2013
  • HTX Real Estate 2013
  • HTX France 2013
  • Driving in Style
  • HTX Island Time
  • HTX Super Season 2013
  • HTX Music Scene 2013
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013 2
  • HTX Baker Institute
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Houston
  • Staying Ahead of the Game
  • Wrangler Houston
  • First-time Homebuyers Guide Houston 2021
  • Visit Frisco Houston
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Greystar Novel River Oaks
  • Thirdhome Go Houston
  • Dogfish Head Houston
  • LovBe Houston
  • Claire St Amant podcast Houston
  • The Listing Firm Houston
  • South Padre Houston
  • NextGen Real Estate Houston
  • Pioneer Houston
  • Collaborative for Children
  • Decorum
  • Bold Rock Cider
  • Nasher Houston
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • CityNorth
  • Urban Office
  • Villa Cotton
  • Luck Springs Houston
  • EightyTwo
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Silver Eagle Karbach
  • Mirador Group
  • Nirmanz
  • Bandera Houston
  • Milan Laser
  • Lafayette Travel
  • Highland Park Village Houston
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Douglas Elliman Harris Benson
  • Original ChopShop
  • Bordeaux Houston
  • Strike Marketing
  • Rice Village Gift Guide 2021
  • Downtown District
  • Broadstone Memorial Park
  • Gift Guide
  • Music Lane
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2022
  • True Rest
  • Lone Star Sports
  • Silver Eagle Hard Soda
  • Modelo recipes
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Rodeo Houston
  • Silver Eagle Bud Light Next
  • Waco CVB
  • EnerGenie
  • HLSR Wine Committee
  • All Hands
  • El Paso
  • Avenida Houston
  • Visit Lubbock Houston
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Silver Eagle Tupps
  • Space Center Houston
  • Central Market Houston
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Travel Texas Houston
  • Alliantgroup
  • Golf Live
  • DC Partners
  • Under the Influencer
  • Blossom Hotel
  • San Marcos Houston
  • Photo Essay: Holiday Gift Guide 2009
  • We Heart Hou
  • Walker House
  • HTX Good Eats 2013
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2013
  • HTX Culture Motive
  • HTX Auto Awards
  • HTX Ski Magic
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2014
  • HTX Texas Traveler
  • HTX Cifford on the Catwalk 2014
  • HTX United Way 2014
  • HTX Up to Speed
  • HTX Rodeo 2014
  • HTX City Centre 2014
  • HTX Dos Equis
  • HTX Tastemakers 2014
  • HTX Reliant
  • HTX Houston Symphony
  • HTX Trailblazers
  • HTX_RealEstateConfidential_2014
  • HTX_IW_Marks_FashionSeries
  • HTX_Green_Street
  • Dating 101
  • HTX_Clifford_on_the_Catwalk_2014
  • FIVE CultureMap 5th Birthday Bash
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2014 TEST
  • HTX Texans
  • Bergner and Johnson
  • HTX Good Eats 2014
  • United Way 2014-15_Single Promoted Articles
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Houston
  • Where to Eat Houston
  • Copious Row Single Promoted Articles
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2014
  • htx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Zadok Swiss Watches
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2015
  • HTX Charity Challenge 2015
  • United Way Helpline Promoted Article
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Fusion Academy Promoted Article
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Fall 2015
  • United Way Book Power Promoted Article
  • Jameson HTX
  • Primavera 2015
  • Promenade Place
  • Hotel Galvez
  • Tremont House
  • HTX Tastemakers 2015
  • HTX Digital Graffiti/Alys Beach
  • MD Anderson Breast Cancer Promoted Article
  • HTX RealEstateConfidential 2015
  • HTX Vargos on the Lake
  • Omni Hotel HTX
  • Undies for Everyone
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Houston
  • 2015 Houston Stylemaker
  • HTX Renewable You
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • HTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Kyrie Massage
  • Red Bull Flying Bach
  • Hotze Health and Wellness
  • ReadFest 2015
  • Alzheimer's Promoted Article
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Professional Skin Treatments by NuMe Express

    Final Four Fun Guide

    Final Four Fun Guide: How to be in the center of the action at Houston's big basketball party

    Clifford Pugh
    Mar 30, 2016 | 1:01 pm

    Even if you don't have a ticket to the Final Four matchup this weekend, there are plenty of ways — many of them free — to be part of the action. Here's a roundup of what's going on and how to participate. And if you really have your heart set on attending the championship game next Monday, we offer some tips on how to snag a ticket without paying premium prices.

     

    Most activities are taking place in downtown Houston or at NRG Park. Since METRORail links the two, officials are encouraging participants in any and all Final Four activities to take public transit and avoid traffic hassles. METRO is offering special commemorative four-day pass for $12. Parking garages are available in downtown, Midtown and other locations along the route if you need to drive to be closer to METRORail.

     

    So act like a super fan and take part in these activities:

     

     Fan Fest

     

     Where: George R. Brown Convention Center.

     

     When: Friday noon - 8 pm, Saturday 10 am - 7 pm, Sunday noon - 8 pm, Monday noon - 7 pm.

     

     What: Always one of the most popular attractions of the Final Four, this interactive sports "extravaganza" includes basketball courts for exhibitions and fan games, autograph signings with former NCAA players, coaches and sports personalities, giveaways, opportunities to snap photos with the championship trophy, and free samples from NCAA sponsors.

     

     Admission: $10 for adults; $5 for seniors, students, military; kids 12 and under free.

     

     

     

     Final Four Friday

     

     Where: NRG Stadium.

     

     When: 11 am - 6 pm.

     

     What: It's the best chance to see the Final Four teams up close as they practice on the court where the games will take place. Between noon and 4 pm, teams from Villanova, Oklahoma, Syracuse, and North Carolina each take the court for about an hour, capped by The Reese's College All-Star Game at 4:30 pm. Here's the lineup:

     

    Noon - 12:50 pm —Villanova practice
    1 pm - 1:50 pm — Oklahoma practice
    2 pm - 2:50 pm — Syracuse practice
    2 pm - 3 pm — Reese's College All-Star team autographs
    3 pm - 3:50 pm — North Carolina practice

     

     Admission: Free.

     

     

     

     March Madness Music Festival

     

     Where: Discovery Green.

     

     When: Friday 4 pm - 10 pm, Saturday noon - 9 pm, Sunday 3 pm - 10 pm.

     

     What: A superstar musical lineup each day, along with team pep rallies and interactive games, guarantee to keep downtown Houston buzzing. Here's the lineup:

     

     Friday, April 1
    4:45 pm Lukas Graham
    6:30 pm Panic! At the Disco
    8:30 pm Fall Out Boy

     

     Saturday, April 2
    1 pm Conrad Swell
    2:15 pm Jason Derulo
    3:45 pm Twenty-One Pilots
    7:15 pm Kendrick Lamar

     

     Sunday, April 3
    3:30 pm Aloe Blacc
    5 pm FloRida
    6:30 pm Pit Bull
    8:30 pm Maroon 5
     
     Admission: Free.

     

     

     

     Final Four Dribble

     

     Where: Herman Square at Houston City Hall to the George R. Brown Convention Center.

     

     When: Sunday; walk-up registration 10 am - 11:30 am. Dribble begins at noon.

     

     What: Mayor Sylvester Turner, who brags about his basketball skills, leads thousands of youngsters 18 and younger as they dribble their way to the Fan Fest entrance.

     

     Admission: Free.

     

     

     

     Final Four 4 Miler

     

     Where: Hermann Square at Houston City Hall.

     

     When: Saturday, registration begins at 7 am; race begins at 8. (You can register online until 11:59 pm on April 1.)

     

     What: The 4-mile run winds through downtown Houston then along Allen Parkway to Taft street and back. Proceeds benefit the Lone Star Veterans Association.

     

     Admission: General participants $25, college students, veterans, and 17 and under $20.

     

     

     

     Powerade NCAA Youth Clinics

     

     Where: Four Houston-area locations.

     

     When: Saturday, 9 am - 12:30 pm.

     

     What: Basketball clinics for boys and girls, grades 3-8, will offer fun conditioning skills and lifestyle tips from NCAA coaches and student-athletes.

     

     Admission: Free, with online registration.

     

     

     

     Championship Game

     

     Where: NRG Stadium.

     

     When: Monday, 8 p.m.

     

     What: The two remaining teams fight it out for the 2016 NCAA men's basketball championship.

     

     Admission: If you really have your heart set on Monday's final game and don't have a ticket, don't give up. Half of those attending Saturday's Final Four doubleheader are going to be disappointed when their team loses and many won't plan to stay for Monday's game. So expect the secondary market online to be flooded with available seats (unless Oklahoma wins, in which case demand for tickets will skyrocket, says the owner of one ticket agency). Check out websites like Primesport (the NCAA-approved resale site), Flash Seats, StubHub, SeatGeek, Vividseats and Ticket Experience — the closer to Monday's tip-off the better, as prices are bound to come down as the game approaches.

     

    And, although officials warn not to buy from someone selling tickets on the street as they may be counterfeit, if you want to take a chance, look for dejected fans in the losing team's gear after Saturday's games and make an offer. You might end up in a prime seat, as many of those fans sit in their team's cheering section close to the court.

    The scene at the NCAA championship last year in Indianapolis. Tickets should be available for Monday night's game at NRG Stadium.

    Final Four champs in Indianapolis 2015
      
    Courtesy of NCAA
    The scene at the NCAA championship last year in Indianapolis. Tickets should be available for Monday night's game at NRG Stadium.
    event-planner
    news/city-life

    Is Houston worth it?

    Houston is one of America's most overpriced cities, study finds

    John Egan
    Jul 8, 2025 | 9:30 am
    Houston Downtown modern business city with skyscraper city scape with park view from Buffalo Bayou center of Houston city, Texas, United States of America, US at sunset time
    Getty Images
    undefined

    In what may come as a surprise to some local residents, a new study ranks Houston among the 10 most overpriced cities in America.

    The study, conducted by Highland Cabinetry, compares cities across key metrics, including cost of living, real estate prices, income, safety, traffic, pollution, and unemployment. After crunching the data, researchers assigned a score to each city, with 100 being the worst score.

    Houston ranks eighth in the study with a score of 87.1.

    “Real estate is more affordable here at $3,467 per square foot, but the city struggles with heavy pollution and underwhelming income levels,” the study says of Houston. “Safety here beats Detroit and Chicago, but it’s still lower than in NYC or Los Angeles.”

    Newark, New Jersey, comes in at No. 1, followed by New York City and Los Angeles. Rankings weren’t available for Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, or San Antonio.

    “Cost of living alone doesn’t define the value of a city. What our data shows is that several high-cost urban areas come with serious trade-offs, whether it’s long commutes, safety issues, or environmental stress,” according to Highland Cabinetry. “For many residents, the price tag isn’t the only consideration; it’s what that money gets you. And in many cases, the return on investment just isn’t there.”

    Here's the full list:

    1. Newark, New Jersey
    2. New York, New York
    3. Los Angeles, California
    4. Detroit, Michigan
    5. Wilmington, Delaware
    6. Washington, D.C.
    7. Chicago, Illinois
    8. Houston, Texas
    9. San Francisco, California
    10. Miami, Florida
    studycost of livingreports
    news/city-life
    Loading...