HOUSTON — The fun has begun for the College Football Playoff national championship game, but make a plan to park if you'll be enjoying downtown activities. Park Houston officials said to pay attention to avoid getting caught by a scammer.
Football excitement is taking over downtown. The signs are up, and the people are out.
Brothers Alexander and Anthony Ballios have football traveling down to a science, starting with the biggest piece of advice -- don’t drive.
"We said we’ll just park in one spot at the hotel, and then use the public transportation," Alexander Ballios said.
And estimated 100,000 people will visit Houston over the next few days, and Park Houston officials said they are going to need to park somewhere.
"When you’re looking for parking, if something is too good to be true, it is too good to be true," said Maria Irshad with Park Houston.
Major events that draw crows like this can often create the perfect space and opportunity for would-be scammers to capitalize, so Irshad said to download the app for downtown street parking. And for private lots read the signs.
"If an attendant approaches you and asks you to pay cash, look for signs," she said. "Most of these locations have some parking equipment. They want you to pay at a pay station or a kiosk. Very few still have folks taking money at the gate."
Chelsea Rivera is from Houston and will typically avoid parking lots and opts for parking garages.
"Oh, it can get pretty wild if you don’t pay attention," she said.
Rivera is downtown for the College Football Playoff fan experience and knows her way around.
"We kind of map out like here at the George Brown, so we kind of know which street to come down, which street to avoid, what backstreet to hit. What street not to hit," Rivera said.
Irshad says there will be plenty of parking. You just might have to walk a bit. She encourages everyone to enjoy what the city has to offer and give a Houston welcome to our newcomers.
"People have been very friendly and guiding us, and where to go and what to use," Anthony said.
Park Houston officials encourage you to utilize public transportation. If you have a ticket for Saturday’s game, you can ride Metrorail to the NRG for free.
Get full parking details for downtown on Park Houston's website.
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