So you’ve got your no-fee Astros tickets from SimpleSeats. What can you expect on gameday? We’re here to help give you the information you need to have the best Houston Astros gameday experience possible.
Table of contents
- Load Your Tickets Into the MLB Ballpark App
- Getting To Minute Maid Park
- Where to Park for the Game
- Bars and Restaurants Near Minute Maid Park
- Houston Astros Gameday Promotions
- Entering Minute Maid Park
- Minute Maid Park Gameday Experience Highlights
- Food and Drink Astros Gameday Experience
- Planning The Return Trip to Minute Maid Park
Load Your Tickets Into the MLB Ballpark App
Before you head to Minute Maid Park, make sure that your tickets are loaded into the MLB Ballpark app.
If you purchased your tickets from SimpleSeats, you can download the MLB Ballpark App and log in or create an account using the transfer email you provided when you placed your order.
From there:
1. Open the MLB Ballpark app on your phone
2. Tap the profile icon in the top left of the Home tab
3. Make sure the email addresses you use to purchase tickets are listed under “My MLB Account Emails”
4. Send the verification email for the corresponding email
5. A verification email will be sent to the email address requested. Tap on the link in the email to allow access to your tickets in the MLB Ballpark app
Now you are good to go to the game!
Getting To Minute Maid Park
Conveniently located in Downtown Houston, you can easily get to Minute Maid Park whether you are coming from work or home. You can access Minute Maid Park via Interstate 10 (Katy Freeway/East Freeway), Interstate 69 (Southwest Freeway/Eastex Freeway), and Interstate 45 (Gulf Freeway/North Freeway). Estimates show that there are almost 25,000 parking spaces available within walking distance to Minute Maid Park.
Public transportation is also an option to get to Minute Maid Park, via the Convention District Station stop on the METRORail light rail system located one block south of Minute Maid Park. The Green and Purple lines both service this stop.
Where to Park for the Game
The Astros operate several lots close to Minute Maid Park. The map is below, and you can find more information here.
These will generally be the more expensive than other option for parking, running $20-$40 on weekends or for big games. There are also lots just across Congress from Minute Maid Park. These are usually also on the higher cost side and can run $40+ on weekends and big games.
In general, you can find cheaper parking downtown if you are willing to walk a little bit. There are quite a few lots and building garages where parking can be found for $10-$20 even on weekends. Getting further away from the stadium will also make it much easier to get out of downtown after the game, which is another added benefit.
ParkWhiz is a great resource to browse lot prices and purchase a spot before the game. It definitely takes some hassle out of the gameday experience if you have your parking lined up ahead of time.
See our page on Houston Astros Parking for more information.
Bars and Restaurants Near Minute Maid Park
Recent development around the ballpark means there are plenty of options for pre- and post-game food and drinks.
Close to the ballpark, you’ll find a few good spots:
Osso & Kristalla is located right across the street from Minute Maid Park. It has a contemporary atmosphere and serves modern Italian cuisine. It has a happy hour every day from 3-7pm, including on gamedays, with $2.50 well cocktails, bottled beer and house wine. If the weather is good, they also have an outdoor patio that makes a great spot to grab a drink before the game.
If you are looking for some pre-game BBQ, Jackson St. is a good stop just across the street from the ballpark. They have solid brisket and pork ribs. You can also get a loaded baked potato and some great sides like Fried Mac and Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits.
Located a short walk from Minute Maid Park, Biggio’s, named after Astros great Craig Biggio, offers a lively atmosphere in a two-level bar. It boasts two 30-foot tall screens that make for a great sports viewing and more than 30 screens for catching other sports events going on. Its menu has the signature sports bar dishes like nachos and wings, and the bar has more than 20 beers on tap.
There are also quite a few great spots in EaDo:
The Truck Yard has a ferris wheel, tree houses, live music and ample outdoor space. There are two food trucks on site every day. And for $10, visitors can get a ride on the ferris wheel!
Come to the Rodeo Goat for great burgers and happy hour every Monday-Friday from 4-7pm. You’ll also find a wide selection of craft beer and cocktails.
8th Wonder is one of the top craft breweries in the city. Its name was inspired by the iconic Astodome, which was dubbed the 8th Wonder of the World when it opened in 1965. The Eatsie Boys food truck serves food on site every day. There is also an 8th Wonder Distillery that opened in 2018 right across the street from the brewery.
Houston Astros Gameday Promotions
The Houston Astros typically have many weekly promotions scattered throughout the season. These givesways can be highlights of the Astros gameday experience. Bobbleheads and jersey giveaways are usually the most popular, so you may need to arrive early to ensure you get your hands on one.
The Astros also have recurring promotions spread across the season. There are dollar hot dogs during every Tuesday night game, fireworks after every Friday home game. Kids can run the bases after every Sunday day game.
You can see the complete 2021 Astros promotional schedule here.
Entering Minute Maid Park
The gates of Minute Maid Park will open two hours prior to game time with access limited to the main concourse and lower bowl seating. Full ballpark access begins 90 minutes before first pitch.
In accordance with Major League Baseball’s guidelines to ensure fan safety throughout the league, the Astros utilize both handheld and walk-through metal detectors at all gates.
The Astros allow guests to bring food and bottled water into Minute Maid Park for Houston Astros games. Guests may bring in a clear, factory-sealed, plastic bottle of water, one liter or smaller, and they may bring in food that is contained in a clear, plastic bag one gallon or smaller in size.
There is no re-entry to the ballpark once fans are scanned in.
Minute Maid Park Gameday Experience Highlights
One of the most important things to know about Minute Maid Park is that its retractable roof means you never have to worry about rain or heat. And once you are in Minute Maid, there are plenty of things to see at the game.
If you are looking to get the full Houston Astros gameday experience, the Astros offer gameday tours where fans can get a first-hand look at the Upper Deck, Bank of America Suite Level, brand new Gallagher Club, and Honda Club Level before heading to Hall of Fame Alley for an exclusive opportunity to view Astros fielding and batting practice. The cost is $35 per person.
There are also many highlights you can see by exploring on your own.
When Minute Maid Park (then Enron Field) opened in 2000, Union Station Lobby served as its grand entrance. Built in 1911, Union Station was designed by the same architects as Grand Central Station in New York City and served Houston’s rail passengers for many years. The station fell into disrepair, but the opening of Minute Maid Park restored it to its former grandeur.
In 2019, the Astros opened Hall of Fame Alley that runs behind Left Field and Center Field. Here, fans can see plaques for each honoree and display cases that house memorabilia such as uniforms and photos.
The Astros Mural Wall in Hall of Fame Alley offers a perfect picture opportunity. The mural changes each year, and this year’s version features Orbit, the Astros popular mascot. And once you are in your seats, you can see the iconic Train above the left field wall, which is fixture at Houston Astros games. It runs each time the Astros score.
Food and Drink Astros Gameday Experience
Food is a huge park of the Astros gameday experience. And Minute Maid Park has some of the best food and drink options in baseball. You can find great craft beer options to be pair with well-known national and local food brands.
There are a few great options for craft beer. St. Arnold’s, the oldest craft brewery in Houston, has a huge bar behind the Crawford boxes in left field with a wide array of offerings. And the Karbach Bar located behind section 304 offers a large selection of Karbach brews. There is a newly opened Love Street Bar also serving Karbach products located on the main concourse behind home plate.
The Michelob Ultra Bar in the Upper Deck is a new addition. It offers a 360 degree bar with spectacular views of the field and Downtown Houston. Right behind the bar is the brand new Killen’s barbecue stand where local barbecue legend Ronnie Killen will be bringing his signature barbecue.
The Centerfield Market is an under the radar spot to avoid the lines when getting a beer, and it has packaged options of both domestic and craft beers. It also sells bottles of wine.
Food favorites like Shake Shack and Pluckers are also located in the centerfield area. Other great food options include Jackson St. BBQ featuring brisket and deep-fried mac and cheese behind section 124 and Chik-Fil-A booths that are located across the ballpark (except on Sundays, of course).
For more information, check our post on concession at Minute Maid Park. You can alsofind the complete list of concession stands here.
Planning The Return Trip to Minute Maid Park
This guide should help ensure that you have a great Astros gameday experience at Minute Maid Park. When you want to make a return trip, remember that SimpleSeats is the place for Houston sports fans to buy tickets at the lowest prices. SimpleSeats does not charge any fees, ever. If you are looking for discounted tickets to your favorite Houston sports teams like the Astros, SimpleSeats has you covered. Our low prices will save you 20% or more compared to other ticketing sites.