The Houston Astros are one of the best teams in MLB every year, and just won a World Series in 2022, making a trip to their stadium all the more worth it. Here’s everything you need to know before arriving for a lovely game at Minute Maid Park.
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Where is Minute Maid Park?
Minute Maid Park is in Houston, Texas on the northeast end of downtown Houston. The stadium is situated near the George R. Brown Convention Center, one block west of U.S. 59, and is bounded by Congress Avenue, Texas Avenue, Crawford Street, and Hamilton Street. The address is 501 Crawford St, Houston, TX 77002.
Who plays at Minute Maid Park?
The Houston Astros play in the stadium and compete in the MLB as a member club of the American League (AL) West division since 2013, after spending their first 51 seasons in the National League (NL). The Astros used to be named the Houston Colt .45s and entered the NL as an expansion team in 1962 alongside the New York Mets. Their named changed from the Colt .45s to the Astros due to moving into the new Astrodome, the first domed sports stadium.
When was Minute Maid Park built?
The original idea for a downtown Houston ballpark was conceived in 1996 by fourteen leading Houston companies, who joined together to form the Houston Sports Facility Partnership. The Partnership agreed to provide a $35 million interest-free loan with no repayment needed until 10 years after ballpark operation opened. With this generous loan, the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority had the support it needed to present a ballpark proposal to the public in November 1996, later getting approved by voters for the $250 million total project.
The park was finished in early 2000, and the first exhibition game played by the Astros was on March 30, 2000 against the New York Yankees, which the Astros won 6-5.
What is the capacity at Minute Maid Park?
The capacity in the stadium is 41,168. This includes 5,197 club seats and 63 luxury suites spread over three levels that overlook the field.
Does Minute Maid Park have a cover?
Minute Maid Park boasts a three-panel retractable roof, which is opened for outdoor games when the weather is favorable, and closed when the weather is poor. It allows the team to play even during rainstorms without any problems, and keeps the stadium cool during the hotter days.
The retractable roof is also opened to help groundskeepers maintain the ballpark’s natural grass field, with the large center panel stacking over the two outer panels beyond right field.
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How much is Minute Maid parking?
The closest parking option price ranges from $9 if you pre-pay and $10 on game day, which is lot A. Across the street from the South Diamond, lot prices range from $35 if you pre-pay and $50 on game day. We advise getting there early since it can get packed fast. You will want to give yourself time to find parking, get through security, grab food, and find your seats.
What is the Minute Maid Park bag policy?
Bags cannot exceed 16” x 16” x 8” in order to get into the park. Hard-sided and styrofoam coolers are also not allowed inside, but soft coolers that fit within the size requirements are allowed to be inside the stadium.
Can you take food into Minute Maid Park?
Guests may bring food inside the stadium if it is in a contained clear plastic bag no larger than one gallon in size. You may also bring in water, but it must be in the factory-sealed container, less than one liter, and restricted to only one water per person.
What is the seating chart at Minute Maid Park?
The stadium has a perfect mix of affordable seating for fans, along with premium seating for the white collar crowds. The core seating areas include the field level seats, Honda Club level seats (middle level), and the terrace and view level seats (upper level). The field level sets consist of sections 100-156, the club level seats consist of sections 205-236, and the terrace deck seats consist of sections 305-338.
What kind of food can you get at Minute Maid Park?
There are many food options to choose from in the stadium. These are just a few of the options you can choose from:
- Battered-up, Section 116
- Dippin Dots & Ice Cream Pint Express, Sections 105, 134, 156, 405, 424
- Elote and Pupusas, Section 124
- Love Street Bar, Section 119
- H-Town Grill, Sections 109, 125, 308
- Home & Away, Sections 113, 129, 156, 427
- Papa John’s Pizza, Sections 125,153, 411, 429
- Pluckers Wing Bar, Section 156
- Shake Shack, Section 157
- Spud House, Sections 116, 131
- Sunrise BBQ, Section 306
- Texas Legend Grill, Section 134
- Slovacek’s Sausage Carts, Sections 131, 430
- Taqueria Arandas, Sections 154, 420
- La Stella Trattoria, Section 420
- Killen’s BBQ, Section 434
What bars are near Minute Maid Park?
We have a few bars close to the stadium if you want to go and get a drink after a game.
- Biggio’s, 0. 3 mile
- Eighteen Twenty Lounge, 0.3 mile
- Neil’s Bahr, 0.4 mile
- MKT Bar, 0.5 mile
- Pitch 25, 0.5 mile
Best-rated hotels that are near Minute Maid Park
There are plenty of hotels near Minute Maid Park if you want to stay close to the stadium. Below you will see the hotel name, how far it is, how many stars it is rated out of five, and the estimated price of a hotel room. If you want to save money on parking at the stadium, the hotels listed are all within walking distance.
- The Westin Houston, 0.1 mile – 4-star hotel
- Hampton Inn Houston, 0.2 mile – 4 -star hotel
- Homewood Suites by Hilton, 0.2 mile – 4-star hotel
- Cambria Hotel Houston, 0.2 mile – 4-star hotel
- Marriott Marquis Houston, 0.2 mile – 4-star hotel
- Hyatt Place Houston, 0.4 mile – 4-star hotel
- Magnolia Hotel Houston, 0.4 -4-star hotel
- Embassy Suites by Hilton, 0.5 mile – 4-star hotel
- Hilton Americas Houston, 0.5 mile – 4-star hotel
How much does food cost at Minute Maid Park?
You can expect to pay around $10-15 per person for food, and drinks can be about the same. If you head into the team store you might spend a good amount of money there too, making this a stadium that can become pricey if you visit often.
How much is a hot dog at Minute Maid park?
An average hot dog will cost $7.39 in the stadium, ranging on the pricier side of hot dogs in all of the MLB stadiums.
Is Minute Maid park cash only?
The ballpark is cashless, including within the stadium and in its parking lots. Four reverse ATMs are located on the main concourse, club level, and upper concourse once you’re inside the stadium, just in case you need some extra money on your card.
Minute Maid Park is a destination not only for baseball fans but for Houston fans as well. With a retractable roof and comfortable seating, you’ll have no problem visiting the stadium at any time of year. Make sure to book your tickets now to visit one of Houston’s main attractions.