Entering the 2023 Major League Baseball season, the World Series Champion Houston Astros have a target on their back.
Perhaps it’s lingering resentment from the 2017 cheating scandal or maybe just a desire to beat the champs, but the Astros will surely get every team’s best shot this year.
While there’s no legal sports betting in Texas to add excitement to Astros games, there’s plenty of excitement at Minute Maid Park.
So, if you plan to come out to watch this Astros team defend their title at home, PlayTexas has you covered. Whether you’re coming from down the road or out of town, check out our Astros Game Day Guide.
Getting to Houston and lodging
Houston has two airports for those out-of-town fans flying in for a game. The first is George Bush Intercontinental Airport. It’s the bigger of the two, and most major airlines fly in and out of George Bush. It is just 18 minutes from Minute Maid Park.
William P. Hobby Airport is a smaller regional airport mainly serviced by Southwest Airlines. If you can fly Southwest, it’s a good option for being easy to get in and out of. Hobby Airport is also just under 20 minutes from Minute Maid Park.
The nicest option for visitors who want to stay close to the ballpark is the Westin Houston Downtown, but it will be a costly stay. During opening weekend, rooms are around $600 a night.
For those who want to stay close to the stadium on a budget, there is the Athens Hotel and Suites, just under a mile from Minute Maid park with rooms for as low as $131 a night.
For the perfect hotel to split the difference with your wallet, look at Hilton Americas-Houston, a four-star hotel just a half-mile from Minute Maid Park with a 4.5 star rating on Google.
Arriving at the game on public transport
Minute Maid Park makes rideshare options easy. For those looking to Uber or Lyft to and from the game, the pickup and drop-off area is directly outside the Center Field Gate at the corner of Crawford and Preston.
The Houston METRORail also drops off at the stadium. Take the green or purple lines to the Convention District stops just two blocks from Minute Maid. It costs $1.25 to ride, and many stops have Park and Ride options with $3 parking available for riders.
Lastly, Houston has BCycle stations all over the city that allow people to rent bikes, ride them around and drop them off at open stations. There are 15 BCycle stations in downtown Houston, including four in the East End that are a close walk from the stadium.
How to find the best seats for the best price at Minute Maid Park
Looking for tickets to the game? Outside of the official Houston Astros site, Vivid Seats is a good choice for tickets.
If you’ve got the stomach for it, most Astros fans will tell you to wait until closer to the first pitch to use a ticket reseller. Season ticket owners will release their seats at a good price the closer you wait to game time. Hang in there, and you can probably get a good seat below face value.
What about parking? Tailgating?
There is plenty of parking around Minute Maid Park, but it will cost you a pretty penny to park on site.
Minute Maid Park has 16 lots of different sizes with prices ranging from quite affordable to eye-wateringly expensive. Parking tickets, like game tickets, can be purchased through Vivid Seats.
Most lots within a block from the stadium run between $35-$60. Prices rise the closer you get to the stadium all the way up to $284 to park in the VIP section of Lot B. So, while parking is plentiful, factor in that it’ll cost you around the price of another ticket.
No tailgating is allowed in any of the Minute Maid facility parking lots, and the Houston Police Department will strictly enforce open container laws that fans violate.
That, however, does not mean there are no pre-game activities to enjoy around the ballpark.
The gates of Minute Maid Park open up two hours before the first pitch, so there is plenty of time to get to the game early, get a hot dog, get a beer, see how fast you can throw a baseball and then find your seats (while nursing your sore arm) before the game begins.
On days there is a Street Fest, expect a little extra around the stadium. Live music, food trucks, yard games and other family-friendly fun will give you plenty to do before heading into the park.
On Street Fest days, gates for Minute Maid Park open three hours early, providing space for fans to come and watch batting practice as well.
Astros promotions to kick off the 2023 season
Astros promotions include giveaways for bobbleheads, magnet schedules and replica world series trophies and rings.
Street Fests with live entertainment and food options will run outside the stadium for fans who arrive early. Early arrivals can also partake in pre-game happy hour deals inside the ballpark.
After the games, stick around and end your night with a fireworks show.
Promotions will continue for most home games this year, so you won’t miss out if you can’t get to the ballpark for opening weekend.
