The Astros Experience
Game Day: Take Me Out to the Ball Game!
Thinking about joining us for a Houston Astros game? If yes, you're a genius. Use this guide to make your visit to Minute Maid Park a memorable one.
From April to October, fans flock to Minute Maid Park for baseball, food, and fun! The park is conveniently located in the heart of downtown next to the convention center. Along with exciting games, fans can also experience some of Houston’s world-class cuisine with restaurants and menu items from local chefs. Don’t miss this exciting Houston tradition while you’re in town!
Opening Day 2024
Want to start off the season with a bang this year? Opening Day is March 28, 2024, and there are some fun (and tasty!) ways to celebrate.
If you’re headed downtown for the Houston Astros Opening Day, don’t skip the ultimate pre-game at Chapman & Kirby. Guests can enjoy bites from their $2 menu including hotdogs, pretzel bites, chips & queso, fried pickles, $2 shots and beer buckets. Chapman will open the doors at 12 p.m.
No tickets, but want to celebrate? The popular neighborhood bar, Heights & Co., will be offering their Smashburger for $18 and Crush City Margarita for $13. Additionally, Christian's Tailgate will be offering $2 hot dogs, $3 Michelob Ultra, $5 orbit shots, and $5 Hornitos Margaritas.
Steps away from Minute Maid Park, Biggio’s will be hosting the ultimate opening day feast with the Astros Opening Series: Biggio’s Smoker Specials, 3-9 p.m. Craig Biggio—the sports bar’s namesake and former Astros star—will be making an appearance at Biggio’s on March 28 at 11:30 a.m. This sports bar across the street from the ballpark will be smoking brats and hot dogs on its patio and offering pregame drinks. The best place to be outside the stadium itself, Biggio’s offers optimal gameday viewing on 30+ screens. Biggio's photo: Courtesy of Marriott Marquis Houston.
Batting Practice
Before every home game at Minute Maid Park, the Astros and visiting team takes batting practice. Bring a glove and catch some free souvenirs as some of baseball’s biggest stars hit homers into the stands starting 2 hours and 25 minutes before game time. This is also the time when players often interact with fans and give autographs before preparing for the game. If you don’t catch a baseball of your own, there are multiple gift shops at the park overflowing with ‘Stros memorabilia.
Play Ball!
Once the game is underway, Minute Maid hums with excitement. For restless kids, try visiting the Kids Zone at the northeast corner of the ballpark at the Right Field Entrance near Section 133 for activities, music, and even slushies! Who knows, you might even get to meet Orbit, the Astros’ furry mascot that routinely makes his way around the stadium throughout the game.
Food Inside and Outside the Stadium
Minute Maid Park made national headlines at the beginning of the 2015 with its fried chicken and waffle cone. For the record, it is as good as it looks! The dish is part of a larger park-wide menu that infuses local flavors with a unique twist.
If eating at the stadium isn’t for you, within walking distance of Minute Maid are a handful of excellent dining options offering a great pre-game meetup or post-game celebration. For the more upscale dining experience try the nationally acclaimed Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse directly across from the ballpark. Jackson Street Barbecue offers mouthwatering BBQ served up Houston-style by acclaimed chef Bill Floyd of Biggios and Grotto. Don’t forget about Home Plate Bar & Grill for the favorite neighborhood sports bars. For more options take a short walk to Discovery Green or downtown’s other dining locations.
Go ‘Stros!
Cheer on one of the best teams in baseball with thousands of other fans as they chase playoff hopes. Each time a home run is hit by the Astros the Minute Maid train blows its horn, shoots fireworks, and chugs its way across the stadium wall towards Union Station.
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Stadium Tour
Minute Maid Park
Originally called the Colt .45’s, the Astros changed their name when they began playing at the famous Astrodome from 1965-1999. Minute Maid Park became the new home of baseball in Houston. The park was built using pre-existing historical architecture such as the Houston Union Station terminal as a cornerstone.
Free tours are available 3 hours before every home game time (except for Sunday games). Longer, more exclusive tours including the dugout and bullpen are available at 10 am and 12 pm Monday – Saturday for $14.25.
Food at the Park
Dining inside the stadium has never been easier, or more exciting!
GENERAL CONCESSIONS
- 19TH HOLE, PRESENTED BY HOUSTON OPEN (Section 156)
- BATTERED-UP (Section 116)
- COOKIES AND CREAMERY AND ICE CREAM (Sections 106, 128, 153, 251, 311, 329)
- DIPPIN DOTS & ICE CREAM PINT EXPRESS (Sections 105, 134, 156, 405, 424)
- ELOTE AND PUPUSAS (Section 124)
- EL TIEMPO MARGARITA BAR (Section 156)
- H-TOWN GRILL (Sections 109, 125, 308)
- HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS
- HOME & AWAY (Sections 113, 129, 156, 427)
- HOUSE SMOKED PASTRAMI (Section 116)
- KARBACH BAR (Section 304)
- KICKEN NACHOS (Sections 111, 126, 408)
- KILLEN’S BBQ (334)
- LOVE STREET BAR (Section 119)
- MODELO BAR (Section 327)
- PAPA JOHN'S PIZZA (Sections 125, 153, 411, 429, & Walk Thru Bru 416)
- PLUCKERS WING BAR (Section 156)
- SHAKE SHACK (Section 157)
- SLOVACEK'S SAUSAGE CARTS (Section 131 & 430)
- SPUD HOUSE (Section 116 & 131)
- ST. ARNOLDS BAR (Section 104)
- SUNRISE BBQ (Sections 306)
- TAPS AND TOTS (Section 308)
- TEXAS LEGEND GRILL (Section 134)
- TLC TENDER LOVE AND CHICKEN (Section 318)
- UNION STATION FAVORITES (Section 320)
- WALK THRU BRUS (Sections 106, 112, 126, 133, 205, 416)
- ZIEGENBOCK BAR (Section 322)
HONDA CLUB LEVEL CONCESSIONS
- BALCONES BAR (Sections 228)
- CLUB GRILL (Section 213)
- COOKIES AND CREAMERY (Section 219 & 226)
- HOUSTON COCKTAIL BAR (Section 210)
- HTX MEX (Section 215)
- JIM BEAM BAR (Section 205)
- MARKET (Section 216)
- OSSO AND KRISTALLA (Section 226)
- TEXAS LEGENDS (Section 230)
- THE BUTCHER (Section 224)
- THE PARK (Section 231)
- WINE BAR (Section 224)
MEZZANINE LEVEL
- EL TIEMPO
- FASTBALL FOODS
- HORNITOS TEQUILA BAR
- TOSTITOS WALKING NACHO
Diamond Club
The Diamond Club offers some of the most luxurious ways to watch the game. Start your game day experience off with fine dining in a private lounge with a menu’s created by celebrity chef Bryan Caswell and executive chef Tori Bergersen. Enjoy all the gourmet food you can handle and finish up with a fully stocked candy/snack bar. A top-shelf fully stocked bar is available as well. With cushioned game seats right behind home plate, it doesn’t get much better than this!
Minute Maid also features a number of other club level seating options including executive suites. For fans that drive Mazda-made cars, show up early to the game and park free in exclusive parking at Lot C. Then, proceed to show your Mazda key to gain access to the exclusive Mazda Club Level. The area features unique restaurants, private bathrooms, and great views of the field.
Other Events
Minute Maid Park can be used for a variety of other events besides baseball games. Book engagement or wedding photos, family portraits, or business events for days when the stadium isn’t being used. You can even purchase space during a game to pop the big question!
Can't make it to the game?
Houston has tons of exciting sports bars where you can catch each pitch.
