Game Day and Beyond

MLB team guides

Houston Astros

Venue and travel guide

Venue and location

Address

501 Crawford Street

Source statement; not independently verified.

City

Houston

Source statement; not independently verified.

Notes

Retractable roof stadium.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Phone

(713) 259-8000

Source statement; not independently verified.

State

TX

Source statement; not independently verified.

Venue name

Minute Maid Park

Source statement; not independently verified.

Website

https://www.mlb.com/astros

Source statement; not independently verified.

Zip code

77002

Source statement; not independently verified.

Parking

Guide url

https://stadiumparkingguides.com/minute-maid-park-parking/

Source statement; not independently verified.

Overnight

Not allowed

Source statement; not independently verified.

Payment

Credit/Debit, Mobile Pay

Source statement; not independently verified.

Premium

Limited VIP parking available

Source statement; not independently verified.

Public transport

METRORail (Convention District Station nearby)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Overview

Union Station Garage is most convenient (attached to stadium). Multiple surface lots and garages in downtown Houston. Tailgate Lot off Texas Ave available.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Towing

Strict enforcement, unauthorized vehicles towed

Source statement; not independently verified.

Traffic

US-59 and Texas Ave during peak hours

Source statement; not independently verified.

Entrances

Overview

Gates open 90 minutes before first pitch. Main entrance on Union Station. ADA access at Crawford Street.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Rideshare

Accessibility

ADA-accessible vehicle requests available; accessible pickup near Gate A

Source statement; not independently verified.

Lyft pickup

Same TNC zone as Uber on Crawford Street

Source statement; not independently verified.

Peak notes

High surge immediately after games — walk 3–4 blocks or take METRORail

Source statement; not independently verified.

Post game tips

Walk toward EaDo neighborhood (1–2 blocks) for shorter waits; METRORail is fastest option

Source statement; not independently verified.

Overview

Rideshare zone on Crawford Street, south side. Separate lanes for TNCs clearly marked. Expect heavy volume post-game.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Uber dropoff

Union Station main entrance on Texas Avenue

Source statement; not independently verified.

Uber pickup

Crawford Street at Texas Avenue — designated TNC zone

Source statement; not independently verified.

Public transportation

Airport connection

IAH Airport: No direct rail; Uber ~35 min ($35–$55). Hobby Airport: Uber ~20 min ($20–$30)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Best option

METRORail Red Line from Medical Center, Midtown, or Uptown — fast and affordable

Source statement; not independently verified.

Bus routes

Multiple METRO bus routes serve downtown Houston; Routes 2, 9, 40, 50 near stadium

Source statement; not independently verified.

Fare

$1.25 per ride (METRO Q card); day pass available

Source statement; not independently verified.

Nearest station

Convention District Station (METRORail Red Line) — 3-min walk from Union Station entrance

Source statement; not independently verified.

Rail lines

METRORail Red Line — runs from Fannin South through Medical Center to downtown and Uptown

Source statement; not independently verified.

Overview

METRORail Red Line to Preston or Downtown Transit Center. Multiple METRO bus routes downtown.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Tips

Houston is a driving city, but METRORail is surprisingly effective for the stadium. The EaDo bar district is walkable from the stadium for pre/post-game.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Walking distance

3 minutes from Convention District METRORail station

Source statement; not independently verified.

Shuttles

Accessibility

All METRORail stations fully ADA accessible

Source statement; not independently verified.

Cost

METRORail: $1.25 per trip

Source statement; not independently verified.

Park ride

Fannin South, Reliant Park, and Main Street Square park-and-ride along Red Line

Source statement; not independently verified.

Routes

METRO Red Line (METRORail) — game day express service; downtown Houston bus network

Source statement; not independently verified.

Schedule

METRORail Red Line game day service every 6–8 min; extended post-game service

Source statement; not independently verified.

Bicycles

Rack locations

Union Station (Texas Ave side), Crawford Street (east entrance), Congress Ave (north side)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Share cost

$3/30 min; day pass $12

Source statement; not independently verified.

Share provider

Houston BCycle — multiple stations within 0.5 miles of the park

Source statement; not independently verified.

Spaces

~60 racks throughout stadium exterior

Source statement; not independently verified.

Tips

Houston's bayou greenway system connects to the stadium area. The Buffalo Bayou Park trail is 1 mile north. Helmet recommended.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Accessibility

Accessible parking

ADA spaces in Union Station Garage and Lot A; clearly marked; pre-purchase recommended on sold-out games

Source statement; not independently verified.

Assistive listening

Assistive listening devices at Guest Services; FM system compatible throughout

Source statement; not independently verified.

Contact

Astros Accessibility: (713) 259-8000; ADA coordinator at Guest Services Gate A

Source statement; not independently verified.

Dropoff

ADA drop-off at Gate A on Texas Avenue; Union Station accessible entrance; level access from street

Source statement; not independently verified.

Elevators

Elevators at Gates A, B, E, and F serving all seating levels

Source statement; not independently verified.

Fun fact

Minute Maid Park's retractable roof is a critical accessibility feature — Houston's extreme summer heat (100°F+) means indoor air-conditioned baseball is actually more comfortable and accessible for fans with heat sensitivity.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Restrooms

Accessible restrooms on every concourse; family restrooms at Gates A and E

Source statement; not independently verified.

Sensory friendly

Sensory bags available at Guest Services; quiet room near Gate E on select game days

Source statement; not independently verified.

Service animals

Welcome throughout; relief area outside Gate A on Texas Avenue

Source statement; not independently verified.

Wheelchair seating

Accessible seating on all levels; companion seating adjacent; excellent sightlines from ADA sections throughout

Source statement; not independently verified.

Food and vendors

Cashless

Cashless — credit/debit/mobile pay; cash-to-card kiosks at main gates

Source statement; not independently verified.

Craft beer

Saint Arnold Brewing (Houston's oldest craft brewery), Southern Star Brewing, 8th Wonder Brewery on tap

Source statement; not independently verified.

Fun fact

Minute Maid Park features a vintage locomotive that runs on a track above left field whenever an Astros player hits a home run. The train (named 'The Juice') was installed at opening in 2000 and is one of baseball's most beloved home run celebrations.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Local

Torchy's Tacos, Leibman's Wine & Fine Foods, local BBQ pit, taco trucks on concourse, Kata Robata sushi bar

Source statement; not independently verified.

Mobile ordering

MLB Ballpark app — mobile ordering available at Minute Maid Park

Source statement; not independently verified.

Notable stands

Torchy's Tacos (3rd base concourse); Saint Arnold Brewing bar; Kata Robata sushi (premium level); BBQ pit (right field)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Outside food policy

One sealed water bottle (1 liter) and small soft-sided snack bag allowed

Source statement; not independently verified.

Signature food

Minute Maid lemonade (stadium namesake) — fresh-squeezed at every stand; Houston-style BBQ and Tex-Mex throughout the park

Source statement; not independently verified.

Vegetarian

Torchy's veggie tacos, elote (Mexican street corn), salads, cheese quesadillas, Beyond Meat options

Source statement; not independently verified.

Venue history

Architect

HOK Sport (now Populous); incorporated the historic 1911 Union Station train shed

Source statement; not independently verified.

Construction cost

$250 million (2000)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Famous moments

2005 World Series sweep of White Sox; 2017 World Series championship (iconic 'Astros Strong' season after Harvey); Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio's careers; Jose Altuve's legendary 2017 postseason

Source statement; not independently verified.

Fun fact

The original name was Enron Field — changed to Astros Field after the Enron scandal in 2002, then renamed Minute Maid Park in 2002. The historic 1911 Union Station façade was preserved and incorporated into the stadium's left field wall, creating one of the most architecturally unique ballparks in MLB.

Source statement; not independently verified.

Opened

2000

Source statement; not independently verified.

Original capacity

42,000 (original); current 41,168

Source statement; not independently verified.

Records

2017 Astros had the best record in baseball and won the World Series in one of the most dramatic postseasons ever played

Source statement; not independently verified.

Renovations

2012: HD scoreboard; 2017: Major structural repairs after Hurricane Harvey; 2019–2022: Premium area upgrades

Source statement; not independently verified.

Retired numbers

#5 Jeff Bagwell, #7 Craig Biggio, #32 Jim Umbricht, #33 Mike Scott, #34 Nolan Ryan, #40 Don Wilson, #42 Jackie Robinson, #49 Larry Dierker

Source statement; not independently verified.

Venue details

Capacity

41,168

Source statement; not independently verified.

Center field

435 ft

Source statement; not independently verified.

Elevation

43 ft above sea level

Source statement; not independently verified.

Left-center field

362 ft

Source statement; not independently verified.

Left field

315 ft (Tal's Hill removed 2016)

Source statement; not independently verified.

Right-center field

373 ft

Source statement; not independently verified.

Right field

326 ft

Source statement; not independently verified.

Roof

Retractable roof

Source statement; not independently verified.

Surface

Bermuda Grass (natural grass; AstroTurf when dome closed in extreme heat)

Source statement; not independently verified.