How early should I get there? Is parking bad and how much and where? Anything going on before the game I should know about? Anything else? Thanks. I am really excited.
Parking is free & there is lots of it these days. I used to park near the exit on Richmond, but now I just park anywhere b/c the crowds are so small. I try to get there about 7:00 - 7:10 so I can get something to eat & watch the players warm up before the game.
Parking at the Summit/Compaq Center is free. It is below ground. You can enter from the 59 feeder or from Kirby(I always enter on Kirby) and some other entrances I am not sure of. I don't know if they are giving anything away tonight? If so get there early. I remember the Hakeem bobblehead giveaway from two seasons ago - it was crazy, longest lines I have ever seen. Otherwise I would get there by 7pm to watch the players warmup/shoot around, get a beer and some nachos. Food/Drinks are NOT cheap in that place. If you get an alcoholic drink make sure that they make it for you and it is not from a dispenser. Some of the places make them and some don't, the dispensed drinks (jack and coke for example) are watered down.
personal pizza from pizza hut is $4 (not too bad) eat before you go to the game... so you can enjoy the pregame warm up. and look out for that wacky Clutch The Bear! He's a nut!
Don't be satisfied with your seats. Always be on the look-out for closer seats because there are plenty for the taking these days. Sneaking down in 2's is preferable.
you can take it all in by eating there early...decent eats there...pappas and stuff....get there early to see about autographs with players or others, like clutch and cheerleaders....if we win, stay after and watch the post game show down low....look for open seats if you want to move...usually by the 2 quarter you are safe....always corporate seats are open down low.....
After half time, snag yourself a couple of tight seats right behind the Rockets bench. The view is much better, and you can listen to Rudy "coach" the team. Listen for things like........"Come on guys and gals, we can do much better than this. Make sure you hold onto the ball for at least 20 seconds before you throw up a prayer. Make sure Steve scores all the points. What ever you do, don't pass the ball to Yao! Can't stress that enough. Kenny, well......................just stay out there and keep on breathing, you might take up some valuable oxygen that will cause the Spurs to faint. Don't worry Kenny, I won't take you out." Listen as he convinces Moochie that he's the best player in the world, and passes the joint to Big Mo. Then watch him scribble some X's and O's on a board that the team ignores. Get drunk before the game. (beers are 7 bucks) and, it puts you on the same frame of mind as Rudy. Oh, and the dancers are much better looking on that end of the court.
I usually wait until the 2nd half before I start looking for lower seats because there always seems to be some stragalers coming in during the 2nd quarter. Also if you try to go to the lower level just walk past the people guarding the section checking tickets. Act like you belong there and walk directly past them and they won't say a word to you unless it's the 1st quarter. One last thing, if the offense looks lathargic and out of sync my advice is to drink heavily.
Best advice I can give you is to hit up a Happy Hour before the game to grab some better food and cheaper drinks so that you can arrive feeling just right. There are plenty of happy hours on Kirby or Richmond. I assume your from here? Get there no later than 7:15 and you'll be alright.
If you are sitting in the nosebleed seats, bring a radio or tv. Actually, a radio is pretty cool if you want hear some commentating because sometimes it gets kinda quiet especially with the crowd we have.
I park over in the garage over by Timmons I think? I live in NW houston, and I come down on the 610 loop. I exit 59 north, and take the first exit which is Weslayan. I make a right on Richmond, and then take the garage past TImmons. I think that is what I do. I usually park in the B1, or B2 section. What are some other enterences to the garage? I am not sure of the ones on 59, so I dont bother going in them.
Gummi, Actually I am from College Station. Thanks for all the advice. I'll see if I can get any good pics.
I take Westpark down all the way to the Compaq Center. Simple, quick and easy. Of the food, I recommend the Earl Campbell's sausage, which is pretty good. I also like the Gyro, but the fajita sandwich sucks. Grab a Yanjing beer while you're there as well -- it's the only place I've found them. <i>edit:</i> Oh, one other thing -- after the game, you can go down to the lower section next to the scorers' table and listen to the postgame interview with Gene Peterson, and a Rocket or two will usually come out and sign some autographs. You can also get your pic with a few of the Power Dancers.
I believe Compaq Center opens at 6pm. There are no giveaways tonight that I know of, but you can always get a BLAST OFF EXPRESS card that tells you the stats of both teams as well as something unique about a featured Rocket who is on the cover. They never run out of these. So no reason to get there early unless you like watching the teams warm up etc. but they do that at the half as well. There are plenty of happy hours on Kirby and Richmond. I recommend little Pappasittos or Ninfas for Mexican food. Both at the intersection of Kirby and Richmond. A little further down Kirby on the opposite side of 59, you have Houstons restaraunt, Goode Company BBQ, and Goode Co Seafood. You can get alot more better quality food for about the same price you would spend at the Compaq Center as well as cheaper drinks.
