I've never been to an Astros home game and bought some tickets to tonight's game since I was in town. Anything cool/different about minute maid park from other parks? Any must see's while you're in the park? What's the best thing to eat there?
I'm gonna screw up and forget some things, but I'll give it a shot! Union Station: Very old, historic train station that serves as an entrance to Minute Maid Park. Very, very cool and gives you background into why we have a train above left field (90% of baseball fans just think it's random or something. Tals Hill out in deep center field is extremely unique to Minute Maid Park but pays homage to old Crosley Field on Cincinnati. There aren't many balls hit put there, but the Hill is home to spectacular catches and horrific blunders. The Crawford Boxes are a neat vantage point to watch a game, but even if you don't have tickets there I suggest you watch batting practice there. Very neat experience. The home run pump and the view from that part of the park is nice. The wall that showcases Astros history is worth a view. The 5-7 grille is very popular, but I've yet to eat there since it's always so crowded. Anyways I'm probably forgetting a few things, but that's a start.
Its the best baseball stadium in the south, and best stadium in Houston period. Most food is standard ballpark fare... but I like the little bigs sliders. Check out union station, buy something from the team store, walk the HR alley where they have a lot of historical stuff, go to the CF bar and catch an inning out there, but most importantly... root hard for your playoff contending astros as these games are a little more meaningful now.
I know you are asking for food recommendations, but FYI you're allowed to bring in a gallon-sized bag of food and your own bottled water. As far as food, I recommend the Texas Smoke BBQ stand in Section 124. There's a memorial/historical display of Astros history in CF. If you have kids, they'll love the Minute Maid Squeeze play area. The Union Station team store at the LF entrance is nice. I don't think there's much in particular to see at the stadium. What differentiates the stadium? Obviously the layout of the field and architecture. The view of downtown is nice. If your tickets aren't the best it should be easy to move down. When I take friends to the stadium for the first time I like to move around every couple innings to get different views. The stadium should be pretty full (>30,000) but still probably not an issue. I usually park on the street downtown. It's free after 6PM. If you aren't planning to drink sign up to be a designated driver in LF. You get a voucher for a free drink. If you are planning to drink beer, I'd recommend the Saint Arnold's stand in LF or the new Karbach beer offered right next to the upper deck escalators.
I think I went from not liking the wave to finding it an act of domestic terrorism as a result of 790.
He's the host of the Astros 10th Inning call in show after each game. He feels the same as you about the wave.
not necessarily from the platform where the pump is but in outfield between the pump and the crawford boxes, catch a couple of innings there