Hey, I did a quick skim and didn't see a topic on this subject, so forgive me if there already is one. But I decided to make it general in case anyone had things to discuss that didn't relate to my specific situation. Anyway, I'm taking my son to the Rangers/Astros game on Sunday the 20th, 1:05, and I've been searching online for info about the cheapest/best way to get to the stadium as far as parking. Everything I've read involving garages, metro buses and rail, park and ride, etc. has left me more confused than when I started. I was hoping I could find something short and sweet that could tell me "park here and take this bus to the park for this much" or "park in this garage here for this much" and I haven't found anything like that. It all seems very vague with things like the official astros site which has "parking is easy if you plan ahead." Well, that's great, I'm trying to plan ahead, but your site doesn't tell me a darn thing about how to do that! So I figured there would be some people here who had been through the experience and could help me out with the whole thing. We're coming from College Station, so obviously my preference is not to have to drive to somewhere in southeast Houston to park and take a bus or something, but if it's the only way to avoid 15 dollar plus parking fees I'd do it. Time is not an issue, we can leave as early Sunday morning as we need to, I just need to know what to do. Any help you guys can give me would be appreciated.
There are several street lots on the north side of the stadium within 3-4 blocks (Commerce area) for $5. Those are the best bet. Also, the great thing about Sunday games is that meters are free, and there's quite a few around... again, I'd recommend the same area. As long as you don't mind walking a few blocks, there's plenty of $5 parking... but you're right, it's just not advertised that well.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=...95.358126&spn=0.003316,0.005021&t=h&z=18&om=1 That's my normal path to and from the ballpark. On the weekend, where the red stop sign is...is where you can park for free, or after 6 on weekdays. Parking in the actual lot is 5-7 bucks, parking garage on the next street (staying on La Branch) is 5 bucks.
My advice is to just head straight for the ballpark; once you're there, pick a street and start heading further into downtown; you'll find a $5 lot in no time. My preference lately has been the parking garges that are pretty much right bewteen MMP and TC, basically facing the Convention Center but a few blocks further into downtown. But I wouldn't worry too much about the parking; there's plenty of lots.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v...=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=10460188&encType=1 I always park at the parking lot at austin and capitol. It's $5. It's close to union station, just a 2 min walk or something from your car. Have fun Jeffster, I haven't made the drive down just for a game since we played the Braves in the playoffs. (when I stay in Houston in the summer though I go to a bunch of games).
NEVER pay for parking at Minute Maid Park. It's free at the meters on the weekend and after 6 on the weekdays. I haven't paid for parking in five years, it's a waiste of money....especially since I go to about 60 games a year. Get there early for some BP with your son. You won't have any trouble finding meter parking around 11 or 11:30.
Hey, thanks a lot for the responses, guys. I noticed while looking at the map links, that there are several diagonal facing parking spaces on Texas Ave right by the ballpark. Are those meter spaces or are they reserved spots for employees or something? If those aren't possible, are there others of these free meter spots closer than the LaBranch ones that Miguel posted?
If the meters aren't available, I always park in the $3 garage at Austin and Rusk. It's a 5 or six block walk, but cheap.
Those are used during the week for people going to The Shed, but that part of the road is normally blocked off by security around game time. They turned the parking lot I parked in the last couple of seasons across from George R Brown into a park.
