Long time reader, first time poster here. Be gentle with me.

I’ve wasted way too many dollars at Minute Maid through the years so I thought I could add afew thoughts that may help these guys out.

The neighborhood around MMP is improving but its not quite the best in the MLB. The area across the 59 expressway is a little bit more rundown and occasionally features a few homeless people you can run across. Its more of an ambiance issue than a safety issue as Ive never heard of a single incident. The buildings on the ballpark side of 59, like the New Hope center seem so similar to the ballpark on the exterior you almost start to believe they are part of the park itself. The design seems really well thought out and put together, especially with the downtown improvements to the areas surrounding MMP.

Parking has its share of expensive and cheap lots. Minute Maid has a limited amount of on-site parking near the home plate entrance by parking tag only. The lots are generally for season ticket holders, but you have been able to purchase parking passes online through Astros.com in the past. Pay parking can be found on private lots around the stadium The best price/distance ratio is probably going to be found on the ballpark side of the freeway, a block or two down. Parking fees are relative to the opponent in my experience. The exact same lot may be $5 on Thursday for the Pirates game and $15 on Friday for the Cardinals. My personal recommended spot is right off Congress and Hamilton, and directly next to the New Hope Center. It is a small lot that can be somewhat pricey but it has one big perk. The street behind it (Congress) gets closed off which makes for an extremely easy and enjoyable get out from the actual lot. Wander around Minute Maid until they kick you out, stop by the store for afew minutes, or just mingle outside the park for about 30 minutes before you take off and it should be a smooth, minimal traffic exit for you.

The sitelines are great at MMP in just about any spot. Ive sat everywhere except the rich people seats down in front (Shoutout to Drayton, hook me up for research purposes). Like any ballpark, there will be afew seats that doesnt give you a full view of the action. Seats in the Crawford Boxes will keep you from looking directly into the left field corner. Some of the Field Level seats down the foul lines obstruct corner views, or the jut-out in the left where the scoreboard meets the visiting bullpen. These are to be expected until they make a stadium of glass. As been mentioned, sitting in right field almost completely kills your ability to see the scoreboard, unless youve got a neck made of Stretch Armstrong material. Best value seats are the Terrace Deck, the ring of seats just below the upper deck. As long as youre not shoved back near the foul poles, you will get a great view of the action, scoreboard, and the Houston skyline. My personal section preference is 419. Upper Deck level, looking straight down at home plate. From the angle, you get a great view of the pitch crossing the plate and earn your right to boo when the ump calls it outside.

Hope this helps.