Minute Maid Park Seating

Minute Maid Park was one of the first ballparks to be built during the ballpark boom in the early 2000s. Despite being more than halfway through its second decade in use, it holds up as one of the better parks for watching baseball. The stadium combines a modern setting with a few retro twists to offer fans a variety of different sitelines.

Among the coolest ways to see the game is by sitting in sections 105-107 down the left field line. These sections are sharply angled towards home plate, giving fans an excellent view of the infield. Most down-the-line seating at ballparks - including sections 131-134 at Minute Maid - have poor sitelines to the field. This forces you to turn your body or neck sharply to see the action near home plate. In sections 105, 106 and 107, you'll be seeing the game just how the left-fielder does. We recommend being in one of the lower rows to up the cool factor and to really feel like you're playing left field for the Stros.

Home plate seating at Minute Maid Park is good - but not great. We certainly recommend these seats to fans who want to the most comfortable view of the field, but there are a few caveats.

Sections 217-221 are the best of the best when it comes to good views from behind home plate. These seats are situated at an excellent height for seeing the entire field and the videoboard. Just be aware that these seats - along with seating directly below (Insperity Club and sections 118-120) - are behind the netting. The netting is more distracting as you get closer to the field, but it is still visible on the 200 level.

If you want a clean view from behind home plate without any netting, you'll begin your search on the 300 level. Unfortunately, railings at the front of the 300 and 400 levels often get in the way of views in the lowest rows. We recommend skipping out on at least the first 2-3 rows and aiming for tickets a little higher up. You'll probably end up saving a few dollars - along with your back - as you won't have to hunch forward to see over the railing towards home plate.

The best alternative to home plate seating is seating on the third base side of the field. With the videoboard in right-center field, these sections have the most direct view of replays and game stats. Seats on the third base side are also the first to get shaded from the sun. There is no exaggeration when saying that seats on the third base side are often 20 degrees cooler than similar seats on the other side of the field. You won't have to deal with the setting sun, which absolutely blinds fans in sections 129-151 (and sections above). If you know the roof will be open, start your ticket search on the third base side of the field.

One final note regarding sitelines is that the last few rows of 100 level seating in foul territory (105-134) are slightly obstructed by the overhang. We recommend sitting in the higher rows of these sections for comfortable views and concourse accessibility, but views from rows 37 and higher might be slightly compromised.

Sections Section 118, Section 119 and Section 120

• Impressive views of the entire field
• Well shaded even when the roof is closed
• Fewer rows than surrounding sections means less time away from seats

Sections Section 106 and Section 107

• Great angles towards home plate means no head-twisting or body turning
• First couple of rows is like playing Left Field for the Astros
• Good chance for foul balls as well

With an entire area dedicated to kids, good weather and a train running on tracks above the stadium, Minute Maid Park is favorite summertime destination for families in Houston.

The Astros have devoted a large area of the ballpark in right field to what they call Squeeze Play - a play area designed for kids. This area opens 30 minutes after gates open (gates typically open 90-120 minutes before first pitch) and runs until the 7th inning. Kids 12 and under will be able to try their hand at speed pitch, batting practice and even a climbing structure to play on. The area can be accessed near the right field entrance outside of sections 132 and 133. If you plan to sit in sections near Squeeze Play, be advised that these are some of the sunniest seats in the ballpark during the afternoon and early evening.

Minute Maid Park features a retractable roof which helps prevent rainouts and keeps fans dry during inclement weather. The roof is also closed when temperatures soar into the high 80s. For games when the roof is open and temperatures are still in the 80s, families and those sensitive to the sun will want to avoid most seats on the first-base side of the field - especially those near the right-field corner. Even when it's not too hot outside, the sun wreaks havoc on fans by blinding them as they look back towards home plate. To avoid the risk of sunburn, always consider seats on third base side of the field first.

Sections Section 251, Section 252 and Section 253

• Family, mens and womens restrooms in 252 and 253
• Lower ticket prices
• Most seats shaded by the roof even when it is open

Sections Section 132 and Section 133

• Closest sections to the Kids Zone, featuring speed pitch, batting practice, a juice bar and family picnic tables
• At field level, but far enough from home plate to not be overly concerned about dangerous foul balls
• Head-on view of the train above left-field

Sections Section 208, Section 209 and Section 210

• Little concern about the sun - these seats are generally shaded and you can always escape to the lounge
• Among the cheapest club level tickets
• Head-on view of the replay board and close proximity to the train tracks

Sections Section 106, Section 107, Section 108 and Section 109

• Most affordable way to stay out of the sun on the lower level
• Close proximity to the main concourse, Union Station entrance and Astros team store
• Quality views of the videoboard and comfortable looks of the game

For fans traveling to Minute Maid Park to cheer on the away team, there are a few prime seating options that will maximize your experience. Whether you want a unique seating experience, want to sample the local food - or simply want to be close to your favorite players - there are accommodating tickets at every price point.

If you're simply looking to sit near your team, consider seats in and around sections 112-114. The first row in each of these sections is labeled row 5 and is directly behind the visitor dugout. Besides being close to the players, you'll have a wonderful view of the infield and videoboard and will have the sun behind you when the roof is open.

A less-expensive option for visiting fans is sitting near the visitor bullpen. While the Astros occupy the bullpen directly in front of sections 155 and 156, the visitor bullpen is tucked away in left field. There are no seats directly behind the bullpen, although the highest concentration of Standing Room Only spaces is located just above. For a reserved seat, you'd do well to secure a ticket in any section 100-102. These are located in the ever-popular Crawford Boxes where you'll get a unique view of the field and great proximity to the newly-renovated center field plaza. Low-number seats in Section 100 are located closest to the visiting bullpen.

If eating and drinking like a local is more important than seeing your favorite players up close, save a few bucks and target seats near sections 305-307 and 405-407. While these won't show up on any lists of the best seats at Minute Maid Park, they do offer a taste of Houston that you can't find anywhere else on the upper level. You'll find a variety of regional concessions near these sections, and the Craft Bar is located just off of Section 304. Head there to grab a draft beer and take in the view of downtown Houston.

Sections Section 100, Section 101 and Section 102

• Adjacent to the visitor bullpen next to Section 100
• Unique seating in the Crawford Boxes above the left field scoreboard
• Close access to the center field plaza with a number of pre-game hang-outs

Rows 5-14 in Sections Section 112, Section 113 and Section 114

• Within ten rows of the visitor dugout
• Excellent view of the field and a head-on view of the videoboard
• Among the first lower level sections to get shade, so you won't leave Houston with a sunburn

Rows 1-9 in Sections Section 305, Section 306, Section 307 and Section 405

• Near the highest concentration of regional food and drink on the upper concourse
• Near Union Station entrance and easy access to center field plaza
• One of the lowest ticket prices despite a good angle to the field and videoboard