What are the best shaded seats at Minute Maid Park?

The best shaded seats at Minute Maid Park vary by game time. For day games, sections on the third base side and upper deck typically offer more shade. Use The Shadium to check real-time shade for your specific game.

Which sections at Minute Maid Park have covered seating?

Minute Maid Park has covered seating in select premium areas and upper deck sections. Check The Shadium for detailed coverage information for each section.

How can I avoid sun at Minute Maid Park during day games?

To avoid sun at Minute Maid Park, choose seats on the third base side, in the upper deck, or in club level sections. The Shadium provides real-time calculations showing exactly which seats will be shaded during your game.

Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros

Downtown HoustonCapacity: 41,168Opened: 2000

Overview

Minute Maid Park, nicknamed "The Juice Box," is Houston's retractable-roof ballpark featuring a unique train that runs along the left field wall. The stadium combines classic ballpark architecture with modern amenities and Texas-sized features.

Stadium Highlights

Retractable roof opens/closes in 12-20 minutes
Famous left field train on 800-foot track
Tal's Hill removed in 2016 renovation
Crawford Boxes - shortest porch in MLB at 315 feet

Unique Features

Union Station lobby entrance
Left field train with conductor
Crawford Boxes in left field
Manual scoreboard in left field
Torchy's Tacos in center field

Shade & Sun Protection Guide

Best Shaded Sections by Time

Morning Games

Roof typically closed for day games

Afternoon Games

All sections with closed roof
Club Level 210-230

Evening Games

Mezzanine under overhang
Upper deck sections

Shade Tips

Roof usually closed April-September for AC
When open, upper deck provides shade below
Left field gets afternoon shade first
Crawford Boxes can be hot even with roof open

Monthly Weather Patterns

April

75°F 70% 20% rain

Humid, possible storms

Roof likely closed

May

82°F 75% 25% rain

Hot and humid

AC on with roof closed

June

88°F 75% 20% rain

Very hot

Roof always closed

July

91°F 75% 25% rain

Peak summer heat

Indoor comfort essential

August

91°F 75% 25% rain

Extreme heat

Arrive early for AC

September

86°F 75% 20% rain

Still very hot

Roof closed most games

October

78°F 70% 15% rain

Finally cooling

Roof may open for playoffs

Seating Guide

Premium Seating Options

Club Levels

Diamond Club

Behind home plate

All-inclusive dining
Premium bar
Padded seats

Insperity Club

Suite Level

Upscale dining
Full bar
Climate controlled

Seating Tips

Crawford Boxes

Iconic but hot when roof open

experience

Club 220-225

Best shade and amenities combo

shade

Diamond Club

Ultimate all-inclusive experience

experience

View Deck 435

Great value with AC comfort

value

Budget-Friendly Options

View Deck 400s
Outfield Deck
Upper corners

Food & Drink

Signature Items

Torchy's Tacos
Jackson Street BBQ
Killer Korn
Minute Maid Lemonade

Local Favorites

Pappas BBQ
Saint Arnold Brewing
Shipley Do-Nuts
Whataburger-style burgers

Beer & Beverages

Saint Arnold
Karbach
8th Wonder
Budweiser

Local breweries: Saint Arnold, Karbach, 8th Wonder, Eureka Heights

Getting There

Address

501 Crawford St, Houston, TX 77002

Parking Options

Diamond Lot

Distance: AdjacentPrice: $35

Valet available

Garage B

Distance: 5 min walkPrice: $20✓ Covered✓ Shaded spots

Best for shade

Lot C

Distance: 10 min walkPrice: $15

Street meters

Distance: VariesPrice: $1.25/hr

Free after 6 PM

Alternative Transportation

Public Transit

METRORail Red Line to Convention District Station
Multiple bus routes

Ride Share: Texas Ave between Hamilton and Chartres

Game Day Tips

Arrive Early for AC

Beat the Houston heat inside

Try Torchy's Tacos

Austin favorite in center field

Watch the train

Runs after Astros homers

Explore Union Station

Historic lobby worth seeing

Typical Game Day Schedule

Gates Open: 2 hours before first pitch (Union Station)
First Pitch: 7:10 PM weekdays, 6:10 PM Saturdays, 1:10 PM Sundays
Batting Practice: Astros BP 2.5 hours before

Neighborhood: Downtown Houston

Urban setting with restaurants and bars

Before the Game

8th Wonder Brewery
Truck Yard Houston
Rodeo Goat

After the Game

Main Street bars
Market Square Park area
Discovery Green

Insider Tips

Pro Tips

8th Wonder Brewery is 5-minute walk for pregame
Union Station entrance least crowded
Club level has best AC and shortest lines
Saint Arnold beer garden in left field
Garage B is covered and worth extra cost

Best Value

View Deck seats under $15
Happy Hour at bars before 7 PM games
$5 tickets for some weekday games
Bring sealed water bottle

Hidden Gems

Jackson Street BBQ behind section 112
Craft beer selection at Budweiser Brew House
Manual scoreboard viewing area
Team store has game-used baseballs

Things to Avoid

Driving on I-45 during rush hour
Lot C in summer - no shade walking
Crawford Boxes when roof is open
Concessions right at first pitch

Stadium History

Timeline

2000Stadium opens as Enron Field

2002Renamed Minute Maid Park

2005First World Series at park

2017World Series Championship

2022World Series Championship

Stadium Traditions

Train Run

Train runs after every Astros home run

Deep in the Heart of Texas

7th inning sing-along

Retired Numbers

#5Jeff Bagwell(2007)

#7Craig Biggio(2008)

#24Jimmy Wynn(2011)

#25Jose Cruz(1992)

#32Jim Umbricht(1965)

#33Mike Scott(1992)

#34Nolan Ryan(1996)

#40Don Wilson(1975)

#49Larry Dierker(2002)

Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros

Downtown HoustonCapacity: 41,168Opened: 2000

Overview

Stadium Highlights

Retractable roof opens/closes in 12-20 minutes
Famous left field train on 800-foot track
Tal's Hill removed in 2016 renovation
Crawford Boxes - shortest porch in MLB at 315 feet

Unique Features

Union Station lobby entrance
Left field train with conductor
Crawford Boxes in left field
Manual scoreboard in left field
Torchy's Tacos in center field

Shade & Sun Protection Guide

Best Shaded Sections by Time

Morning Games

Roof typically closed for day games

Afternoon Games

All sections with closed roof
Club Level 210-230

Evening Games

Mezzanine under overhang
Upper deck sections

Shade Tips

Roof usually closed April-September for AC
When open, upper deck provides shade below
Left field gets afternoon shade first
Crawford Boxes can be hot even with roof open

Monthly Weather Patterns

April

75°F 70% 20% rain

Humid, possible storms

Roof likely closed

May

82°F 75% 25% rain

Hot and humid

AC on with roof closed

June

88°F 75% 20% rain

Very hot

Roof always closed

July

91°F 75% 25% rain

Peak summer heat

Indoor comfort essential

August

91°F 75% 25% rain

Extreme heat

Arrive early for AC

September

86°F 75% 20% rain

Still very hot

Roof closed most games

October

78°F 70% 15% rain

Finally cooling

Roof may open for playoffs

Seating Guide

Premium Seating Options

Club Levels

Diamond Club

Behind home plate

All-inclusive dining
Premium bar
Padded seats

Insperity Club

Suite Level

Upscale dining
Full bar
Climate controlled

Seating Tips

Crawford Boxes

Iconic but hot when roof open

experience

Club 220-225

Best shade and amenities combo

shade

Diamond Club

Ultimate all-inclusive experience

experience

View Deck 435

Great value with AC comfort

value

Budget-Friendly Options

View Deck 400s
Outfield Deck
Upper corners

Food & Drink

Signature Items

Torchy's Tacos
Jackson Street BBQ
Killer Korn
Minute Maid Lemonade

Local Favorites

Pappas BBQ
Saint Arnold Brewing
Shipley Do-Nuts
Whataburger-style burgers

Beer & Beverages

Saint Arnold
Karbach
8th Wonder
Budweiser

Local breweries: Saint Arnold, Karbach, 8th Wonder, Eureka Heights

Getting There

Address

501 Crawford St, Houston, TX 77002

Parking Options

Diamond Lot

Distance: AdjacentPrice: $35

Valet available

Garage B

Distance: 5 min walkPrice: $20✓ Covered✓ Shaded spots

Best for shade

Lot C

Distance: 10 min walkPrice: $15

Street meters

Distance: VariesPrice: $1.25/hr

Free after 6 PM

Alternative Transportation

Public Transit

METRORail Red Line to Convention District Station
Multiple bus routes

Ride Share: Texas Ave between Hamilton and Chartres

Game Day Tips

Arrive Early for AC

Beat the Houston heat inside

Try Torchy's Tacos

Austin favorite in center field

Watch the train

Runs after Astros homers

Explore Union Station

Historic lobby worth seeing

Typical Game Day Schedule

Gates Open: 2 hours before first pitch (Union Station)
First Pitch: 7:10 PM weekdays, 6:10 PM Saturdays, 1:10 PM Sundays
Batting Practice: Astros BP 2.5 hours before

Neighborhood: Downtown Houston

Urban setting with restaurants and bars

Before the Game

8th Wonder Brewery
Truck Yard Houston
Rodeo Goat

After the Game

Main Street bars
Market Square Park area
Discovery Green

Insider Tips

Pro Tips

8th Wonder Brewery is 5-minute walk for pregame
Union Station entrance least crowded
Club level has best AC and shortest lines
Saint Arnold beer garden in left field
Garage B is covered and worth extra cost

Best Value

View Deck seats under $15
Happy Hour at bars before 7 PM games
$5 tickets for some weekday games
Bring sealed water bottle

Hidden Gems

Jackson Street BBQ behind section 112
Craft beer selection at Budweiser Brew House
Manual scoreboard viewing area
Team store has game-used baseballs

Things to Avoid

Driving on I-45 during rush hour
Lot C in summer - no shade walking
Crawford Boxes when roof is open
Concessions right at first pitch

Stadium History

Timeline

2000Stadium opens as Enron Field

2002Renamed Minute Maid Park

2005First World Series at park

2017World Series Championship

2022World Series Championship

Stadium Traditions

Train Run

Train runs after every Astros home run

Deep in the Heart of Texas

7th inning sing-along

Retired Numbers

#5Jeff Bagwell(2007)

#7Craig Biggio(2008)

#24Jimmy Wynn(2011)

#25Jose Cruz(1992)

#32Jim Umbricht(1965)

#33Mike Scott(1992)

#34Nolan Ryan(1996)

#40Don Wilson(1975)

#49Larry Dierker(2002)