Plan ahead or catch a ride to the home opener

Monday marks the first time the Astros play a game as World Series champions in Houston, and downtown and transit officials are warning people to think ahead so they don’t strike out when it comes to parking and travel.

Here are seven things, one for every game of the World Series, to consider as the Astros go for their first home win.

Street party shutdown: Crawford Street along the side of Minute Maid Park will be closed for an opening day street festival. The event runs from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., but requires a ticket for the game to enter. The street closing runs from Texas to Congress.

Watch it: A number of downtown bars and restaurants around the ballpark, across from the George R. Brown Convention Center and in the area around Market Square Park have watch parties and activities planned for the game, which starts at 6 p.m.

Meters by Minute Maid: The festival won’t be the only thing drawing people to the downtown streets. Some of the best parking is along Houston streets at meters. Make sure, however, to check signs for stated times when parking is allowed. Some downtown streets do not allow parking during peak commuting periods , such as 4 p.m to 6 p.m., and many limit parking to three hours, up to 6 p.m.

Closer is costlier: Parking is plentiful in the downtown area; this is Houston, after all. Still, downtown supporters said prices are highest closest to the ballpark, and less a few blocks away. For real-time info, go to www.downtownhoustonparking.org.

Train depot: Minute Maid’s orange steam engine isn’t the only train to keep an eye on. The ballpark is built on Houston’s old rail depot, but the city’s light rail trains are one of the best ways to get there. The Green and Purple lines both cross one or two blocks from the ballpark.

Pedal to pitch: B-Cycle kiosks are located near Minute Maid for those who’d rather ride across town. One is at Rusk and St. Emanuel, 736 St. Emanual to be exact, while another is at 925 Crawford, four blocks south of the ballpark.

Go Orange: Free GreenLink buses circle downtown, with the nighttime Orange Route running right to the front door of Minute Maid, at Crawford and Texas. Buses circle the northern part of the central business district, coming every ten minutes and hitting spots near Discovery Green, Main Street Square and Market Square Park. The buses also connect to the Red Line light rail.