Soon in Austin Foodstuff Events: Observe the Astros House Operator

Planning a Food-and-Ballgame Trip from Tulsa

The title on this page reads like a garbled mix of two different ideas: Austin's food events and Houston Astros baseball. They do fit together for one kind of trip, though. Plenty of Oklahoma rock fans make a long weekend out of a drive into Texas. They eat their way through Austin's food scene, then head east to Houston to catch the Astros at their home ballpark. If that sounds like your kind of road trip, a little planning goes a long way.

Austin's food culture

Austin is known for food trucks, Central Texas barbecue, breakfast tacos and Tex-Mex. Food festivals, pop-up markets and live-music-plus-food nights happen throughout the year. Dates and lineups change from season to season, so check each event's official site before you lock in travel plans. Popular barbecue spots often sell out early in the day, so arrive early or plan for a wait. Bring water and sun protection for outdoor events, especially in summer.

Seeing the Astros play

The Astros play their home games in Houston, a few hours' drive from Austin. Buy tickets only through the team's official channels or established ticket marketplaces. Look at the schedule early, because weekend games and rivalry series fill up fast. Downtown parking near the ballpark can be tight, so leave extra time or look into rideshare options.

Tips for the drive

• Split up the drive. Tulsa to Austin is a long haul, so plan a rest stop or an overnight break.
• Book rooms early. Hotel prices in both cities can jump during big festivals and series.
• Line up a playlist. Classic and modern rock makes those Texas highway miles go faster.

If you'd rather stay close to home, see our concert calendar for rock shows around Tulsa. You can also browse our venue guides for tips on parking, food and getting the most out of a night out. Keep an eye on the contests page too, because you never know what giveaways might help pay for your next road trip.