Holy cow! I am totally addicted to Sonic too! The closest one to me in is all the way down in Iowa. Although, rumor has it they are building one in Minnesota. Suh-weet!

I’ve been to both ballparks.

It’s great that the Houston park is downtown and in walking distance from your hotel, though as I recall it, the restaurants and places where people actually live and play is sort of on the other side of downtown, and walking there from the park required crossing some sketchy areas that were neither biz district nor local places. I think in fact I may have walked past a prison. I eventually found a terrific beer bar called Flying Saucers that had dozens of rare beers on tap.

The Rangers Stadium is just the opposite—not located in a town but on an off-ramp. Perfectly nice park and easy to get a good seat —I bought online and got 3rd row, just behind 3rd base, but sort of artificial. There’s a theme park and plenty of unattractive retail/highway surrounding it. I’d have no clue where to go for food around there but for the in-stadium TGI Friday’s. They serve Shiner Bock at the Rangers park though—that’s nice.

I was a guest of an Astros BigWig at Houston and watched their game from the picnic area behind center field with views of the hill and into the bullpen. Those seats were incredible.

Have fun. Try not to doze off driving those dreadful Texas highways.

On your drive between Houston & Arlington make sure you stop at Woody’s Smokehouse in Centerville. They have some killer jerky and it kills the boredom of I-45. Look for me in Arlington, I’ll be the kook in the Mets cap!

Jen, the closest Sonic - and the only one above the Mason-Dixon line - was somewhere out on 76 in Pennsylvania. We routed our trip to PGH through there because there are none in the area. It’s about a 1.75 hr drive. Now there are ones a little closer as well as one down the Jersey shore. But, it’s still not an every day event. Cherry limeade, mmmmmmmmm

Jon, thanks for the tip. However, given that it’s AUGUST in TEXAS, we’re not counting on doing much besides the game. That’s why we’re going for the big ritzy hotel.

and Polly, hello! thanks for the local tip. this is the kind of stuff we kill for :)

We have two drivers, so i’m hoping that it helps the monotony.

This trip sounds great! I’m trying to work out the Chicago/Milwaukee/St. Louis/KC route and/or the California teams… some day. Already did the Pittsburgh/Cincinnati/Cleveland/Detroit route (none were vs. the Mets, but it was still fun) You guys are going to have fun :-)

Okay, so have I mentioned that there is a Sonic at the end of my brother’s street?  Probably not, since I didn’t know that was a draw. Or that I live less than 2 miles from the Durham Bulls ballpark? Hey, it’s baseball and it’s cheap. Do I need to even mention who is going to be an hour away at the end of April?  Come visit - it’s still less than 100% humidity in April!

we are simple people of simple pleasures.

TBF may be down in your neck of the woods. I do not have as much vacation time as he does. I know he is for sure going to that city Dave Matthews is from for the event that you are referencing in your post. Perhaps others.

Having never eaten at Sonic, now I absolutely have to try it… I just checked and there is one in Ft. Pierce, where we’ll be staying this weekend for Spring Training… I’ll be plugging that address into the GPS for sure… can’t wait!

OMG! THERE IS A SONIC IN FORT PIERCE NOW????

*bows deeply*

please, try the ocean water at least once. and a cherry limeade, the biggest you can order.

when we were at spring training last year we found one near the orlando airport and took a small detour so we could stop there on the way home. it took a little bit longer than we had planned and there was just a tiny bit of apprehension about getting to the airport in time.

still, WORTH IT

LMAO! I totally thought I was the only one to look for the nearest Sonics whenever I’m traveling in PA or in the south, but I guess I’m not alone! I def did just that when I booked my ST trip, and am sooo psyched that there is one in Fort Pierce, as I will be staying there as well in a couple weeks! :) Now all I need is a Dairy Queen in that vicinity and I’m all set! Lol, anyone know if there is one down around Fort Pierce/ PSL?

It seems you have a busy schedule, but I will give you some options for the Houston area if you get a few minutes of extra time…

A really good lunch place is La Madeleine.  I’ve been there in Houston, but apparently they also have Dallas outposts.  I’ll call this a sort of “upscale fast food joint”.  It’s a French Bistro sort of decor, you order at a counter, then get a stick w/ a number on it to but on your table and you get your food brought to you.  I like to go there when I’m in Houston.

A dinner recommendation for the Houston area is Josephine’s Italian Restaurant.  I went there on my most recent trip to Houston a month ago prior to going to watch a hockey game at the Toyota Center.  Service is good, and fast if you want it to be.

If you are looking for a place this is like “The 70s called and they want their kitsch back”, then a good coffee/desert type place is House of Pies.  There’s 3 locations all together in the Houston area.  The slices of pie are super delicious and HUGE.  I am a big chocolate fan, and thought that I could never get enough of chocolate, but this one slice I had there was like mega-chocolate...couldn’t finish!

Finally, if you get a craving if you just totally feel the need to go ice skating, the Galleria Mall has a rink open 365 in the lower level.  It’s good just to go watch too really. 

Are you flying into IAH?  I remember the first time I flew into there...there were signs declaring that all firearms must remain in locked cases.  Talk about culture shock!

Well, considering I grew up in Houston and have spent 20 or so years living there (and my parents still do - so many other years visiting), I can give you as much or as little help/advice as you like.

Also, there is no prison in downtown Houston.  And there are no parts of downtown that I’d consider “sketchy”—and certainly not for someone from New York.  Downtown Houston is not a place people live, so after hours, it’s pretty much deserted other than people going to the theatre or ballpark.  You can walk around freely everywhere - just be smart like you would any other city.  There are quite a few restaurants and bars around Minute Maid, that have cropped up specifically because of the ballpark.

Where are you staying outside Dallas?  I’ve been there a ton, and have family and friends up there.  The Ballpark at Arlington is OK, but Minute Maid is a ton of fun.