At a glance

• Where: 6100 Main St, between Rice Village and the Museum District
• Football: First Community Stadium (formerly Rice Stadium), opened 1950
• Other venues: Tudor Fieldhouse, Reckling Park, Holloway Field
• Tickets: RiceOwls.com; mobile tickets; cashless on football game days
• Getting there: METRORail Red Line, Hermann Park / Rice U station
• Parking: Paid visitor lots with card machines; buy game-day parking in advance or at the lot

Rice University fills a leafy campus on Main Street, between Rice Village and the Museum District. It's one of the easiest places in Houston to spend a free afternoon, with oak-lined walks, a Turrell Skyspace and a free art center. On fall Saturdays it's also home to Owls football. Here's how to visit, catch a game and eat well nearby.

The campus

Rice's address is 6100 Main Street, but you enter by numbered gates around the edge of campus. Check the campus map before you drive in. Visitor parking is paid, using card machines at the lot gates, and visitor lots typically cap at a daily maximum. The Central Campus Garage, under the business school, and West Lot 2, beside the Shepherd School of Music, both work well for the arts side of campus.

The campus is made for walking. Start at the main academic quad and take the long, shaded paths from there. Student life revolves around Rice's residential colleges, each with its own government, dining hall and traditions. If you're thinking about living nearby, our Rice Village and West U neighborhood guide covers the area.

What to see

• Twilight Epiphany Skyspace. James Turrell's grass-covered pavilion sits near University Boulevard at Stockton Drive. It's free and open daily. At sunrise and sunset, a light sequence plays across the ceiling while you watch the sky through an opening in the roof. No reservation is needed. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to get a seat.
• Moody Center for the Arts. Rice's arts center runs changing exhibitions and is free to visit. The galleries are typically open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check moody.rice.edu before you go.
• The stadium's history. President Kennedy gave his 1962 "We choose to go to the Moon" address at Rice, in the football stadium. Every space fan should know that.

Hermann Park, the Houston Zoo and the museums are a short walk east across Main Street. Pair a campus stroll with our Hermann Park guide or things to do in the Museum District.

Athletics venues

• First Community Stadium (formerly Rice Stadium) is home to Owls football. The stadium opened in 1950. It took the First Community name in October 2026 under a 20-year naming-rights deal, so you'll still hear plenty of Houstonians call it Rice Stadium.
• Tudor Fieldhouse hosts basketball and volleyball.
• Reckling Park is home to Owls baseball.
• Holloway Field rounds out the main game-day venues.

Tickets

Buy through RiceOwls.com, which sells single games, season tickets and mini-plans. Tickets are mobile, so add them to your phone's wallet before you arrive. Football parking, ticketing and concessions are cashless, so bring a card or phone.

Getting there and parking

METRORail. The Red Line's Hermann Park / Rice U station serves the east side of campus and Hermann Park, which makes it simple to ride in from downtown or the Medical Center. See our METRO guide for fares.

Game-day parking. You can buy football parking in advance or at the lot on game day. Owl Club donors get the closest lots. For basketball at Tudor Fieldhouse, the Greenbriar Lot west of the stadium has traditionally been a free option. Lots, prices and rules change by season, so check the Rice Athletics parking page before each trip.

Neighborhood streets. West University Place and the streets around Rice Village are residential, with their own parking rules. Read every sign.

Game day

The pregame scene centers on Tailgate Owley, the official tailgate area on the grass east of the stadium. It has vendors, music and a pregame stage. About two hours before kickoff, the team arrives for the Owl Walk, led in by the band and spirit squad. A train horn marks the team's arrival and every Rice touchdown.

Then there's the MOB, the Marching Owl Band. It isn't a traditional marching band: its halftime shows are scripted, theatrical and often very funny. Stay in your seat at the half.

Look for Sammy the Owl, the mascot who got his name in 1917. Rice's colors are blue and gray.

Where to eat nearby

Rice Village, just west of campus, is the easy answer before or after a game. It's packed with casual spots, coffee and patios. Start with our best restaurants in Rice Village. Coming from the east side of campus? Try the Museum District restaurant guide instead.

Last verified: October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is Rice Stadium still called Rice Stadium?

The football stadium became First Community Stadium in October 2026 under a 20-year naming-rights agreement. It's the same stadium, which opened in 1950.

Is the James Turrell Skyspace at Rice free?

Yes. Twilight Epiphany is free and open daily, with light sequences at sunrise and sunset. No reservation is needed. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for a seat.

Where do I park to visit Rice University?

Rice has paid visitor parking with card machines at the lot gates. For the Skyspace and Moody Center, use the Central Campus Garage or West Lot 2. Check rates on the gate signs.

Can I take the train to Rice?

Yes. The METRORail Red Line's Hermann Park / Rice U station serves the east side of campus and Hermann Park.

Where do Rice fans tailgate?

At Tailgate Owley, the official tailgate area on the grass east of the football stadium. The team arrives for the Owl Walk about two hours before kickoff.

Where can I eat near Rice University?

Rice Village, just west of campus, has the most options within walking distance. The Museum District is close on the east side.