Twins Game Day: Getting to Target Field Without the Downtown Parking Mess
TL;DR: Getting to and from Target Field for Twins games in Minneapolis. Covers parking, transit options, and tips locals know for avoiding the post-game traffic crunch.
Target Field sits in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis, right off I-394 and surrounded by some of the busiest blocks in the city. On game days - especially weeknight games when downtown is already packed with commuters - getting in and out is its own sport.
Parking
Target Field doesn't have a massive fan parking lot. You're using downtown Minneapolis ramps and surface lots.
ABC Ramps and Hawthorne Garage are the official recommendations from the Twins. Regular season game day rates start at $16. Prepaid spots through SpotHero can save up to 50% off drive-up rates if you book early.
Surface lots closer to the stadium charge $20-35 on game days, sometimes more for weekend games or popular opponents.
Street parking exists but is metered and time-limited. Minneapolis meters run until 10 PM in most downtown zones, and game day enforcement is active. Street meters near the stadium charge about $5/hour. You can use them for up to 3 hours before the game and 1 hour after.
The commuter problem: Weeknight Twins games start at 6:40 PM. That means you're driving into downtown Minneapolis during rush hour, competing for ramp space with commuters who haven't left yet. If you're coming from the suburbs, budget an extra 20-30 minutes just for the drive in.
Light Rail
The Green Line and Blue Line stop at Target Field Station, which is literally steps from the stadium. Best transit connection of any venue in the Twin Cities.
Fare: $2.00 off-peak, $2.50 peak. Hard to beat.
For Twins games specifically, light rail works better than for other venues because baseball schedules are predictable and the crowd disperses gradually (people leave at different innings). You're not fighting 66,000 people all leaving at once like a football game.
Biking
Target Field has bike racks, and Minneapolis has a solid bike lane network. If you live within 5-6 miles and the weather's cooperating (April-September), this is genuinely the fastest option. No parking, no traffic, no cost. The Nice Ride bike share stations are near the stadium too.
Only works for summer games, obviously. This is Minnesota.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft work fine for Twins games. The crowds are smaller and more spread out than football, so post-game surge is usually mild - maybe 1.5x, not the 2-3x you see after a Vikings game. Pickup zones are nearby.
Late-inning departures help. If the game's a blowout, leaving in the 8th inning gets you a ride in 5 minutes with no surge. If you stay for the final out, give it 10-15 minutes for the wave to pass.
Car Service
The best Target Field experience is when you don't think about transportation at all. Drop-off before the game, pickup after - your driver handles the downtown traffic, the construction detours, and the post-game street closures.
This is especially good for:
- Weeknight games where you're coming from the suburbs during rush hour. Let someone else deal with 394.
- Group outings - company events, birthday groups, bachelor parties. A Suburban drops everyone off together and picks everyone up together. No coordinating five Ubers.
- Premium experiences - if you're in a suite or club seats, the car service matches the experience. You don't walk six blocks from a ramp after sitting in a premium seat.
Quick Math
| Option | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Ramp parking | $16-35 | Solo/couple, not during rush hour |
| Street meter | $10-15 (3 hrs) | Quick games, early arrival |
| Light Rail | $2.50-5 | Anyone near a stop |
| Bike | Free | Summer games, nearby residents |
| Uber/Lyft | $12-25 (mild surge) | Small groups, late departure |
| Car Service | Contact for quote | Groups, suburbs, weeknight games |
Tips Locals Know
Park at a North Loop restaurant and eat there. Several North Loop spots validate parking or have their own ramps. Eat dinner before the game, walk two blocks to Target Field, and your car is waiting when you come back. The validation covers most or all of the parking cost.
Walk across the Hennepin Avenue Bridge from Northeast. If you live in or near Northeast Minneapolis, park on the east side of the river (free street parking in many residential areas after 6 PM) and walk across the bridge. It's a 10-minute walk with a great skyline view and you completely avoid downtown parking.
Tuesday and Wednesday games are the sweet spot. Smaller crowds, cheaper parking, no surge, shorter lines everywhere. If you have schedule flexibility, midweek Twins games are the best value in Minnesota sports.
Target Field is cold in April and September. The stadium faces northwest and the wind comes straight off the river. Opening Day in Minnesota is not Opening Day in Texas. Bring layers even if the forecast says 55. By the 7th inning, it's 45 and windy.
Target Field is one of the easier venues in the Twin Cities for parking, honestly. The ramps are close, the rates are reasonable, and light rail is right there. But if you're coming from Eagan or Burnsville at 5:30 PM on a Wednesday, fighting I-35W into downtown for a 6:40 first pitch - that's where a car service earns its keep.
NS Limo provides game day transportation to Target Field, U.S. Bank Stadium, and all Twin Cities venues. Book online or call (320) 223-8146.
This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Minnesota Twins or MLB.