Minneapolis
City Overview – Minneapolis
The Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota have long been a four seasons destination. Summers are warm and brilliant, autumns crisp and cool, and spring is a pleasant glimpse of the summer to come. Even winters, for all the snow and frigid temperatures, offer numerous opportunities for outdoor sporting activities.
Minneapolis is the larger of the two Twin Cities, and more commercial in nature. The downtown core is a renowed business district and is home to several major corporations. Minneapolis is scenic as well, with numerous lakes dotting the landscape and the headwaters of the Mississippi River bisecting downtown Minneapolis from the St. Anthony Main district.
You’ll find every major amenity you’d want here in the Twin Cities, along with professional franchises in each of the major sports. While various diagonal streets make it a challenge to navigate the city, a little map studying in advance will give you your bearings. If you’re flying here, there’s a rapid transit system that will take you from the airport directly downtown. But we recommend renting a car to allow you to see both cities in more depth.
The Neighborhood – Target Field
Target Field is not far at all from downtown Minneapolis, walking distance even, although it is a bit of a hike. We’ll have much more information on the neighborhood around the ballpark very shortly.
The Ballpark
Target Field, a brand new ballpark opened in 2010, is getting rave reviews from baseball fans all across the country. It’s open air, a welcome change from the dreary and almost claustrophobic conditions at the Metrodome.
With great sight lines and wide councourses, Target Field is everything you’d expect a new ballpark to be. The team is off to a very good start in terms of ticket sales, and most games are a tough ticket. Whether the trend continues as the newness of the ballpark wears off (along with the long awaited return of outdoor baseball in the Twin Cities) remains to be seen. In an interesting nod to their history, the old flagpole from Metropolitan Stadium is located on the ballpark site in an area known as Target Plaza. If you can’t see it or get close during a game, opt for the Target Field tour (see below).
Ballpark Tours
Tours of Target Field are available from March through December for $15. Tours are offered twice daily from Tuesdays through Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. You can get tickets online or at the box office located near Gate 29 at Target Field.
Historic Baseball Sites
2009 was the final year of baseball for the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, located about 3/4 mile east of downtown Minneapolis. The Metrodome, with its antiseptic interior and rock hard playing field, is really more suited for football. In its defense, sightlines are good and there aren’t many bad seats at all. Baseball purists thumbed their nose at the place, and perhaps with good reason. But it was a good home for the Twins, with several division titles and two World Series triumphs in its 28 season baseball history.
Baseball came to an end at the Metrodome on October 11, 2009. The Twins were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Yankees on that date, marking the end of an era in Minnesota baseball. Just moments after the game ended, grounds crew members dug up home plate with plans to transport it to the Twins new home, Target Field.
The Metrodome will live on for the foreseeable future as home to the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings.
From their inception in 1961 through the 1981 season, the Twins called Metropolitan Stadium in suburban Bloomington home. The stadium was torn down in the early 80′s and the gigantic Mall of America now occupies the site.
If you go to the Mall of America, head to the lower level and the Camp Snoopy amusement park area. Stroll the main path and keep your eyes peeled down, and you’ll see a plaque denoting the former location of home plate in Metropolitan Stadium. Stand at the plate and imagine you’re looking out into left field. About 450 feet away, mounted high upon the opposite wall of the Mall, is a stadium chair painted orange. That’s the actual seat that was hit with a Harmon Killebrew home run ball, the longest home run ever hit in Metropolitan Stadium. Supposedly, it’s mounted in the (more or less) actual location and distance.
Minnesota Twins Tickets
Twins tickets were almost always available day of game. The exception was weekend games when the season drew to a close and the team was in contention.
All that has changed now with the opening of Target Field. Like almost every new ballpark, the first few years will undoubtedly be a tough ticket. You should absolutely secure tickets in advance.
Public Transportation
There’s plenty of public transportation in the Twin Cities. You’ll be able to take a bus to Target Field if you so desire, and taxis are plentiful around the area.
Restaurants, Taverns, and Great Beer Bars
Gluek’s: Located right downtown just a block or two from the basketball arena, Gluek’s is an old standby and our favorite place in Minneapolis. It’s got an old beer hall feel with wooden tables, lots of leaded glass, and a big long bar that runs the entire length of one wall. Best of all, the food is satisfying and inexpensive and they’ve got great local beers on tap like Gluek’s and Grainbelt. Since 1934, a real slice of historic Minneapolis. Don’t miss it! 16 N. 6th St., Minneapolis. Phone: 612-338-6621.
Busters on 28th: This is a great place on the near south side of Minneapolis. The menu has all kinds of burgers, sandwiches, and salads. The atmosphere is sports bar with an upscale twist and lots of locals who know a good deal when they see it. 30 beers on tap, including several from local Minnesota breweries, plus over 100 bottles. 4204 28th Avenue South, Minneapolis. Phone: 612-729-0911.
Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery: Located about 3/4 of a mile east of Target Field, this is one of our two favorite stops in Minneapolis. It’s a big place with plenty of room for parties, and it’s near a few hotels so there’s always something going on. House beers and pub food make it a perfect pre or post game stop. 1430 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis. Phone: 612-339-8696.
Williams Pub and Peanut Bar: This is a pub with two stories, literally and figuratively. The bottom floor is a low key gathering spot and upstairs is more live music and nightspot feel. Opt for the lower level, with free peanuts, popcorn, and 70 beers on tap, including many local brews. 2911 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis. Phone: 612-823-6271.
