Target Field Parking Guide For Minnesota Twins Games

Greetings Baseball Fans and Ballpark Nerds! Below is your ultimate guide to Target Field parking. Whether you’re a first timer to the home of the Minnesota Twins or a regular, this post contains lots of useful info to help you find the best spot.

Whether you want to keep it simple, go cheap, park near something else downtown or even use a shuttle, it’s all here! So I’ll break it down for you.

Target Field Parking Guide – Table of Contents

Traffic Conditions To Avoid
Official Minnesota Twins Parking
Downtown Minneapolis Garages (+ U.S. Bank Stadium)
MPLS Metered Street Parking (Free + Very Cheap Options)
Tailgating at Target Field, Maybe
Tavern Shuttles (Elsie’s, Bennett’s + Skinner’s)

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(Need more Target Field help? Lots more great tips here!)

OK, ready? Let’s get wise on Target Field parking.

It probably won’t move this fast closer to the ballpark. Just saying.

Target Field Parking Tip #1) Traffic Conditions To Avoid.

So while there’s ample parking at Target Field for all budgets and tastes, and the ballpark is generally pretty easily accessible, there are some traffic situations you should try to avoid.

The Twins offer routes to the ballpark from every direction here, and a parking lot map to help you choose the most convenient lot from your starting point. That said, here’s a few congestion troubles you can hopefully skirt around.

You want to be going towards downtown. Just saying.

At rush hour, coming from Bloomington especially on I-35W can mean heavy delays; you actually might prefer a train ride from there to the traffic. (See my Target Field transit guide here.) If you are using I-35W, keep in mind that it’s a left exit, and you don’t want to be in the right lane on the wide road.

Similarly, I-94 in the downtown area is pretty slow at rush hour, so plan ahead accordingly for night games. If you can swing it, try using I-394 from further out. I-394 allows you in and out access to Ramp A, which I’ll discuss in a bit.

You got this.

After the game, if you do miss the highway ramp exiting a garage, no worries. Downtown Minneapolis is not difficult to navigate by four-sports-teams-city standards. This works coming to the game too; in some cases you can exit the interstate early and get to the garages through downtown.

The Twins mention these and other traffic problems on their traffic advisories page. Honestly, as big city ballparks go, it’s not bad at all, but just making you aware.

Okay then. Now, before we go any further, here is my most valuable piece of Target Field parking advice: book your spot in advance with my friends at SpotHero.

Twins parking is as easy as ABC, fans.

Target Field Parking Tip #2) Official Minnesota Twins Parking.

Target Field was thankfully built to accommodate people arriving by car, with four large ramps right at the ballpark; they are the A, B, C, and Hawthorne ramps (“ramp” is Minnesota-speak for “garage”). Here’s a map to show you their location.

The garages total about 7,000 spots, not enough for a sellout, but a decent amount for most games, especially with a large number of fans using public transit.

Park your event at Ramp A for just 20 bucks!

In addition to offering convenience, they’re not terribly expensive. The Twins (and I) encourage booking ahead; you can even book official Twins parking through SpotHero, which can be cheaper than pay-on-arrival.

You are more likely to experience a full garage on weeknights, since downtown employees use them. I’ve read that the A, B, and C ramps fill up to capacity about an hour before the game, but I expect this is mostly on high attendance nights.

If you’re planning to spend time downtown, you can book your space for the day, I believe for the same price. I’ve done this; the Twins won’t mind.

All three ramps have EV charging stations, but arrive early if you want to use one.

No, you can’t drive there in the skyway. Nor would you want to.

Here’s a small bit about each ramp:

Ramp A, the largest of the ABC ramps, is south of the ballpark. It allows you to get off and on I-394 without driving in downtown, and it exits pedestrians right onto Target Field Plaza and the first base side entrance. It’s a large garage though, so it could still be a decent walk.

Ramp A can be very slow to exit, since many people can’t figure out the payment process. So bring your patience. (And don’t be one of those people, use SpotHero!)

Think “B” as in the most important part of a BLT.

Ramp B is the smallest of the three but also the closest, and fills up first. It’s southeast of the ballpark, across the street from the Center Field Gate. If you’re arriving less than an hour before the game and don’t have a spot booked, I would avoid Ramp B, but it may be the best of the three as far as proximity to the ballpark.

If you are able to arrive early, you can park on a lower level, and have an easier time exiting. Ramp B exits onto 2nd Avenue, with easy access to I-94 and I-394.

Take note of the highway access.

Ramp C is east of the ballpark. It’s a bit larger than Ramp B, but it’s further away and requires a longer walk to the ballpark. It’s best suited for arriving from I-94.

Fans do speak highly of Ramp C because it’s easy to exit, and isn’t far from the Center Field Gate. I agree; I used it twice myself in a recent visit. In fact fans compare it favorably to Ramp A, especially for leaving afterward.

It’s not meant to be confusing. Honest.

A couple extra tips I’ve read about the ABC ramps: First, try to get a spot close to the exit (as opposed to the skyway); think about where you’re exiting and try to park there. You’ll also, I’m told, have an easier time getting out if you back into your spot.

Finally, all of the ABC ramps offer designated motorcycle parking. The ABC Ramps people share locations where you can park your bike.

If you can see why it’s called Hawthorne, I commend your powers of observation.

Then there’s the Hawthorne Ramp, which is arguably an extension of Ramp A. It’s a ten minute walk from the ballpark, but it seems short. In most cases it’s the same price as the ABC ramps, but like the C Ramp it gets great reviews as far as an easy exit. That matters here. It’s also a well-lit walk to the ballpark.

If you’re looking to put the Hawthorne Ramp in your Waze, it’s at 31 North 9th Street.

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Target Field Parking Tip #3) Downtown Minneapolis Garages (+ U.S. Bank Stadium).

Here’s what I call the money tips for Target Field parking. The ABC and Hawthorne ramps are closest, but downtown Minneapolis parking offers great possibilities and savings you can then use for big cheese curds. There are close to 25,000 spaces downtown, which should be plenty, but I still recommend booking ahead with SpotHero.

There are expensive spaces around; don’t use them. There are many, many choices (you’ll see), but I’m going to give a mention to five that get good reviews with forum dwellers:

($$$ Tightwad Tip! $$$ Check and see if any garages have early bird parking for the day; many of them do. You can spend a day downtown and add a Twins game for a very low parking rate.)

The advantage of a downtown ballpark.

LaSalle Plaza/Court: There are two garages at LaSalle and 9th Street that are very cheap and just a ten minute walk. It’s connected to the Skyway, making the walk easy on cold days. You may even be able to find free street parking near here after 6:00 or on Sundays, but don’t quote me on that. Find the two garages here and here.

Tonight at the Orpheum: Affordable Twins Game Parking!

Orpheum Theatre Area: At 10th Street and Hennepin Avenue are a couple of garages. Generally these are for the Orpheum Theatre, so I wouldn’t use these if something is happening there. This one gets the best reviews. These are also cheap, about a ten minute walk, and a relatively easy exit onto the interstates via Hennepin Avenue.

Park your car, drop off that old stereo, and head to the game.

Salvation Army: This one is great for coming from the north; there is a sizable street lot on 4th Street North near the local Salvation Army center, under an overpass for good car protection. It’s (slightly) cheaper than the ABC ramps, and about a ten-minute walk with a few popular brewpubs in your path. It’s great for an easy exit northbound, and heck, drop off those old clothes before the game.

BTW, this isn’t the “Harbor Light Center” location; that’s close to Ramp A.

Why just park when you can park and shop?

Park & Shop: The ramp at 24th South 8th Street is great for making a day in Minneapolis along with your Twins game. It’s again about ten minutes from the ballpark, and they don’t charge event rates, just an hourly or flat rate for the day. This one is convenient from west of the ballpark, and it’s also close to Candyland, the best place downtown to load up your goody bag.

Light rail makes everything easier.

U.S. Bank Stadium (Vikings): As long as there’s nothing happening there, parking will be cheap near the Vikings stadium, and you can use it for the day. It’s over a mile walk to Target Field, but you can easily and very cheaply take a Metro light rail two stops.

The indoor ramp here gets some poor reviews for high pricing and slow exits after an event at the stadium, but neither should be a problem for a Twins game. Again, check that there isn’t anything happening at U.S. Bank before trying this one.

“Back in my day, we had to quick run into the store and get change to put quarters in, and…look at me when I’m talking to you, son.”

Target Field Parking Tip #4) (Possibly Free) Street + Metered Parking

Okay, if you’re gonna try to find the best deal on street parking for Twins games, here we go (cracks knuckles).

MPLS Parking is the city-operated parking, including meters, and you can book street parking on their app. MPLS operates a lot of parking that you may not find on SpotHero; especially if you’re looking to make a day of it. One nice bit is that you can usually extend your parking if you need to on your phone.

The city designates certain areas as “event rate zones”, where you’ll pay a bit more but probably not quite as much as a garage for a good spot. The city offers a parking meter map showing said event zones. The event rate is typically $3-5 per hour, so for over five hours you’ll pay about the same as one of the garages.

Coffee, juice, beverages, and affordable Twins parking.

Event zones west and north of the ballpark have much cheaper rates. Some fan folks talk up the Farmer’s Market. The meters there are in the “event zone”, but they’re inexpensive, and it’s a short walk to a lesser used gate, great on giveaway days. Plenty of food options for your goody bag, and no waiting behind garage lines afterward.

Want to go for cheap or even free parking? You can get just outside of the event zone, like on North 2nd Street or Washington Avenue, or on Hennepin Avenue south of the ballpark. (Look for the blue lines on the map.)

You can feed the meters there cheaply until 5:00-6:00 PM, and they’re about a ten minute walk. They’re also free on weekends, but you need to be early. I’m not familiar with these areas, so it’s at your own risk.

Make sure there isn’t a six-inning limit.

With meters anytime, remember to follow the rules. Read signs carefully and be sure you’re allowed to park as long as you need to. Again, get there early; on weeknights open meters close to the ballpark are hard to come by. I don’t think I need to tell you not to leave valuables in plain view in your car.

So get the MPLS parking app and look at the map carefully; there’s some sweet bargains to be had if you can land one.

All this said, if I were going super cheap, I’d either use an early bird garage deal, or use the U.S. Bank garage and take the cheap downtown light rail to the ballpark. Seems easier that way. But putting this out there as an option that many fans use.

If anyone asks, just say you’re partying for the Vikings home opener.

Target Field Parking Tip #5) Tailgating at Target Field? Ehhh…

Target Field isn’t a tailgating mecca by any stretch. There’s no tailgating anywhere close to the ballpark. For pre- and post-game libations, nearly all fans imbibe at local bars, which are plentiful.

That said, you might find some lots where a pre-game party is allowed. I suggest searching around U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings have multiple lots that allow tailgating, so it’s possible they may allow it for Twins games too. (Here’s the Vikings tailgating guide to see which lots allow partying there.)

You might find a lot in the Warehouse District, or between 4th and 11th Avenue near the Mississippi. It would probably mean a light rail ride to the ballpark, but that’s easy and cheap.

Maybe they’d do more business if they allowed tailgating? Just a thought.

Tailgating rules in these lots, so I’ve read, include no sound-amplifying equipment, no wood burning fires, charcoal or propane grills only, and throw out your trash.

I should point out that even Twins fans might be surprised to learn that there’s any tailgating at all. Most fans suggest visiting the taverns near the ballpark for your pre-game party. None of the companies operating these lots have responded to my queries about this. I’ve reached out to Impark, Interstate Parking, and Denison and heard back zilch.

So best of luck. But if you’re really interested, take a look where I’ve said at individual lots’ policies. If nothing else you might find a nice cheap spot a quick light rail ride from Target Field.

St. Paul loves the Twins too!

Target Field Parking Tip #6) Twins Game Restaurant Shuttles

I’m a big fan of tavern shuttles to ballparks; Milwaukee offers a plethora of them. It’s a great way to avoid parking hassles and prices, and save on food.

I found three establishments that give patrons a ride to a Twins game, and parking, as far as I can tell, is free at all of them.

You know the shuttle is popular when they use the big bus.
(photo courtesy of Skinner’s Pub & Eatery)

Skinner’s Pub. Skinner’s Pub is in St. Paul, on Randolph Avenue off of I-35E. Skinner’s has pizza, burgers and other meals at very reasonable prices, along with some great specials including a lunch buffet and happy hours. Among reviewers, Skinner’s gets high marks, especially for their pizza.

They run their free Twins shuttle for just about every home game. The bus leaves 45 minutes before the first pitch. It’s a nice deal for thrifty and hungry Twins fans, especially coming from St. Paul. They have a small free lot, and there’s ample street parking there (also free).

The Randolph Avenue Metro Transit bus, which connects to the Blue Line, stops here in case you don’t want to wait for the shuttle back.

Nothing goes better with Twins baseball like fine dining and a ride to the game.
(photo courtesy of Bennett’s Chop & Railhouse)

Bennett’s Chop & Railhouse: Bennett’s on West 7th Street in St. Paul offers a full menu of upscale dining, including steaks and seafood, appetizers and drinks. For reservations of 15 or more, they’ll take you to and from the game free of charge if you like. They draw a crowd at this place; it gets high marks for its food and atmosphere. You’ll need a reservation.

They’ll also take you to the game from their location in Hudson, Wisconsin, a 35-mile jaunt. That one’s not free though; it’s $20 per adult and free for kids under 16. Might be worthwhile for one parent taking a couple of kids to the game with a great meal included. You’ll need to call ahead.

Parking is free at both locations, and they have drink specials after the game, so it’s definitely a win-win.

I don’t know how to bowl, but I know how to have a good time. And in the Twin Cities, that’s more important.

Elsie’s: Elsie’s Restaurant & Bar on Marshall Street NE offers it all for the discerning Twins fan who is serious about fun. Their restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and there’s 16 lanes of bowling and multiple TVs. The food gets good reviews, and they have plenty to offer in adult beverages.

Best of all, of course, they’ll take you to the Twins game in the Elsie’s shuttle. It costs a small fee, but you get a drink after the game with your ride.

If you can handle a full day of bowling and a Twins game, Elsie’s is for you, but it’s even great for a meal and a drink on game day, with a ride to the game.

Now you know what to do. But feel free to ask any questions.

There you go my friends; your comprehensive selection of Target Field parking options for games at the beautiful home of the Minnesota Twins.

I’ve got lots more useful info for you if you’re planning a Twins game; check out this superb list of tips for saving on Twins tickets, this thorough primer for choosing a seat, this helpful guide for using public transit, and a list of great items from the food menu.

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