Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, is a thoughtfully designed, open-air ballpark nestled in the heart of Minneapolis. A far cry from the sterile confines of the old Metrodome, this purpose-built stadium combines modern amenities, local flavor, and retro charm to create a space that truly celebrates baseball – and the community that surrounds it. With its skyline views, signature limestone architecture, and spirited fan culture, Target Field stands as a worthy cathedral for Twins Territory.

Design

Target Field, opened in 2010 as the first stadium built specifically for the Twins, blends retro charm with sleek modern design. Locally quarried limestone gives the ballpark a warm, distinctive look that reflects Minnesota’s natural beauty. In 2022, Target Field earned LEED Platinum Certification – a rare honor it shares only with Oracle Park – recognizing its cutting-edge commitment to sustainability.

The exterior features some standout artistic and nostalgic touches. Most striking is “The Wave,” a massive wind veil that ripples in the breeze and glows red and blue after dark – the largest piece of public art in Minnesota. Nearby, statues of Twins legends like Kirby Puckett and Harmon Killebrew offer a heartfelt nod to the franchise’s storied past.

In the main plaza, a giant “Golden Glove” sculpture pays tribute to every Twins player who’s earned a Gold Glove Award. It’s more than just a nod to defensive greatness – it’s a fan favorite photo op, with visitors young and old climbing in for the perfect game day snapshot.

The gate entrance numbers are numbered according to former Twins legends and roughly located near to the positions that they played.

• Left field gate is #6 honoring Tony Oliva (with his bronze statue nearby)
• Centerfield gate is #3 for Harmon Killebrew
• Target Plaza gate (in right field) is #34 in tribute to Kirby Puckett
• Right field gate is #29 in tribute to Rod Carew
• Home plate gate is #14 in honor of Kent Hrbek (featuring his bronze statue)

Target Field offers a great view of the Minneapolis skyline from the right field side, adding to the ballpark’s urban charm. That view is mostly blocked in left field by the Budweiser Roof Deck and a cluster of scoreboards and signage. The main scoreboard is enormous – one of the best we’ve seen – and features a unique left-side bend to align with the seating bowl below. The display is crisp and informative, but we wish both teams’ full lineups were shown at all times. As it stands, the Twins’ scoreboard replaces the opposing team’s order with extended batting stats, which is useful but makes it harder to track the game flow for visiting hitters.

Location

Target Field is nestled in the Warehouse District just west of downtown Minneapolis, surrounded by a lively mix of restaurants and well-kept streets that felt safe and welcoming. Parking garages are plentiful, though navigating the area’s one-way streets can take a little patience. We opted for the Metro light rail from the airport, which was incredibly convenient – the station drops you off right outside the stadium gates.

Concessions

Target Field boasts a strong lineup of local and creative concessions, including Kramarczuk’s sausages, Papa Pete’s mini donuts, Pizza Lucé, Red Cow’s bacon-blended burgers, and the standout Thai banh mi brat from Union Hmong Kitchen. We sampled the cheese curds, pepperoni pizza, and banh mi brat. The curds were solid, though they didn’t quite measure up to the gold standards at Miller Park or the Minnesota State Fair. Pizza Lucé disappointed with its stiff, flavorless crust. But the banh mi brat stole the show – a bold, flavorful highlight that lived up to the hype.

Target Field doesn’t just showcase local food – it also pours on the regional flavor with a great selection of Minnesota beverages. Fans can sip on hometown brews like Summit, Grain Belt, Schell’s, and Finnegans, or opt for something stronger. When Sarah visited in 2015, she enjoyed a spicy and over-the-top Bloody Mary garnished with a bratwurst on a stick – now only available at Hrbek’s.

For a fun twist, the park also offers a margarita bat (~$30) – a rare find even among stadiums that serve beer bats. We tried cocktails and a smooth local bourbon at Keeper’s Heart Town Ball Tavern, which had excellent drinks but unfortunately no field view. The Truly On Deck Bar & Grill was another standout, offering both indoor service and outdoor general admission seating with a field view, making it a popular hangout spot.

Amenities

While the open-air design is stunning, it can make for a chilly experience in April or October. Thankfully, the stadium includes heated viewing areas, a heated playing field, and even the only bonfire in MLB, located on the Budweiser Roof Deck in left field. Summer weather was perfect during our visit, but we’d definitely be huddled by that fire come postseason.

In addition to Keeper’s Heart, Hrbek’s, Truly On Deck, and the Budweiser bars, it features a wide variety of other drink spots, including the Cutwater Cocktail Bar, Gray Duck Deck, Twin Cities Tavern, Twins Pub, and the Summit Brewing Pub. For those seeking a premium experience, the Delta SKY360° Suite offers all-inclusive food and drinks in an upscale setting.

On the family side, TC’s Clubhouse – the stadium’s kids area – was the most minimal we’ve seen, consisting of a small dugout structure with stairs and a short slide. It’s functional, but could use a bit more creativity to match the rest of the park’s energy.

Culture

Target Field keeps the energy high between innings with a variety of in-game entertainment, highlighted by a spirited mascot race featuring five characters – including fan favorite Bullseye the Target dog. The stadium’s mascot, TC the Bear, is a constant presence throughout the game, even stepping in to catch the ceremonial first pitch.

When Sarah visited in 2015, she and a coworker had a surprise encounter with Hall of Famer and Twins broadcaster Bert Blyleven on the escalator. Her friend couldn’t resist yelling, “Circle me, Bert!” – a nod to Blyleven’s iconic telestrator antics, where he’d circle enthusiastic fans on the broadcast. That tradition drew creative signs from the crowd, including one celebrating 48 years of marriage in hopes of getting “circled.” A former Twins pitcher and infamous prankster, Blyleven was nicknamed “The Frying Dutchman” for his love of the classic baseball prank: the “hot-foot,” which involved setting fire to teammates’ shoelaces. He retired from broadcasting in 2020, but his legacy – and sense of humor – still echo through the park.

The home run celebrations were fantastic! The Twins “Minnie and Paul” on the Minnesota state backdrop light up and “shake hands” over the flowing Mississippi River. The following are other flashing celebrations the Minnie and Paul sign did throughout the night:

• When the Twins scored a run by any means other than a home run, the strobe lights traced the border from the bottom-left corner for each Twins player that crosses home plate, symbolizing that a Twins player rounded the bases.
• For each strikeout, the corners of the sign flashed to portray the strike zone.
• The strobe lights flashed at the end of the top of an inning when the Twins did not surrender a run during the inning.
• After the Twins victory, the “T” and “s” in “Twins” blinked to show the message “Twins win” in addition to the Twins shaking hands over the river.
• And of course there’s the traditional fireworks!

From start to finish, the experience was welcoming and fun. Fans were incredibly friendly, offering tips on what to see and where to eat, and many stuck around well after the final out – creating a celebratory vibe that felt like a postseason win.

Summary & Scoring

Dates Visited: Wednesday, May 6, 2015 (Sarah) and Saturday, August 24, 2024 (Scott & Sarah)
Games Played: 2015: Twins 13, Athletics 0, WP Gibson – Rookie Rosario hit a HR in his first major league at-bat on the first pitch, and the Twins combined for 3 HR. Former Cardinal Shane Robinson (“Sugar Shane”) had a great diving catch to end the game. [Box Score]
2024: Twins 6, Cardinals 0. WP Lopez. Twins hit 3 HR including 2 by Trevor Larnach. [Box Score]
Both games combined: Twins won 19-0.
Design:  – Blends retro-modern architecture with thoughtful local elements like warm Minnesota limestone and a signature roof canopy soffit. Iconic features such as the Minnie and Paul flashing sign, the massive Golden Glove sculpture, Twins legends statues, and “The Wave” add visual interest. The right field skyline view of Minneapolis adds a scenic touch.
Location: – Nestled in the Warehouse District just west of downtown, offers easy access to restaurants, nightlife, and scenic walks along the Mississippi River.
Concessions: – Minnesota staples like Kramarczuk’s sausages, cheese curds, Red Cow burgers, and local beers and spirits. The 2024 lineup lacked the creativity and flair compared to the State Fair-style selections Sarah experienced in 2015 (like a brat-topped Bloody Mary). The banh mi brat was a standout.
Amenities: – Plenty of bars and social spaces, including heated areas and even the only bonfire in MLB. Drink destinations like Keeper’s Heart, Truly On Deck, and Delta SKY360° Suite. However, the kids’ zone (TC’s Clubhouse) is surprisingly minimal and could benefit from some attention.
Culture: – Twins fans were some of the friendliest we’ve encountered. In-game fun includes mascot races, fireworks, and the crowd-pleasing Minnie and Paul sign.
Overall: – With its modern design, unique local flair, and genuinely welcoming fan culture, Target Field is a must-visit for baseball lovers – especially in the summer when the weather and vibes are just right. We’d love to return for a future October showdown – maybe even a 1987 World Series rematch between the Twins and Cardinals.