On Target

Official Review by Paul Swaney, Stadium Journey Co-Founder

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There’s something intoxicating about being in a new stadium. When that intoxication is augmented with the first fresh air baseball oxygen in 27 years, then you can’t help but feel good.

Twins fans have been anticipating a new outdoor stadium ever since the team moved from Metropolitan Stadium to the Metrodome in 1982. Although there had been a good deal of success in the dome (World Series victories in 1987 and 1991), the smiles on the faces of fans in the opening series against Boston made it evident that this is exactly the way it should be.

Food & Beverage   5/5

Walleye on a spike, BBQ Turkey drumstick, cheese curds, and at least 7 varieties of encased meats (hot dogs and the like) make the possibilities seem endless. I would think it would take a season ticket holder all 81 home games to get through the multiple options. What a great task that would be!

For drinks, you’ll find Pepsi products and a decent selection of local beers at any of the Minnesota Brews stands around the stadium. Keep it local with a Summit Ale, and some walleye on a spike. Or if you need more red meat in your diet, then try a Murray’s steak sandwich. You also can’t go wrong with any of the dogs they offer.

Atmosphere   5/5

A new stadium can be short on historic feel, but the Twins do a good job of honoring their legends of the past in several ways; statues, gates numbered after their best players, as well as food stands themed after memorable Twins.

The energy of the new park can be felt from blocks away and that will translate into a nice home field advantage this inaugural season.

Sightlines are great whether you’re in your seat or standing from any vantage point throughout. The Twins were wise in finding plenty of open spaces for walkers to stop and watch the action from a new perspective. A fan with a standing room only ticket would have no problem seeing every pitch of a game.

There’s plenty of leg room, and seats are comfortable. Even the bleacher seats are equipped with a back to keep fans happy (especially this fan). I am also appreciative of how a fan can walk right up and peer into the stadium from the Kirby Puckett gate (Gate 34), similar to PETCO Park in San Diego- a very fan-friendly touch.

Neighborhood   4/5

There are plenty of options near Target Field to enjoy, whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, or late night dancing, you’ll find it. Downtown Minneapolis is great, and if the weather happens to be cold you can always get from place to place via the Skyway, a network of pedestrian walkways between buildings.

During my visit, we tried Peter’s for breakfast, an old-time diner that is the oldest restaurant in Minneapolis, and proudly displays on every menu, the personalized note that Bill Clinton left during a visit. I found it to be average, and a little over-priced for a breakfast diner. Also, they don’t put cheese in your Denver omelette. Is it just me, or is that a given?

For lunch or dinner, I would highly recommend Ike’s. They have amazing burgers. I tried the roadside burger and it was definitely the best thing I ate during the trip. They also have a decent beer selection, and just has a good vibe. My friend had the Bloody Mary, which he described as “eh”.

Kieran’s is a giant Irish-style pub just across the street from the Target Center, and about a block from Target Field. They have 15 beers on tap, decent food, and dart boards available. There is also outdoor seating. It’s a good place to pop in for a pre or post game beer.

My favorite bar in the neighborhood was O’Donovan’s. It’s a bit further from the ballpark than Kieran’s, which to me was a good thing. Great beer selection, decent bloody Mary’s, and a bartender with an Irish accent. Given a choice between O’Donovan’s and Kieran’s, this would be my choice.

Finally, one bar I would recommend against is Gluek’s. The place just stunk like a bathroom, and didn’t offer anything worthwhile, other than the heads of animals on the walls if that’s what you’re looking for in a bar.

Besides that, there is ample shopping nearby and a movie theatre if you have a rainy day and want to pass a couple of hours.

Fans   4/5

Twins fans just seem to be happy. Happy to be living in a great city, happy to be cheering on a fun team, and happy most of all to be outdoors again for baseball. Everything still has that new car smell, and walking around the stadium you can’t help but smile yourself.

I was pleased to be surrounded in the bleachers by at least three people who were keeping score, a good sign that there is some strong baseball acumen at work. It will be interesting to see if the Twins have a great home field advantage with the new park, and the fans filling the joint all season long.

Access   4/5

There is plenty of parking near the stadium with prices ranging from $8-17 based on proximity. I was staying at the nearby Minneapolis Hotel, and was able to park my car there and walk to the stadium.

There are great opportunities to arrive right outside of the stadium by train with a Target Field station on the light rail system.

Once inside the stadium, the concourses can be a little tight, especially with the huge influx of people taking it all in for the first time, and there was at least one occasion where I waited in line for ten minutes to use the restroom. Concession lines can also be a bit long, so its worth it to anticipate the final out of an inning and make a quick break to the exit.

Return on Investment   5/5

A $25 ticket in the outfield was purchased for $40 on Stub Hub, and although its not my preferred seating location, it was well worth the price to get inside the new stadium during the opening series. Food prices are a bit high, but the options are better than you would expect. Souvenir stands offered affordable shirts and other mementos for fans to take home.

I would have easily paid more, and definitely feel like I got my money’s worth.

Extras   5/5

Overall, I would highly suggest getting out to Target Field to see the new place in this inaugural season. I give extra points for the statues honoring greats like Puckett, Carew, and Killebrew. I also love the fact that you can walk up and peer into the stadium even without a ticket. The neighborhood is fun, and the food inside and out is outstanding. There are few things that blew me away about the experience, but there was nothing that made me feel like they had made a terrible mistake. Go see Target Field!

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