Target Center: Guide for Visiting Fans

Target Center is easy to access from several Metro Transit bus lines or the Blue and Green Metro Transit light rail lines serving downtown Minneapolis. The stop you want is Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue Station — both light rail lines serve it, and it's an easy walk to Target Center from there. From MSP Airport, the Blue Line can take you to the Warehouse District in about 25 minutes. Metro Transit runs a train from Terminal 1 Station to Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue Station every 15 minutes, with tickets running $3–4. That's about as painless as airport-to-arena travel gets in any American city.

If you're driving, the arena is about 9 miles from MSP — approximately 16 minutes without traffic , though Minneapolis rush hour on I-35W is its own special adventure. From the north, take I-35W South to the Washington Ave. exit, then turn right on Washington Ave. For rideshare, Uber and Lyft drop you on 1st Avenue directly outside the main entrance, though post-game surge will make you wince. The light rail is the smarter call.

There are nearly 25,000 parking spaces in 38 parking lots and ramps throughout downtown, with most providing a short walk or convenient bus and light rail connections to Target Center. That sounds great until you realize everyone else is circling the same blocks. For the closest options, Ramp A is one of the most popular spots for visitors — located just a short walk from the arena, well-lit, and it connects directly to the skyway system, which matters when it's February in Minneapolis. Pricing runs approximately $30 for events. Ramp B is slightly larger with similar skyway access and comes in around $28. Ramp C is a bit further but often less crowded, at around $25.

Pre-booking via SpotHero is the smart move if you insist on driving. The lots connected to the skyway — Ramps A and B specifically — are worth the premium in winter because Target Center is connected by skyway to several downtown properties, and the skyway system lets guests access hotels and restaurants without going outside. Show up 45+ minutes early if you want one of those.

The Warehouse District and North Loop are the obvious choices and for good reason — you're within a 10-minute walk of the arena, and both neighborhoods have actual character rather than just highway-adjacent chain hotels. The North Loop in particular has become one of Minneapolis's most desirable areas. Target Center occupies a site in downtown Minneapolis's Warehouse District, a historic industrial area repurposed into a hub of entertainment, dining, and nightlife, amid a dense mix of commercial buildings, hotels, and pedestrian-oriented streets.

Hotels in the Warehouse District itself will run $150–250/night on game nights, but you'll walk to the arena without a second thought. If you want a step up, the Hewing Hotel (North Loop, converted 19th-century warehouse, great rooftop bar) is the locals' pick for a reason. Budget travelers should look one ring further out — downtown adjacent neighborhoods like Elliot Park offer cheaper chain options with easy light rail access, though you'll feel the trade-off immediately.

Gluek's Restaurant & Bar (16 N. 6th St.) is kitty-corner from Target Center, offering a classic German pub atmosphere with its own beer on tap and a wide range of food options. This is your best bet for a proper pre-game beer without any attitude — a genuine old Minneapolis institution, not a pop-up sports concept, and a solid spot for away fans to quietly enjoy a Märzen before the tip.

Tom's Watch Bar (609 Hennepin Ave.) is considered the "Timberwolves Watch Headquarters" — only a short walk from the arena and featuring an endless amount of TVs, with an American-style menu of burgers, nachos, and more. Great for pre-game, manageable chaos post-game.

Kieran's Irish Pub (85 N. 6th St.) is directly across the street from Target Center, offering a wide range of Irish whiskeys, beers on tap, and traditional Irish food — a convenient and reliably good spot for a post-game pint regardless of the result.

Parlour, downstairs from the much-awarded Borough, is one of the city's top cocktail bars — and "The Burger" (ground chuck, ribeye, and brisket, white American cheese, and an egg bun) has caused virtually every local food critic to use uncharacteristic superlatives. Worth the 10-minute walk into North Loop if you want dinner over drinks.

Target Center has a stricter bag policy than most arenas, and it will catch you off guard if you don't plan ahead. Permitted bags are no larger than 5" x 9"; diaper bags and medical bags are also permitted, subject to search upon entry. Here's the kicker: Target Center does not provide bag check services, so if you arrive with a prohibited bag, you'll need to make alternate arrangements off-site. The policy is also notably counterintuitive — backpacks, large purses, and even clear bags are all prohibited. A small structured clutch or slim crossbody that physically cannot exceed 5"x9" is your safest call.

Doors to Target Center typically open between 90 minutes to 2 hours before event time. The Main Skyway entrance is open for all guests with tickets, and depending on the show, the South Skyway entrance may also open. For an NBA game, entering via the skyway is the move — it's heated, efficient, and connects from multiple nearby ramps. Also note: if you exit the building, re-entry will not be allowed for any reason.

Target Center has elevators, accessible seating, and a designated ADA drop-off lane on 1st Avenue, with wheelchair assistance available upon request. ADA seating is distributed across multiple levels of the arena, including the lower bowl and club levels. A sensory-friendly room is available during all events — to access it, visit the Guest Services Office outside of section 116 on the 100-level concourse. The room is outfitted with bean bags, visual light panels, activity panels, bubble walls, and a custom tactile artwork created by an autistic artist, and sensory bags are also available.

The METRO Blue and Green lines that serve the Warehouse District station are fully accessible. All stations and trains feature level boarding and space for wheelchair users, as well as dedicated seating for seniors and people with mobility issues, and stations feature gentle ramps and are fully ADA-accessible.

There is no formal designated away-fan section at Target Center — this is the NBA, not the Premier League. Away fans tend to cluster naturally in the upper deck (sections 200–230), where tickets are cheapest and you're less likely to be surrounded by passionate Wolves faithful. The upper bowl is genuinely close to the action for an NBA arena — the 2017 renovation reconfigured sightlines throughout, and there's no truly bad upper-deck angle.

If you want to be closer and have the budget, the corners of the lower bowl (sections around 101–104 and 118–121) offer good angles for a fraction of the floor-adjacent prices. Avoid sitting directly behind either basket if you want to watch the full-court game unfold. The center-court sections on both sides of the 100 and 200 levels are the premium experience, and mid-range prices for those sections are reasonable compared to other NBA arenas.

For the past five seasons, Chef Fhima and Levy Restaurants have pioneered a chef-driven concession experience, working with area BIPOC chefs and vendors and sourcing local ingredients to serve restaurant-quality food and beverage offerings. All concessions are cashless, with stands taking Apple Pay and Google Pay — leave the cash in your pocket. Budget roughly $14–16 for a domestic beer and $12–16 for a meal item, consistent with NBA arena pricing, but the quality here genuinely punches above typical stadium fare.

Target Center's crowd is enthusiastic but not hostile — Minneapolis is a polite Midwestern city and that extends to its basketball fans. You can wear opposing team gear without much grief, though a packed house during a playoff run will let you know how they feel. One thing you notice quickly: the arena's fixed-roof design and relatively compact seating bowl makes the noise build fast when the Wolves go on a run. The renovated scoreboard and sound system are genuinely impressive, and the building rocks in a way that catches away fans off guard if they're expecting a sleepy NBA atmosphere. The connection to First Avenue — literally across the street — means the whole block has an energy on game nights that goes beyond just basketball.

Light rail is the cleanest exit. Exit the train at Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue Station to get in, and reverse it to get out. Metro Transit runs additional service after events — trains run frequently post-game, and you'll typically board within 10–15 minutes of reaching the platform. Wait 5–10 minutes after the final buzzer to let the first wave hit the escalators, then walk straight to the station. You'll be moving before drivers have even cleared the ramp.

Driving: Ramp A exits onto 7th Street, which can gridlock quickly. Ramp B onto 2nd Ave. N. is slightly faster to clear. Realistic expectation: 20–35 minutes to reach a moving road if you leave immediately after the final horn. If you wait 25 minutes inside — grab a last beer, let the arena empty — you can be out in under 15 minutes. The tunnel exit pattern at Ramp A favors eastbound traffic, so if you're headed back toward I-35W, Ramp B is the smarter exit.

Rideshare: Surge pricing kicks in within 90 seconds of the final buzzer. Walk two to three blocks east toward the Nicollet Mall corridor before opening the app — you'll get a shorter wait, a calmer pickup zone, and likely a lower price. Allow 15 minutes of walking time to earn yourself a 30–50% lower fare. The opinionated tip: if it's above freezing, walk to the Nicollet Mall rideshare zone. If it's February, take the train.

What's the closest light rail station to Target Center?

Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue Station — both the METRO Blue and Green Lines serve it, and it's an easy walk to Target Center from there.

How do I get to Target Center from MSP Airport?

Take the METRO Blue Line direct from Terminal 1 Station to Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue Station — trains run every 15 minutes and the trip takes about 26 minutes.

What bags are allowed at Target Center?

Permitted items include bags no larger than 5" x 9", diaper bags, and medical bags (subject to search upon entry). Backpacks, large purses, and even clear bags are prohibited. There is no bag check on-site.

Is Target Center cashless?

All concessions, ticketing, and merchandise stands are cashless. Concession stands accept Apple Pay and Google Pay.

How much does parking cost near Target Center? Ramp A runs approximately $30, Ramp B around $28, and Ramp C around $25 for events. Pre-booking via SpotHero can sometimes save you a few dollars and guarantees a spot.

When do gates open for Timberwolves games?

Doors to Target Center typically open between 90 minutes to 2 hours before event time. Plan to arrive closer to the 90-minute mark to grab a drink and find your seat without rushing.

What are the best seats for away fans? Upper deck sections 200–230 are the path of least resistance for visiting fans. For lower bowl access at value prices, aim for corners in the 101–104 or 118–121 range.

Is there a sensory room at Target Center?

Yes — a sensory-friendly room is available during all events, accessible via the Guest Services Office outside section 116 on the 100-level concourse.