Where to stay in Minneapolis
Picking the right place to stay for your visit to Target Field can make all the difference for your trip. But should you opt for a hotel near the ballpark, in another part of town, or perhaps close to other attractions in the Twin Cities? The answer depends on your preferences when exploring the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
In this chapter, we’ll look at several lodging options and areas to help you make the best decision.
Where Target Field is located
Target Field is located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, making it incredibly convenient for a baseball visit to the city. There’s no shortage of places to stay, and downtown Minneapolis is also where you’ll find a host of things to do, including the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Walker Art Center, and the Mississippi River waterfront, not to mention the home stadiums for the Timberwolves, Linx, and Vikings.
Deciding where to stay for a Target Field visit
Let’s uncover some of the best and most convenient areas for you to stay in, as well as hotel options to help you make an informed decision, based on what you are looking to get out of your visit to Target Field. Below is a map of the areas we’d suggest, with details and hotel suggestions to follow.
The best choice: Downtown Minneapolis
This is unquestionably the most obvious choice for your visit. It has the most hotels, almost all of them are within walking distance to the ballpark, there are things to do/see/eat, and it’s just easy. The closer you are to the ballpark, the faster your walk will be, but seriously … Minneapolis is pretty safe, so walking an extra 10 minutes to a hotel a little further away shouldn’t be a problem as long as you’re up for it. And if walking is a challenge, then pick a hotel that is along the light rail line, because it literally stops outside of the gates to Target Field. So even if you just want to take it for two or three quick stops if you’d prefer not to walk, it’s an easy option (and only costs $.50 within the downtown zone).
Downtown Minneapolis Hotel Summary
| Hotel | Walking Distance | Walking Time | Safe Walk | Breakfast Included | Amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Element Minneapolis Downtown | 0.1 miles | 3 minutes | Yes | Yes | Gym |
| Loews Minneapolis | 0.3 miles | 4 minutes | Yes | No | Gym |
| Hampton Inn Minneapolis Downtown | 0.3 miles | 5 minutes | Yes | Yes | Gym |
| Hewing Hotel | 0.3 miles | 6 minutes | Yes | No | Gym, pool, rooftop |
| Embassy Suites Downtown | 0.3 miles | 6 minutes | Yes | Yes | Gym, pool |
| AC Hotel Minneapolis Downtown | 0.3 miles | 7 minutes | Yes | No | Gym |
The absolute closest hotel to Target Field: Element Minneapolis Downtown (Marriott)
This is literally a block and a half from Gate 6 of Target Field, which enters through left field. That’s a three minute walk, even if you stroll at a leisurely pace.
Not only is Element just steps away from Target Field, but it is also closest to the hip area of the North Loop. Within a 5 to 10-minute walk, you can explore several breweries, cideries, and restaurants, which are all frequented far more by locals than tourists, so you’ll get a much more local flair. The rooms have modern, clean finishes—and breakfast is included. It’s a really solid hotel and couldn’t be more convenient. If you can get a good rate here, we highly recommend it.
Note: we haven’t identified the North Loop as a neighborhood to stay in simply because there aren’t many hotels there. The Element is right next door to Target Field, but other than that, the only other hotel in the North Loop is the TownePlace Suites by Marriott, which is about a 10 minute walk. It’s a completely fine option as well. Beyond those two hotels, the rest of our downtown choices will be in what is technically known as “downtown Minneapolis.”
The almost closest hotel to Target Field: Loews Minneapolis
You could argue that the Loews is just as close to Target Field as the Element, but on the other side of the stadium.
Located about two blocks from Gate 34 (right field entrance) of Target Field, the Loews Minneapolis Downtown provides excellent views of the city skyline. Kieran’s Irish Pub is located right below the hotel, which is one of the most popular pre-game scenes. Additionally, being situated in downtown Minneapolis means that guests of Loews have endless options for dining, entertainment, shopping, live music, and theater.
Beyond the ballpark: Where else to stay for a visit to Target Field
Staying near Target Field in downtown Minneapolis provides convenient access to the ballpark, but there are other lodging options in the greater Twin Cities area. Whether you prefer a quieter neighborhood, or just want to explore other parts of the Twin Cities, here are some other areas you can consider for your stay, each of which is on the light rail system that will connect you to downtown and Target Field.
University of Minnesota Campus
University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
If you are looking to avoid navigating downtown, this is a nice alternative located on the Green Line of the light rail, just six stops away (roughly 5-10 minutes) from Target Field. There are plenty of walkable shops, bars, and restaurants in the area as well as entertainment venues (comedy, concerts, U of Minnesota sports, etc).
TSI PICK: The Graduate Hotel on the University of Minnesota campus is a fantastic option with comfortable rooms and a lively atmosphere. It’s just steps away from the light rail, and a quick 5-10 minute ride will take you to the doorstep of Target Field.
St. Paul
Saint Paul sign
St. Paul is a fine place to stay, as the city center is located just 10 miles east of downtown Minneapolis. However, it will take about 45 minutes on the light rail, and 20 minutes by car (without traffic) to get to Target Field, and that’s just longer than we think you should be traveling if the main purpose of your visit is baseball. But if you’ve got a specific reason for wanting to stay here, it’s a perfectly fine choice.
TSI PICK: The Hyatt Place in downtown St. Paul is a good option near a light rail stop, and includes free breakfast.
Mall of America
Indoor Amusement Park at the Mall of America
Located in the suburb of Bloomington, right beside the Minneapolis Airport, the Mall of America (MOA) has been a major tourist destination since it opened in 1992. It’s the largest shopping mall in the US (and, seriously… it’s almost twice as big as the next biggest mall!), with over 500 stores, a plethora of restaurants, and its own amusement park. There’s no sales tax on clothing in Minnesota, which is just another reason that people have been flocking to it for decades. While it may not be convenient to the ballpark, it’s certainly convenient to the airport, so if you don’t mind the commute back and forth to Target Field (45 minutes by light rail, 25 minutes by car), then it’s a completely fine option (and, depending on prices downtown, you may find more hotel bargains near the Mall). There are countless hotels in the MOA area, but try to pick one that is either attached to the mall or offers a free shuttle bus.
TSI PICK: The Radisson Blu, conveniently attached to the mall, offers attractive deals from time to time.
Bottom Line
Our lodging advice to those visiting Target Field is:
- For the most convenient experience, we highly recommend staying close to Target Field in downtown Minneapolis. This is the way to go if your main priority is seeing baseball at Target Field. Downtown is safe, convenient, and offers plenty to do.
- The University of Minnesota campus (and nearby area) is a great alternative to downtown Minneapolis. You’re just a 5-10 minute ride on the light rail to Target Field, conveniently close to the ballpark without having to navigate the busyness of downtown Minneapolis.
- If downtown Minneapolis and the UM Campus aren’t for you, stay at a hotel along the light rail line. Both St. Paul and the Mall of America are accessible via the light rail, and both have plenty of hotel options. Just be aware that traveling from either may take longer than you think, depending on where you’re staying.
