RealGM

Hi everyone. I come in peace! So I'm driving down for the Twolves/Celtics game this Friday. Just wanted to ask a few questions regarding the Target Center.

1) Where's the best place to park? I thought about taking the train, but I'm going to the game with my gf, my parents, and my 7 month old daughter. I didn't want to bother anyone on the train to/from the game just in case my daughter gets fussy. Where's the best place to park around Target Center? How much will it cost me?

2) How's the traffic to and from the game? Does it disperse quickly?

3) What time does Target Center open before games? I wouldn't mind getting there early to watch players shooting around if possible. Also, do players make themselves accessible for autographs/pics?

4) Will it be safe for my family to wear Celtics jerseys? Again, I'm travelling with my mom and dad (67 and 69 years old respectively), as well as my gf and baby daughter. Are we going to catch some flack?

5) Best food to eat at the Target Center? Which concession stand do I have to make it a priority to visit during the game?

Anyways, thanks in advance for your help. Really looking forward to Friday's game, but pretty bummed out that I won't get to see Rubio live. (I'll probably hit up a game next year for that.)

1. There are parking ramps near by. about $10-$12 or so. You will see them. I prefer the lightrail.

Sorry for the rant, but it is a pet peeve of mine to see children that little at games. It gets pretty loud in there, and I can't imagine that it is a pleasant experience for them, and more times than not, it is an unpleasant experience for everyone around you. Last game I had a mom spill her drink on me while trying to juggle her baby. I was pretty pissed.

2. Last time I parked in a ramp, it took about 35 minutes just to get out of the ramp.

3. I have been there like an hour before tipoff. Don't expect autographs.

4. No. No one will care.

5. All the food is mediocre. Find somewhere to eat before.

1. Depends on where you're coming from and going to after the game, and how far you're willing to walk (and maybe where you're eating if it's before hand). There are 3 ramps (A, B, and C are their names) nearby and each has a different angle that you can use depending on your plans.

2. Like Funk said, plan on a half-hour from the ramps if you stay to the end and try to leave with the crowd. There are ways to avoid it altogether if you plan your trip accordingly. If River Road will get you to where you're staying and you don't mind driving 25, you can park in Ramp C and get out a half-mile from River Road with no traffic to fight.

3. I believe they open doors at 5 for 7 pm tip-offs.

4. You'll be fine. If it's a KG jersey, people will just assume you're a Minnesotan.

5. Food in the Target Center is lousy for the most part. You might find a shredded pork sandwich or something at a tiny kiosk instead of the concession stands, but it's all pretty bad. There are a handful of pretty good restaurants not far (Pizza Luce is my usual choice).

If you know which neighborhood or area you're coming from and going back to, there's probably a pretty easy route you can take.

funkatron101 wrote:1. There are parking ramps near by. about $10-$12 or so. You will see them. I prefer the lightrail.

Sorry for the rant, but it is a pet peeve of mine to see children that little at games. It gets pretty loud in there, and I can't imagine that it is a pleasant experience for them, and more times than not, it is an unpleasant experience for everyone around you. Last game I had a mom spill her drink on me while trying to juggle her baby. I was pretty pissed.

2. Last time I parked in a ramp, it took about 35 minutes just to get out of the ramp.

3. I have been there like an hour before tipoff. Don't expect autographs.

4. No. No one will care.

5. All the food is mediocre. Find somewhere to eat before.

Nothing worse than parents dragging younger children to games when they're obviously not interested in the game. I've sat by parents that have changed diapers from the seat all the way to breast feeding. Ugh.

Are you getting a hotel in the city? You can always try and find a hotel that's walking distance from the target center.

If you park in the Macy's Park& Shop lot it's only $5. It's only a block or two away and will save you 20 minutes getting in and out.

Parking: http://www.parkmpls.com/timberwolves.html

When I'm in town I like to eat/drink at the Depot before games, which is just kitty corner from the target Center. The food inside the Target Center is horrendous.

Food: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-depot-tavern-minneapolis

Target Center doesn't get too loud, but might be a good idea to bring some ear muffs for the baby. When I was a kid my dad took me to Monster Truck rallies and boy did that make me wail.

Thanks for all the advice!

And yes, I understand everyone's concerns regarding small children going to the game. However, it was either bring my daughter to the game, or leave her and my girlfriend back at the hotel. The latter wasn't going to work. Besides, if my daughter gets too fussy, my girlfriend plans on just hanging out in the concourse with her. Won't be a problem. I made sure to get aisle seats for them too.

The J Rocka wrote:Nothing worse than parents dragging younger children to games when they're obviously not interested in the game. I've sat by parents that have changed diapers from the seat all the way to breast feeding. Ugh.

More than anything, every time I see a little kid at a game, I am reminded of the 2 year old who died at the Lakers game.

I am a father of a 2 1/2 year old girl. I won't even think about bringing her until she is of an age where she can sit still for 2 quarters, and actually enjoy it.

We park in ramp A which we access off of 7th Street - we take Interstate 94 from the suburbs. Cost is $10, you can get to the skyway by exiting on level 3 off the elevator near spaces N22 - N38 (noted on pillars) on levels 5 & 7 and S22 - S38 on levels 4 & 6. By parking that close to the elevator / skyway, you can leave your coats in the car - giving you less bulk in the arena. Other than the 100 feet or so from car to elevator lobby, you are not outside at all. You will have to walk maybe 3 blocks inside of the skyway to get to Target Center. If you park by the other elevators, you usually have to go to street level and walk a few blocks to get around to the front of the arena to enter. If you walk through the skyway, you get a nice view of Target Field also - if you haven't seen it yet.

We usually eat at one of the grills inside the arena, the Mexican place near section 133 looks good, but have never tried it - not a Mexican food fan. If you get there early enough, there is a restaurant within Target Center not too far from the ticketing area.

Enjoy the game - people wear jerseys from other teams all the time - maybe some ribbing if we start to beat the Celtics, but there never seems to be any problems.

I park in ramp C if I don't take the train. You have to walk like an extra two blocks but it's easy in and out off of 94 with less concerns for traffic. I have a 19 month old and would never in a million years take her to more than a high school game. I wish you luck.

Shouldn't have any problems with wearing the Celtics jersey. Only issues is if you're a Lakers/heat d-bag.

Food at Target Center is terrible.

john2jer wrote:I park in ramp C if I don't take the train. You have to walk like an extra two blocks but it's easy in and out off of 94 with less concerns for traffic. I have a 19 month old and would never in a million years take her to more than a high school game. I wish you luck.

Shouldn't have any problems with wearing the Celtics jersey. Only issues is if you're a Lakers/heat d-bag.

Even still, we are entirely too nice to call them out on their douche baggery. We just think about decking them.

4. You'll be safe from the fans.... not from Pekovic! Watch your back!

5. Like everyone else said, food at TC sucks. Hit up The Depot which is across the street & has really good apps.

are you guys saying the concessions are no good or the restaurant?
you guys are kinda ruthless when it comes to small children ha

ha! I got props from all the people in my section on my then 7month old. I think he's mostly just facinated with the shoe squeek noise and watching the ball when its passed a lot, but he quietly sat and watched the whole game, only noises he made was yelling when the crowd cheered.

and yeah, eat someplace else, ton of great food in the cities, no sense in wasting time and tastebuds on TC crap.

I have season tickets, and I refuse to eat Target Center. Overpriced and not good. There a lot of good places to eat downtown. Huberts is right inside the target center and they have some good food. You'd want to get there early though. Don't worry about the Celtics jersey either, there A LOT of bandwagoners, and KG lovers still here. Enjoy Vanilla Ice at Halftime.

Enjoy Vanilla Ice at Halftime

BONUS!!

Why don't you season ticket holders complain more about the food?? Seems like it couldn't be too hard to improve the situaish.

Krapinsky wrote:Why don't you season ticket holders complain more about the food?? Seems like it couldn't be too hard to improve the situaish.

Well even if I complained about improving food, there is no way they decrease the prices. They will more likely increase with more quality. Mini donuts are 5 bucks, water is 4, I think hot dogs are 6$ or more. I refuse to pay that much even if those foods were good, I love the donuts though.So I would much rather go eat before or after the game, which I usually do.

Krapinsky wrote:Why don't you season ticket holders complain more about the food?? Seems like it couldn't be too hard to improve the situaish.

People still buy even though it's garbage. I'm sure they'll make changes to the food once that renovation plan kicks in like they did for the Twins. It shouldn't matter but that's my guess to why we haven't seen improvements.

Mattya wrote:

Krapinsky wrote:Why don't you season ticket holders complain more about the food?? Seems like it couldn't be too hard to improve the situaish.

Well even if I complained about improving food, there is no way they decrease the prices. They will more likely increase with more quality. Mini donuts are 5 bucks, water is 4, I think hot dogs are 6$ or more. I refuse to pay that much even if those foods were good, I love the donuts though.So I would much rather go eat before or after the game, which I usually do.

Do you eat at Target Field? Or refuse to spend the money there to?