Looking For Recommendations For Visiting Target Field / Twin Cities

[Sousy]

Hey all - I registered an account to ask a question of the community.  I'm planning on a trip to Target Field in the coming weeks, taking a 10 yo to his first game experience and actually (gulp) my first trip to Target Field.  (I did a mental recount about going to games - realized that the last games I've attended in person were at the Metrodome.  I guess now that youngest is in his 'baseball phase', this is much easier...)

What kinds of things are at / near Target Field this season that would be fun for kids and/or would be something of a memorable experience?

- Is it worth going into the stadium early?  Are there practices / players milling around before the game?  (Are there food / entertainment options worth checking out before gametime?)

- Are there any area baseball/Twins related experiences we should check out?  (Unique card shops, etc.?)

- It's a bit too early for hockey, but I thought a side trip to St. Paul might be interesting just for the outside of the stadium, a trip to the Saints Team Store (during the dates I'm looking at it also looks like the Saints are out of town), maybe a stop at Tom Reid's Hockey pub. Anything else worth checking out in St. Paul?

I'm also open to any suggestions of "you've gotta do ____", outside of taking kids to bars and/or brewpubs.  That's for a later trip...

[Seth Stohs]

18 minutes ago, Sousy said:

Hey all - I registered an account to ask a question of the community.  I'm planning on a trip to Target Field in the coming weeks, taking a 10 yo to his first game experience and actually (gulp) my first trip to Target Field.  (I did a mental recount about going to games - realized that the last games I've attended in person were at the Metrodome.  I guess now that youngest is in his 'baseball phase', this is much easier...)

What kinds of things are at / near Target Field this season that would be fun for kids and/or would be something of a memorable experience?

- Is it worth going into the stadium early?  Are there practices / players milling around before the game?  (Are there food / entertainment options worth checking out before gametime?)

- Are there any area baseball/Twins related experiences we should check out?  (Unique card shops, etc.?)

- It's a bit too early for hockey, but I thought a side trip to St. Paul might be interesting just for the outside of the stadium, a trip to the Saints Team Store (during the dates I'm looking at it also looks like the Saints are out of town), maybe a stop at Tom Reid's Hockey pub. Anything else worth checking out in St. Paul?

I'm also open to any suggestions of "you've gotta do ____", outside of taking kids to bars and/or brewpubs.  That's for a later trip...

Welcome! 

I know I'm not the best to answer this as I don't get to games or have a young'n anymore. I never really do anything around the ballpark, and I don't know that there really are for kids. Hopefully others here give you some ideas. 

For me, I like getting into the ballpark when it opens. I think there's a lot of fun stuff to see around the concourses and such. Usually the Twins batting practice is just finishing when gates open, but then you can watch the opponent take batting practice. If you're in left field, always the chance for a BP ball. 

[wsnydes]

21 minutes ago, Sousy said:

Hey all - I registered an account to ask a question of the community.  I'm planning on a trip to Target Field in the coming weeks, taking a 10 yo to his first game experience and actually (gulp) my first trip to Target Field.  (I did a mental recount about going to games - realized that the last games I've attended in person were at the Metrodome.  I guess now that youngest is in his 'baseball phase', this is much easier...)

What kinds of things are at / near Target Field this season that would be fun for kids and/or would be something of a memorable experience?

- Is it worth going into the stadium early?  Are there practices / players milling around before the game?  (Are there food / entertainment options worth checking out before gametime?)

- Are there any area baseball/Twins related experiences we should check out?  (Unique card shops, etc.?)

- It's a bit too early for hockey, but I thought a side trip to St. Paul might be interesting just for the outside of the stadium, a trip to the Saints Team Store (during the dates I'm looking at it also looks like the Saints are out of town), maybe a stop at Tom Reid's Hockey pub. Anything else worth checking out in St. Paul?

I'm also open to any suggestions of "you've gotta do ____", outside of taking kids to bars and/or brewpubs.  That's for a later trip...

Welcome to the site!

I'd definitely get to the ballpark early.  Unless it's a day game, the visiting team is usually on the field taking BP.  Take the opportunity look around TF, head up to Truly On Deck and check out all of the memorabilia up there.  The RF plaza usually has some kid friendly activities and games.  After the field has cleared and being prepped, players will come out of the dugout and start stretching and playing catch.  Kids will usually gather towards the end of the dugout to get autographs as players head back into the dugout before the game.

As for outside of the ballpark, I don't know of too many kid-centric things.  It's a lot of bars and restaurants.  That said, I don't have kids, so it's certainly possible that I'm simply not thinking of something.  

[Original_JB]

If you do go to Tom Reid's, order the poutine. Don't question it, don't think about it, just get it.

[Squirrel]

How far outside the park are you looking for things to do? In Minneapolis, there is the Mill City Museum ... however I think it may still be closed. But you can wander the ruins park and walk across the Stone Arch Bridge. There are a few easy trails on the other side along the river. There is also the St. Anthony Falls lock and dam ... I think there might be a visitor center there or a viewing deck. And I think they have paddle boat excursions that go down river and back. Maybe those leave from Boom Island? There is the Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center ... kids like the Cherry and Spoon sculpture. Or maybe rent a kayak or peddle boat at Lake Calhoun. I don't live in Minneapolis any more and it's been a while, so not sure what all is still around.

Not sure how long you will be in town and how far you want to venture, but these are some suggestions you can 'google' and see if it might be something you and your son would be interested in.

[Parker Hageman]

Quote

- Are there any area baseball/Twins related experiences we should check out?  (Unique card shops, etc.?)

If you are planning on going to the Mall of America, it's always neat to show kids the place where home plate for Met Stadium used to be. Then you can point way up to the wall across all the rides and see the seat Harmon Killebrew hit his home run into. That blew my daughter's mind when she was young. 

Squirrel nailed a lot of things to do around the town. I'll add going to Minnehaha Falls -- good trails to walk around there. 

[Squirrel]

14 minutes ago, Parker Hageman said:

If you are planning on going to the Mall of America, it's always neat to show kids the place where home plate for Met Stadium used to be. Then you can point way up to the wall across all the rides and see the seat Harmon Killebrew hit his home run into. That blew my daughter's mind when she was young. 

Squirrel nailed a lot of things to do around the town. I'll add going to Minnehaha Falls -- good trails to walk around there. 

Ooou ... surprised I missed both of those ... yeah ... Minnehaha Falls is always a favorite spot of mine and one I stop at whenever I'm in town, because, it's a favorite spot. The Great Mall ... nieces and nephews always liked the activities there ... the rides. Is it the Log Ride that goes past the Killebrew homerun seats? Moved before they added the aquarium.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

10 hours ago, Sousy said:

Hey all - I registered an account to ask a question of the community.  I'm planning on a trip to Target Field in the coming weeks, taking a 10 yo to his first game experience and actually (gulp) my first trip to Target Field.  (I did a mental recount about going to games - realized that the last games I've attended in person were at the Metrodome.  I guess now that youngest is in his 'baseball phase', this is much easier...)

What kinds of things are at / near Target Field this season that would be fun for kids and/or would be something of a memorable experience?

- Is it worth going into the stadium early?  Are there practices / players milling around before the game?  (Are there food / entertainment options worth checking out before gametime?)

- Are there any area baseball/Twins related experiences we should check out?  (Unique card shops, etc.?)

- It's a bit too early for hockey, but I thought a side trip to St. Paul might be interesting just for the outside of the stadium, a trip to the Saints Team Store (during the dates I'm looking at it also looks like the Saints are out of town), maybe a stop at Tom Reid's Hockey pub. Anything else worth checking out in St. Paul?

I'm also open to any suggestions of "you've gotta do ____", outside of taking kids to bars and/or brewpubs.  That's for a later trip...

Welcome!

Minneapolis- Mill Ruins Park and the Mill City Museum are fun as are the chain of lakes. if going to Minnehaha, eat at Sea Salt. Stop in for a while in Dinkytown. Even if school is out, the University of MN is beautiful, and the restaurants at Stadium village are great. My fav Afrodeli it’s Halal and approachable African food. There’s also 9+ miles of skyway, it’s not what it used to be with COVID and all, but still pretty cool.

in St. Paul, the Cathedral and capital are great. Up “Cathedral Hill” is Summit avenue and the Governors Mansion. Grand Avenue has great food and Grand Ole Creamery.

[Sousy]

Noting that to go along with recommendations here, the /r/minnesotatwins subreddit also put together something of a visitor's guide:

https://www.reddit.com/r/minnesotatwins/wiki/visiting

[Squirrel]

15 minutes ago, Sousy said:

Noting that to go along with recommendations here, the /r/minnesotatwins subreddit also put together something of a visitor's guide:

https://www.reddit.com/r/minnesotatwins/wiki/visiting

Good list ... forgot about Como Park Zoo and Conservatory! I love the Conservatory, especially in winter!  

[RpR]

On 8/10/2021 at 9:12 PM, Squirrel said:

Good list ... forgot about Como Park Zoo and Conservatory! I love the Conservatory, especially in winter!  

You could take your child to Betty Danger's Country Club up where Lowry hits Marshall.

They have a Ferris Wheel and Mini-golf.

Hours vary depending on day of week.

[strumdatjag]

Cosetta’s in St Paul is quick and good Italian place for short attention spans. Adventurous but fun eaters would go for Ethiopian food (Agelgil near Airport is my fave).   Unless you hate the taste of sourdough bread, you’ll like it.  If you haven’t tried it, you won’t forget it. The most famous local food invention is the Jucy Lucy Burger (Matt’s Bar and the more fun 5-8 Club, nice outdoor area, fight over who created it).  
Minnesota Game Fair is this upcoming weekend in the City of Ramsey, if you want to see the 2nd Amendment crowd and other outdoors types have fun -  Lots of dogs, people carrying guns and outdoors activities and you’ll feel less danger than walking near Target Field.   Canterbury Park - our race track in Shakopee - is also very fun, even if they closed the giant playground. Also fun in Shakopee is Valley Fair Amusement Park (pretty nice water park area In addition to cool rides).  Avoid the museums - the kid is #}^* ten years old.   

[strumdatjag]

On 8/10/2021 at 9:12 PM, Squirrel said:

Good list ... forgot about Como Park Zoo and Conservatory! I love the Conservatory, especially in winter!  

Como Park Zoo also has a small amusement park next door - the kid can laugh as you turn green on the Tilt-a-hurl.