Getting There · Target Center · Minneapolis
Getting to Target Center — Transit, Rideshare & Walking Routes
Getting to Target Center without the parking-lot headache is usually faster and cheaper than driving — especially on Minnesota Timberwolves game nights and major concerts, when the roads around Downtown West (Warehouse District), Minneapolis fill long before doors. Even at a compact venue holding 18,978, the streets around Downtown West (Warehouse District), Minneapolis tighten up fast during the pre-game window. This guide covers the transit lines that drop you closest to the arena, the rideshare zones, walking routes from Downtown West (Warehouse District), and what to know about late-night service after the final whistle.
About Target Center
Home of the minnesota timberwolves and minnesota lynx. the arena has hosted events at this site since 1990. located at 600 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403.
Transit Routes to Target Center
Served by the Metro Transit light rail at Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue station steps from the arena. The Downtown West (Warehouse District), Minneapolis location means multiple transit connections are available within a short walk, giving you backup options if one line is delayed. Plan to step off at the nearest stop 30-45 minutes before doors. Transit is also the quickest post-event exit from Target Center — you are moving while the parking lots around Downtown West (Warehouse District), Minneapolis are still emptying.
Rideshare Drop-Off at Target Center
Uber and Lyft both serve Target Center. On busy nights the apps route you to a designated drop-off zone near the arena rather than the front gates, keeping traffic and pedestrians separated. Surge pricing is usually shorter-lived at smaller venues. Still, walking a block or two from Target Center before requesting your ride home keeps the wait time down.
Walking to Target Center from Downtown West (Warehouse District)
Target Center is located at 600 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403, in the Downtown West (Warehouse District) area of Minneapolis. The central location makes Target Center walkable from many Minneapolis hotels, restaurants, and transit hubs. Fans staying in the Downtown West (Warehouse District) area can often walk to the arena in under 15 minutes, which is frequently faster than driving and parking on event nights. Walking in from a few blocks away also sidesteps the worst of the event-night traffic and is often the single fastest way to leave once the show ends. The walk to Target Center is mostly outdoors before you reach the arena entrance, so check the forecast for evening events.
When to Arrive at Target Center
Target Center holds 18,978 for a typical event configuration. A compact venue like Target Center means shorter entry lines, but you should still plan to arrive 30-45 minutes before doors on event nights. When the Minnesota Timberwolves have a sold-out crowd, add another 15-20 minutes to your buffer. The smaller footprint means you can get from the gate to your seat quickly once you are inside.
Late-Night Exit from Target Center
If you took transit to Target Center, your post-event exit plan hinges on the last departure from the nearest stop. Before the event, look up the schedule for the specific line referenced in the transit section above — (Served by the Metro Transit light rail at Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue station steps from the arena) — and screenshot it. Evening events at Target Center typically let out between 10:00 and 11:00 PM, though encores and overtime can push later. Having the schedule saved means you can decide during the event whether to catch the last train or switch to a rideshare backup.