Metrodome

Address:900 South 5th
Minneapolis, Minnesota

With football, baseball, basketball, and a whole lot of noise, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis is an incredibly diverse arena that attracts visitors all-year round, and for more than just to view its three major tenants.

The Metrodome was first opened in 1982, built as a new home for baseball's Minnesota Twins and football's Minnesota Vikings, both of whom had previously played at aging Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota. The University of Minnesota football team also moved in once the dome opened, and the school's baseball team has played half its schedule indoors here since 1985.

The Twins reached the pinnacle of their sport twice, using the Metrodome as a big weapon. In 1987 and 1991, the Twins won seven-game World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves. On both occasions, their 3 road losses were offset by sweeping all four of their games at home in front of raucous, and record setting, crowds. The stadium has long been known as one of the loudest in all of sports, with decibel readings over 120. The Twins also hosted the 1985 All-Star game at the Metrodome.

The noise isn't the only unique feature of the Metrodome to provide a significant home field advantage to the Twins. The dome's white roof is a very similar color to that of a baseball, and many visiting outfielders have lost sight of balls against the backdrop of the roof, resulting in more Twins hits. Furthermore, the stadium's speakers, catwalks, and other items hanging from the roof have resulted in several quirky bounces. Much of the right field wall is made of a large plastic sheet, there to protect some football seats. It is just one more aspect of the park that makes it hard on opposing fielders to play.

The Vikings had arguably their best season in franchise history here in 1998, going 15-1 in the regular season, but lost a heartbreaking NFC Championship Game in overtime to the Atlanta Falcons. This prevented Minnesota from their first trip to the Super Bowl while playing at the Metrodome. The stadium also hosted Super Bowl XXVI, in January 1992, as the Washington Redskins defeated the Buffalo Bills.

Aside from the Dome's main tenants, the arena has also played host to two NCAA Final Fours, five NCAA Tournament regional championships, and is scheduled to host first-and second-round games in the 2009 Tournament. It was also the home of the NBA's Minnesota franchise, the Timberwolves, for their first season in the league. In addition to sports, the Metrodome has also hosted numerous concerts, wrestling events, high school games, conventions, and music festivals.

The arena's future, however, is in some doubt. The Twins are preparing to move out of the stadium in 2009 to a new park, and the University of Minnesota football team will already be moving after the 2008 season. The Vikings have also been pressing the city to build them a new stadium.

Located in downtown Minneapolis, the Metrodome is accessible via light rail (via the Hiawatha Line, route 55) and bus services (routes 3, 16, and 50). Tours of the dome are available for groups throughout the year at a scheduled time between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. every day but Sunday, and for walkups from April to November at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.