What Are My Transportation Options For The 2023 Minnesota State Fair?

Aside from driving to the fair, check out some alternative options.

The Minnesota State Fair has multiple ways you can get to this year's great Minnesota get-together.

Whether it's by car, bus, or bicycle, the state fair is within reach based on what suits your transportation needs better.

The fair begins on Thursday, Aug. 24 and goes through Labor Day.

Here's a breakdown:

Bus

Metro Transit is offering an express bus service, giving people the option of parking in lots in Twin Cities suburbs and taking a bus to the fairgrounds.

The Metro Transit express locations:

*Blaine: 95th Avenue Park and Ride

*Bloomington: 30th Avenue Park and Ride

*Cottage Grove: Cottage Grove Park and Ride

*Minnetonka: I-394 and County Road 73 Park and Ride

The buses are running every 30 minutes each day. Services begin at 9 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends. The last bus to return leaves the fairgrounds at midnight, according to its website.

Buses cost $6 in cash for a roundtrip pass and $5 if the ticket is purchased online via Metro Transit's app.

Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) is also offering an express bus service from Burnsville, Eagan and Shakopee. Buses run every 15 minutes to an hour depending on each pick-up location.

The locations:

• Burnsville Transit Station: 100 E. Hwy. 13
• Eagan Transit Station: 3470 Pilot Knob Rd.
• Shakopee: Southbridge Crossings Park and Ride at 1401 Crossings Blvd.

Service is available starting at 7 a.m. at the Burnsville station and 10 a.m. in Eagan and Shakopee. Return service runs from noon to 11:30 p.m. each day.

MVTA is also charging $6 in cash or $5 tickets if purchased via the MTVA's app.

Park and Ride

The fair always offers many park and ride options for residents, all of which are within a few miles of the State Fairgrounds.

This year, park and ride buses will depart from 31 different locations, running from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. with arrival times varying based on crowds each day.

A map of all locations is included below, with more information available via the state fair's website.

People traveling from the west metro will be able to use the express park and ride services offered by SouthWest Transit. The public transportation hubs are in Chanhassen, Chaska and Eden Prairie, according to SouthWest's website.

The locations:

• Chanhassen: SouthWest Village at 650 SouthWest Village Dr.
• Chaska: East Creek at 2120 Chestnut St. N.
• Eden Prairie: SouthWest Station at 13500 Technology Dr.

Bikes, Scooters

Multiple bike lots are available for free around the fairgrounds.

People who have a non-licensed bike or scooter can park in one of the three fair bike lots from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Those with bikes or scooters with license plates will have to pay to park in the motorcycle lot or other parking lots.

The three free bike lots:

• South Bike Lot: Loop Gate No. 9 on Como Avenue
• North Bike Lot: North End Gate No. 2
• West Bike Lot: Randall Avenue-Buford Gate No. 16

The bike corrals are fenced-in areas with bike racks and are monitored by staff.

Taxis, Rideshare Apps

Rideshare apps, such as Uber and Lyft, have two designated drop-off and pick-up points at areas near the fairgrounds.

The locations:

• Northeast end of the fairgrounds near Snelling and Hoyt avenues, outside North End Gate No. 2.
• South end of the fairgrounds in the parking lot south of Como Avenue, across from Gate 7 and the Dairy Building.
• Taxi drop-off are located at the Loop Gate, on Como Avenue on the south side of the fairgrounds.

Car

Parking is available by the State Fairgrounds, but spaces are limited and can be more costly and at peak times will often result in a lengthy wait in traffic to enter.

Parking lot ticket sales are available from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day and cost $20. Lot locations are available via the map below and the fair's website.

Parking is available (if space is available) coming from the following directions:

• Southbound: On Snelling Avenue, turn right onto Hoyt Avenue and you will be directed to park in a lot on the north or west end of the fairgrounds. The exit from southbound Snelling Avenue to Como Avenue will generally be closed by mid-morning.
• Northbound: If you're heading north on Snelling Avenue, exit on Como Avenue and turn left. You will be directed into the lots off Como Avenue on the south end of the fairgrounds. When it's busy, traffic control will eliminate left turns from Como Avenue into the Como lots due to safety reasons.
• Eastbound: If on Como Avenue, drivers will be directed into the lots south of Como if space is available. If on Larpenteur Avenue, drivers will turn right onto Underwood Street and be directed to park in lots on the north end.
• Westbound: While on Larpenteur Avenue, drivers will turn left onto Snelling Avenue. Then, turn right onto Hoyt Avenue and will be directed to park in lots on the north or west end. Traffic heading westbound won't be allowed to turn left into Underwood Street. If on Hoyt Avenue, drivers can cross Snelling Avenue and park in lots on the north or west end. If driving on Nebraska Avenue, Arlington Avenue or Midway Parkway, drivers can turn right on Arona Street and then left onto Hoyt Avenue before crossing Snelling Avenue to park in the north or west end. If on Como Avenue, drivers can park in lots off of Como if space is available.

Motorcycle parking is available on Como Avenue near the International Institute. This lot costs $15 and in other lots it's $20.

SOURCE: Bring Me The News