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All the Best Ways to Get to the State Fair: Pros and Cons

Your biggest State Fair stress should be deciding which foods to eat—not circling the fair grounds for parking. We’ve got you covered on finding the most efficient, cost-friendly, and climate-friendly ways to get to the Minnesota State Fair this year. Before you go, check out which option is best for you!

Tips for biking to the fair:

Take Como Ave from either Saint Paul or Minneapolis. In Saint Paul, Como extends all the way into downtown. On the Minneapolis side, the U of M Intercampus Transitway is a direct, fast connection for experienced bicyclists who are comfortable riding alongside buses part of route. Just be aware that there is no path or shoulder for bikes along the transitway between Energy Park Drive and Como Ave. Once you reach the fair grounds, you’ll find some pretty awesome, ample bike parking near the Como-Snelling, North End, and Randall Ave-Buford gates. Make sure you keep your bike parking claim ticket in a secure place so you’re not scrambling to find it after a long day at the fair.

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Tips for taking a bus park & ride to the fair: 

Go multi-modal! Bike, carpool, scooter, and/or walk to your nearest park & ride and take the bus the rest of the way there.

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Tips for taking a rideshare/taxi to the fair:  

There is a designated pick-up and drop-off location for rideshare and taxi at the fair. We recommend you combine these services with one of the other transit options. This will help reduce cars that are contributing to traffic congestion near the fairgrounds.

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Tips for taking a regular bus route to the fair: 

Use the Metro Transit app to purchase your fare ahead of time and plan your route from anywhere in the Twin Cities metro. The A Line, 960, 84, and 3 buses get you right up to the fair entrance.

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Tips for taking a State Fair Express bus park & ride to the fair: 

State Fair Express buses are offered in various locations throughout the metro suburbs, plus one site available in Minneapolis. Plan ahead and purchase your fare using the Metro Transit app for easy boarding.

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Have an amazing time at the Minnesota State Fair this year. Eat all the foods. Ride all the rides. See all the sights. And definitely skip the traffic. Taking advantage of these other great transportation options could help save you stress and money!