Getting to the Minnesota State Fair from Golden Valley

It's opening day of "The Great Minnesota State Get-together" so Patch is getting you ready for the big event. We all know getting to the fair is half the battle. Traffic can be a bit congested and parking can be tough to find, so in preparation, here are few handy tips to get you and your family to the state fair a little easier.

Arriving by Bus From Golden Valley

If you don’t want to deal with parking near the fair, there are several express bus services that can pick you up and drop you right at the gate. The State Fair Express buses make stops in 19 spots across the metro. The two closest pick-up spots to Golden Valley are:

I-394 & Co. Rd. 73 Park and Ride

• SW corner of I-394 and Co. Rd. 73
• Service every 15 minutes

Parade Stadium

• 600 Kenwood Parkway (across from Dunwoody)
• Service every 15 minutes

Have cash with you. It's $5 per rider.

For the complete list of bus stops, check out the full list here.

Finding Parking

If you’re brave enough to fight the traffic, you should plan out your parking attack. There are several lots around the fairgrounds that are $12.

Here are parking suggestions from the MN State Fair folks:

Lots may be accessed off Larpenteur Avenue (must be traveling east) by turning south on Underwood Street through Gate #1; off Snelling Avenue (must be traveling south) by turning west on Hoyt Avenue and proceeding to Gate #0; or off Cleveland Avenue (must be traveling north) by turning east on Commonwealth (by the U of M St. Paul Campus) through Gate #15. Additional parking is available south of Como Avenue. 

Getting Around the Fair

While some vendors and rides are always in the same place, many change. Considering the size of the fair, it’s best to have a handy map rather than wander around trusting your memory to guide you. Here’s a map you can print before you.

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