Getting to the Wisconsin State Fair

Getting to the Wisconsin State Fair is no easy feat -- expect some congestion. If you drive, you have two options: park on the fairgrounds, or park near the fairgrounds, as most homes and businesses in the area let you park in their lots or on their lawns for a fee. There are also many shuttle options, as well as riding the city bus.

Designated parking areas for the handicapped can be found at:

• Gate 1 at 79th Street and Greenfield Avenue
• Gate 7 on the north end of the Fair Park off Kearney Street
• Gate 3 on 84th Street near the State Fair Transit Center. You will be directed to special parking areas.

Park free and take the Shuttle! The Shuttle from Watertown Plank Road Park-Ride Lot at HWY 45 operates to the State Fair Transit Center at Gate 4 every day of the Fair. Shuttles operate every 15 minutes from 7:30 a.m. until a half-hour after the fair closes.

Contact: For more details visit statefairshuttle.com or call (414) 344-6711

Park free at any of the following park-ride lots: Brown Deer Road west of I-43; Green Bay Road just north of Brown Deer Road; College Avenue at I-94 (both lots); Southridge Mall Parking Lot on Edgerton Avenue at 72nd Street; Whitnall/Hales Corners at I-43 east of S. 108th Street. Buses drop off and pick up at the State Fair Transit Center at Gate 4.
Freeway Flyers operate between 7:30 a.m. until a half-hour after the fair closes. Service is every half-hour except at the Brown Deer and Green Bay Road Park-Ride lots which have hourly service. Buses will serve the Green Bay Road Lot every hour at 20 minutes past (beginning at 7:20 a.m.) and the Brown Deer Lot will be served hourly at 30 minutes past the hour (beginning at 7:30 a.m.).

Contact: For more details visit statefairshuttle.com or call (414) 344-6711

Take Route 23 straight to the fair! Route 23 runs to the fair every 15-20 minutes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. This service leaves from 2nd Street, just north of Wisconsin Avenue.
Catch the Route 23 bus home from State Fair at the State Fair Transit Center at Gate 4. This bus runs from 10 a.m. to Fair Close, with a frequency of 15 - 20 minutes until 7 p.m., and every 30 minutes thereafter.

Note to passengers: Not all Route 23 buses will serve State Fair, look for the Route 23 bus with a State Fair destination sign. Other Route 23 buses will operate the regular route.

Other local routes: Route 56 (Greenfield Ave.), Route 67 (N. 76th St.-S. 84th St.) and Route 76 (N. 60th-S. 70th St.) stop near State Fair Park entrances.

Contact: For more details visit RideMCTS.com or call (414) 344-6711

Go Riteway's State Fair Shuttle From Washington County
Go Riteway offers daily round-trip service throughout the day from two locations in Washington County. Daily departures being at Washington County Fair Park at 7:00 a.m., and the Life Church Parking Lot at 7:30 a.m.

Contact: For more details visit goriteway.com

Those in Waukesha County can ride to the fair from three convenient locations along I-94. The first bus departs Goerkes Corners (I-94/Hwy 18 Park & Ride at Barker Road) at 7:25 a.m., with departures every 30 minutes until 7:55 p.m. Departures from the Nagawaukee Park & Ride in Delafield (I-94 & Hwy 83) begin at 7:30 a.m., and depart every half hour until 7:30 p.m. Departures from the Meadowbrook Park & Ride in Pewaukee (I-94 & Hwy G) begin at 7:40 a.m. and depart every 30 minutes until 7:40 p.m. The shuttle drops off at the U.S. Cellular Main Gate with return trips every 30 minutes.

Contact: For more details visit the Wisconsin State Fair website or statefairshuttle.com