We thank you, Minnesota, for making the 2011 State Fair so memorable! For twelve days of fun we welcomed more than 1,769,000 people. Please check back later for updated information on next year's Great Minnesota Get-Together. Hope to see you at the 2012 State Fair, to be held Aug. 23-Labor Day, Sept. 3!

Sidestep Construction in 2011

Around University Avenue:

Light-rail construction on University Avenue will affect traffic flow to the State Fair. But, sidestepping it is easy when you plan ahead.

From the South

Pick a suggested route:

  • 35E north to Highway 36 west. Take Lexington, Hamline or Snelling Avenue. Consider parking in one of the many free Park & Ride lots just north or south of 36. To drive to the fairgrounds, go south on Snelling OR south on Lexington or Hamline, then west on Larpenteur.
  • 35E north to I-94 west to Highway 280 north. Consider parking in a free
    Park & Ride lot     off Como or Larpenteur Avenue east of 280. To drive to the fairgrounds, go east on Como or Larpenteur.
  • 35W north to I-94 east to Highway 280 north. Consider parking in a free
    Park & Ride lot     off Como or Larpenteur Avenue east of 280. To drive to the fairgrounds, go east on Como or Larpenteur.

From the West

Pick a suggested route:

  • I-94 east to Highway 280 north. Consider parking in a free Park & Ride lot off Como or Larpenteur Avenue east of 280. To drive to the fairgrounds, go east on Como or Larpenteur.
  • 394 east to 94 east to 35W north to Highway 36 east. Take the Cleveland, Fairview or Snelling exit. Consider parking in one of many free Park & Ride lots just north or south of 36. To drive to the fairgrounds, go south on Snelling OR south on Cleveland or Fairview, then east on Larpenteur.

From the East

Pick a suggested route:

  • 94 west to 35E north to Highway 36 west. Take Lexington, Hamline or Snelling Avenue. Consider parking in one of the many free Park & Ride lots just north or south of Highway 36. To drive to the fairgrounds, go south on Snelling OR south on Lexington or Hamline, then west on Larpenteur.
  • Go 36 west. Take Lexington, Hamline or Snelling Avenue. Consider parking in one of the many free Park & Ride lots just north or south of Highway 36. To drive to the fairgrounds, go south on Snelling OR south on Lexington or Hamline, then west on Larpenteur.

From the North

No suggested changes to your usual route!

Coming from north I-35:

Planning will help reduce travel delays on I-35 between Duluth/North Shore and the Twin Cities. Travel on southbound I-35 Sunday afternoons has been slow due to several MnDOT construction projects.

Heading north on I-35 can also be slow on Friday afternoons and evenings. To avoid travel delays:

  • Take Highway 23 or County Highway 61 as alternate routes.
     
  • Travel during off-peak times if possible (Southbound peaks are Sunday afternoons, Northbound peaks are Friday afternoons/evenings).
     
  • Take I-35, be patient and expect multiple work zones and slow travel conditions.
     

Check the following websites before traveling:

SPECIAL PARK & RIDE ALERT:

The I-94 and Snelling Avenue Park & Ride lot is closed due to Central Corridor light-rail construction. Nearby options include the U of M lot (open daily), Saint Paul College (on weekends and Labor Day), and – new this year – Wilder Foundation on the southwest corner of Lexington and University avenues just north of I-94 (open daily). View map.

State Fair Express buses are another convenient, economical way to travel to the fair. These buses operate from 17 Twin Cities locations.

For complete info on how to “Get to the Fair,” visit www.mnstatefair.org, and click on “General Information.”