Here are three ways to get to the 2023 Wisconsin State Fair without driving

Alex Groth, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Updated ·4 min read

The Wisconsin State Fair, 640 S. 84th St., kicks off this year on Aug. 3 in West Allis.

The fair will be open 10 a.m. to 10p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday. Planning your trip? Here's your guide for how to get to the fair:

Several Milwaukee bars run shuttles to the State Fair

Some bars and hotels are running shuttles to the fair grounds and have their own schedules and hours of operation. There may be a purchase necessary or fee applicable to use the service.

These are the bars on the shuttle list so far:

State Fair officials are still waiting to hear back from a few venues, said spokeswoman Tess Kerksen. You can check the fair's website for the most up-to-date information on the shuttle program.

You can take Milwaukee County Transit System buses to the State Fair

Here's the Milwaukee County Transit System transit options for State Fair:

  • Route 18 (National Avenue): You can ride Route 18 between downtown along National Avenue and Greenfield Avenue. Arrive at the State Fair at either 81st Street or 84th Street.

  • Route 33 (Vliet-84th): Festivalgoers can also take Route 33 that travels along Vliet Street, Glenview Avenue and 84th Street and arrives at Greenfield Avenue.

If you're planning on taking the bus, you can track the bus and pay your fare using the Umo App. You can also pay with M-cards or cash.

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Arrange a bus group to the State Fair

You can bring your bus group to the State Fair. If you arrange in advance, you can have access to free bus parking and free admission for your bus driver. To plan your trip, you can contact groupsales@wistatefair.com.

When arriving by bus, festivalgoers will be dropped off at Entrance E (UScellular Main Entrance).

You won't be able to take the Waukesha County Shuttle Service

Shuttles between Waukesha County and the Wisconsin State Fair will not be operating in 2023 due to a driver shortage.

Here's where you can park your bike:

Bicycle parking is free and available at the following gates:

  • UScellular Main Entrance: At Adler Street near I-94

  • South Entrance A: At Greenfield Ave. & South 81st Street

Make sure you bring your own bike lock to secure your bicycle. The Hank Aaron State Trail is the closest bike trail. The portion of the trail that runs through the Fair Park is closed during the State Fair, but you are able to get off before the closure both ways to access the Fair Park.

Onsite parking options are available at the Wisconsin State Fair

If you're planning on driving, it'll cost you $15 per vehicle or $8 per motorcycle to park on the grounds. You can purchase parking passes online.

General parking are available at these gates:

  • Gate 1: At West Greenfield Avenue and S. 79th Street. Opens at 6 a.m. daily.

  • Gate 7: At Kearney Street between South 84th and South 76th Streets. Opens at 9 a.m. daily.

  • Gate 9: At West Pierce Street and South 76th Street. Opens at 9 a.m. daily.

Authorities are only allowing vehicles to turn right into State Fair Park along bordering streets, including South 84th Street, West Greenfield Avenue, West Kearney Street and South 76th Street.

All parking is first come, first serve.

Accessible parking costs $15 per vehicle. Enter at Gate 2 for accessible parking, at South 84th Street north of West Greenfield Avenue. Parking opens at 9 a.m. daily.

Designated accessible parking is also available at Gate 1, at West Greenfield Avenue and South 79th Street, and at Gate 7, located at West Kearney Street between South 84th and South 76th streets.

Preferred parking, near the Main Stage Entrance via Gate 1 and near the US Cellular Main Entrance via Gate 7, costs $25 per vehicle.

Contact Alex Groth at agroth@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @grothalexandria.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin State Fair 2023: List of Milwaukee shuttles, buses to fair