Ride your bike to the State Fair, and other alternative transportation options

Raleigh residents are finding more designated bike lanes around town, encouraging folks to use their bikes as a means of transportation. There is even a bike sharing-service around N.C. State University and the downtown area.

Biking to the N.C. State Fair is also an option for people who live within riding distance. The fairgrounds has added new bike racks near Gate 1 at the end of the Education Building that runs along Hillsborough Street. Riders will need to bring their own locks to secure their bikes before heading into the gates for a fun day at the fair.

If you bike to the State Fair, you can hitch your ride up at the hitching post near Gate 1.

If you bike to the State Fair, you can hitch your ride up at the hitching post near Gate 1.

Or you can leave the driving to someone else entirely with park-and-ride options from Cary, Durham and North Raleigh every day of the fair and from Garner and Chapel Hill on the weekends.

Go Raleigh offers service from Cary Towne Center near the Triangle Aquatic Center, from Triangle Town Center from the Dillard’s parking lot and from White Oak Crossing in Garner near Regal Cinemas on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Leave the driving to someone else by taking the bus from one of five public transit stops.

Leave the driving to someone else by taking the bus from one of five public transit stops.

Go Durham will provide service from the Durham Station at 515 W. Pettigrew St.

Go Triangle will provide service on Saturday and Sunday from UNC campus at the South Road at Country Club Road lot and the N.C. 54 Park and Ride lot.

Check out our getting to the fair page for times and more details about location.

Taking the bus saves you from having to find a parking space once you arrive, plus you get dropped off at the door, a few steps closer to the funnel cakes and candy apples.

If you do decide driving is the best and only option for you, there is a new park-and-shuttle lot on the corner of Edwards Mill and Reedy Creek roads.

This free lot offers quick access to I-40 via Wade Avenue, with a free shuttle that will run every 10 minutes and drops off across from Gate 8. The lot also has a covered waiting area, portable restrooms and drink machines.

 

About Merrie Go Round

Merrie Go Round is the midway alter-ego of Andrea Ashby, who has officially spent 252 days during the past 24 years at the N.C. State Fair. That's perfect attendance in case you were wondering. In addition to promoting the Fair, looking for untold Fair stories and working on various special events, I also spend a great deal of time roaming the grounds taking photos for the Website and State Fair publications. I like to keep my eyes and ears posted for the unusual and different things that make the State Fair such a great celebration of North Carolina people, traditions and history. I look forward to sharing with you the things I come across on my journey.

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