Summerfest 2018: 5 Ways To Avoid The Problem Of Parking

MILWAUKEE, WI — Summerfest 2018 runs from June 27 to July 1 and July 3 through July 8, for what plans to be a special celebration of summer in Milwaukee. If you have ever been to Summerfest, you know that on particularly good weather days or big concert nights, parking can be an absolute nightmare.

Here are five ways to beat the "panic of parking" to make your 2018 Summerfest visit more enjoyable!

1) Take the Freeway Flyer

If you're from a ways away, and you have access to a freeway, this is a safe bet with a low cost. The only thing you have to remember is the bus schedule coming back and which bus number is yours! Buses run from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. each day of the festival. A round-trip ticket costs $7. Exact fare, please.

Park at any of the following Park-Ride lots and hop on a Freeway Flyer to Summerfest:

• College: College Avenue, at I-94 (both lots)
• Whitnall/Hales Corners: I-43, east of S. 108th Street
• State Fair Park: I-94, S. 76th and W. Kearney (limited amount of free parking available)
• Watertown Plank Road: Watertown Plank Road, west of U.S. Hwy 45
• Holt: Holt Avenue, west of I-94
• Loomis: Loomis Road, south of Coldspring Road
• Brown Deer East: Brown Deer Road, west of I-43
• Saukville Walmart: 33/Green Bay Ave. east of I-43
• Grafton Target/Home Depot: 60 west of I-43

2) Take a Shuttle From Your Favorite Restaurant or Bar

OnMilwaukee.com has compiled a comprehensive list of Milwaukee-area establishments that are offering shuttle service to and from the big gig. It beats hunting and pecking for a parking spot, and it's to your advantage to dine or partake in relative comfort before hitting the pavement for some live music!

3) Use Uber for Easy in/Easy Out

Uber has partnered with Summerfest to provide easy access to the festival. To request an Uber ride, Summerfest attendees will need to open the Uber app on their device, enter a drop-off location, confirm their pickup location, select a preferred vehicle and tap the “Request” button

The festival has designated three pickup and drop-off locations at Summerfest. Look for the Uber flags!

• Central: E. Chicago St. & N. Jackson St.
  • Important: after 10pm, this will be the only pickup/drop-off location available
• North: E. Michigan St. & N. Harbor Dr.
• South: E. Summerfest Place & N. Jackson St

4) Be Smart About Your Park Job With SpotHero

Reserve your parking in advance through SpotHero and get there on time, stress free.

• To reserve your parking spot, visit the Summerfest SpotHero Parking Page and book a spot with rates up to 50% off drive-up. You can park near Henry W. Maier Festival Park and walk in or find a lot near the festival's shuttle route. There's also an app for iPhone | Android.

5) Bublr Bikes

Bublr (pronounced bubbler as in what Wisconsinites call a water fountain) is the City of Milwaukee’s bike share system. Currently the system has over 30 stations and conveniently serves the Summerfest grounds at Discovery World, a few steps from Summerfest’s northern entrance. Users can check out a bike from any station and check it back in at any other station. Find stations at bublrbikes.com.

Patch File Photo