Summerfest Transportation and Directions

Driving to the Festival? Patrons are encouraged to exit at any of the downtown exits before the Lakefront exit and park in one of the many downtown parking structures. Look for posters that Summerfest has placed with a QR code to scan at designed lots for the best walking route to the grounds. 

Utilizing Local Transportation Options? There are many convenient transportation choices, including Milwaukee County Transit (MCTS) Freeway Flyers, the new BRT CONNECT 1 route, Ride Share, Bar Buses, The Hop, and more! For more information on local options, please see below.

If you are parking at Summerfest for a show at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater, please plan enough time to navigate traffic and park, before concert start time, as lots fill up quickly. 


(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)   Looking For Parking?(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)


Driving

Driving to the festival? View our best route guides.

NOTE: Don't get stuck in traffic. Patrons are encouraged to exit at any of the downtown exits prior to the Lakefront exit and park in one of the many downtown parking structures. 

Directions to Summerfest from the South

from the north

Directions to Summerfest from the West


Milwaukee County Transit System routes

Several MCTS local routes are within walking distance of Summerfest. Riders pay on the bus via the Umo app, WisGo card, M-Card or cash. All MCTS buses are accessible for persons using mobility devices.

A 90-minute fare is:

  • $2 for riders ages 12 and up
  • $1 for youth 11 and under and seniors 65 and over, and people with qualifying disabilities

Bus lines:

  • MCTS Shuttle at Brown Deer Park and Ride
  • GreenLine
  • Route 15
  • Route 18

Not sure which bus to ride? Simply download the Umo app to plan your trip. Don’t live along a bus route? Pro tip: Park your car near one of these bus routes (for free) then ride the bus to and from the festival.

A 90-minute fare is:

  • $2 for riders ages 12 and up
  • $1 for youth 11 and under and seniors 65 and over, and people with qualifying disabilities

Bus lines:

  • CONNECT 1
  • Route 30
  • Route 18

Not sure which bus to ride? Simply download the Umo app to plan your trip. Don’t live along a bus route? Pro tip: Park your car near one of these bus routes (for free) then ride the bus to and from the festival.

A 90-minute fare is:

  • $2 for riders ages 12 and up
  • $1 for youth 11 and under and seniors 65 and over, and people with qualifying disabilities

Bus lines:

  • CONNECT 1
  • GreenLine
  • Route 15
  • Route 30
  • Route 18

Not sure which bus to ride? Simply download the Umo app to plan your trip. Don’t live along a bus route? Pro tip: Park your car near one of these bus routes (for free) then ride the bus to and from the festival.

A 90-minute fare is:

  • $2 for riders ages 12 and up
  • $1 for youth 11 and under and seniors 65 and over, and people with qualifying disabilities

Bus lines:

  • MCTS Shuttle at College Avenue Park and Ride
  • GreenLine
  • Route 15
  • Route 18

Not sure which bus to ride? Simply download the Umo app to plan your trip. Don’t live along a bus route? Pro tip: Park your car near one of these bus routes (for free) then ride the bus to and from the festival.


Bar Shuttles

Here is a list of bars that currently offer shuttle service to Summerfest. Shuttle pick up and drop off are located at either the Summerfest North or South Gates

  • McBob's - 4919 W North Ave
  • Spitfire's - 5018 W State St
  • Jack's American Pub - 1323 E Brady St
  • WurstBar - 1239 E Brady St
  • Milwaukee Brat House - 1013 N 3rd St
  • Shorewood Brat House - 4022 N Oakland Ave
  • Caffrey's Pub - 717 N 16th St
  • Murphy's Irish Pub - 1613 W Wells St
  • Belmont - 784 N Jefferson St
  • Izzy Hops - 2311 N Murray Ave
  • Uncle Buck's On Third - 1125 N 3rd St
  • Buck Bradley's - 1019 N 3rd St
  • Camp Bar Wauwatosa - 6600 W North Ave, Wauwatosa
  • Who's on Third - 1007 N 3rd St
  • O'lydia's - 338 S 1st St
  • Steny's Tavern & Grill - 800 S 2nd St
  • King Pins Spirits - 4102 S Kinnickinnic
  • Spirits - 922 Milwaukee Ave, Saint Francis
  • PartyTimeMKE/KeyMgmt - 
  • Newport - 939 E Conway St
  • Paulies Pub - 8031 W Greenfield Ave
  • Gingerz - 3915 S Howell Ave
  • Dale Z's - 3585 S Howell Ave
  • Jersey's - 4024 S Howell Ave
  • Redbar - 2245 E St. Francis Ave
  • The Wisconsin Club - 900 W Wisconsin Ave
  • Clementine's - 3143 S Clement Ave
  • Patti's Power Plant - 2800 S Kinnickinnic Ave

RIDESHARE TO THE FEST

 Rideshare pickups and drop-offs will be located outside the North Gate.

With a lot of movement around the city, here are a couple of tips to follow for the smoothest experience.

  • You will always be able to see your fare before you accept the trip. We expect the busiest times to be on the weekends or as the headline acts finish up their encore.
  • Always check the license plate in your app with the license plate of the vehicle.
  • Confirm your name with your driver.
  • If you are planning on traveling with a big crew, be sure to order a car that can fit up to six riders comfortably.

BUBLR BIKES

Greater Milwaukee’s nonprofit bike share program. Currently, the system has over 100 stations in Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, and West Allis. Users can check out a bike from any station and check it back in at any other station. For information on station locations and how to borrow a bike, visit bublrbikes.org.

 


The Hop Streetcar

The Hop streetcar provides an easy, fun and free option for traveling from numerous downtown destinations to Summerfest. Whether arriving in Milwaukee at the Intermodal station or heading down from East Town or the Lower East side, ride The Hop to either Historic Third Ward platform or the Lakefront. 

Visit www.thehopmke.com to learn more about Milwaukee’s streetcar, including route maps, system schedules and real-time arrival information.

AMtrak Hiawatha service

Coming to Summerfest from the Chicago area or Racine/Kenosha? Jam without traffic and take the train! Amtrak Hiawatha Service offers easy access to Summerfest from the Milwaukee Intermodal Station. You can catch the train to the fest from Chicago Union Station, Glenview, and Sturtevant (Racine/Kenosha). Visit Amtrak.com for more details.