The wait for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour stop in Minneapolis is almost over.
Swifties lucky enough to score tickets will don their cowboy boots, glittery dresses and friendship bracelets and descend on U.S. Bank Stadium Friday and Saturday for two sold-out performances.
Over 60,000 fans are expected to sing and dance at the 3½ hour shows that will showcase more than 44 songs spanning 17 years of Swift's music. Eras is Swift's sixth concert tour as a headliner and has potential to generate $4.6 billion in U.S. consumer spending.
Swift is already affecting Minneapolis' economy. STR's Forward Star report indicates that the occupancy rate for hotels in Minneapolis is 29.1% higher than normal rates on Friday, according to Jan Kroells, vice president of marketing for the Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau.
So how should concert attendees plan to navigate these massive crowds traveling to and from downtown Minneapolis? Here's a guide for arrival and departure at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Traveling to and from U.S. Bank Stadium
Parking: U.S. Bank Stadium does not manage public parking, but parking reservations are still available for city and private ramps both nights on Park Whiz's website. Prices range from $10 to $50 per spot, and the walk to the stadium is 20 minutes or less depending on location.
Other ramps are also available for day-of parking.
Tim Drew, city of Minneapolis parking manager, said fans parking at city-owned ramps that do not take reservations, such as Mill Quarter and LaSalle, should show up a couple hours early to secure a spot.
Street parking will also be available, but Drew said those will be the first spots to fill up and drivers are better off trying to find a space in a ramp.
Uber and Lyft: Looking for a "Getaway Car" to avoid driving in downtown traffic? Swifties can get dropped off at U.S. Bank stadium through Uber or Lyft and get picked up at two locations as part of the stadium's Ride Share programs:
- 9th Avenue S. between 6th Street S. and 7th Street S.
- 3rd Street between Park Avenue and Portland Avenue
Biking: Swifties who are looking to save money and do not mind biking in their Eras Tour outfits are in luck: U.S. Bank Stadium has over 180 bike racks around the stadium near the Legacy, Pentair, Ecolab and Ticketmaster gates.
The skyway: Minneapolis' skyway system will have extended hours from 2 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.
U.S. Bank stadium has a map of its route for extended skyway hours.
Metro Transit extends light-rail service
The Green and Blue light rail lines will arrive at U.S. Bank Stadium about every 15 minutes until 9:30 p.m., and then every 30 minutes until 11:30 p.m. Those interested in taking the train to the stadium can check Metro Transit's website to find the best route.
Metro Transit announced this week that additional light rail and/or bus service would be provided following the concerts. The Blue Line will extend northbound trips past midnight, and several bus routes will leave downtown past 1 a.m., including the D-Line bus rapid transit.
The transit agency previously could not commit to extending light rail service past 11:31 p.m., citing staffing shortages. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey had requested after-hours service for both concert days, spokeswoman Ally Peters said last week.
There are a few bus options for fans heading to the Mall of America or downtown St. Paul.
And there are other public transit options. The D-Line will take fans from 8th Street and Park Avenue to the Mall of America, with the last downtown bus leaving at 1:13 a.m. Fans traveling to St. Paul can catch Route 3 on Washington Avenue until about 1 a.m.
Minnesota Valley Transit Authority is also offering a $5 roundtrip on its Swiftie bus for both shows, with rides from several south metro locations, according to its website.