Getting to the Fair

The shuttle stop will be located at the Ballston Mall Parking Garage. You’ll see us near the corner of N Randolph and N Glebe Rd. Two and a half blocks from the Ballston-MU Metro Station (Orange/Silver Line).

Shuttles will operate a half hour before the fair opens to a half hour after it closes, and continuously throughout between the Ballston Mall Parking Garage and the fairgrounds.

Parking at the Ballston Mall Parking Garage starts at $1 for three hours. View parking rates.

Shuttles will be operated by ART Bus.

Here are  few of the options for public transit to the fair via Metro, ART and Metrobus.

Metro

Take the Orange/Silver line to the Ballston-MU Metro Station, then walk two and a half blocks to the free shuttle stop located near the Ballston Mall Parking Garage (follow the signs).

ART Bus 41

Metrobus A12

Metrobus A70

Riding your bike is one of the easiest and most fun ways to get to the Arlington County Fair. BikeArlington and partner Bike Valet DMV have teamed up to provide free bike parking on our basketball courts. There is room for 190 bikes and scooters. For the first time this year, the bike parking area is open every day of the fair. It is unstaffed on Wednesday and Thursday and staffed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Please bring your own lock! We also have a limited number of bike racks (see map below). For questions on bicycle parking and biking in general, visit the BikeArlington tent.

NEW Extended bike parking hours are as follows:

• Wednesday, August 13: 5 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
• Thursday, August 14: 5 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
• Friday, August 15: 1:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
• Saturday, August 16: 9:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
• Sunday, August 17: 10:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

To explore low stress routes for biking to the fair, check out the map above!

* Please note, if you enter the fairgrounds from Arlington Boulevard or the Arlington Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge, please use caution when operating a bicycle in crowds. Dismounting and walking your bicycle is recommended!

Micro mobility scooters (e-scooters) such as Lime, Bird and Spin can get you easily to the fair! Learn more.

There is a designated area along S Old Glebe Rd and the corner of 2nd St for drop-off/pick-up only. Vehicles who idle in this location for more than two minutes will be asked to move.

We know that you’ll be enjoying lots of Fair food on your visit, so walking to and from the Fairgrounds is a great way to justify your indulgence! Check out the WalkArlington Walkabout maps and directions below for information on walking to the Fairgrounds from nearby neighborhoods and to the ART Bus shuttle stop from Ballston/Virginia Square.

WalkArlington Walkabouts: Neighborhood Walking Routes to the Arlington County Fair

The Walkabout routes that are closest to Thomas Jefferson Community Center and the Arlington County Fairgrounds include:

• Arlington Forest Walkabout (1. 2 miles, starting from Barrett Elementary School)
• Barcroft Walkabout (1.4 miles, starting from Barcroft Community House
• Columbia Pike Walkabout (0.6 miles, starting from Columbia Pike Library)

Ballston/Virginia Square Walkabout: Walking Directions to Free ART Bus Shuttle Stop

From the Ballston-MU Metro Station, walk east on Fairfax Drive to N. Randolph Street. Turn right on N. Randolph Street to N. Glebe Road. Proceed to the Ballston Mall Parking Garage, at the corner of N Randolph and N Glebe Rd.  (0.5 miles)

The grounds are accessible. ADA parking spaces are available with an ADA tag in the main parking lot off 2nd St (in front of the community center).