You wanna make it to downtown Saint Paul for the big counteprotest.

I’m here to help.

Here are some simple directions and recommendations from a Saint Paul guy. They should get you into the city – close by the West 7th Street counterprotest site – and back home again. Best of all – they’re fairly cheap.

Getting To Triangle Park

• Southwest/Southern Subs – I recommend parking at the 28th Avenue Park and Ride (it’s a big, free ramp) or at the Mall of America (or, if they’re full, the Fort Snelling Park and Ride), and taking the 54 bus to downtown Saint Paul (it leaves 4-5 times an hour from both the Mall and the 28th Avenue Park and Ride), or taking the Hiawatha Light Rail train north to the 46th Street Station, and taking the 74 bus to Saint Paul (it comes every 10-15 minutes). Both buses run up West Seventh Street; they’re rerouted around the Excel Center, but both should drop you in easy walking distance of the counterprotest location.
• West/Northwest Subs – if it were me, I’d park at one of the Target Center ramps (right off 394 and 94 in downtown Minneapolis), hiking down to the Fifth Street Bus Garage, and taking either the 94 Express, the limited-stop 50 bus (during rush hour only) or as a last resort the 16 bus to downtown Saint Paul. I recommend getting off at 7th and Cedar – it’s a 2-3 block walk to the west (to your right) to get to the counterprotest site. If you’re in a hurry, you can also take the Hiawatha Light Rail south to Lake Street Station and, again, take the 21 bus east to Saint Paul. It’ll be about a half-hour bus ride, but it’ll take you to within easy walking distance of the counterprotest site. Again – , plus parking at the Target (or wherever).
• North/Northeast Suburbs – Seriously – park at Rosedale and take the 65 bus. It’s about a 20 minute ride to Cathedral Hill, and drops you right at Triangle Park (Summit/John Ireland and Marshall).
• East Suburbs – I’d go to the Sunray Transit Center (I94 at McKnight, just west of 3M), park, and take the 63 Bus. It actually runs down Seventh Street (during the convention to Jackson, I think) and should drop you within a block or so of the counterprotest site.
• Southeast Suburbs – Honestly, I’d drive to Signal Hills shopping center on South Robert and take the 67 bus. It’ll drop you at 7th and Wabasha Robert, right by the counterprotest.

If you insist on driving – good luck. You’re on your own. Saint Paulites know a few secret hideaways for parking; sometimes if you get to an event early enough, you can find free parking on Cathedral Hill, on or about Summit Avenue south/west of the Cathedral. If it’s a big event, that can mean the far reaches of Cathedral Hill – like, Summit and Dale. No kidding. Patience is a virtue, unless you’re there very early in the day. As to parking ramps downtown – vaya con Dios.

Bus And Train Fares: Buses are $1.50 – $2.00 during rush hour (5-9, 3-7). Trains are always $2. Express buses (the 94 Express) are $2.75. Get and save your transfers.

CORRECTION: I was in error, and confused “Vets for Freedom” wtih Joe Repya. They are completely different. Vets for Freedom is in no way affiliated with this action.

I regret any confusion.