I absolutely adore the MN State Fair! Trying new food items and getting the fair staples are a summer highlight for me. Make sure you're comfortable, hydrated, and hungry are big factors of having a successful trip. TIPS: 1. It can be HOT - Reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat are definitely necessities. Maybe even a UV umbrella? 2. Cash - Some vendors are cash-only, so it's always good to have some on hand. 3. Shoes - The state fair is HUGE, make sure your feet are comfortable! 4. Ziploc bags - If you're not a big eater/didn't go with a large group, taking the food to-go is not a bad idea! 5. Planning - The MN on a Stick app was very helpful for planning my route at the fair as well as tracking the food and activities I wanted to do! 6. Parking - We used the Park-and-Ride which was extremely convenient! We were shuttled on very comfortable and air conditioned buses to the fair by Gate 16. read more

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Always a great time at the great mn get together!! Love trying the new items each year. The crowds keep getting bigger and bigger! Lines get longer but the booths do a great job at changing it the next year to relieve the lines for the popular places. This year we spent a lot more time on the attractions than food, time well spent. Very exhausting day but worth it! Love the free park and ride options!!! Wish it wasn't in August when it's 90 degrees out!! Maybe us Minnesotans will one day get what we want, a longer state fair that's later in fall! read more

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I mean, what can I say? It's the greatest state fair for a reason! I know the food get a lot of the hype, but the state fair has so much more to offer than just food. There truly is something for everyone. The eco building is my all time favorite, there is SO MUCH to learn there. My best budget saving tip is to buy tickets early. Get on the State fair email list and they'll do a flash sale sometime around Thanksgiving for $15 a ticket! Attendance is always gonna be crazy but try to avoid the weekends if you don't want to wait in a line for every single item you get. read more

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Had such a fun time at the State Fair! It was packed and super lively, with live music , beer , and so much food to try. There's always something going on, and the whole place has such a fun energy. I was really looking forward to the Apple Fries, but unfortunately the line was insanely long, so I didn't get to try them this time. The Pickle Pizza, though, was just as good as always and is still one of my favorite fair foods! There were also some new vendors this year that are definitely worth checking out. I highly recommend the cocktail from Summer Lakes--it was super refreshing and exactly what I needed after walking around all afternoon. Magdalena's Birthday Chimney Cake was another fun find. It was really unique and the portion was quite big. And if it's a hot day, get the Shave ice! They have lots of flavors to choose from, the texture is super smooth with no icy chunks, and it's not overly sweet. So refreshing after spending hours walking around in the summer heat. read more

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Swedish Egg Coffee from Salem Lutheran Church Dining Hall at the Minnesota State Fair It tastes just like regular black coffee, the egg is part of the grounds so dont expect it to taste like Vietnamese egg coffee with that sweetness. Although it supposed to be less bitter than just straight black coffee and it was certainly that. As always, minus one star for credit card fee and minus another star for the cashier not mentioning that. It's $5 for the coffee if you pay with cash FYI. Otherwise I would have paid over $5 thinking it was just tax as additional. Nice indoor and outdoor seating. read more

The Minnesota State Fair is such a special place! I'd give it a 100/5 if I could. Signaling the end of summer for most, this is a one stop destination for food, live music, people watching, and so much creativity. I am not a casual state-fair goer; this is where my type A planning really kicks in! I typically go early in the morning on a weekday since I have a lot I want to do, so the less lines the better. I have some must-eat foods each year: roasted corn, a pronto pup, sweet marthas cookie cone/cup, cheese curds (millers variety or the mouth trap), mint lemonade, amish donuts, pickle pizza, vietnamese coffee Faves from the last couple of years: koshari, egg roll on a stick, paella, lemonade sorbet, deep friend red velvet oreos, hot honey pizza balls Logistics: I find the state fair app super helpful since I can pre-plan what I want to eat/see/do. I walk around a ton to build up an appetite for everything I want to eat! My state fair buddies are amazing at doing this to pace ourselves. I also always take the park and ride buses to minimize stress. read more

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This is the best place. I have been coming here for 46 years. So many food options and great people watching.

How have I never reviewed the State Fair?! The fair is the Super Bowl for Midwest foodies, and there's a reason the MN State Fair tops every fair ranking list. As someone who grew up in Iowa, showing animals and submitting 4-H projects to the Iowa State Fair, my love for the Iowa fair is nostalgic and boundless. But from a purely experiential standpoint, the MN State Fair takes the cake. The grounds are super well kept, and the layout is great. All of the buildings are in good condition and I love the variety you can explore here free with admission! Of course the baby animal/birth center and 4-H projects displays are my favorite. What really sets the MN State Fair apart is the food. The New Fair Food list, creativity, and sheer diversity you can find at this fair is unmatched. It's impossible to pick a favorite, but I love getting a mix of the classics with some new fair food/drinks each year. If you've gone, you know how awesome it is. If you haven't, I highly recommend going on a weekday morning or evening to experience the magic! Parking to the east and biking in or using a park and ride is great. Bring a water bottle, fan, and good walking shoes! read more

MN State Fair is expensive but it's great that you can be bussed in and park for free if you look up park and ride locations near you. Cleanliness of bathrooms could also be improved. I almost didn't go this year but I heard about the Minnesota on a Stick App that lets you check out new vendors and foods and map your way around the fairgrounds and man I'm glad I went after all. read more

I love the fair! I could probably go every day and still love it. There is so much to see and so much to do. Unlike some people who have a routine, we do it differently every year. No trip is complete without checking out some of the free shows - from those in the colosseum to the bands in the parks - all the events are top notch! We love seeing the animals, trying new foods, riding a few thrill rides, and finding a place in the shade to people watch. Every day is an adventure. If you hate crowds, this is not your scene. Try first thing in the morning and avoid weekends. It you are ok knowing that everyone else is here enjoying life with you....just go with the flow and take in all the events around you. It is only once a year and it is the best state fair in the nation! Some gems to try are: the fair museum, the Farris wheel, the giant slide, watching a live tv or radio show, watching the parade, seeing a performance in the 4h building, attending the rooster crowing contest, attending the auction where the kids are selling off their prize farm animals, and sharing some sweet treats. Btw, one of the best mini donuts place is outside the fair on Snelling. Plan to take your time and enjoy every minute! read more

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The Great Minnesota Get Together! Too many people for me personally and it is always HOT but the food and beverages are plentiful and delicious! read more

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I recently moved to MN and quickly learned from colleagues about how popular the MN State Fair is. I followed Nextdoor posts discussing whether the state fair was worth the crowds and money. Normally those factors would steer me away but as a recent MN transplant, I wanted to experience the fair firsthand. I met up with some new friends ~9:30 am yesterday (Labor Day, 9/1/2025). Knowing that parking would be difficult and expensive, I took a Lyft to one of the Park & Ride stations where I was able to take the bus for $6. When I got off the bus, I was offered a discounted ticket for $15 (normally $20) by a fair goer who had an extra ticket he didn't use. Once I got into the fairgrounds, we explored the livestock and agricultural exhibits. We loved the baby animals (especially the goats!) and the colorful dahlias. In addition to these exhibits, we also saw a lumberjack show. Fun! Now onto one of the most important - and highly debated - parts of the fair. The food! We shared the following: Cheese curds - first time trying them. Deliciously cheesy! Cream cheese wontons - average but came with a good dipping sauce Corn fritters - loved these. Perfect balance of sweet and savory Fried green tomatoes - not overly greasy despite "fried" in the name. Some people thought the tomatoes were too sour but I thought they were good Falawaffle - very tasty. I'd never seen a waffle using falafel batter elsewhere. Would love to pay Baba's in mpls a visit Three people in our group had the hot honey pizza balls, which I did not partake in as I don't eat meat (pepperoni). I wish they made a non-meat version but I plan to find a recipe online. The line was very long and though my friends enjoyed them, they didn't feel the wait was worth it. I got a frozen lemonade ($12) and frozen affogato ($10). Both yummy and perfect for a warm day! Of all the foods we tried, the cheese curds and corn fritters were my fave (and worth deviating from avoiding fried foods to keep my cholesterol in check). Weather was not too hot (60s/70s) and the crowds were manageable other than the very long line at the pizza place. The verdict: I'm glad I went and had the opportunity to experience a popular event in MN! I do agree with some folks on Nextdoor that the food is overpriced. I think the fair is worth checking out once but I'm not sure if I'd go again unless someone wants to go. Tips: 1) go with a group if possible as sharing food can cut down on costs. 2) take Lyft/Uber to/from the park and ride so you don't have to stress over parking! read more

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Awesome state fair. Never thought I'll have the chance to go to one of the US' biggest fair. I purposely planned my girls weekend to attend since it's only a week. I thought San Diego state fair was big, but I was wrong... this state fair is humongous. The layout is like a mini city. There's so many bars, restaurants, food stalls and things to do. It's simply one of the best fair experience I had. Bars, beers and drinks are everywhere. The price is really good too. For food, we tried cheese curds, big fat bacon, corn on the cob, tri tip in a cup, pizza balls with honey drizzle, Mary's cookies, fresh lemonade and some beignets. They have interactive farm stand for kids, it's so cute. A beans stand to get some free things. Tractor show, lots of rides. Bathrooms were plentiful and pretty clean. But advance tickets online if you know you're going. It's $3 savings, which is a soft drink or water! lol. They also have a free charter bus that takes you back to UofM, where you can park. Great experience! read more

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The Great Minnesota Get-Together is what many, if not most, Minnesotans think about when August rolls around. And why not? Twelve days of food, rides in the Mighty Midway, the U of M marching band, parades, animal barns and contests, beauty queens' likenesses sculpted from fresh butter, the dairy barn, Sweet Martha's chocolate chip cookies, adult drinks, Machinery Hill, the big yellow slide, pronto pups, concerts, deep fried ranch dressing (new in '24), and so much more! Close to 2 million people in total (or about 1/3 of the total population of Minnesota) visit during the course of the fair each year, according to attendance records. I've enjoyed all of my experiences over the course of 33 years. Most recently, I enjoyed a return to THE fair after a two decade absence and loved every minute of the crowd-packed, food-filled day. My favorites: fried pickles, the dairy barn, bacon-wrapped jalapeños, the yellow slide, and hanging out with family from Minnesota. The Fair has something for everyone. I look forward to returning again in the future, on a hot or cool August day or Labor Day weekend. Parking: You'll find plenty of parking choices. Some will cost you a premium, some are reasonable, and some are free. We chose a Park-n-Ride lot, where parking was free and a shuttle drove us within a short walk of the main entrance. Tickets: Look online ahead of time. Cub Foods also offers discount tickets up to a certain day. State Fair apps: I used the "MN on a stick" app and it suited my needs. Other apps are also available. Quite a help from what was available two decades ago. read more

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Did you know Minnesota State fair is the most attended State fair in the US? Just found that out and now I've finally made it for the first time. The MN State Fair is a huge fair with hundreds of booths, concerts, rides, exhibits, and food of all types. Located halfway between Mpls and St. Paul, prices were $20 for Regular admission and $18 for under 12s and 65+. The fair runs 12 days a year from Late August to Labor Day. I went on Day 2 in the late afternoon/evening. Note that bike Parking is free at gate 9 on the south entrance of the fair on como ave. Of course I tried the various food options and would give a review of each. Food Reviews: Fried Pickles: $9 4/5 Good, it was nice and crispy. Cheese Curd Taco: $14 4.5/5 Got the checkered taco with chicken, heavier than I expected with the cheese curds, but a filling meal. Que Viet Egg Roll on a stick: $12 4.5/5 Another great option, the pork is juicy and the exterior is crispy. It's also huge. Fluffy's Jalepeño Popper Donut: $10 3/5 Covered in honey and and cream cheese? the donut is strange to say the least. Not my favorite, the sweetness of the donut didn't really mix with the jalapeño. Safe to skip this one. Overall, there's way more food vendors than could be realistically visited even in a week so definitely check them out! read more

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The Great Minnesota Get-Together is the largest state fair turn out in the country! If you've never been here, you will wanna take a flight here every single year just to go to the Minnesota State Fair. I've been going to this since I was 5 years old! My favorite are the Sweet Martha's Cookies. Reports say this stand makes $400K per day & near $5M total during the 12 days of the state fair. The cookies are served right outta the oven, tiny bit crispy on the edges, soft in the middle and gooey-ing with warm chocolate all over! I dream about these cookies all the time! The Minnesota State Fair has the best corn dog ever just look at the yellow corn dog breading, absolutely delicious. I graduated from the University of Minnesota MINNEAPOLIS so I love to go to the U of M building and get some free freebies. My best friend from undergrad and I were the first in line at 5 PM on Sunday to get their clear plastic freebie bag. They only give out 500 per day at 11 AM and then again at 5 PM and they run out within the hour. read more

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Annual update. The State Fair seems busier than I remember which tells me it has become more popular than ever before. There are always so many new foods to try that it would take multiple visits to get to everything you wanted to try. But I love it. There is always a sense of people enjoying themselves here and that vibe traverses thru. Of the new foods,I tried the Tofuego which was a new vegan item. Deep fried breaded tofu with a pineapple salad. Light, yet filling. And I always love starting the morning at the Hamline Church hall. Buttermilk pancakes with lots of butter and syrup with a cup of coffee. Tried the Metro Transit Express for $5( when you pre purchase) and it was very efficient, plenty of buses coming around for pick up. The drivers call out for anyone willing to stand as an option when the bus seats are filled. See you again year! read more

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After many years of the state fair, I reluctantly went to state fair over Labor Day, and actually loved it. The new food vendors we tried were great! All time favorites year after year include: Que Viet egg roll, Turkey to Go sandwich (super tender and tasty), and blueberry ice beer. Mouse trap is alway good. The new nitro ice cream is crazy creamy. I'll reluctantly be back next summer ;) read more

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If you've never been, put it on your bucket list. The Minnesota State Fair is not just a fair, it's a full-blown cultural experience. Think: miles of food stands, endless fried creativity, music, livestock, rides, art, and more people-watching than you can process in one day. Food: From classics like Sweet Martha's Cookies, Pronto Pups, and cheese curds to the wild new items every year (pickle everything, deep-fried oddities, wine slushies, craft beers), you'll never leave hungry. Pro tip: split dishes with friends so you can taste more without rolling out of there. Atmosphere: Bustling, loud, and full of energy. It's crowded, yes, but that's part of the fun, you're shoulder to shoulder with people from every corner of Minnesota (and beyond). There are family zones, beer gardens, live music stages, animal barns, and shady spots if you need to catch your breath. One of my favorite parts is the sheer variety of experiences: one minute you're eating mini donuts, the next you're watching lumberjack competitions or learning about bees. Tips: * Go early to beat the rush, or late to catch the concerts and fireworks. * Wear comfy shoes, you'll walk a lot. * Hydrate, bring a water bottle and refill at many of the water stations around the fair. * Download the "On A Stick" app to map out your stops, food and drink, and entertainment options. Also has a daily schedule and map. read more

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Being out of towners, we had to visit the greatest get together on earth and see the spectacular for ourselves. Livestock exhibits, incredible food and entertainment, people watching. The fair did not disappoint. Pro tip - take the express bus. The weather cooperated. Not too hot or humid. Fried cheese curds, corn dogs, fried Oreos and candy bars, What a blast!! We'll be back!! read more

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I'm new-ish to Minnesota, and this year I finally started to get the appeal of the State Fair. There's just so much to see, do, and (of course) eat! I went with my 11-year-old, and we had the best time exploring together. A few highlights: - The ECO Experience Building - I was so impressed! Tons of hands-on learning, activities, and displays that really drew kids in. - The tractor exhibit - My son absolutely loved it. - The dairy barn - Watching live butter carving while enjoying fresh ice cream is such a "fair classic." - The butterfly house - Beautiful, interactive, and one of my favorites. - The Twins stand - My son got to play baseball here, which he ranked as his second-favorite part of the day. (His first? He said, "Being with you" - cue heart melting!) - We also loved how many helpful info stations were scattered throughout the fairgrounds - people there were so friendly and quick to point us in the right direction. Using the fair map ended up being a great chance to teach my son how to read a map and navigate the fair. - The giant cooling fans placed around the park were another unexpected blessing on a hot day! - The Martin Wholesale booth in the Grandstand (top level, east side) had incredible deals, especially compared to most fair prices, which can be steep. And, of course, we couldn't leave without trying some fair food staples. Our first-ever Pronto Pup, fried pickles, and Martha's cookies definitely lived up to the hype! Though we did so much, there were things we missed so I finally understand why people go to the fair multiple times. That said, a few downsides are worth noting: - Most food and drinks are definitely overpriced. - It gets crowded quickly, and some lines are really long (did you see that donut line?!). - Traffic and parking can be expensive and stressful. Even with those challenges, we had such a fun, memorable day together. If you're planning to go with kids, I wrote up some tips and ideas here: Minnesota State Fair with Kids: 10 Things to Do https://kathrynegly.com/2025/08/31/minnesota-state-fair-with-kids-tips-ten-things-to-do/ read more

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The fair has so much to see! From animals and art to food and shopping. Getting to the fair is so simple with all of the transit options. Vendors worked hard at moving people quickly through lines. Ate and drank a lot of really delicious things! My favorite find this year was the land of 10,000 cakes , the item I found disappointing was the pot o gold dumplings to salty and garlicky for my taste buds. This year I saw a concert which I would highly recommend, there is not a bad seat at the grandstand. I could go on for days about how great the fair is but instead I just highly recommend a trip! read more

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The MN State Fair is a summer must event! Fair food at its finest Think deep fried and on a stick!! Every year the vendors get more creative They have fun shows, tons to see and do, and the best people-watching around. It's crowded but that's part of the vibe-grab comfy shoes and just enjoy it. Bring your patient pants!!! A Minnesota tradition you can't miss! Getting there and parking can be tricky, but the park-and-ride system is super efficient and makes the experience less stressful. Tips- bring ziplock bags for those extra cookies, wet wipes , pepto bismol(if u eat to much) sunscreen and your own water bottle to fill up read more

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The Great Minnesota get together I love coming to the fair every year - at least once. Of course the food is great, but I also like visiting the DNR booth/fish pond, the plant competition, the art building, riding the sky ride - and so much more. Some of my favorite foods include: turkey to-go, pronto pup, fries, big fat bacon, and corn! read more

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We got to the kick of to summer event around 11:45 am (opened at 11). The lines increased exponentially around 1 pm. Food: 4/5. Overall amazing state fair food. We had cheese curds, Baba's hummus bowls, shaved ice, beers from Ball Park Cafe, fried pickles, Sweet Martha's Cookies, cheese on a stick, and mini donuts. Service: 5/5. Quick service in all locations and staff was all very friendly. Overall I am coming to love this event almost more than the normal state fair. I love the shorter lines and smaller crowds. I do love that every year more vendors are taking part. One huge downside is that parking is a problem. It took us almost 40 minutes to get into the state fair grounds and parked. We have little kids, so some of the park and walk options weren't ideal for us this year. We will definitely continue going to this event year after year! read more

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I hadn't been to the Minnesota State Fair in a very long time, but went this year with coworkers--and I have to say, I don't hate it! It truly is the "Great Minnesota Get-Together." The sea of people, endless shops, and overwhelming number of food options made time fly as I just followed wherever the group wanted to go. The highlight of everything we ate and drank was definitely the mini donut beer and the garlic fries--both highly recommended. Getting there was surprisingly easy thanks to the well-organized parking lots and frequently running bus shuttles. A fun and classic Minnesota experience! read more

Wow what an amazing fair So much food drinks shopping rides livestock and so much more You could go the whole two weeks everyday and see new things It was a great family day read more

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So tbh I'm not a big fan of the MN state fair Too many people, smells and fried foods On the other hand it is a huge part of summer here in MN Definitely try to go during the weekday and early to avoid the crowds Don't park or drive there just do the park and ride bus system- so easy and then you don't deal with the traffic The grandstand has some great concerts, the food is getting more expensive as is the entrance fee but there are some good stuff out there lie the Amish donuts read more

I had no idea you could review the state fair on Yelp or I would have done it three years ago. We are not from the area so when people told us to go to the fair, we were skeptical. I'm not a huge fan of crowds, but we decided to try it about 3 years ago and I loved it. We've been back the last two years several times. It is so much fun! The food is great and there are so many things to do like the pet pavilion. I'm not really into all the 4-H stuff, but if you are, they got it! I think it is worth checking out the Minnesota state fair at least once! (You will probably spend a lot of money) read more

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It's the state fair. People rave about it. The off site free parking and shuttle service is pretty efficient. Having Advance tickets was also pretty efficient. Nothing else was. So many people. All the en vogue food stands had lines that were 1-2 city blocks long. Everything was just so crowded. I never need to go again. Martha's cookies are bomb diggety, we had enough for 3 days. read more

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Always love the state fair. One of my favorite days of the year. We went from 8 am to 8 pm this year. My 5 star food was the new Tofuego Bites at Rooted and Wild Snack House in the Coliseum Bldg. I was the only one that loved these bites in my group, but my peeps aren't big cilantro or tofu lovers, so that is why. I love both of those things. The best beer was Rude Awakening made by Barrel Theory in the Ball Park Cafe. I also got a 1000 piece puzzle for half price. Love the fair. read more

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It is always a gamble of taking or not taking your kids to the fair. It's just we tried to pick the less busiest day, we gambled and we lost. Don't get me wrong, the fair and the food, everything was great. Just can't trust the AI and technology on making the decision on which day to go. read more

Minnesota State Fair - Last day of State Fair, super busy, even though the mighty internet said, that it shouldn't busy on the last day... - Festivals Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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The great MN get together is always a good time! I went with my mom and boyfriend and we ate a lot of food and explored all of the activities from the butter sculptures to the plants. We loved eating the cheese curds from Mouth Trap, Ube Banana Foster French Toast Lumpia from Lumpia City, and of course the corn. We tried the Uncrustaburger - it was good but I could've just eaten the deep fried uncrustable by itself. We also took public transit there which helped with the parking situation. Overall, we walked a lot and had a great time. It was amazing to see so many people in one place! I definitely recommend anyone coming to MN for the summer to check this out! read more

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Going to the MSF with a toddler makes it a whole new experience so here's some tips for my fellow parents: Things to do with kiddo: - The Little Farm Hands (left of Eco building): "Hands" down my fav kid activity & a blast for toddlers & maybe up to 5 years old. It's cute how you pick up fake apples, eggs, corn, etc & at the end you put them back at a "farmer's market." They had little tractor bikes which made for a cute photo but too big for my kiddo to use the pedals to push her. The best part is you get a free treat at the end. Many kids got an ice cream sandwich but they have granola bars which my kiddo loved. - DNR Building (NE of the Coliseum): My kiddo loved the fish here & there's a little path you can walk with all of MN's wildlife that she liked. Free temporary tattoos are here too. - Parade: There's a daily parade at 2pm so make sure you find a nice shady spot with benches in prep. - Baldwin Park (across from Fine Arts building): Kid friendly entertainment, alphabet forest & grassy area adjacent to the bandshell where kids can run around - Big Yellow Slide: OK, I do not recommend this for any kiddo under 3 years old unless you have one of those no-fear-kids. It was too scary for mine. Note you have to pay for you & your kid, even if you're sharing one rug. - Butterfly garden (west of Kidway): This is $4 each & you're surrounded by butterflies. My kiddo in awe at first & then scared to get too close & I actually felt really bad for so many of the butterflies. I saw many kiddos, especially older than 3 really enjoy it tho. - Kidway: Too small for a toddler but look forward to bringing my kid here later for rides. Things to feed kiddo: - Apple cider pops in the Horticulture building - Corn cob - Cheese curds - French fries - Peaches/nectarines from Produce Exchange - Lefse in the food building Other Tips: - Pack all the snacks: The absolute friendliest parenting thing about the fair is that you can bring in your own kiddo snacks & milk. I brought a small cooler for the milk for later in the day when I inevitably needed to prevent a meltdown. I also packed a lot more healthier snacks since there's not much of that at the fair. Protip is to use snacks to get kiddo back into their stroller so you can move more freely. - Stroller: If you have a toddler or under, bring it but don't bring a huge honking wagon unless you have like 3+ kids to take around. It's way harder to navigate, especially if you're in any of the buildings, but even getting around the streets with anything bigger than a regular stroller. Your wagons will only give you major sideeye from others. Please please also be courteous & try to avoid toes! Again, super hard to maneuver w/ a bigger stroller/wagon. - Security line: The stroller can't go through a metal detector so there's a person there to push the stroller around while you go through. If you feel uncomfortable with someone taking hold of your stroller w/ your child in it, take your child out ahead of time so you carry them through the metal detector while your stroller is handled by security folks. Remember to take out your backpacks and anything you may have under your stroller when you go through security. It was a really quick, simple process overall. - Safety: Is your kid a runner or worried about getting separated in the crowds? The MSF website recommends picking up a free ID wristband at any info booth & make sure you take a pic of your kids' outfit. - Changing Station: Changing your kid's diaper in public is no fun, but a fellow parent told me there's a really nice changing/nursing trailer right by the Horticulture building (to the West). - Parking: After experiencing the shuttles (which are overall great solo), I would not do it with kiddo. The time it takes to get to a shuttle stop, wait for a shuttle to arrive, wait in line to get on the shuttle & then to/from the fair can take about 2-3 hours. That's precious time you could be spending at the fair before your kid gets crabby so I recommend paying extra for parking nearby or becoming good friends with someone who lives nearby haha. Also, if you really love the MN fair (which is the best in the country) & want to eat all the things, go a second time without kiddo. See my photos & older review for all my food recs. Lastly, go us, fellow parents & child caregivers (I see you aunties and grandparents) for figuring it out so that we can have a blast at the Great MN Get-Together & share this fun experience with the next generation. I can't wait to take my kiddo again next year! read more

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I have never been here before.. this past Friday was the first time I had gone, which is crazy since I have lived in Minnesota now since 2019! I went with a few people around 6 or 7pm and it was not that bad. I will say, the map could be slightly more detailed.. we just found ourselves constantly trying to figure out where smaller vendors were and the map was just not super helpful for that! It is a beast of a time. There is a lot going on but all in all I would say it was a very good experience. It has a good flow, and a good flow for high traffic too! We tried some deep fried olives.. not something that you would think is that good but it honestly turned out amazing. The traditional corn on the cob is also very good, you have some butter and add your salt and pepper and you are super golden! Cannot complain at all. I did not try anything sweet.. no desire to. Would definitely go back again! read more

I have never experienced anything like this fair. I guess the closest thing would be a theme park, but it's definitely not that. The energy, the food, the booths all make it a special unique thing. The food is the crown jewel for me. Insane food combinations and and just a giant selection. Make the trip here. Honestly, you could go a few days and be entertained. I only went half a day and felt like I didn't get to see everything. read more

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Second year being here and it did not disappoint! We raved about the fair so much that this year 5 of our friends traveled from out of state to join us. I highly recommend coming as early as possible and using the park and ride shuttles to both avoid long lines and paying for parking. Peachy's was a huge hit with our group and despite being there not long after the fair opened there was quite a line already. The donuts were delightful and had a really nice chew to it. The falafel waffle at baba's also earned great ratings with our group along with the classic staples of fresh French fries, fried pickles, roasted corn and cheese curds. I did get the shroomy calamari from French meadow and it was just alright--not something I would come back for. The Summer Lakes beverage stand had excellent mocktails with all 3 beverage options given glowing reviews. Aw always the crop art really captivates with all the immense detail put into them along with the scarecrows. The birthing center was great to see the piglets, but otherwise the other animals were not of much interest to our group. I also don't really understand why we need an example showing poorly caged conditions with live chickens. If the point is to show it's a poor condition shouldn't they avoid keeping live chickens in there even for the sake of demonstration? Also stopped by the grandstand to pickup merchandise and fair wear as usual had new designs for this year which were well done and several of us picked up magnets, stickers, shirts, and sweaters. There were a big chunk of commercial vendors (think hot tubs, saunas, mattresses) which did not appeal to us, but I understand they probably contribute a significant amount towards the operational cost of the fair. Also there was one vendor here which for certain was selling AI animal art which was disappointing and immediately noticeable. For those seeking more craft type shopping I recommend going to the west end shops as they sell actual art, shirt, belts, hats, and more. read more

I'm not unique in loving the State Fair; it IS the Great Minnesota Get-Together after all! After moving to MN, I didn't get what all the hype was about; I waited a good 5 years before actually attending the Fair. Now that I've gone, I go every year, multiple times a year! The park & ride/bus situation is excellent. There's a bus that picks up right by my house, so I never have to worry about driving, parking, etc. The bus is clean & comfortable, even when it's packed to the gills, & they drop you off right outside the gates. I have my standard go-tos (HAVE to get a Vietnamese coffee at Que Viet), but I love the opportunity to try new, sometimes weird, foods. This year, I also discovered the old photo booths in the arcade, which are SO fun. $5 for a keepsake that will last a lifetime? Yup! There are, of course, tons of animals & shows. The Lee Warner Coliseum does get pretty stuffy, but there are awesome performers and animal athletes every day. The animals in the barn areas all seem really well cared for & content, which is nice to see. Plus, after all that eating & drinking, I get over 10,000 steps! read more

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First time ever to the Minnesota State Fair. It is massive in size. I was really thankful for the scooter rental being right at the entrance. It is a bit pricey but if you have issues being on your feet for long periods of time you are going to want to rent one or arrange for a rental beforehand/bring your own. The rental right at the entrance was $75. For the most part all of the exhibits were accessible. People are just a bit ignorant when it comes to being courteous, you may have to use the horn a few times. Especially, if a food line is blocking your way. Other than that it was good. The rides were well run and didn't have too long of a wait. My kids rode several rides and they felt safe and had a ton of fun. As far as the fair food goes, we tried bratwurst, bucket of chocolate chip cookies, burrito, corn dog, cheesy fries and the Turkey legs! Everything was delicious! read more

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We attended the Minnesota State Fair Kick off to Summer event today. We've attended this event for a few years now. Perfect weather today. Good time had by all. If you want a smaller version of the Huge fair in August this is the event for you. Less bodies, cool weather great food. We shared our food as usual so every one had a few bites and got to try lots of goodies. Deep fried pickles, pickle pizza, Minne Snow Ta Ice, Poutine this was new to me this year it was great, foot long hot dog, pronto pups, cheese curds and of course sweet Martha cookies!! The Giant slide is always a must do for the grand kids, I like to watch. Nice day read more

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