I'm not gonna lie--the State Fair feels like it's pricing out the average family. I've been going since I was a kid (back when schools gave out free tickets), and going back recently, the midway feels smaller but you're paying the same--if not more--for fewer rides. The food is still the main draw, but it adds up fast. Most things are $12-$20 (and you have to use coupons), so your money goes quick. Go with friends and split everything if you actually want to try stuff. If you're coming for rides, you'll be disappointed. It's better to go on a day with a concert or the rodeo so it feels more worth it. Parking is ass and expensive. Take the train--it drops you right in front and saves you the headache. read more

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This brisket stuffed pretzel came from Hans Mueller Bavarian Beer Garden at the Texas State Fair and was hands down my favorite meal. They mix the brisket with sharp cheddar beer cheese stuffed in salty pretzel dough. Never have I ever seen a combination of flavors or texture like this and they deserve all the attention they can get. I absolutely love the beer cheese idea and how well the taste blends with the brisket. I will get this every time I return read more

State Fair of Texas - Brisket and brewed stuffed pretzels - Festivals Near Me - Dallas, Texas

This year I had so much fun at the state fair. I haven't been in almost a decade and it was by far incredible. It was packed when I went during the week. However , when it came to parking , we couldn't find any which was challenging so we paid $30 to park in the fair parking lot. Take the train if you can!! From the food, to the animals, the ferris wheel at night to test driving Chevy's and walking around, I have to say everything was amazing. Best thing on the menu this year was a pretzel stuffed with brisket topped with melted cheese. 10/10!! I should have skipped the donut fried chicken sandwich ahaha I can't wait to go back next year! read more

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Super fun, month-long event in the heart of Dallas. Easy to reach by public transit or parking. The organizers truly have this down to a T. A lot of fun, local wares to shop for...to be honest, my friends and I hit it for the food and drinks (and people watching). Been the last three years and will definitely keep it up. read more

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The State Fair of Texas is a celebration of all things Texas. This historic fair is a mix of deep-fried foods, sweet treats, toothless carnies, rides too dangerous to experience, and the best event North Texas has to offer. It also ushers in the cooler weather (if you're lucky). I make it a point to visit every year, and this review covers a few of my favorite items. My Overall Rating - 5 Stars (Atmosphere, Service, Food, Return) Atmosphere - Nothing beats a visit to the fair. If you're lucky, the weather is cool and will be filled with smells of fried corny dogs, smoked turkey legs, BBQ, and more. The carnies will taunt you to get you to play games, and vendors will entice you to buy a new mattress or a set of knives. Escape to a food court or the auto show if it gets too hot or look for a vendor with lots of shade. Oh, State Fair of Texas is also a great place for people watching. Tip: Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds and take a photo with Big Tex. Avoid Texas\OU weekend unless you're going to the game. 1 Star. Service - Every vendor I've been too is very nice. You'll spend tons of money on food coupons and quickly forget that 7 coupons for a corny dog = $7. But suspend this knowledge for one day, line up at your favorite place, and enjoy the unique food you can only get at the fair. 1 Star. Food - I always eat the same items every year and add a few new items. Tried and true include Tornado Taters (NW of the Cotton Bowl), Chili Frito Pie (Chilli Parlor in the Tower Building Food Court), Smoked Turkey Leg from Dickel's (Cotton Bowl Plaza), and Darn Good Corn (Midway). I've added the Cha Cha Chata to my yearly rotation. This horchata-inspired milkshake comes with a churro-lined straw and sweet caramel churro bits. I discovered Mr. Ramen Fusion by Omar's rich and savory birria beef ramen. Also, Dickel's Birria egg rolls were a cheesy fried surprise. My Waguy Slides with Strawberry Jam was meh though. Too little slider patty and jam vs bun size. In the end, I was tired from all the walking and full from all the food. 2 Stars. Will I Return? - Yes. I subscribe to the Newsletters, texts, and The Great Donovan is now the opening MC. Not only will I be back, but I can't wait. 1 Star. read more

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I had heard a lot of hype about the Texas State Fair in the past. So when I was finally in town during it, I figured I would check it out. Now I can definitely see why so many people love it! I have only been to one other state fair before, and this one made that look like nothing. (Insert cheesy joke about how everything is bigger in Texas) You'll probably want more than one day here, but even if you only have a day like I did, you'll have a great time exploring all the food, rides and activities! The payment system is a little weird, but is important to know for newcomers: You'll have to buy 'coupons', $1=1 coupon, to pay for everything. The food.... Oh man, the food. There's so many options that you can snag a free booklet of all the food that there is here. Many fair classics, plus a lot of crazy things that you'll never find anywhere else. I tried the deep fried carbonara, which reminded me of a mac and cheese ball but with pasta. And this is Texas after all, so don't forget to grab a frozen Dr. Pepper... It'll come in handy on a hot September day. Another fun bonus I got to try was a Pop Rocks Margarita, which is exactly what it sounds like and was so fun! It's impossible to get bored here. It felt like every corner I turned, something else was going on. I got to experience a pig race, horse show and dog stunt show, all of which were a great time. I didn't ride any rides during my visit, but the selection is insane! Any kind of ride you can think of will probably be here. If you're ever in Dallas during the Fall, you must make it a point to come here. read more

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Experiencing my first North Texas Fall and you know I'm gonna hit everything in that starter pack. Bff flew in to go with me and I thought it was so much fun! I didn't think I'd need multiple visits but entering the gates at 715p on a Saturday with a 10p closing time definitely wasn't enough. Allocate at least 45min for parking and getting in. Next time I think I'll take the train. I think we lost about 90+ minutes to the drive and parking. I was very excited to see this Big Tex guy! Felt like a right of passage. Everyone here knows who he is and hotels have wallpaper of him. I'm guilty of ordering sample wallpaper because I loved the design so much and had never seen him irl until this weekend. He's a real stud and you know I love me some good denim and a pair of Luccheses. We both got Corny dogs. Bff had original, I had jalapeño cheese. Yummy! We rode the swings, the Texas Star and I went on the large slide. We purchased souvenirs, shared a fried snickers and fried cookie dough. I definitely want to go back earlier in the day to casually take in all of the aspects I wasn't able to get to on our first visit especially the animals and stages with music. We happened to hear TLC's closing set as we were headed out. I loved the crowd, so diverse! We stayed until everything was closing down and some of the last to exit the parking lot. The smells, colors, music, fireworks, fun, family, friends... were all aspects that contributed to a memorable first visit. We spent under $400 on 2.5 hours but had we gone earlier in the day I can definitely see this being significantly more. There were a few other food items I didn't have a chance to try and I may have wanted to ride a couple other rides. Here's a quick cost breakdown: - 2 flex tickets $40 (had a discount of $9 per ticket) - Official parking $30 - 140 "coupons" $140 (used on 3 rides, cotton candy, reusable Big Tex Arnold Palmer drink cup, 2 corny dogs, fried snickers and cookie dough) we have a few leftover - souvenirs $185 (ornament, sweatshirt, bandana, mug + free plush with $140 total) I obviously won't need to purchase souvenirs on a return visit this year and I can bring my cup back any time for $4 refills. I'm a girl who loves a strong ROI. All in all, I'd highly recommend. I'd heard walking in can take awhile, it probably took us 10-15min to get to/from lot PP. I heard it is pricey, and yep! I can see how things add up but if you do it right 1-2 days and you're prob good until the following year. I heard the crowd could be sketch, not sure what that really meant but I actually quite enjoyed seeing everyone having such a fun time. I heard not to stay past dark and I stayed until plenty past dark and felt fine. Great experience! Highly recommend and can totally see where one can customize their experience to have a highly enjoyable visit. read more

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First time experiencing the Dallas state fair and it was very nice!! The best fair I've been too!! They have so many things to pick from. Eccentric food items and drinks. It was a pleasure to try Fletchers corn dogs and see other insane food ideas that look very good!! Candied grapes to nice things to buy from different vendors. They have a car show and lots of things to do to stay occupied!! Good deserts as well from fried key lime pie to churro cheesecakes! This fair is huge so it's a must to wear cumffy shoes. We came on the last day so it was packed but not too crazy! The parking is pricey, paid $30 and you have to get coupons to use for certain food vendors. Some take cash or coupons!! This is new to me so it's good to know for new comers! I will come Back here for sure! This is one of the best fairs I've been to. Make sure you come on an empty stomach!! read more

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Had a great time at the fair this year! We tried so many things! Rode the train for $5, had some tickets left over from last year to add to the 150 tickets I bought this round. Best method is to go with a friend or friends who have similar pallets so you all can share the food and try more things that way! Can't wait until next year to see all the new foods! This year - my fav thing I tried was the oxtail cornbread sliders from Pearline's! read more

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Ambiance: Huge Texas fair (the biggest!) in the DFW area featuring carnival rides, vendors, shows, and all things fair related. Highly recommend taking an Uber over parking anywhere near the grounds. Lots of families & kids everywhere. Personally, I'm too old for the fair. Two bites of fried ravioli and I was sick for a week. You have to have tickets to get food and it's not cheap. Spent like $50 for fried ravioli, 2 beers, and one other small food item. Super crowded & I thought I was going to pass out inside the indoor dining area from the food smells. Seems like this is one of those things you do one time and then never again. I love all things Texas but I draw the line at the fair. read more

State Fair of Texas - Fried ravioli - Festivals Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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The fair grounds are huge. The weather was really hot the day I went, but they have air conditioned buildings here and there where you can step in and take a cool air break. They use coupons as a form of payment at the food and games stalls, as well as the rides (not cash or card). Each coupon costs $1, with a minimum of $10. You can use cash or card to get the coupons. You can carry small purses (which they will inspect at the gate), or larger bags as long as they are clear/transparent. I was pretty disappointed food wise, and the dill pickle lemonade trend (at $12 a cup) is a hard pass (I got it, I tried it, and I'm saying no thank you). read more

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Always been a dream to come here and it finally happened. This fair puts all the other fairs to shame. Quality of food and service is insane. The efficiency of not using money here is so smart, so get your coupons as soon as you get in. Everything I ate is pictured and there wasn't anything I disliked but my favorite was the fried pickle pizza and horchata matcha. Like dang, will be craving both of those. I was also really impressed with all the vegetarian options, especially in a meat heavy state. Speaking of meat, they have livestock auctions. I stayed out of that area, but I will say at least it is small farmers. Factory farming sucks. It wasn't that busy on a Monday and we did so much. There are so many freebies and pretty cool ones too, so don't pass up the vendors who sponsor. It was hot so wear your sunscreen and comfy shoes. The best part was the dinosaur exhibit!!! Omg!! Loved the facts and replicas! Lastly the tram is so easy and quick!! read more

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Man o man! This fair season was something else! Not only was it so nostalgic, as it always is, there was just a different vibe in the air this year! We were fortunate enough to go a few time to the State Fair (Because of our Season Passes) and everytime hit home in the best way possible! It's always fun for sure, but I will say our experience on Thrifty Thursday as well as the Red River Showdown was the BEST! Thrifty Thursday was spectacular, during the week it's always less crowded, BUT combining the ambiance with the discounted food prices, it actually felt really enjoyable! We got to try a lot of food that originally would cost an arm and a leg, at a discounted price! Our favorite had to be the Boudin egg rolls and the Hot honey devil eggs! During Texas v OU, the crowds came out, but the vibes were a 10/10! From watching the game, to the amount of free merch and samples, it was definitely one for the books! It's become a tradition for us to go every year, and now we cannot wait for the 2026 season! 365 days and counting! read more

The state fair 2025 did not disappoint! It was not as crowded this year as it has been in previous years. The fair was very clean and organized with the map to follow if you did not just want to walk around. There was lots of places to sit with shade and more then enough food and drinks. There were diffrent kinds of shopping and many diffrent kinds of vendors selling all sorts of things and the prices were reasonable. The parking was very well put together and there was a tram that could take you to the front entrance. There were lots of rides to go on for adults and kids as well as games to play and prizes to win. There were fireworks /parade / dance show at night and it was stunning. I cant wait to go back next year! Me and my family love it! read more

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The good: It was a lot of fun! Tons to do and the kiddo had an absolute blast on the rides. The place is huge! There's so much to do with the carnival rides, food, petting farm, car show, concerts etc The bad: However, coupons are exchanged at a 1:1 dollar to ticket rate which is completely unreasonable. For example, if a ride costs 6 coupons, that's $6. Since many rides have height requirements, a parent has to join making it $12 per ride. And that's one of the cheaper ones. Some rides were 15+ coupons per person which is just ridiculous. Keep in mind this is in addition to the entry ticket, which isn't cheap either. The overall cost makes the experience pretty cost prohibitive and probably explains why attendance was down by 400,000 (yes you read that right) compared to the previous year. This also explains why it wasn't too busy though. Most rides were fairly empty and the only noticeable line was at the Ferris wheel. Overall 5/5 for fun but 1/5 for cost. read more

Always a thrilling and adventurous time at the Texas State fair. I've made it a tradition since I was a young boy to come here every year, multiple times. Each trip is always buffet and I make it a priority to ride the rides and check out the lineup of fried foods . Tickets are discounted sometimes at Kroger and other ways (bring a ca good/peanut butter) , you have to check the official website on how get a reduced rate. Packed and crowded So be prepared . No outside food or drinks are allowed but I'm sure they will make exceptions for children . Tickets are used as currency, and there are multiple tickets booths scattered through the fair park for purchasing . Be prepared to spend and indulge in some walking. There are tons of resting spots and some shaded areas. The food court gets very toasty and feels like there is no AC on. There are shows and a petting zoo. Big Tex is always a fun attraction to see when visiting . I can see why people come from all over the world to experience a jam packed day filled with good fun and events . read more

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Howdy y'all! This was my very first trip to the State Fair of Texas, and let me tell you, it's an experience! I'd seen all the TikToks about the crazy fair food, heard how pricey it was (they weren't lyin'), and even got the tip to look for dropped tickets on the ground. That might work better later in the day, but no luck for me. We went on Senior Citizen Day, which gets you in for just $7, but there's still a big ol' line to get through the gate. Once inside, lines for food tickets and admission moved pretty quick. Pro tip, wear sunscreen and bring a clear bag or one of those tiny 6x4 fanny packs, since that's all they allow. Now, about those tickets... they're $1 each, sold in bundles of 15, and that setup feels a bit like highway robbery if you ask me. We had leftovers, so we sold them at a small discount near a ticket booth (which I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to do, so keep it low-key and have some change handy). Of course, you gotta start with a Fletcher's corny dog. it's a rite of passage. Then we tried the deviled eggs with brisket (a bit watery and disappointing), the Frito pie (pretty solid), and a fried banana cream pie that was tasty but teeny-tiny for $8. Find the $2 waters to save yourself from dehydration, they don't allow thermoses, and I sure didn't spot any water fountains, though my husband swore he did. Ladies, be warned: the bathroom lines are long as a Texas summer. (Maybe if a few more women designed these buildings, we'd be better off!) We also hopped on the free Toyota ride, which was fun and didn't have much of a wait. The exhibit area was interesting, especially the award-winning stuff, but everything was packed in a little too tight. I really wanted to see the quilts up close, but they were hung high, probably to keep sticky fingers off them. All in all, it was one heck of a day. Bring cash, wear comfy shoes, and come hungry! you'll leave with stories, a lighter wallet, and a little fried food joy in your heart. ALSO - take DART to save parking fees. SO now I have been to the fair, I might not go again for another few years, unless there is a cold spell. read more

So me and my family visit the state fair almost every year, this year was a little different! We enjoyed our day the second to last day of closing (11/18/2025) but surprisingly it did RAIN nonetheless we had a great time after the overcast cleared. My kiddos got to enjoy the dinosaur attraction and we also tried some great food which included; Pickled Pizza, Dubai Chocolate Fries, and A Turkey leg with Mac and cheese to accommodate it (purchased separately). Despite the rain I was still able to sip my daiquiri from the famous Who Dat Daiquiris and enjoy the time we spent on rides. It was REALLY nice to catch a vibe with a family of 3 adults and 2 kids and being able to spend less than 200$ which included our parking. Highly recommended! read more

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Texas State Fair 2025: Fried, Fabulous, and Full of Vibes! Y'all... it's the last week of the fair, and let's just say I fully leaned into my fried-life fantasy Pro tip: grab your discounted tickets & parking online = no crazy lines, no stress, just straight to the good stuff. First sip: frozen Arnold Palmer, because balance. Then: funnel cake + chicken on a stick = elite combo energy. Fried Pickle Pizza: loved the creativity, but one and done for this pickle girl Rib Deviled Eggs from So Eggciting Deviled Eggs: flavor , ribs -- Big Tex wouldn't approve. Guac-a-rrons from Tony's Taco Shop: super cute name, but taste said "no ma'am." The Nephew Sandwich from Smith Spot BBQ: glazed donut bun, crispy bacon, cheese, and spinach (I held the spinach ) but that sweet + savory combo was chef's kiss! Cookie Chaos Milkshake from Bluebonnet Roadhouse: sugar rush of the century ... messy, magical, worth every calorie. Oreo Cheesecake from The Grove Drizzle: velvety, crunchy, and absolutely the main character of dessert. Between the fried madness, big smiles, and that fairground energy you can't help but fall in love with the Texas State Fair every single time. #BigTexEnergy #FriedLifeChronicles #YelpEliteEats #TexasStateFair2025 #FoodieAdventures #FairFoodGoals read more

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Lots of fun things to do here. A day well spent if you are coming to visit before the fair ends. Definitely check out the TRX exposition by RAM. That was my favorite activity to do here but focus focusing more on the fair. I will say it is expensive, considering everything is ticket based. 1ticket = $1. So it can add up just for two Michelada's. We paid $36. read more

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We attended on the first day of the Fair and it was great. We brought peanut butter for a discount on the tickets. The crowd was smaller than I expected which was nice. We ate the sliders which were great, Fletchers corn dog with mustard...awesome and the funnel cake, and a few others. We walked the whole fair and it was great. read more

State Fair of Texas - Green House. - Festivals Near Me - Dallas, Texas

If you haven't been-GO! You are missing out! Fantastic way to spend your day! So much food!! So much to do! So much to see! One day is not enough time. read more

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CRAZY OVERPRICED! $30 parking & I spend $97 on 2 adults & 2 kids to come in. All the food is $20+ is is TERRIBLE. None of it tasted fresh, just junk food. Rides ares $10+ a person. This fair makes MILLIONS & the greed is obvious. Overall hurting the average family. I myself spent 1,200 on food & rides for my fam. I have the money but i felt like a fool overpaying. First & last time we will attend & will warn others. read more

State Fair of Texas - Festivals Near Me - Dallas, Texas

The Texas State Fair is a can't miss occasion every year for me, but I have gone often enough to know that there are some easy to fall into pitfalls that can make your experience subpar. When you arrive you will immediately be overcome with "fair brain" and want to go to the first thing you see - this is a mistake - remember there is too much to do in one day at the fair so you need to optimize your time. The best way to do that is to grab one of the brochures at the entrance, this will tell you all the new fair foods and events around the fair. When you are at the fair stomach space is your CURRENCY (but you will spend your actual currency as well), every item you eat is less space for you to fit in other items. So the best plan of attack is to choose the exact items you MUST eat and prioritize them early on. You can get to everything, I believe in you. If you are lucky you will visit the fair on a lovely, crisp, cool day - but keep in mind there are only about 3 of those here in Texas every year so you will likely be walking around a LOT in sweltering heat. This isn't a bad thing, but you have to plan for it. Ensuring you have plenty of water, and wearing a hat is incredibly important because there is not enough shade provided by the fair itself. Also please make use of the inside areas, there are several within the fair and these can be utilized to take a break. Lastly, when it comes to events keep in mind once again there is SO much to do. My favorite event every year is the pig races, the group that puts them on is hilarious and it never gets old to watch the little pigs run around to try get to their prize - a single oreo. If you are in Texas and the fair is in town, please give it a chance. I have been going to the state fair for years, and it truly is a very unique experience to Texas and to Dallas - it just takes a little planning to make sure you go from having a good time to having a really great time. read more

The Texas State Fair is a place near and dear to my heart. If you want to enjoy less crowds and cheaper food, come on Thursdays since there's a discount then. Buy your tickets online because you'll get discount packs. You'll save $24 if you buy for 4. If you're looking for clean bathrooms in a cool area, pop to the car show rooms. That way you aren't stuck in the horrible heat. Pro tip: If it's in your budget come early with $20 cash so you can get parking right next to the fair. read more

State Fair of Texas - Pickle pizza (pretty intriguing) - Festivals Near Me - Dallas, Texas

If you're local to Dallas, you know that the State Fair is a staple you just can't get away from. From local vendors serving typical fair food, to deliciously remixed cocktails, it's just an amazing experience. We really enjoyed our day here on a sunny October afternoon. We arrived on a Thursday around 1pm and it felt like a great time to avoid busy crowds. Every stall and vendor had a smile on their face and the food came out hot and fresh. My favorites are Catfish Floyd's catfish basket, the classic funnel cake, Fletcher's corn dogs, the michelada, and the dried deviled egg! read more

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While visiting family in Dallas they took us to the State Fair. We were greeted to long lines while entering it was last day. I liked that we could park off site and take train to it. Like all things it was very expensive to buy food, rides and drinks. Although there was a large selection of everything fried. I stuck to the grilled corn. We wondered around, checked out the rodeo, livestock barn and dog show. Which was my favorite. More than anything it was nice to hang out with our adult kids. read more

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Great place to watch the Red River Rivalry game inside the Fair, but outside the stadium. Easy access to food and restrooms. Glad to see they gave upgraded TV sizes have been upgraded. read more

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State Fair of Texas! I'm in shock! I've been to a few fairs in my life but this one is like a fair on a crap load of steroids and I mean that in a good and amazing way! The size of the fair, the amount of things to see, do and buy, and the sheer number of people were mind blowing. We got there at 3:00ish and it was manageable but by the time we left at around 8:00 and from the middle of the midway, it was just wall to wall people of all kinds. People of ALL kinds. Ladies, if you are reading this, please look at yourself in the mirror before you leave your house. Or maybe you meant to wear see through clothing with no undergarments. In any case, we all had a great time, ate some crazy and fair foods, saw the cutest animals, went up 500 feet in the air and spent a ton of money. We didn't get to see any shows, maybe next year. read more

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Parking $30, turkey legs are $25 not worth it at all!!! Spent about $150 on food and it was not all that great. I did enjoy the shows and next year I'll go for show and no food read more

Visited here many times in my lifetime and experiences have always been OK at best. Why? The parking is atrocious. DART's not much better having to deal with malcontents on the rail. If the State Fair actually cared, they'd place security or hire law enforcement officers to patrol and occupy all the shady places. Most recent time we went, we paid for official parking at Gate 2. When we got to the gate, the incompetent staffers closed it off and flagged us to keep going. Down the road where the shifty parking lot peddlers were soliciting. So I came back to same Gate 2 again and this time it was open. Unacceptable. Vet your hiring better and don't let this happen again. The tram is a great option going from parking lot to entrance though. When inside the fair grounds, there's ample areas to ask for information so that's good. The rodeo show is a must-watch and highly recommend. It's inside air-cooled area and not outside like the pig race. Everything is so expensive though so definitely bring in your own water and food if possible. Use clear bagging if you don't want to be stopped upon entry. Crowds can be irritating especially people who don't know how to navigate the shared paths properly so advise going on less-crowded days like weekdays and avoid the Red Rivalry timing. read more

Howdy folk! Every year it feels like I hear only the bad things about the fair but this year the noise was louder than ever. Reading everyone's feedback had me thinking the fair I've grown up going to was ruined, from it being over expensive, to terrible food and rides, even rude and unfriendly staff. That doesn't sound very Texan! I was disappointed but I wasn't about to give up so quickly and had to see it for myself. This year I went to the last day of The State Fair of Texas (10/19/25) to do a little experiment for myself, to see if the fair really wasn't as I've always remembered. The biggest negative that I'm sure you've already heard about is "the state fair is too expensive". I've always thought the fair was expensive as you're really paying for the experience and fun day, but I thought I'd get there and the prices would be way blown out of proportion by the way everyone was talking. Prices definitely vary heavily (some being set at absolutely ridiculous prices) but if you know what to look for you can have a great day for relatively cheap. Overall, I spent $20 on parking, $29 on my ticket to get into the fair, and bought $80 in coupons, so $129 in total. This is you right now: "$129 for the day? For one person??". Well let's just say I got the most out of my day, and you don't have to do everything I did! Here's the things I did that I would recommend: First, I got a fletchers corndog for 8 coupons. This is the safest, BEST food option at the fair and comparatively, 8 coupons isn't all that bad! Next, I played some games. They're all rigged in some sort of fashion but HEY! Test your luck and see what happens. If a game peaks your interest, there's always a chance you might win, just like I did! Next, THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE. Right by the main game area is the butterfly house, it costs 12 coupons to get in but you're given a wristband that gives you access for the full day, even if you leave you can come back in. If it's going to be a classic, HOT, Texas day, this is the perfect place to chill because it's air conditioned, quiet, has $1 water bottles, a secret biergarten with talented musicians playing inside, extremely happy and helpful workers, but most importantly... BUTTERFLIES! The butterfly exhibit itself is a peaceful, relaxing experience that the whole family can enjoy. Butterflies everywhere, even some baby quail when we visited! Oh and do the ferris wheel once if you've never done it. You won't be blown away or anything but there's some good views up there. And it goes around TWICE. Thing I did that you don't have to: Bubble house, zero gravity machine, candy covered frozen lemon (it tasted like a lemon chill, actually good but just buy some fried oreos). Overall, I can honestly say I had a 5 star day at the fair and I think you can too, FOR EVEN CHEAPER THAN ME! I fully believe you can have a fun day at the fair for just under $100 a person, and if you ride with friends or family, you'll obviously save on parking too! With The State Fair of Texas, you're really just paying for the experience you want to have, and if you have a bad experience, that's on you :) https://youtu.be/8k0mKPfam00 read more

State Fair of Texas - dat boy fletch! - Festivals Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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The Texas State Fair just so happens to be happening during my trip to Dallas so we decided to spend our last day here after a few more sightseeing. It is the largest state fair in the US because as you know, everything his bigger in Texas. Parking, we just paid $10 to park at one of those parking sites and called it a day. Walked 5 minutes to the entrance so it was convenient. Everything runs on tickets, including the food vendors, which makes it more convenient. So how do you get those tickets? At the many ticket vendors across the fairgrounds, which will take credit card payments. Super convenient. Yes it is crowded and there will be waits at all the popular vendors and rides. Food and drinks will be overpriced, but hey, what did you expect? There are free fun activities that included test driving vehicles and a Ford off road track where the professional driver will floor it off their man made jumps for some air time. read more

Lived in Texas for 30 years, and I finally made it to the Fair. Went on a Friday around lunchtime, hoped it wouldn't be as crowded - nope, already very busy. Took a good 30 minutes just to get in the Parking lot. I was really looking forward to check out some of the new cars, but with kids running around everywhere inside the exhibit I just did a quick walkthrough. Disappointed A lot of the vendor exhibits reminded me of local Home and Garden shows, not that interesting and new. Disappointed. Next checked out the livestock, how can you not like baby animals, they are just too cute. Then onto some H4 judging, man they were critical of those heifers, followed by the rodeo. All get a thumbs up. We also had the obligatory corn dog and an overpriced, flat beer. All in all, it was an ok afternoon, but I think I'm in no hurry to rush back in the next few years to come. read more

Had an amazing time exploring the 2023 Texas state fair. Had some great eats. We tried the Rodeo Doughnut Burger(20 tickets)along with the cheese bacon Curley fries(19), cotton candy(7), and some delicious strawberry lemonade(12) to help wash it down. The rides were very fun. Tickets were about a dollar a ticket and the food averaged about 10-30 tickets for each. read more

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I've become selective when it comes to new food items. Usually, I'm left disappointed. The fair staff is always energetic and helpful from what I've experienced. I often attend the fair during the state fair classic Prairie View vs Grambling State cotton bowl game. Now, I enjoy whatever the fair has to offer. read more

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This year was my third year visiting the State Fair of Texas and it was once again a highlight of my year! Recent lessons learned include: - Seems like my group maxes out at about 4 hours. As for me, I could happily spend 12+ hours in a day at the fair, there is so much to do and see! If you are a "do everything" person, you might consider going to the fair multiple times instead of trying to cram it all in. - The Cheep Beer at Beer Barn has a second location in the Midway. My newest Pro Tip is that in the Cotton Bowl food area, you can find 5 ticket beer with greater variety and NO WAIT at the station that has the Pizza & Nachos banner. It's worth it to me! - Rideshare drop off was more of a pain than Rideshare pickup, which was a breeze. Highly recommend having your ride drop you at a business across the street from Fair Park (such as the Walgreens) and walking across the street. - Go on a weekday. Trust me. Take the day off of work. If you can make it a Thursday, that's the best day as there are lots of deals around the park. We like to go opening day each year as a tradition, but you do miss out on any reviews that others may have for that year (wild, I know!) If you're going this year (2024) my favorite food items were the cotton candy bacon on a stick, holy cheesus pizza, and strawberry poptart beignefful. But I love to try the food winners - I encourage the guests I host at the fair to just look around and grab whatever looks delicious! If you have healthier eaters in your group, the options are limited, but our friends found great options at a seafood shack near the dino lagoon (no red meat served at this location), cano's fruteria (multiple locations, we like the one in the dino area), and humongous chicken skewers in the midway area. read more

State Fair of Texas - Cano's Fruteria Fruit Cup - Festivals Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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I am a fan of the fair! Originally from WI, the Texas State Fair offers a while different experience, from attractions, food, and events. I've attended previous years on the weekend of the red river rivalry, and I would say that this is a jam packed Saturday. Park at capacity! It could be considered family friendly, but I believe any other weekend not on that weekend was a better experience to take my toddler. Parking was cheaper and the attractions were more accessible. read more

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What a great time to spend a day at the State Fair. We spent 6 hours with our granddaughter here at the fair. She had a wonderful time with all the rides and games. The staff were very nice to her as she only won a small prize but they upgraded her to a medium prize. We also spent some time at the dinosaur exhibit, which was educational and fun all at the same time. The animals were a site to see, too. read more

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I'll start with the good things. The shows were awesome. We saw great magicians, breakdancers, a strongman, and a dinosaur show among others. The performers were great and the kids had a great time. The staff were super friendly, but that's about where it ends. The bad: It was stupidly expensive. We drove 3 hours from Austin, paid $160 for 4 tickets + 50 midway coupons, and $30 for parking (plus hotel and dog sitters but thats on us) For those that don't know, the midway 'coupons' are just tickets that stand in for cash. $1 = 1 coupon. I though for sure $50 would last us a little but I could not be any further from the truth. That $50 was gone within 5 minutes of entering the gate. $10 for 2 sodas was normal festival prices, but the ride. jesus christ the rides were such an "eff you" to the folks who brought the kids. The cheapest rides were $5 each ride and those were the tiny toddler rides. The intermediate rides were between $8 and $11 each ride, and some of the rides , like the slingshot, were $35 each ride. Let me repeat that, thirty five dollars for ONE ride. Affer 2 drinks and 1 hang glider ride for 4, that lasted 45 seconds, the $50 of midway coupons was done for. We said "OK, lets save money and get a refillable cup" so we spend $16 on a souvenir cup, only to find out that it was still $4 to fill it up each time. The food we got was so lackluster. Maybe we went to the wrong places but we spent $8 for a plate of cheese nachos for the kids and there were seriously 10 nachos on the plate, in a single layer. Then the workers tried to give me grief when I asked for a second plate for the kids to share their food with each other. $25 for a turkey leg which was actually decent, but still overpriced, and $19 for 3 small pieces of dry catfish with maybe 10 fries on the side. We also wanted to catch shows on the opposite side of the fairgrounds but walking that far took 20-30 minutes and there was no way to line it up with the other things we wanted to see. We though taking the skyway would be a good way to get from 1 end of the fairgrounds to the other, but it only went from 1 gate, to the other side of the midway. It was $14 for each rider, lasted 3 minutes, and they made us dump the $4 refill out before we could board. Some of the shows weren't shaded enough and directly in the sun, with metal bleachers, so we had to skip some of them due to the kids overheating. Finally the people with all of the carnival games were super pushy, like uncomfortably pushy. Everyone of them was barking and yelling at everyone to come blow more money on rigged games to win stuffed animals. The kids had a great time, but we had to spend a stupid amount of money for it. We won't be coming back in subsequent years. The people running this are robbers, and the fair is for the 1%. read more