I love the Minnesota State Fair. It is a dreamland! It is absolutely the funnest place ever. I don't know where to start. The first time I went was three years ago and it blew me away! The size of the fair alone is so impressive! I'd never seen or been to anything like it. The food at the fair I could write a novel about how fun the food is and the adventures you go on finding different items. I've eaten so much food here and I always leave craving more of my favorite things. The beer selection alone is impressive. This year my goal was to try as many different new beers as I could. I got to 12 different ones. All so good and delicious. One of my favorite from this year was the caramel apple beer or the key lime pie! So good. The activities are always so fun and exciting. I always feel like a little kid coming back. Seeing the butter sculptures and the art made of beans and grains, the grandstand with all the shops, the dog shows, and even all the live music. That is only a small number of things you can get into! It's been our family tradition for the last three years. I keep coming back. I can't wait for next year! read more

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My first time at the State Fair and it did not disappoint. Things we did that helped our group have a great time: Attend during the week if possible. The crowd is much smaller than the weekends. Very few long lines for food or rides. We parked across the street at a school and paid a small parking fee. It was a short walk to the entrance and at the end of the day, you want a short walk back to the car. We brought water, lots of water. It's hot and food and beverages can be expensive. Dress cool. Denim is not your friend with the heat and humidity. We wrote down new food options we wanted to try ahead of time as there are hundreds of food and beverage stands throughout the fair. We only found one of the new food options which was disappointing but we still ate all kinds of yummy treats. We rode the skyway to the other side of the fairgrounds snd worked our way back to the front. There are an abundance of alcoholic beverage buildings throughout the fair and they don't care if you walk around the fair with alcohol. All of the animal exhibits were wonderful. Beautiful animals. Especially the birthing building. How lucky were we to view a live birth! There are so many craft and food exhibitions. However, all of the buildings are hot. No air conditioning. It was difficult to spend too much time in any one building which was disappointing. If you are with a larger group such as us, we only bought a couple of food items and shared amongst the group so we could try more items. The rides and carnival games were meh. I could skip this entire section next year. Loved that there were plenty of security guards throughout the fair. I think this helped quite a bit with crowd control. Especially the evening. A variety of shopping available with deals including pontoons, clothes, docks, RV's etc. There were various music venues scattered through the fairgrounds. All the bands were heard were excellent. Especially in the international section. All the staff we interacted with were very nice. Overall we had a nice time. Would definitely attend in the future. read more

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The Minnesota State Fair has become an annual tradition for our family for the last few years. My two little guys love going to the Minnesota State Fair for the food and variety of activities. Our food favorites include: roasted corn, pickle pizza, cheese curds, fried pickles, bacon on a stick, Sweet Martha Cookies,... A new FAVORITE this year is Peachy's Donuts - lines are long but definitely worth the wait. Highly recommend the Minnesota State Fair for a fun Summer family and friends activity! read more

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One of the many things I love about the state fair is that you can either go and have the same exact experience or each time can be completely new. From the food to performances, you can stick with the staples or mix things up entirely. I'm forever in awe of the logistics of the fair. Starting with the park and rides. One of my drivers lives in Missouri and comes to Minnesota ever August for two weeks to work the fair. To the different buildings, like the creative arts competitions. To all the animals and the logistics of keeping both the FFA/4Hers and animals feed and happy is no small feat. Through the rain to blazing temperatures. I absolutely love the fair and all the grandstand, roast corn, and new food vendors have to offer. read more

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Holy wow! This state fair is the best you can attend! Wear comfortable walking shoes as the grounds are way larger than you'd expect. Plenty of food, drink, and activities to try for the whole family. It does get pretty crowded - so keep that in mind if you're not into large crowds. read more

Minnesota State Fair - Festivals Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

The state fair is always a staple for Minnesotans! Every year there is a list of new foods, drinks, and vendors who participate. It's honestly my favorite part about the fair. The other amazing piece is usually the concert line up! The past few years have been great with having Keith Urban, Meaghan Trainor, and then TLC, En Vogue, and Salt N Pepa this year! I'm excited to see what next year brings. For those who are planning a trip to Minnesota during that time frame... make sure you plan at LEAST a day for the fair! read more

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One of my fave times of year. This place gets busier and busier each year. The lines are getting longer, especially for new foods and new attractions. If you can go during a weekday, especially mid-week, that would be best! Everything is spot on. The grounds are clean, including the restrooms. There are benches everywhere so it's not difficult to grab a seat and do some excellent people watching. Bring cash and lots of it, especially for the food items. Recommend buying the Blue Ribbon coupon book and discount tickets before the fair starts. Wear the best walking shoes you have. Do not try and park near the fair. Your best bet is taking a city bus in at $4/round trip. Park and rides are great options as well but they are getting busier too with longer than normal wait times. Enjoy all the food, drinks, shopping, animals, rides, games or whatever you fancy. There's something for everyone!! read more

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My first time at the Fair! It was a variety of beer lol not as much variety of food I was hoping for. I was also shocked at all of the police/army/etc there. I loved that there was a Christmas section and places to sit "inside" to eat. read more

Minnesota State Fair - Festivals Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Who doesn't love the MN State Fair?! I'm a visitor from Arizona who's been a handful of times in my life now. I love it - so much better than any other state fair I've been to. It's busy, tons of food vendors, GREAT concert in the grandstand, shopping for everyone in the family. Love the exhibits, the animals, the Department of Natural Resources, and of course a pronto pup! Gotta check it out!!! read more

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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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Had a great time. Per usual! I didn't go as many times this year is my only complaint. And i missed the crop art (dang it). I did the sky ride, giant slide, and grabbed a ton of foods! I never miss mouth trap for cheese curds, and fresh squeezed lemonade surprised me with their orange-ade (different than orange juice!) Overall I love it. I did notice a ton more folks this year, and was happy to not get sick after. I always get worried after being in a large crowd like thatenjoy your stay next year, it's such a blast! read more

I love heading to the state fair each year and trying the crazy new foods that are offered and of course, some familiar staples. It's always easiest to park at a park-and-ride and get a shuttle bus to and from the fair to avoid the traffic and navigating paying for a parking spot in a lot or in someone's neighborhood, we enjoy lots of the events and entertainment, including the crafts, the animal and live performances. We had lots of new food this year, including the lumpia deep fried cheese, curd style, the apple fries, the new pumpkin funnel cake, and the pickle pizza which was a favorite. We of course had to have deep fried pickles, sweet Martha's cookies, and peaches, donuts We also tried the new Birria bombs which were delicious. Everything was amazing and I can't wait for the next fair! read more

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Absolutely love the state fair! There is something for everyone here. Great food, informative booths and many freebies. Stay hydrated and bring cash! The park n ride busses in many surrounding suburbs is the best way to get to get there. Buy your fair ticket ahead of time to save a few $. The corn roast, Peterson's pork chop on a stick and the fried pickles are a few of my favorites. read more

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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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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

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

We had a great time at the Minnesota State Fair! The grounds are lovely and well-kept, and the variety of food is incredible; definitely arrive hungry, as sampling different treats was practically the main event for our visit. Checking out the Miracle of Birth barn and browsing the vendor shops were definite highlights. My only complaint is that very few buildings have air conditioning, and some indoor areas (especially around the food courts) felt quite warm and stuffy. Still an enjoyable day overall, and well worth the trip! Tip: Bring lots of water, and hydrate a lot. Also, restroom floors can get sticky from how people use them, so be aware. read more

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

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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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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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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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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