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November 2023 by Paul G.
This is the second largest state fair in the nation (Texas is first). I have lots of pictures and many fond memories of fairs past.The thing is, they cannot expand the grounds. The entry prices keep going up along with everything else. It is getting to be less about state and community and more about just packing people in and making money. So sad.Still, you can explore, meet new people and whoop it up, if you know where to go and what to do.Bring a good water bottle, some snacks, refill water wherever possible, find the restrooms, and keep an eye out for the bargains--they are there to find. My favorites are the cows, pigs, horses, and the Eco-building. Lots to explore. Get there early and make a day of it. Set a budget and stick to it. It is still a great experience, it just needs a little refining.
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October 2023 by Jack Lamphear
Products were way overpriced.
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September 2023 by Maggie H.
How do you review something so timeless. As a little one I came here frequently with my family and I would get so excited I would make myself sick! (Or so they say, I probably have issues with crowds or something). Anyway, I started volunteering in the vet med area in 2023 and I am so glad to be back - I actually kind of preferred walking around by myself! I am glad they've been getting more vegan options. I was there in 2019 to see Brandi Carlile and that was my first time Grand Standing it. Always so much to do and so little time!
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September 2023 by Megan M.
I go to the fair every year, sometimes twice and it never disappoints. I always get my tickets at Cub foods to save the extra bucks and take the free park-and-ride from the University of Minnesota. All the food I get is amazing. But the deep fried cookie dough with the vanilla malt in the food building is ELITE!!-Pickle Fries at Mike's Hamburgers-Gourmet pickle at the perfect pickle -Cheese curds from mouth trap in the food building-Deep fried cookie dough and vanilla malt in food building-Cheese curd tacos from Richies Cheese Curd Tacos-Irish Butter Ice Cream over brown sugar cinnamon toast from Blue Moon Dine-In Theater-MinneCookieDough Pie from Minneaple Pie
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September 2023 by Darlene B.
First time in Minnesota and very happy we had an opportunity to go to the fair during the opening weekend! It was crowded but the place is huge and there was so much to do, so much to see, and so much to eat!! We ate as much cheese curds 5 adults can consume, amongst other things. One of our favorite foods came from the international bazaar at the Hmong station. Definitely would love to go again to try more food, like the cookies which we never got to try!
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September 2023 by Margie R.
Opening Day! Wow that was a big crowd! Would recommend the MN state fair to anyone! I'm already planning my return trip next year. I loved the vibe, everyone seemed so happy . Prepare yourself for some serious walking as there's so much to explore and discover! Lots of agricultural sights, I loved the award winning vegetable displays with their winning ribbons. Since moving to MN I've become quite the farmer I feel pretty confident I can display some of my monster sized zucchini and I'd win. Not gonna lie, I'm killing it out here on the farm. Lol who knew!? Lots of fabulous foods, cookies and milk had one of the longest lines, so many fried choices ,lots of yummy drinks, beer gardens and wine to choose from. I rode the tram from one side to another to get a better layout of the place. Lots of stuff for kids to do. Ohhh and Bingo on the grounds. You play for fair tickets the choice of current year or for next year we're offered. I almost won to, needed 1 number!! The parking situation... hahaha! Good luck. . Fantastic choices for headlining at the Grandstands. Capacity is 13.000 plus? Makes for a great end to the fair. I'm going back and I can't wait
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September 2023 by Erin M.
So much food! This fair is a foodies dream and worth a trip at least once of your life. With the crowds they still kept up the grounds considering the size of this fair. Come early and hit all the popular spots or be prepared for lines! I can't judge the fair rides bc like I said I came to eat and I had a wonderful time doing so.
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August 2023 by Leah T.
I'm in a food coma after all the good eats. GET THE AMISH DONUTS. I waited 40 minutes and it was worth it. It dissolved as soon as I bit into it. Think Krispy Kreme on crack. $5The sirloin tips were better then I expected and honestly a good value. $14 for a whole sirloin, mashed potatoes, mushrooms and sautéed onions and peppers. The potatoes were a bit soggy and red skin on if that matters to anyone. You can ask for a sample if undecided.The food long hot dog with grilled onions a classic. $8Peterson's pork chop. So juicy and flavorful. $11Danielson's onion rings. So cute to have my onion rings handed to me by grandpa. Family owed and the onions rings were hot and fresh...delicious. $5.50 with a couponNitro ice cream: So good I forgot to snap a pic. Only available in vanilla but the silkiest ice cream I've had. I recently discovered making ice cream sandwiches with Sweet Martha's cookies and it's game changer!!!$6 Pro tips: If your not a drinker invest in a refillable sipper and keep it for years. Refills are cheaper usually less then $3. Mine attaches to my bag.Park and ride lots fill up quickly. Check before going to the lot to see availability on social mediaBring a insulated cup filled with just ice for water. I used my Stanley and it was a lifesaver on the really hot days. Plus at refill stations your water is always ice cold.Bring ziplock bags: I bring 2 gallon, 2 quart and 2 sandwich size got leftovers.Don't bring a backpack. There are so many bag giveaways that you can get one there.Come to people watch, eat and have fun
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August 2023 by Josh B.
More than five hours in, it was like the scene in a boxing movie where the doctor says "you gotta quit" and the protagonist carries on, risk be damned. Physically I think I'm fine by now, mentally I'm bummed out that I couldn't get to every single food.So, to simplify things in attempt to reduce FOMO and/or heartburn: Peterson's pork chops on a stick and the grilled peaches at Produce Exchange are must haves. Here's where it gets a little tricky: at Walleye On A Stick I got the eponymous fish plus the smelt; both are fine but if you're a normal person I'd vote for the smelt since there are better walleye options in the region whereas I haven't seen smelt on a menu in years.I also enjoyed Big Fat Bacon, Corn Roast, Hotdish on a Stick and Mineapple Pie.Unlike the New York fair, most of the big-time concerts require separate admission, yet the free music was great - cover bands in bars, an Abba cover band, Ecuador Manta. If I quit my job in the next day or two I'll see you at the free Soul Asylum shows Sept. 3 and 4.I took the bus - the A line one way, the 3 on the return - not speedy but not as bad as it might have been. You probably already know about the baby goats but if you're not aware of the seed art, check it out.
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August 2023 by Haley P.
My third time going to the Minnesota State Fair and second time as a MN resident! As usual the food and drinks were on point and wish we could have tried more!Our favorites of the day:1) luluspublichouse Tot Dog with cheese dipping sauce which is one I'll always get from now on 2) Dairy Goodness Ice cream Chocolate Sunday... so good!3) bigfatbacon which serves: you guessed it big fat bacon 4) thehideawayspeakeasy Sunset Beer pretty taste if you like a sour taste 5) minnesnowii to help cool off in the heat! I got mango and strawberry flavors 6) freshfrenchfries cause Duh!7) sweetmarthas bucket of cookies Tip: we always get a bucket on the way out to eat them on the way home and so we don't fill up on them during the fair... they are addictingIt's always a battle of trying something new or to get the traditional favoritesThe fair is a great place to go with family, friends, or even alone!
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August 2023 by Markeda V.
I usually take the park and ride to the fair every year, the closer you are you don't have to pay but the further you are out from the fair you will have to pay. There are lots you can pay to park at if you don't want to take the bus and walk a block or so. Prices vary.I love getting the fried pickles, we usually go twice a year on a week day so we don't have to deal with as many people or wait too long in lines compared to on the weekends.First time trying the dill pickle lemonade this year from Nordic waffles and it was wonderful! It's awesome that there are tons of vendors with different types of food and new features every year.Minnesota has the second biggest state fair in the entire U.S, and I love that for us
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December 2022 by Dan C.
My family and I moved from NYC and we are east coasters. This year was our first state fair experience of any kind. Holy heck! This was awesome. I came to find out that the MN state fair is one of the biggest in the country. I have never seen anything like this in my life. It was amazing. My whole family had a blast. I won't go on and on here, but parking wasn't too bad and although it was very busy, it never felt claustrophobic or crowded. It is also surprisingly neat and clean. We wandered around for hours, ate lots of food, and bought stuff from local vendors. I saw some cool stuff, like a cattle show, sort of like the Westminster dog show, but for cows. We just didn't have this stuff growing up in the northeast. This is just such a cool cultural experience. I am very much looking forward to coming back next year!
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November 2022 by YiQing G.
Each year we visit the mn state fair and stuffed ourselves from open to close.We always design our routes and maximize the food we could try within a day. What we usually do is to share each food items so we can eat more. We rarely try the same thing each year and always go for their new food items. We enjoy the gathering each year and will return again and again.
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October 2022 by M M
See the butter heads, get an ice cream cone, check out the deals on Dog stuff, wild rice and paddle boards.
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October 2022 by Tawanda R.
I hadn't been to the fair since i was at least a teenager, so I was actually excited when a friend offered to take me. We walked so much I literally had to sit down a few times and according to my fitbit that day I had walked almost 15,000 steps! Parking took a while, but once we got in line, we whizzed right in. First stop was the restroom - get that outta the way immediately. My friend is an annual MN State Fair participant, so he knew his way around the fair, thank God! LOL 2nd stop was to get a beer for him and a frozen margarita for moi! We had lobster tail on stick, foot long hotdogs/polish, steak sandwiches, deep-fried strawberry shortcakes, Martha's cookies, played some games, Korean tacos, lots of frozen margaritas/beer.I can't believe it's taken me so long to return to the fair! I'll start going annually now.
