Minnesota State Fair
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Overview
The Minnesota State Fair is the state fair of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Also known by its slogan, "The Great Minnesota Get-Together", it is the largest state fair in the United States by average daily attendance and the second-largest state fair in the United States by total attendance, trailing only the State Fair of Texas, which generally runs twice as long as the Minnesota State Fair. The state fairgrounds, adjacent the Saint Paul campus of the University of Minnesota, are in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, midway between the state's capital city of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, the largest city in Minnesota.
Practical Info
Mon–Fri8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sat–SunClosed
Suggested Duration6-12 hours
Best TimeIntensely seasonal, exploding to life exclusively for 12 days from late August through Labor Day. The single absolute prime time to walk the fairgrounds is 7:30 AM on a non-holiday weekday morning; this allows you to taste hot, freshly fried cheese curds and local draft beers comfortably before the daily 100,000+ crowd swells.
Getting ThereCommanding Falcon Heights at 1265 Snelling Ave N. Traffic is heavily deadlocked; driving is strictly discouraged. Instead, utilize the highly efficient, specialized State Fair Park & Ride or Express Bus lots scattered across the Twin Cities, which utilize dedicated bus lanes to deposit you right at the front ticket gates seamlessly.
Travel Tips
- During the late August to Labor Day fair run, peripheral parking within 2 miles is strictly outlawed; the definitive self-drive solution is routing directly to official Park & Ride express shuttle lots.
- Security checkpoints utilize metal detector infrastructure; all pocket knives exceeding 4 inches, selfie monopods, and aerosol cans (including spray sunscreens) are seized with zero storage alternatives.
- Iconic concession assets like the all-you-can-drink milk pavilion experience severe overcrowding from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM; execute your culinary tracking between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM to eliminate lines.
Reviews
Positive
- One of the largest state fairs in the US, bursting with hundreds of unique deep-fried treats, a massive Ferris wheel, and livestock expos; the electric vibe offers rich cultural impact.
- It fully lives up to its reputation as 'The Great Minnesota Get-Together'; on-site coordination and safety are top-tier, backed by strict security and clear event markers.
- Accessibility provisions for the elderly and disabled are outstanding, offering abundant wheelchair/scooter rentals, smoothly paved avenues, and well-maintained temporary restrooms.
- Though admission and ride wristbands rise in price, getting to watch premier concerts, tractor pulls, and quirky animal beauty pageants in one day offers explosive entertainment value.
Heads up
- During its short annual run, the crowd density is extreme, making it shoulder-to-shoulder; waiting lines for signature snacks and rides easily exceed 30 minutes.
- Every single snack, souvenir, beer, and carnival game carries heavy festival premiums; a family day out regularly runs up a shockingly steep grand total.
- Traffic and parking are an absolute nightmare; adjacent paid spots are astronomical and scarce, and the alternative Park & Ride shuttle buses have crushing wait lines.
- The fairgrounds are mostly exposed open pavement with little natural shade during hot Aug/Sept days; the stagnant heat combined with the odor of livestock waste can be overpowering.