Why the Minnesota State Fair is Worth Crossing the River For
The Fair is back this year from August 22 to Labor Day, September 2! Even though it technically takes place just outside of St. Paul, it's known as the "Great Minnesota Get-Together" so we want to join in on all the fun, too! See why we think you should make a trip out to the 2024 Minnesota State Fair.
Reason #1: The Food
From fair favorites to wacky new creations, the Minnesota State Fair is a place where anything goes. Deep fried, on a stick, with peanut butter on top, we’ve got it all. Plus, calories don’t count at the State Fair (we swear).
Fair Favorites
- Pronto Pup: This isn’t your typical corn dog. Pronto Pups are fried with pancake batter, making the outside extra fluffy and delicious. This should be your first stop at the fair, hands down.
- Corn on the Cob: You absolutely must get corn on the cob from the Corn Roast. Sweet, buttery, salty, plus it’s probably the only vegetable you’ll eat all day.
- Turkey Leg: Don’t be scared to get a little messy with a turkey leg from Turkey to Go. One of our fair favorites, we look forward to the smoky, salty perfection every year.
- Fresh French Fries: These aren’t just any French fries, these are Fresh French Fries, and they’re made from fresh cut potatoes and fried to order. Need we say more?
- Cheese Curds: A Minnesota staple, you simply can’t go to the fair and NOT get cheese curds. Our favorite is Miller’s Flavored Cheese Curds, where you can get flavored curds like jalapeno, ranch and garlic, all in one bucket.
- Mini Donuts: The mini donuts from Tom Thumb Donuts just can’t be beat. A bag of perfectly fried mini donuts with a warm, fluffy inside and topped with cinnamon sugar? We’ll take two.
- Sweet Martha’s Cookies: If you get nothing else, you MUST go to Sweet Martha’s and get her ooey gooey crispy buttery chocolate chip cookies. Even veteran fair goers wait in line every year to grab a bucket or two of these sweet, sweet cookies. Get a glass of milk and get ready to feast
Photo by Sweet Martha's Cookies
New/Must Try
- Deep-Fried Ranch Dressing: Ranch dressing filling made with ranch seasoning, buttermilk and cream cheese in a panko shell, deep-fried. Proof that Minnesotans will deep fry anything.
- Nixtamal & Wild Rice Bowl with Wóžapi & Bison Meatballs or Sweet Potato Dumplings: Choice of bison meatballs or sweet potato dumplings, topped with mixed berry wóžapi sauce, and served on a bed of nixtamal (white corn, blue corn and yellow corn) mixed with wild rice and seasoned with maple and spices. Cricket & seed mix topping optional.
- 3 Piggy Pals On-A-Stick: Three smoked sausage slices wrapped in bacon, filled with a cream cheese mix, and drizzled with barbecue sauce. Topped with a jalapeño slice and served on-a-stick.
- Buffalo Cheese Curd & Chicken Tacos: Fried buffalo-flavored cheese curds and chicken topped with blue cheese slaw, drizzled with buffalo sauce, and served in a fried flour shell.
- Chile Mango Whip: Mango Dole Soft Serve in a cup rimmed and topped with chamoy and Tajín. Garnished with a tamarind candy straw.
- Fried Bee-Nana Pie: Handmade pie filled with Minnesota honey, fresh banana and Biscoff cookie butter - all battered and deep-fried.
- Crab Boil Wings: Chicken wings marinated in hot sauce, grilled and the fried with corn, chicken apple sausage and potatoes. Tossed in a "Crab boil" butter and sprinkled with lemon and parsley.
Check out the full list of new 2024 State Fair foods.
Reason #2: Shopping
Here’s your chance to shop local and grab some Minnesota-made goods all in one place, with over 50 new vendors! Many popular local brands set up shop at the Fair, so you can find anything from Christmas decorations to paddle boards. Make sure to check out some of these markets for some unique shopping.
- West End Market: A collection of stands selling handmade goods, up-cycled products, Minnesota themed apparel and home furnishings. Popular products include jewelry, pottery, soaps, holiday décor, original artwork, Minnesota-themed apparel and much more!
Location: corner of West Dan Patch Avenue and Liggett Street - International Bazaar: Buy jewelry, apparel, purses, bags and artifacts from all over the world. The Bazaar is a treasure trove of goods that you can find in places like Scandinavia, Australia, China, Mexico, Guatemala, African countries, Native American cultures, the Philippines, France, Russia and Ireland.
Location: south side of Judson Avenue between Underwood and Cooper streets - Merchandise Mart: Purchase the latest home goods, home improvement products including kitchen gadgets and framed art, as well as a cornucopia of other merchandise.
Location: corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Cooper Street - Pet Pavilions: Keep your furry family happy with treats, pet clothing, toys ,and animal furniture! Grab a new leash and kennel, plus find animal-themed apparel for animal-lovers everywhere.
Location: northwest corner of Murphy Avenue and Underwood Street - Fan Central: If you’re a sports fanatic this is a must-stop on your list. Load up on apparel, hats, jerseys, and memorabilia from Minnesota’s favorite sports teams like the Wild, Timberwolves, Lynx, and United FC.
Location: west side of Underwood Street between Dan Patch and Carnes avenues.
Reason #3: The Rides
What's a fair without giant swings and ring tosses you swear are rigged? When you're not deciding what food to try next, you're probably wondering which ride you'll finally get talked into this year or deciding what game you're determined to conquer once and for all. Two new rides are available - find the Iron Dragon Coaster and the Music Express at Midway.
Amusement Parks
Adventure Park is home to the thrillest of thrill rides at the fair. Find the climbing wall, Skyscraper, Sling Shot and Turbo Bungy here!
Walk, skip, probably don’t run on down to the Kidway for rides and games for the little ones who aren’t quite ready to take on the Mighty Midway. 30+ rides and games await you, one of which is new this year!
Speaking of Mighty Midway, it’s all the fun house, balloon popping, prize-winning, stomach-churning coaster rides anyone could dream of. With two new experiences making their way to the Midway this year, we think you might just have to buy a ticket or two or thirty to see if you’ve got what it takes to strap into a ride or win that big Rasta banana you've been eyeing for three years.
More Rides
Outside of designated amusement park zones, there’s even more rides worth waiting in line for. Head over to the Giant Slide, a fair classic! Don’t miss out on the chairlift-style SkyGlider or gondola-style Skyride. The Space Tower will take you up, up and back down after you’ve taken in the beautiful aerial views of the fairgrounds while Ye Old Mill is a boat ride in a dark tunnel that you just can’t miss.
Insider Tip: Make time for the Great Big Wheel, one of the tallest traveling Ferris wheels in North America. Make it extra awesome by timing it just right so that you’re enjoying the ride just as the nightly fireworks begin – it’s a view you won’t regret.
Reason #4: The Music, Activities and Showcases
Because what goes better with good food? Okay, maybe a good drink. But also great entertainment. At every turn you'll find free music, hype performances and new opportunities to see one-of-a-kind exhibits and learn something you never knew.
Music
Grandstand: Indulge in the concert series at the Grandstand! Music genres ranging from R&B, soul, Afro pop, bluegrass, rock, folk-rock, country and more. The Grandstand lineup includes Chance The Rapper, Blake Shelton, Ludacris & T-Pain, Matchbox Twenty, Stephen Sanchez, and more. Check out this year’s State Fair lineup.
Free Live Music & Shows: Yeah, you read it right – free. The State Fair hosts 900 shows and over 100 acts throughout its 12-day duration. A broad assortment of musicians and bands are just one of many types of shows and activities available. Live broadcasts, unique demonstrations and presentations, performances, contests and a wide array of activities for all ages can be found each day! View the State Fair’s official performance schedule.
Activities
Letting those Sweet Martha cookies settle a little before taking on some more rides? Good choice. Pop on down to any or all other attractions available! From the Giant Sing Along, the Butterfly House to the Haunted House, Reptile Show and the Krazy Maze, we’re sure you’ll find something to suit your group’s interests.
Booths and Showcases
- Educational Experiences and Exhibits
Find educational experiences and exhibits about everything from numbers, letters, animals, and agriculture. Perfect for kids or even the open-minded learner of any age, experiences like Math-On-A-Stick and the Oink Booth are ready to throw some knowledge your way. - Foci - Minnesota Center For Glass Arts
Be blown away (get it?) by Foci's public glassblowing demonstrations at the West End Market. Afterwards, shop from a gallery space featuring a wide variety of glass pieces made by local artisans.
- Healthy and Sustainable Living
Interested in understanding more about healthy and sustainable living? Discover what you can do for yourself and the planet with healthy cooking demos, free and low-cost health screenings, reduce-reuse-recycle how-to's, green technology exhibits and much more. - History and Traditions
If the fair is your favorite time of the year, learn more about it to boast to your out-of-state friends. Explore the rich traditions and history of the fair at five destinations throughout the fair. - Sports
Oh, you’re a sports fan? We’ve got something for you to cheer about with ten sports exhibits throughout the fair. Enjoy player meet-and-greets, team gear and activities that will get you so pumped for next season that you might need a moment to collect yourself from sheer excitement.
Additional Resources
Check out Explore Minnesota's 25 Must-Dos at the Minnesota State Fair!
Tickets and Transportation
Where to Buy Tickets
You can buy your state fair admission tickets at a discount now through just before the fair. There are plenty of locations to choose from if you’re antsy about getting tickets right away.
- Minnesota State Fair Ticket Office or their website for $18
- Cub Foods locations throughout the Twin Cities starting July 17
- State Fairgrounds Ticket Office
Insider Tip: While you’re there purchase a Blue Ribbon Bargain Book filled with discounts to keep you more focused on the food and attractions and less on your wallet.
And don’t worry if you decide to go to the fair last minute, you can always buy tickets at the gate too. Regular fair-admission tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and kids (ages 5-12), and children four and under get in free!
Getting there from Minneapolis
From Minneapolis
Free Park and Ride locations in Minneapolis
University of Minnesota campus (#11 on the map):
Various surface lots are available for free park and ride access every day except September 1st
Broadway East & West
3433 Broadway St. NE, available weekends and Labor Day
Metro Transit Regular Bus Routes
Metro Bus Route 3 will take you from Downtown Minneapolis directly to the fair! Normal transit fare applies. Take a look at each schedule and route to plan your day!
From the Greater Metro Area
Free Park & Ride
Free rides every day from 30 convenient Twin Cities locations.
On Site Parking
Find fairground parking and pricing for whatever set of wheels you take to the fair. Cars, motorcycles, bikes and charter buses, there’s a parking spot for you.
Taxis & Rideshares
Learn more about drop-off and pick-up locations for taxis and rideshares and get a special MN State Fair discount when using Lyft.
State Fair Express Buses
State Fair Express buses operate from 10 greater metro locations. Get to the fair in no time without breaking the bank!
Insider Tip: Save time when you buy your round-trip ride online.
Regular Bus Routes
A few different regular bus routes that serve the State Fairgrounds will be available as normal. Route 84 and the A Line, and Route 3 are at your service. Save time and hassle by buying an All-Day Pass on the mobile app or at an A Line ticket machine.
Hotel Information
Emery Autograph Collection
Turn your day at the fair into a weekend and stay in the city at Emery! They are offering special rates on our Deluxe and Premier King rooms, perfect for making your adventurous day a leisurely weekend in luxury. Book your room today!
All photos courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair (unless otherwise stated)
