With a slogan of "The Great Minnesota Get-Together”, the award-winning Minnesota State Fair is considered the largest state fair in the United States by daily attendance over its 12-day run. You can enjoy livestock exhibits, cooking competitions, art, crafts and various products sales. There’s also a high-profile music program featuring chart-topping performing artists.
Livestock barns offer a chance to see prize-winning farm animals and shows in the coliseum or the indoor fairground arena. At Machinery Hill, you’ll find displays of farm equipment, cars, trucks, motorcycles and hot tubs.
You won’t go hungry at the Minnesota State Fair, with food stands, food trucks and pop-up eateries at every turn. In addition to corn dogs and cotton candy, there are local specialities, such as cheese curds, hotdish and “Pig Lickers”, which is chocolate-covered bacon. The grandstand and smaller music venues have hosted the likes of Christina Aguilera, Carrie Underwood, Demi Lovato and Tim McGraw.
Getting There
The fairgrounds are next to the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus in Falcon Heights, about a 15-minute drive from downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis. Parking is available, while metro buses offer express services and there are dedicated drop-off points for rideshare services and taxis.