Map Area A

Little Farm Hands

A free and educational journey through this mock farm takes kids through the agricultural process—planting crops, milking cows, driving tractors, selling goods at the farmers market and spending earnings at the grocery store.

The North Woods

The tastes and adventures of greater Minnesota come to life with lumberjack shows, Ron Schara’s Minnesota Bound experience and more. Click here for a complete schedule.

Pet Center

Itʼs a dogʼs life at the Pet Center where four-legged friends are the featured attraction. Watch pet surgery and canine agility demonstrations, visit with your favorite breeds and bring home a treat for the furry friends in your life.

Giant Sing Along

A participatory public art installation, the Giant Sing Along offers an opportunity for fair guests to do something together. A field of microphones will welcome everyone to sing their lungs out to this year's voted hits, karaoke style.

Eco Experience

This award-winning exhibit is interactive, informative and designed to educate visitors about green living, alternative fuels, organic food and renewable energy. Visit ecoexperience.org for details.

The X-Zone

Extreme skateboarders, BMX bikers and in-line skaters perform stunts and tricks daily. New in 2012: Take a lesson from these pros at the 3rd Lair Skatepark. Click here for The X-Zone schedule.

Luminarium

Meander through this monumental inflatable sculpture as soaring domes and a dazzling maze of tunnels immerse you in the unexpected beauty of light and color. Hailed as a can’t-miss “sanctuary of the senses,” this 11,000-square-foot Luminarium is a creation of Architects of Air, based in the United Kingdom. It’s open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. all 12 days of the fair. Admission is $4; children under 5 are free. (Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.) The Luminarium is wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit architects-of-air.com.

Family Fair at Baldwin Park

Entertainment and adventures for children makes this area a favorite stop for families. For the Family Fair Stage lineup, click here.

Great Big Sandbox

Kids can dig, scoop, pour and burrow their toes in a sandbox made just for them.

Fine Arts Center

Home to Minnesota’s largest juried art show, this showcase features the best sculpture, photography, painting, drawing, jewelry, ceramics and textile work from artists throughout the state. The original 2012 State Fair Commemorative Art created by Minnesota artist Joe Heffron is also on display.

4-H Building

Home-away-from-home to Minnesota 4-H’s highest achievers—more than 6,000 youth who showcase knowledge, skills and exhibits in agriculture, arts, technology, leadership, science and more.

Alphabet Forest

Step inside the Alphabet Forest and discover alphabet activities for all ages. Take pictures with Fair Letters, create alphabet Ferris wheels, add your fair words to the Fair Dictionary or meet a different Minnesota author each day.

Home Improvement Building

This mini-expo within an expo is dedicated to helping homeowners find the best contractors, products and materials to improve their homes and outdoor living spaces.

Kidway

Offering more than 30 of the country’s best touring carnival attractions for pint-sized fair guests. Click here for information on Kidway bargains.

Education Building

Headquarters for Minnesota colleges and universities, local non-profits and ribbon-winning school projects. Additionally, high school technology teams compete daily in the Robot Competition.

Creative Activities Building & Annex

See Minnesota’s blue ribbon winning needlework, handicrafts, baking and canning in the main area. Foodies and crafters shouldn’t miss a visit to the Annex’s specialty shops.

Visitors Plaza

Peruse the State FairWear Gift Shop, pick up a map at the information booth and mail a State Fair postcard all in one stop.

Agriculture Horticulture Building

Among this historic exhibit building’s offerings are: giant vegetable displays, Minnesota wine tasting, bee and honey demonstrations, flowers of every color and size, Christmas trees of numerous varieties, and the quirky yet nostalgic State Fair tradition—crop art! Visit “The DIRT” demonstration area for the 411 on anything from composting to caring for your backyard trees.

Leinie Lodge Bandshell

The State Fair’s premier free entertainment venue, this stage showcases all genres of music and the popular Bandshell Tonight! Series featuring big-name acts. Also, catch Minnesota’s most talented at the nightly Amatuer Talent Contest. For a complete Leinie Lodge Bandshell lineup, click here.

HealthFair 11

Take charge of your health while enjoying the fair. More than a dozen organizations provide educational materials and screenings including: diabetes, vision, blood pressure, bone density and balance assessments; and gluten-free fair food guides.

The Garden

Be a State Fair rock star! All-day karaoke is the backdrop for fabulous food and beverage selections.

Food Building

The fair’s a favorite for food lovers and the Food Building is paradise found with hundreds of selections in one convenient location.

International Bazaar

A trip around the world for shopping, free entertainment, food and cold beer! For an International Bazaar Stage lineup, click here.

Merchandise Mart

Stroll through dozens of unique shops and peruse jewelry, gadgets, memorabilia and gotta-have items galore.

J.V. Bailey House

The fair’s historic greenhouse residence is headquarters for the Minnesota State Fair Foundation and its mission to preserve and improve State Fair buildings, grounds and educational experiences. For more information, click here.

DNR Building & Park

Minnesota’s lakes, wildlife, forests and recreation are the focus for this interactive and educational tribute to our natural resources. Visit the fish pond and wildlife areas, climb the fire tower, learn about invasive species in Minnesota, chat with Smokey Bear and listen to live music and demonstrations.

Dairy Building

Home to the famous Princess Kay of the Milky Way butter sculptures, magnificent malts and dozens of home improvement, automobile, outdoor and Minnesota-made products.

CHS Miracle of Birth Center

The birthplace of nearly 200 little miracles—calves, lambs and piglets that is! Experience animal agriculture and the aww, ohh and eww inspiring births of these baby animals. An unforgettable experience.

Ramberg Senior Center

Home to the ribbon-winning work of Minnesota senior citizens and a variety of free entertainment from ragtime to oldies and more. For a Ramberg Stage lineup, click here.

Cattle Barn

Headquarters for Minnesota’s best bovines—dairy and beef cattle that is! Visit the Moo Booth and follow the farm to table process by viewing cattle as they’re milked and cared for. Participate in educational games and demonstrations, and see today’s farm technology in action.

Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum

There’s always action at the Warner Coliseum where livestock judging, free English and Western Horse Shows, or High School Rodeos take place daily. In addition, dozens of concourse vendors sell western wear and wares, arts and crafts, snacks, accessories and so much more. Click here for a horse show schedule.

Heritage Square

Featuring nostalgic arts, crafts and gifts; the State Fair History Museum; woodturner and blacksmith demonstrations; and bluegrass, old-time, polka and fiddle music and more on the free stage. For a Heritage Square entertainment lineup, click here.

Horse Barn

A myriad of horse breeds are showcased throughout the fair’s run and housed in this historic barn when they’re not competing at the Warner Coliseum. Visit the Aisle of Breeds to learn more about the different equine types. Click here for a Where & When to See the Animals schedule.

Mighty Midway

Enjoy twinkling lights and heart-pounding rides. More than 30 of the country’s best carnival rides and 60 games of skill make the Mighty Midway a thrill-seeker’s paradise. Click here for information on Mighty Midway bargains.

Swine Barn

Stop at the Oink Booth located inside to judge a hog, pet a baby pig, test your knowledge of the swine industry and take a trip around the barn to visit the different breeds. Swine judging takes place most days in the building’s center rings. Click here for a Where & When to See the Animals schedule.

Sheep & Poultry Barn

Sheep, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons and rabbits share this historic barn and are judged throughout the fair’s run. The Rooster Crowing Contest on the fair’s second weekend is worth the trip alone! Don’t forget: goats arrive for Labor Day weekend!

AgStar Arena

The fair’s newest building is home to horse, cattle, llama, goat and sheep competitions among 4-H, FFA and open-class exhibitors. Complete with great seating and a top-of-the-line sound system so you’ll get the most out of competition viewing, this project was supported by more than 200 contributions to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation. Don’t miss the 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction the first Saturday of the fair—excited competitors; the frantic chant of auctioneers; buyers from all over the Midwest; and the best of the best in 4-H lambs, hogs and steers.

Carousel Park

Every day is a surprise at Carousel Park where you’ll find contests, celebrations, debates, live radio broadcasts, kids activities or celebrity chef demonstrations. Click here for a schedule of events.

Grandstand

See some of the country’s hottest touring acts. There’s something for everyone with nearly a dozen nights of big-name entertainment. For a complete Grandstand lineup, click here.

FAN Central

Fans are the name of the game at FAN Central. Check out what’s new with your favorite local teams, meet and greet hometown heroes, and get in on the action.

Adventure Park

Go to extremes and fly high above the fair on attractions for the bravest fair guests. Adventure Park first. Cheese curds later.