First-Time Visitors Guide

First time visiting the Great Minnesota Get-Together? Use these tips to help make the most of your first trip. (All information subject to change.)

Admission Tickets

Pre-fair discount admission tickets are available for $17 until Aug. 26. You can find pre-fair discount tickets at:
- Online at Etix
- State Fair Ticket Office
- Select metro-area Cub Foods locations and participating ticket outlets in greater Minnesota and Hudson Wis.
Starting Aug. 27, tickets purchased online or at the gate are $20.

Get Here

Free Park & Ride: Park free and ride for free – serving 30+ locations, most of which are close to the fairgrounds! More info.
Metro Transit, MVTA, SouthWest Transit Buses: State Fair Express Bus service features free parking and a direct bus ride to the fairgrounds for a small fee from farther-out suburbs around the Twin Cities. More info.
On-Site Parking: Parking in all State Fair lots is available on a first-come basis, for $25 (cash or credit/debit) per day. More info.
On-Site Bike & Motorcycle Parking: People who ride a non-licensed bike or scooter to the fair can park in one of three FREE bike corrals. A lot is available for motorcycles on Como Avenue near the International Institute for $15 per day. More info.
Rideshare Apps and Taxi Service: App-based ride services, such as Lyft and Uber, have two designated drop-off and pick-up points located at convenient locations on the north and south ends of the fairgrounds. Taxi drop-off and pick-up is located at the Gate 9 – Loop Gate on Como Avenue on the south side of the fairgrounds. More info.

Tips & Tricks to Plan Your Visit

Download the Official MN State Fair App on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for State Fair maps, vendor information and schedules right at your fingertips.
Use our online Daily Schedules, Fair Food Finder and Shops & Booths Finder to help create your list of must-dos and must-eats.
Familiarize yourself with the fairgrounds. Check out a map of the fairgrounds here or view an interactive map on the Official MN State Fair App.
Arrive early to beat the crowds and heat! The Minnesota State Fair opens at 7 a.m. daily and most buildings and exhibits open at 9 a.m.
Want to visit when crowds are lighter? Plan your visit for a weekday (Monday thru Thursday) or an evening when typically there are fewer people at the fair.
The fair goes on rain or shine! Check out this guide for the Minnesota State Fair All-Weather Fan (coming soon) to learn how to make the most of your day no matter the weather.
Check out all of the accessibility services the fair has to offer, including ASL interpretation, audio description, tips for sensory-friendly visits, wheelchair and scooter rentals and more in our Accessibility Guide.

Best Bets at the Minnesota State Fair

There’s so much to do and experience at the Minnesota State Fair that it would be impossible to cover the entire 322-acre fairgrounds in one day! The map below (divided by areas A through F) highlights some best bets to help you decide what to tackle on your first visit to the fair. All Best Bets are FREE with fair admission, except food, shopping and rides & games. Be sure to check out a daily schedule (found at any information booth, online or on the Official MN State Fair App) to plan your itinerary of must-dos. Enjoy your first day (of hopefully many to come!) at the Minnesota State Fair.

Map Area A

North End Event Center
- Ultimate Dinosaurs, presented by the Science Museum of Minnesota

Pet Pavilions and Outdoor Demonstration Area

The 6,600-square-foot open-air pavilion and neighboring structure are home to:
- Purebred dog breeds and a Pet Surgery Suite where live spay and neuter surgeries are performed
- Dog agility, obedience and training shows all day
- Merchants selling pet-centric treats and accessories
- Films at the Fair in the seating area on select evenings starting at 8:30 p.m.

Little Farm Hands

The littlest fair fans can become farm hands at this agricultural education exhibit. This hands-on exhibit brings the agricultural process to life as kids help with farm chores, collect goods to sell at the farmers market and spend their earnings at the grocery store.
Farm hands ages 11 and older can become Ag-Vestigators and hunt for fun farm facts.

The North Woods

All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash daily at 11 a.m., 2 & 4:30 p.m.
Timberworks Lumberjack Show daily at noon, 3, 5:30 & 7 p.m.
Select performances of both shows are ASL interpreted. View the full ASL schedule here.

Eco Experience

Get inspired to lead a more sustainable life with easy, everyday reduce-reuse-recycle how-tos and engaging, interactive exhibits on renewable energy, green technology, organic agriculture, transportation alternatives, healthy cooking, and clean air and water.
Presented by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota State Fair

Map Area B

Family Fair at Baldwin Park

Comedy, music and dance performances from 10:30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. each day
Interactive educational exhibits like Alphabet Forest and Math On-A-Stick provide crafts, learning and fun for families.

Fine Arts Center

Minnesota’s largest juried art exhibition featuring the work of more than 300 of the most talented artists in our great state
Select works are accompanied by recorded audio description.

Kidway

30 attractions provide itty-bitty thrills for young fair fans
Purchase Mighty Midway & Kidway Fun Cards at ticket kiosks or booths.

4-H Building

View artwork, technology and other projects created by talented Minnesota 4-H students.
Demonstrations, shows and live competitions on stage throughout the day.

Education Building

Freebie alert! Free bags, hats and other goodies from select exhibitors.
Learn about education and community work in Minnesota from the colleges, schools and other exhibitors represented here.
Robot demonstrations and ribbon-winning work of K-12 students on display daily.

Creative Activities

Handwork of Minnesota’s finest amateur cooks, bakers, crafters and artisans
Demos and presentations at the Cambria Kitchen and the Creative Activities demonstration area

Map Area C

Luther Auto Bandshell

Free musical performances all day, every day starting at 10:30 a.m.
Bandshell Tonight! shows start at 8:30 p.m. (6 p.m. Labor Day) each night and feature country, pop and rock performances by national touring acts.

Agriculture Horticulture Building

The finest in Minnesota agriculture, horticulture and bee culture all 12 days of the fair, including the giant pumpkin and vegetables competition, presentations on The DIRT Stage, the Minnesota apple exhibit, flower competitions and more
Don’t miss a Minnesota State Fair tradition – crop art! Artists use Minnesota-grown seeds and crops to create masterpieces. Select pieces are accompanied by recorded audio description.

International Bazaar

Venture around the world – all in a day at the fair! Food, shopping and entertain.
On-stage music, dance and cultural performances from 10:45 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. Labor Day)

Map Area D

Ye Old Mill

Ye Old Mill, the oldest State Fair attraction at 110+ years, is the original tunnel of love. Take a trip on this classic boat ride.

DNR Park

A fish pond filled with 45 Minnesota species.

Ramberg Center

Play Blue Ribbon BINGO with proceeds supporting the Minnesota State Fair Foundation 501(c)(3). BINGO packets are $10 each, cash only. Sessions held every hour 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (8 p.m. Labor Day).

Dairy Building

A sculptor carves the likeness of a dairy princess out of a 90-pound block of butter.
Cool dairy treats (yogurt, sundaes, malts and cheese) from Minnesota’s dairy industry and plenty of shops and merchandise vendors

CHS Miracle of Birth Center

This one-of-a-kind agriculture education exhibit is home to baby animals.

Adventure Park

High-flying attractions and extreme experiences provide massive thrills for the bravest thrill seekers in your group.

Map Area E

Livestock Complex & Barns

Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum: The newly renovated arena features livestock exhibitions and the Minnesota State Fair Horse Show throughout the 12 days of the fair. Shopping and food vendors fill the concourse.
Compeer Arena: Judging of cattle, llamas, goats, sheep, horses and more.
See the animals up close at the Cattle, Horse and Sheep & Poultry barns and Christensen Pavilion. Note that the barns may close early on some days due to animal departure and arrival.

Moo Booth, Oink Booth, Baa Booth and Goat Booth

Hands-on activities and presentations help fair guests learn more about agriculture in Minnesota and how food gets from the farm to your table.

Horse Barn

Stop by the Aisle of Breeds and EquiMania!^TM exhibits for a showcase of different breeds, meet horse owners and learn about horse care, horse behavior, careers and more.

Mighty Midway

25 exhilarating carnival rides plus games and concessions for fun seekers
Purchase Mighty Midway & Kidway Fun Cards at a ticket kiosk or booth.

West End Market

Free musical performances all day, every day starting at 10 a.m.
Dozens of crafters, artisans, food options and merchandise vendors
Don’t miss the History & Heritage Center, showcasing the State Fair’s more than 160-year history, with artifacts, photos and interactive displays.

Map Area F

Grandstand

More than 200 merchandise vendors offering kitchen goods, clothing, home décor and more.
12 nights of premier entertainment. View the lineup and ticket information here.

Dan Patch Park

Demonstrations and performances on stage throughout the day. Interactive activities and community information stations under the tents. Each day has a different theme offering a whole new experience for visitors. For a schedule, visit our website.