The MN State Fair is one of Minnesota’s most beloved summer traditions – and for good reason! With over 1.8 million visitors annually (!!!), the Great Minnesota Get-Together offers everything from butter sculptures to cheese curds, live music to llama costume contests. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned fair-goer looking to up your game, these insider tips will help you navigate the MN State Fair like a true local! Trust us, we are MN State Fair lovers through and through!
1. Skip the Parking Hassles – Take the Bus or Bike
Ditch the car and take advantage of Metro Transit’s special MN State Fair service or hop on your bike! The fairgrounds offer several secure bike corrals, making two-wheeled transportation both eco-friendly and wallet-friendly. Plus, you’ll skip the notorious parking lot traffic jams.
2. Beat the Weekend Rush
Honestly, a game-changer: take a Thursday off work instead of battling weekend crowds. The MN State Fair is significantly less crowded on weekdays, especially Monday through Thursday. You’ll have shorter lines, easier navigation, and a more relaxed experience overall. Hot tip: the lowest attendance days are the first day of the fair, and the Thursday of the last weekend.
3. Start Early to Beat Heat and Crowds
Arrive early! We always plan to get to the fair at 8:30 AM. This will help you avoid both the sweltering afternoon heat and the peak crowd times. You’ll have first dibs on popular foods and attractions while the fairgrounds are still manageable.
4. Budget Beer: Midway Men’s Club
For the most affordable beer at the MN State Fair, make a beeline for the Midway Men’s Club. Not only do they offer the cheapest prices, but all proceeds go to charity!
5. Sweet Martha’s Cookie Hack
When you inevitably grab a bucket of Sweet Martha’s cookies, we suggest heading to the booth near the Grandstand (located on the North side of West Dan Patch Avenue, between Liggett and Chambers streets), this specific location is next to the All-You-Can-Drink-Milk booth!
6. Discount Admission Tickets for Chase Credit Card Holders
We just tried this out yesterday and it works! People with Chase Credit Cards can activate their credit card’s MN State Fair reward program to earn 25% back on admission tickets. It takes the $17 admission down to $12.75!
7. Go with a Group for Maximum Food Sampling
We have found that the sweet spot is 4-10 friends for your MN State Fair adventure. A larger group means you can order different foods and share everything, letting you sample way more of the fair’s offerings while splitting costs.
8. Don’t Skip the Fine Arts Building
This hidden gem showcases incredible local Minnesota artwork. It’s a peaceful respite from the crowds and a great way to support local artists. The quality and variety will surprise you.
9. Must-See MN State Fair Attractions
While the MN State Fair is known for its food, there is so much to do and explore! Our top recommendations are below!
- Seed art displays
- Annual scarecrow contest
- Famous butter sculptures
- Llama costume contest (trust us on this one!)
10. Free Chapstick at Star Tribune Booth
Stop by the Star Tribune booth for complimentary MN State Fair chapstick. They always feature a fun flavor and it makes a great little souvenir.
11. Cheese Curd Champions: The Mouth Trap
For the absolute best cheese curds at the MN State Fair, head straight to the Mouth Trap in the Food Building. These aren’t just good – they’re the best.
12. Top Food Destinations
These are our personal favorite food booths at the fair!
- Blue Barn
- MN Farmer’s Union
- LuLu’s Public House
- Blue Moon Dine-In Theater
- Sweet Martha’s Cookies
- The Produce Exchange
- Corn Roast
- Baba’s
- Que Viet (pssst, you can get their eggrolls year round at their two brick-and-mortar locations in the Twin Cities! They are legitimately the best egg rolls you will ever eat!)
- Pronto Pup
- Peachey’s Baking Co
13. Must-Try MN State Fair Beers
Again, our personal recommendations!
- Chocolate chip cookie beer at Andy’s Grille
- Grain Belt Blu Beer with frozen Blu topper at West End Brews
14. Download the MN On A Stick App
Ditch the official MN State Fair app and download the MN On A Stick App instead! An interactive map that has had some major upgrades since last year. It lets you “favorite” booths and will alert you when you’re nearby. Plus, you can plan your fair experience ahead of time by creating a wish-list! The app will alert you to current activities and performances that are occurring when you’re there, and more. Really a 10/10!
Hot tip: Save this list to your phone so you can reference it while wandering the fairgrounds. Happy fair-going!