Heading to the Minnesota State Fair with kids this year? I’ve got you covered with this full guide to visiting the Great Minnesota Get-Together with all the littles. As a Minnesota native, I’ve been visiting the Minnesota State Fair since I was a kid and it remains one of our beloved annual traditions still to this day. Only now, I get to bring my own littles along for the fun. Have a question about planning your fair route? Shoot me an email, I’d love to help!
Planning Your Visit to the Minnesota State Fair with Kids
When to Visit
The Minnesota State Fair always runs the second to last Thursday in August until Labor Day Monday. This year the fair will start Thursday, August. 21 and run through Monday, September 1, 2025.
The absolute best time to visit the Minnesota State Fair with kids is weekday mornings when the crowds are lighter, the lines are shorter and the weather is typically cooler. We always try to visit the fair the first Monday or Tuesday because it’s right in the middle of the fair (when everything is running smoothly) and the crowds are the smallest.
Hours: The fair is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day except the last day when it closes at 7 p.m. The earlier in the morning you can get there, the more relaxing the fair will be and it will get busier as the day goes on.
Tickets/Pricing
Pre-Purchase Tickets: If you’re a big planner like I am, you can purchase tickets ahead of time and save $3 off the price of each ticket. Tickets purchased before the first day of the fair are $17. These tickets can be printed at-home or sent to your mobile device.
General Admission: All fair attendees over the age of 5 have to purchase a general admission ticket to enter the fair. Tickets purchased the during the fair will cost $20 per person.
Tip: Even if you don’t purchase tickets before the fair at the cheaper rate, I highly recommend purchasing tickets online before you arrive at the fair. This way you can avoid the long ticketing lines and go straight through the mobile ticket entrance to save a lot of time.
Where to Stay
If you’re coming from out of town or further out in Minnesota, why not make it an overnight adventure and stay the night nearby. There are a number of hotels in Roseville, MN that are extremely close to the fairgrounds. Be sure to book well in advance as these rooms are sure to book up well in advance for fair time.
- Avid Hotel – Roseville
- Courtyard – Minneapolis St. Paul/Roseville
- Home2 Suites by Hilton – Great Family Option
- Holiday Inn Express – Roseville
- Double Tree by Hilton – Roseville
- Country Inn and Suites – Roseville
How to Get There
There are a handful of ways to get to the fair. I’ve done all of these and can honestly say that they are all great and not-so-great for their own reasons. It really just depends on your situation. With kids, it can be really handy to just drive and pay a little extra for nearby parking (especially if you are bringing a stroller) so you don’t have to deal with getting on and off the bus. But the bus can also be very convenient for families with older kids or who just don’t want to deal with the chaos of parking near the fair.
Express Bus
Metro Transit, MVTA and Southwest Transit all run special express bus routes during the fair from locations further out in the Twin Cities area. These routes provide free parking and then a direct ride to the fair for a small fee – usually $5/$6 a person. This is a great way to avoid the hassle of driving/parking. These routes will drop you off at the transit hub on the west end of the fairgrounds.
More Information: Click here to determine which pickup/drop off location works best for you depending on where you are coming from.
Park and Ride
If you live closer to or are staying near the fairgrounds (or if you just prefer more time in your car instead of on an express bus) take a park and ride bus instead. Park and ride locations are nearby the fair and are free to use. Leave your car in a designated parking area (such as a church) and take a quick bus ride that drops you off right at one of the fair entrances.
Note that the lines for park and ride buses have been a little out of control at times. Some years I haven’t had any issues and others it has been a longer wait – i.e. 30-45 minutes to get on a bus. So, if you choose this option just be prepared to possibly wait a bit for your turn.
More Information: Click here for a list of free park and ride locations for 2025.
On-Site Parking
On-site fair parking gives you the most control over when you can leave the fair and go home but it’s also the hardest to secure. Fair parking lots open at 6 a.m. every day and tend to fill up quickly. I would only suggest this option if you’re an early riser and getting to the fair early in the day. On-site parking is $25 cash or credit/debit for the fairgrounds lot.
But if you can’t secure fairground parking, not to fear. You will also find a lot of thrifty little money makers sitting outside their homes in the neighborhoods around the fair offering parking on their private property. They will be sitting on their lawn with a sign for the price they are charging – usually $20-50 a car. Wait until you see how many cars they can fit in their front lawn, it’s nuts.
If you don’t mind (more) walking than you’ll be doing at the fair, you can also find free street parking nearby. Again, this is easiest to secure if you’re arriving on the earlier side and you may end up walking a mile from parking to the fair but if you’re looking for a way to save money and don’t want to deal with the bus situation, this option is for you.
What to Bring/Favorite Fair Gear
Trying to stay cool? Looking for the perfect day bag? Trying to find the perfect stroller to get around? I’ve got you. If you see me at the fair, you’ll find me with all of these in tow:
- Water Bottle: Stay hydrated and save money on buying water
- Backpack: Keep yourself organized, you’ll thank yourself
- Double Stroller (now) | Single Stroller (when we only had one child)
- Portable Fan: Some emergency wind in your bag is never a bad idea
- Wet wipes: Absolutely necessity for sticky fingers
- Non-toxic Sunscreen: A must
- Cash: You can pay with card at most vendors but they almost all charge a fee now-a-days so bring cash to make your life easier and make everything a bit cheaper.
Favorite Activities at the Minnesota State Fair with Kids
The fair has so many fun activities for kids of all ages that it’s truly hard to name them all but here is a list of our favorites that we all enjoy year after year:
1. The Giant Slide
Iconic, ok. When you see anything from the Minnesota State Fair you will absolutely see the giant slide featured. This is an absolute must for all ages at the fair. If you have little ones, let them ride with you on your potato sack, otherwise, race your older kids down to see who’s the fastest.
2. Miracle of Birth Center
Wander through an awesome exhibit all about the miracle of birth. Let your kids see some freshly born baby animals or even witness a live birth if you happen to be there are the right time. This is such a cool stop that the kids always love.
3. Animal Barns
For any kids really into animals, wander through the cattle, poultry, and horse barns.
Tip: Plan this stop for an eating/drinking break as you don’t want to bring food or drink into the animal barns. Also, be sure to wash hands well before returning to your food extravaganza.
4. The Carousel
Why yes, there is a carousel in the kidway; however, the better carousel is kitty corner to the giant slide and is way better. Especially if you have smaller kids and don’t plan to do the full kidway area, you can do this carousel instead and just pay cash. It’s also cheaper than the carousel in the kidway.
5. The Mighty Midway/Kidway
The Midway offers over 40 rides suitable for all ages with a Kidway area geared toward kids under 48 inches. Since our kids are younger, we haven’t spent a ton of time here but we did as kids and it was always a blast.
6. Machinery Hill
An entire area of construction vehicles your kids can climb on. I’ve probably spent more of my fair time here the last few years than I care to admit.
7. The Skyride/SkyGlider
The Skyride is a gondola-style enclosed ride between the east and west of the fair. The SkyGlider is a chairlift style ride from the heart of the fair to the north end. Both of these provide great birds eye views of the fair from above and can be used as a roundtrip ride for $10 or a one-way ride for $6. If you need to get from one end to the other, this can be a great way to get around. Otherwise, they can also just be a fun activity with the kids.
7. Great Big Wheel
Another fair classic, the big ferris wheel is 15 stories tall and provides great views of the fair. Each gondola holds six people so it’s a great option for families to do together.
8. Ye Old Mill
For a classic family-friendly ride, check out the oldest attraction at the fair – Ye Old Mill. This tunnel of love like ride takes you on a relaxing boat ride through a dark tunnel. Tickets are $5 per rider.
9. Little Hands Farm
A fun agricultural exhibit for kids 3-10 where they can get hands on using their imaginations and completing tasks related to caring for animals and planting crops. This is a fun stop with younger kids.
10. DNR Building and Park
Take your kids to the DNR area for a taste of the Minnesota outdoors while at the fair. Climb the 65-foot tall fire tower for awesome views of the fair from above, spot different species of fish in the large outdoor pond, catch a raptor demonstration or live music. This is a fun stop for the entire family.
11. Lumberjack/Dog Show at The Northwoods Stage
Check out some free entertainment by visiting the Northwoods Stage. Kids will love watching the All Star Stunt Dogs show as the dogs splash and fly through the air or the lumberjacks and lumberjills showing off their skills sawing and climbing trees during the Timberworks Lumberjack show.
Schedule: There are multiple showtimes throughout the day. Be sure to check the updated schedule here
12. Eat and then Eat Some More
Let’s be real, the whole point of the fair is to EAT and don’t just eat the regular fair food (even though it’s amazing) but really branch out and try something crazy. Challenge yourself to see what those picky little eaters will try too – dill pickle tater tots, cheesecake curds, or bacon wrapped waffle dog anyone?!
Minnesota State Fair Food Guide for Families
Whether you’ve been to the fair before or it’s your first time, the Minnesota State Fair will always have new and exciting food options for you to try. Some are amazing (looking at you mini donut beer) and some fall flat (hi dill pickle donut) but it’s all part of the experience. One of my favorite parts about going to the fair as a family is being able to try even more foods since we have more mouths to feed.
Fair Classics for the Picky Eaters
- Pronto Pups: Unlike the corn dog, a pronto pup is dipped in pancake batter instead of cornbread batter and is better. It’s highly contested in these parts but I said what I said.
- Mini Donuts: Tom Thumb
- Cheese Curds: The Mouth Trap
- Malts/Shakes: Dairy Building
- Chocolate Chip Cookies: Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar (only order what you can eat and eat them fresh – they don’t keep well)
Fun Creations for the Adventurous Sort
- Pickle Things: Pickle pizza, pickle tater tots, dill pickle cheese curd taco, pickle fries, or even dill pickle iced tea perhaps
- Deep Fried Goodness: Chicken fried bacon fries, deep fried candy bars, cheese curd tacos
- Things on a Stick: Birthday cake cookie dough on a stick, shrimp and pork toast on a stick, chocolate bacon on a stick
Healthy Options
Well the fair really isn’t a place for healthy choices but if you’re just dying to get something in your kids that isn’t fried in oil or exploding in sugar, stop by any of the following vendors for something wholesome.
- Fresh Fruit: The Produce Exchange
- Milk: All You Can Drink Milkstand (combined with Sweet Martha’s Cookies of course)
- Corn: The Corn Roast
Favorite Overall Vendors
These vendors are ones that have great food and I find myself returning to them year after year:
- Blue Barn
- Lulu’s Public House
- Union Hmong Kitchen (International Baazar)
- The Ballpark Cafe (Lots of fun drink options)
- Giggles
- Mancini’s Al Fresco
- BABA’s
- RC’s BBQ
Drinks
If you like finding fun and creative drinks, the fair is definitely for you. Every year they introduce so many new and exciting beers, cocktails and mocktails you can enjoy while you walk around. Make sure you stay hydrated from start to finish.
- Water: Bring your own water bottle so you can refill it throughout the day
- Lemonade: A classic fair beverage that always hits just right on a hot summer day.
- Urban Glow Mocktails: A new vendor perfect for the pregnant mamas and anyone who wants some NA options
- The Ballpark Cafe: Always a great beer stop. I always stop here for the Mini Donut Beer for obvious reasons
- Giggles: They usually have new and exciting beers. The S’mores beer is a unique grab.
Budget Tips
Especially with a larger family, the fair can add up quickly. Here are some of my favorite money saving tips to get you through the fair without totally blowing up the bank:
- Free Entertainment: Take advantage of free entertainment instead of buying expensive grandstand tickets. There are many different free music and show options around the fair.
- Share Food: We rarely ever buy more than one of something – this also allows us to try a lot of new foods and saves money as we eat slower.
- Bring Water: Throughout the fairgrounds you will find many water refill stations. Take advantage of these – especially for kids – to save money on purchasing a bunch of beverages.
- Discount Days: Take advantage of discount days which offer reduced admission such as kids discount days on Aug. 27 or Sept. 1 when kids admission is reduced to $15 or go on opening day when all admission prices are reduced.
- Free Transportation/Parking: Be sure to use free park and ride options around the city to avoid paying expensive parking fees. If you prefer to drive instead of taking the bus, arrive early in the morning to secure free street parking near the fairgrounds.
- Pay in Cash: Most vendors will take credit cards but charge a 3% fee to do so. Pay in cash to save money on all your fair purchases.
Safety Tips for the Minnesota State Fair with Kids
The fair is a very busy place and as we know, kids love to wander. Make a plan with children before attending in case anyone gets separated. Here are a few of my favorite safety tips:
- AirTags: Use Apple AirTags for a little extra piece of mind (AirTags | Kids AirTag Bracelet)
- Meeting Spots: Establish clear meeting locations in case of separation
- Emergency Contacts: Write your phone number on kids’ arms, use temporary tattoos or bracelets
- Stay Together: Hold hands in crowded areas
- Lost Child Plan: Teach kids to find uniformed staff or police if separated
- Hydration: Take frequent water breaks prevent heat exhaustion, especially if consuming alcohol.
Final Tips for Minnesota State Fair with Kids Success
The Minnesota State Fair with kids is an all day event. Plan for at least 6-8 hours, take breaks, and be flexible. Remember the goal is to make happy memories together not stress about what you didn’t get to see! Embrace the chaos and enjoy the Great Minnesota Get Together.
Tip: Download the official Minnesota State Fair app for maps, schedules and real-time updates to make your visit even smoother!
Other Minnesota Adventures
- Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary: Minnesota North Shore with Kids
- One Day at the Mall of America with Kids: 10 Best Attractions, Tips and Family Fun
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