10 Tips for Visiting the Minnesota State Fair from an 'Expert'

The Minnesota State Fair is fast approaching. Whether it's your first time or you've been before, the state fair is MASSIVE. It can be hard to know some of the ins and outs of the fair.

So as a self-declared expert, I wanted to share my personal tips for going to the Great Minnesota Get-Together based on my experience as an avid fair-goer who goes to the state fair at least once every year.

ALSO READ: How to Do the Minnesota State Fair on a Budget

Tips for Going to the Minnesota State Fair

Buy tickets before you go.

If you get tickets before the fair starts they'll be a few bucks cheaper. But even if you don't snag the cheaper price, getting them before going anyway because then you get to skip the huge line waiting to get tickets.

Ride one of the park and rides to get to the fair.

Don't stress yourself out by parking at the fair. There are free park and ride options around the Twin Cities as well as options through MVTA for $6 per person for a roundtrip.

Take advantage of the free entertainment.

There's tons and tons of free entertainment. You're already spending money on the tickets and food, so take advantage of the free stuff!

If trying different food and drink is high on your priorities, plan out what you want to try.

If you know you have certain foods and drinks you want to try, I'd suggest making some sort of a list before hand. You'll get to the fair and be slapped in the face with all of the vendors, get distracted, and then be too full to try everything you wanted to.

Get the State Fair's app.

Speaking of planning things out, getting the fair's app is SO useful for planning out food but also helping you if you get lost. There's a live map, a list of all of the vendors, a schedule of the day's events, etc.

If you need a break, O'Gara's is the place to be.

O'Gara's can get really busy but if you can find a spot, this is a great option. The layout is like a restaurant in the middle of the fair.

Hopping on the Sky Glider or Skyride is a great way to kick up your feet for a minute, too.

Another option to kick your feet up is spending the $6 (or whatever it is) to hop on the Sky Glider or Skyride. You get to see the fair from a new perspective and you get away from the crowds for a minute.

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The Culligan booth has free, cold water refills.

You can bring reusable water bottles into the fair, which is a win by itself, but the Culligan booth always has free refills.

If your kids are feeling overwhelmed, find the Fraser booth.

Fraser is a Minneapolis non-profit that offers autism services, mental and behavioral health care, and specialized disability support. At the state fair, they have a sensory-friendly room that's quiet and comfortable when things get too overwhelming.

Don't sleep on the Eco Building.

Yeah, I'm a nerd, but I always find the exhibits in the Eco Building so interesting! Check it out this year.