These 12 Minnesota State Fair Posts will look a bit different, seeing everything is contained within the Fair grounds some of the quick references will be located at the top of blog instead of being repeated multiple times.
General Spot: Minnesota State Fair
Length of time: 12 days (August 22- September 2, 2024)
Website: Minnesota State Fair
Type of Spot: Fair
Cost: $$
Reservations: No reservations required
Indoors/Outdoors: Mix of Outside and Inside
Seating Availability: Plentiful
Terrain: Sidewalks, Streets, Hills, Grass, Inside Buildings Smooth Flooring
Known Busier Times: 10am - 9pm
Spot: Fair Grounds Early Morning 7- 9am
Overview of spot:
The Fair really is your playground. The Fair is waking up and it's a great time to walk anywhere and get a sense of where you want to go when things get busier. FYI most buildings, some food vendors and rides aren't open quite yet.
However it is a great for selfies at iconic spots without the crowds!
Indoors/Outdoors: Outside
Seating Availability: Plentiful
Tara's Comments: I LOVE the early mornings at the fair. It's calm and peaceful and you get to see everything coming to life. And smell the food starting up for the day!
Spot: Dan Patch Park
Overview of spot:
By afternoon Dan Patch park is crowded, but until about 11am or so there is usually some entertainment but it's not super crowded. And depending on what the event day is it can lower key too. These pictures were taken on Military Appreciation Day so it was more crowded.
Indoors/Outdoors: Outside
Seating Availability: Some
Tara's Comments: This is one of the nice grass areas that is centrally located at the Fair. In the morning there tends to be shade on the park. Although something new for 2024 is they put up permanent shade structures in the park. I have not seen them yet.
Spot: The Animal Barns
Overview of spot:
The barns are great to see in the morning before it gets crowded. Most are open at 8am check on your day to confirm hours. You can see the kids feeding and getting their animals ready for the day and competitions. Be mindful and respectful of any closed aisles. One known exception to early opening is the Miracle of Birth Center, that building opens at 9am.
Indoors/Outdoors: Mostly Inside
Seating Availability: None in most of the barns themselves, some seating in the barn area of the fair.
Recommend a Calmer Spot at the your favorite Fair or Festival
