Everything You Need To Know About The State Fair Of Texas

Admit it—when the fair comes to town, you can’t help but get excited. One glimpse of a Ferris wheel and you’re transported to your youth. There’s one state fair in the U.S. that overshadows them all: the State Fair of Texas, located in Dallas. It’s effectively the biggest state fair, welcoming more people in attendance each year than any other fair, and that makes it a must-visit for anyone who loves fried food, rides, games, and concerts. Before you book your trip to Dallas to attend the State Fair of Texas, here’s everything you’ll need to know.

It only comes once a year.

The State Fair of Texas only comes once a year, from September to October. In 2018, it will open at 10 a.m. on September 28 and ends on October 21. Opening Day at the fair is a big to-do, with a ribbon cutting ceremony, performance by the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, and an award ceremony.

It’s, like, a big—Texas-sized—deal.

Fairs might not be a big deal in your state, but in Texas, the State Fair of Texas is like a holiday. This month-long celebration begins when summer ends and ushers in the fall and winter holiday season in Texas. There were 2.25 million visitors in 2017, making it the second highest attendance in the State Fair of Texas’ 132-year history. It’s so popular that it has long welcomed the most esteemed celebrities, stars, and notable figures of the last century, like John Philip Sousa, William Jennings Bryan, Carrie A. Nation, Booker T. Washington, President Woodrow Wilson, and President William Howard Taft.

You can’t visit the State Fair of Texas without taking a photo with Big Tex, the resident greeter. Standing at 55-feet (16-meters) tall, Big Tex is the tallest cowboy in the world and has been a staple of the fair since 1952. He’s even a movie star, appearing in the 1962 film, State Fair.

Big Tex is the resident cowboy greeter at the State Fair of Texas.

Fair food is the best food.

Fair food is the best food, right? In Texas, it’s even better—we’re not exaggerating. The State Fair of Texas is world-renowned for coming up with some of the most innovative foods. For one, corn dogs may have been invented at the State Fair of Texas, or at least that’s what local favorite Fletcher’s Corny Dog claims.

Fair-goers will find traditional Texas fair food here like Frito Chili Pies, gigantic turkey legs, and funnel cakes. However, you can find almost any fried food imaginable; we’re talking fried lattes, fried Oreos, fried Jell-O, fried Coke, fried Bubblegum, fried beer, fried butter, and even fried cookie dough. Yes, it’s a heart attack waiting to happen. Each year, there’s a whole new fair concoction to try, so be sure you’re the first in line!

There’s just some rides you can’t miss.

The fair’s Midway section is home to amazing carnival games and 70 rides. The most iconic of the 70 rides are the 212-foot (65-meter) Ferris wheel that lights up at night, the 500-foot (152-meter) Top o’ Texas Tower, and the 1914 Dentzel Carousel. To ride the rides, you’ll need to buy 12-15 coupons per ride which cost about $0.50 each. This is one of the most popular areas at the fair, so expect some lines.

Midway at the State Fair of Texas has thrilling rides.

You’ll want to visit on a concert night.

Tickets to the fair cost $18 for adults and $14 for kids, but that just gets you entrance into the fair, and doesn’t consider the cost of rides, games, or food. So when the fair offers free things to do, you’ll want to take advantage of them. Free aspects of the fair include certain exhibits, perusing vendor booths, and best of all—the concerts. There are 24 free concerts presented at the fair each year, with musicians from all different genres. In 2018, the fair will feature acts like Bidi Bidi Banda, The Molly Ringwalds, and Ludacris.

Attractions range from odd to unique to truly Texas.

There are a wide range of things to do at the State Fair of Texas and some of them can seem a bit odd to out-of-towners. The fair has always had a close connection to agriculture and many of the exhibitions reflect this. In addition to a petting zoo, there’s also milking demonstrations and prized livestock shows. The Creative Arts building has everything from cooking demonstrations to butter sculptures. There are also 18 shopping areas, and a few museums like the African American Museum, that visitors can check out while at the fair.

Agriculture is a major component of the State Fair of Texas.

Ditch the car, take the DART.

Parking at the State Fair of Texas is maddening, costly, and often involves long walks from your car to the entrance. Instead of driving to the fair, use DART, Dallas’ rail line, instead. Not only does it have a stop right in front of the entrance, but you can save $2 on fair tickets any day of the week when purchasing through the DART GoPass app.

You won’t be able to do everything.

The State Fair of Texas is in Fair Park which is a whopping 277 acres. What are the chances that you’ll be able to try every ride, every fried delicacy, or see every amazing vendor booth? Pretty low… but don’t worry. Like Christmas, the month-long State Fair of Texas comes every year, offering a chance to have a new experience with each and every visit.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.