Minnesota State Fair Attractions

In between bites, there are plenty of attractions to enjoy. By no means a full listing, here are some spots we recommend you don’t miss.

1. Giant Slide

You’d be hard-pressed to find a Minnesotan who doesn’t know the feeling of gliding down the yellow and green waves of the Giant Slide atop a burlap sack. Not just for the kiddos, folks of all ages can enjoy this State Fair tradition.

2. CHS Miracle of Birth Center

In addition to the full-grown animals who temporarily reside at the fairgrounds, nearly 200 babies enter the world each summer at the CHS Miracle of Birth Center. The newborn calves, lambs, piglets and more are a hit with kids and adults alike.

3. Skyride & Skyglider

Another fair tradition is surveying the crowds as you short-cut from one side of the fair to another on the Skyride (enclosed gondolas) or the Skyglider (open-air chairlifts).

Credit: Minnesota State Fair
Credit: Lane Pelovsky

4. Space Tower

If you seek a higher vantage point than those provided by the Skyride and Skyglider, the 340-foot Space Tower will take you up into the clouds for amazing views of the fairgrounds and beyond. If you're into heights, hop on the tallest traveling Ferris wheel in North America, the Great Big Wheel, for breathtaking views from a height of 156 feet.

5. Midway & Kidway

What’s a fair without rides and games? Get your adrenaline going, weave through fun-houses and win your sweetie a giant stuffed animal in the Mighty Midway. If you’ve got little ones, plan some time at the more tame Kidway.

Credit: Minnesota State Fair
Credit: Minnesota State Fair

6. 4-H Llama & Alpaca Costume Competition

You won't find this at any other state fair - the Llama & Alpaca Costume Contest is unique to Minnesota. Catch 4-H’ers and their pets in complementary costumes. Following the contest, the fun continues with participants competing in novelty games. Wednesday, August 30, at 6 p.m.

7. Live Music at the Grandstand or on Free Music Stages

Some of music’s biggest names have been known to rock the open-air Grandstand stage each summer. 2023 headliners include Brandi Carlile with special guest Wynonna Judd, Keith Urban, Boyz II Men and Chaka Chan, and The Chicks. You can also catch over 100 local and national acts for free at various stages throughout the fairgrounds, including music in every flavor through the Celebrate. Culture. Community line-up presented by OMG Media Solutions.

8. Ye Old Mill

This over 100-year-old “Tunnel of Love” is the oldest (and weirdest) attraction at the fair, with an experience that is essentially the same as it when it first opened. The two-minute boat ride through a darkened tunnel of various kitschy (and bizarre) vignettes is quite the tradition.

9. Butter Sculptures

Butter sculptures? You butter believe it. The Dairy Building’s butter sculptures of Princess Kay of the Milky Way and the other 11 finalists are one of the fair’s most popular yet strange traditions.

Credit: Minnesota State Fair
Credit: Minnesota State Fair

10. Crop Art

Also unique to the Minnesota State Fair is the infamous Crop Art Competition. Make your way to the Agriculture Horticulture Building to see artwork made of Minnesota-grown seeds, stems and other plant parts and see the humor and creativity of Minnesotans on full display.

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