Dear Rookie Fairgoer,

Welcome to the Great Minnesota Get-Together, where you’ll walk 7 miles without realizing it, consume your body weight in fried food, and somehow end up watching a lumberjack competition you didn’t plan on attending.

If this is your first rodeo, let us save you from rookie mistakes with the State Fair Survival Kit.

Picture this: The gates swing open, the aroma of Sweet Martha’s Cookies drifts in the air, and you're armed with everything you need to dominate the day, without looking like a total rookie.

Here’s your not-so-average checklist complete with helpful links and transit savvy to make this your smartest State Fair yet.

1. Essentials for the Field Kit

Comfortable walking shoes

Sunscreen + sunglasses

Refillable water bottle

Crossbody bag or fanny pack

Cash + card

Portable phone charger

2. Helpful Reads (More to Explore)

Before you head in, don’t miss our other blogs that go way deeper than “yesterday’s must-eats” lists:

“New Minnesota State Fair Foods for 2025, Ranked” - Minnesota Monthly

A veteran fair-food critic ranks this year’s new offerings, spotlighting tasty trends like waffle mashups, international flavors, and mocktails by Urban Glow. (Plus a cheeky promise to troll your taste buds.) Great for fairgoers who like a second opinion with attitude. Minnesota Monthly

“Preview the New Minnesota State Fair Foods” - Mpls.St.Paul Magazine

A deep dive into the 33 official new foods and eight new vendors debuting in 2025, highlighting standouts like Dill Pickle Iced Tea, the ingenious “fawaffle” (falafel in a waffle), Wrecktangle dessert dogs, and pastry delights from Patisserie 46. Perfect for strategizing your must-try list. Mpls.St.Paul Magazine

3. Map Out Your Strategy

Want to scout your path before entering the fairgrounds? Check out the official interactive map, perfect for plotting your snack-to-stage route.

Bookmark it for quick access. Minnesota State Fair

4. Getting There: Transit Tips That Make You Look Like a Pro

Express Bus + Park & Ride

Skip the parking circus, take one of these:

Metro Transit Express Buses ($5 via app, $6 cash) drop off right at Gate 16. Available from Maple Grove*, Minnetonka, Bloomington, Maplewood, Blaine, and Cottage Grove. Metro Transit Minnesota State Fair
MVTA Options (Burnsville, Eagan, Shakopee) also $6 round-trip, comfy, air-conditioned. mvta.com
SouthWest Transit serves Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Chaska, and Carver with a neat BOGO pass you can use for the Renaissance Festival too. swtransit.org
Free parking in suburbs, direct to the gates, easy as that.

Park & Ride Pickups

Multiple pickup/drop-off points feed the Fair via shuttles. Options include:

Gate 5 (Snelling Ave.), Gate 9 (Loop Gate), and Gate 16 (Transit Hub), perfect landing zones depending on your route. Minnesota State Fair
Gate 9 is a go-to for accessible transport. Minnesota State Fair

From the U of M Transitway

The shuttle-friendly Transitway drops you at the doorstep of the fairgrounds, brilliant for anyone near campus. Wikipedia

5. Quick Reminders (Don’t Scroll Past!)

What You Can Do

Arrive early

Hit shows and rides before queues stretch longer than your snack list.

Stay shady

Best people-watching happens when you're munching fries in the shade.

Share smart

Want more bites? Split snacks so you can hit twice the food.

Use the app

The Official MN State Fair app offers maps, schedules, favorites, and search tools, better than good, it’s essential. Google Play Minnesota State Fair

Want More Clout as a Resident?

As a local, you already know the cheese curd drill, but even insiders forget:

Bookmark the interactive fair map (we’re talking venue zones, stage locations, and potty breaks).
Save express bus schedules early, less waiting, more riding.
Keep this guide handy, friends will ask your “what’s the fastest line?” tips on D-day.

Want a sneak peek at the fun?

Check out our snippets from last year’s MN State Fair!

It’s a quick taste of the food, the rides, and all the unforgettable moments that make this event so special. We’ll be sharing another highlight reel for 2025, and we can’t wait to see what makes it into this year’s lineup!

You’ve got this, Rookie. Now go eat, explore, and enjoy the chaos!

-Your Friendly Fair Veteran.

P.S. From Asst

Planning a trip to the Minnesota State Fair from out of town? We’ve got you covered, from booking nearby hotels and finding the best park-and-ride routes, to mapping out your must-try food list and even securing reservations for your post-fair dinner (yes, you will still be hungry).

Asst makes your Great Minnesota Get-Together effortless, so all you have to do is show up and enjoy. Drop us a message, and let’s make your fair day unforgettable.

The Rookie’s Roadmap to the MN State Fair