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State Fair of Texas-Dallas

Oct 28, 2019 | Texas | 0 comments

Updated: Dec 10, 2019

Looking for the biggest fair in Texas? Look no more.

I have all the in’s and out’s of the State Fair of Texas right here in this blog.

Woman taking a selfie with a giant statue of a cowboy outside.| State Fair of Texas-Dallas

**Tickets were provided by State Fair of Texas. All opinions are my own.**

Basic Information

When: End of September & Beginning of October

Time: Gates open daily at 7 a.m.

Exhibit buildings, outdoor exhibits, and food concessions are open from:
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. – Sunday through Thursday

10 a.m. to 10 p.m. – Friday and Saturday

What to Wear

You need a hat and sunglasses to shield yourself from the Texas sun. Also, wear your comfy cowgirl boots or your favorite pair of tennis shoes. You will be walking around all day.

Woman wearing cowgirl boots at the fair.| State Fair of Texas-Dallas
What to Bring

You can bring a cooler with water and sodas. Liquor is not allowed. I never saw anyone with a cooler, because it’s a lot to lug around all day. However, we brought a wagon for the kids. It was life savor.

Two kids riding in a small red wagon at the fair.| State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Tickets

Order your tickets online and you will receive an additional $50 in food and ride coupons.

State Fair of Texas logo with cowboy.| State Fair of Texas-Dallas

Click Here to Order

How to get to the fair.

A) You can drive, then fight the traffic downtown, pay $18 for parking (seniors $16), and walk for miles to get to the fair.

B) You can take the DART for $6 and it drops you off right at the front of the gate.

DART coupon for State Fair for $2 off.| State Fair of Texas-Dallas

Click Here

Coupons

Coupons are bought at a machine and go towards food and rides. The machines accept only credits cards. There are no refunds on coupons so make sure you order the correct amount. The lines are always long, unless you look next to a Hospitality Center which seems to sometimes have hidden coupon machines that most people do not know about. The coupon machines near gate 3 seemed to have small lines as well.

Crowd gathered around the coupon machines at the fair.| State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Hospitality Center

The hospitality centers are located all around the park. This is where you can get a free map of the fair. Also, if you need to be pointed in the right direction these are the people to talk to.

People at the counter window of the Hospitality Center at the fair.| State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Texas State Fair Map

You can find this at the Hospitality Center. This map will help you find your way around the park.

Map of the State Fair of Texas.| State Fair of Texas-Dallas

Food -Coupons are Required

The Texas State Fair Food Staples
Fletchers Corn Dogs

If you are from Dallas, then Fletchers Corn Dog is a state fair Tradition. The lines are extremely long. Sadly, I was extremely disappointed. The corn dog was bland for my taste, but my kids loved it.

Fletchers hot dog with mustard on a stick. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

We even tried the jalapeno and cheese corn dog. We really couldn’t taste the cheese nor the jalapeno.

Fletchers hot dog with mustard on a stick. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Fried, Fried, Fried

In Texas we can fry anything. You’re Welcome!

Menu at Vandalay Ind. at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly with Bananas from Vandalay Ind.

This was hands down my favorite fried item. It was delish. I’m not a huge bananas fan so I was thankful the bananas did not over power the dish. The jelly on top really cut the fried flavor.

Yum Yum.

It took me over hour to find a place that sells the fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. If you want to experience some unique fried dishes, you need to be prepared with booth names or be willing to search them out. Next year, I want to try a Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Shake.

Can I get an Amen?

**Do your research because you will waste a lot of money on ok food when there is some of the best fried food in the world lurking about.**

Platter of fried peanut butter and jelly with banana from Vandalay Ind. at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

PS. This place has some amazing fries. They are nice and crunchy. I’m kicking myself for not trying the pizza fries or garlic fries. Another blogger told me the garlic fries are her favorite item at the fair.

Platter of french fries at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Bottle Water

The best place to buy water bottles is at these stations. 1 bottle is 2 coupons, if you buy from a food booth you can expect to pay 6 coupons.

Sign for Bottled Water for 2 coupons at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

or Hush Hush…. you can go to the Butterfly Garden’s (Texas Discovery Garden) vending machines by the restrooms to get a killer deal. Only 85 cents for soda and water. There is no entry fee required in this area. Let’s just say we stocked up on drinks before heading to our next adventure.

Dad with two kids at the vending machine at Butterfly Gardens at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Drinking

There are some really cool chill spots to hang out while you drink a local craft beer.

Drinking area with fall decor at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Pineapple Man

You can be cheap like us and get beer’s from the Pineapple Man for 6 coupons each, which is super cheap. It’s located across from the Swan Boats and mini Big Tex. Look for the booth with water misters. You can even score a pineapple filled up with a margarita for 29 coupons at this booth.

Store front of Pineapple Man at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Giant sign of Mini Big Tex man at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Rides- Coupons Required

They have an entire section for adults and older kids ages 6 plus. This is where you will find the famous Texas Ferris Wheel and a huge selection of thrilling rides.

View of the Ferris Wheel ride at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

I lost my phone on this ride and someone turned it in. I love Texas.

People riding rides at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

They even have a massive kid section that had my kids drooling.

Kid ride section at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Kid ride section at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

You will even find fun houses located in random spots.

Fun houses at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

This alligator makes for a fun Instagram picture.

Woman posing with biting alligator statue at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Games- Requires a Card

You can purchase the cards from the Game attendants. The wide selection of games is impressive.

Kids playing games at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

You are in luck, because winning a prize is not hard. It’s actually quite easy.

Little girl showing off her prizes she won for playing games at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Little boy showing off his prize he won for playing games at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Things to do for free
Petting Zoo

The petting zoo was my kids favorite part. You can buy a cup of food for $1.00 to feed the animals. Hint: Keep the food until the end and feed the ostrich, which is super fun plus most people aren’t brave enough to feed him.

They have some of the coolest animals.

Baby animals at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Longhorn in the animal area at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Llama in the animal area at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

After you complete the petting zoo, the kids can experience what it’s like to be a farmer. My kids loved it. The kids are given several tasks to complete.

Little girl holding corn on the cobb in the animal area at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Little girl riding a mini tractor bike in the animal area at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Little boy playing in the pretend farmers market in the animal area at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

Once they complete the tasks, they are paid with a ticket.

Little girl holding free coupon in the animal area at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

The kids take the ticket to a booth outside where they can pick from any item the tent has. My kids selected mango ice cream.

Snack bar in the animal area at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Texas Auto Show

This is for all the automobile lovers in your family. You will see all the latest and greatest trucks/cars. I think we found our favorite and it matches our red wagon. I do miss being part of the “jeep” club.

Red Jeep truck in the Auto show section at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

The automobile manufactures even have free games where you can win prizes.

Things to do that require money.
Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park- $6.00 a person
People walking to the Stingray Bay area to feed the stingrays at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

We thought this place was small, but we were dead wrong. It’s huge and took about an hour to complete.

View of the stingray area at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

My daughter was even able to take a picture with a real live mermaid.

Little girl posing with a woman dressed as a mermaid at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Butterfly Garden (Texas Discovery Garden) – $6.00 a person

Outside

This ticket will give you access to roam the massive gardens outside full of butterflies.

Best Instagram spot in the gardens.

Little girl posing with giant butterfly wings in the Butterfly Garden at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

They even have a really nice playground that entertained my kids for over an hour.

Playground in the Butterfly Garden at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

Inside

Afterwards we went inside to check out the exhibits and 3 story butterfly museum.

People looking at butterfly displays into Discovery Gardens at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

This is where you are able to see the butterflies up close and personal

Butterfly displays in Discovery Gardens at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Swan Boats- $10 per swan for 20 minutes

We never got around to this, but it looks like a lot of fun.

View of people riding in Swan Boats on the water at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Souvenir

Before you leave do not forget to pick up Big Tex t-shirt for $25.00

Storefront of souvenir shop t-shirts displayed at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

Instagram

Also, make sure you get a selfie with Big Tex before you leave.

Woman taking a selfie with a giant statue of a cowboy outside.| State Fair of Texas-Dallas
Bands

If you’re not too tired from a full day at the fair, then stay for the concert. 98 Degrees was playing the day we attended. I wanted to stay for this concert, but we were exhausted. I 100% regret it, but I’ve learned my lesson. If you want to attend the concert show up a little later in the day so you’re not exhausted by 8pm.

Band picture of the group 98 degrees at the fair. | State Fair of Texas-Dallas

**Tickets were provided by State Fair of Texas. All opinions are my own. **

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Hi, I’m Misty! Welcome to Glam Journey, where you’ll find travel-related content, itineraries and booking services for the adventurous mom who is living her version of a glamorous life.

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