Iowa State Fair: Aug. 7-17, 2025. Advance tickets online. $11 for ages 12 and up and $7 for ages 6-11 until Aug. 6. Beginning August 7, $16 for ages 12 and up, $10 for ages 6-11. Parking on site (fee), along nearby streets (some homeowners charge for parking on their property), or by bus with DART Park & Ride (park free).

Minnesota State Fair: Aug. 21-Sept. 1, 2025. Ticket prices are $20 at the gate for adults. Discount tickets are available through Aug. 20. On-site parking $25. Free buses from more than 30 park-n-ride locations. Two free and secure bike corrals are available.

What to bring: Comfortable shoes, cash or credit card, sunscreen, water bottle, sunglasses.

Must see at the Iowa State Fair: The butter cow and special butter sculptures inside the Ag Building. Stare down the biggest farm animals of their kinds in the Avenue of Breeds.

Must see at the Minnesota State Fair: Crop Art entries in the Ag-Hort Building, live butter sculpting in a rotating glass cooler of Princess Kay of the Milky Way and her court in the Dairy Building.