Date Night at the State Fair of Texas
Sweep your date off their feet with these fun, romantic ideas.
The State Fair of Texas is one of the top date spots during it's 24-day run each fall. The "most Texan place on Earth" is full of fun things to do that will surely dazzle your sweetheart, and we've got you covered with these romantic ideas.
Snap a selfie with Big Tex
This larger-than-life legend has been a staple of the State Fair since 1952. Standing tall at 55 feet, Big Tex is the beloved cultural ambassador and icon of the fair, so don't forget to drop by and say howdy. While you're there, cuddle up and snap a selfie to commemorate the date.
![](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State_Fair_Of_Texas_2021-86.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=52.11%2029.83&q=80&w=320&s=9b7b6e1e75c1eb9b7ca188bea261c639 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State_Fair_Of_Texas_2021-86.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=52.11%2029.83&q=80&w=540&s=56eadcc41850e3a32063657e4d9a8d90 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State_Fair_Of_Texas_2021-86.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=52.11%2029.83&q=80&w=768&s=d5d947ece76e77579d094f03f2eb47cd 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State_Fair_Of_Texas_2021-86.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=52.11%2029.83&q=80&w=1024&s=170d8543cb7723de91ed9c7e98a7addc 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State_Fair_Of_Texas_2021-86.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=52.11%2029.83&q=80&w=1200&s=e11f317aaa25af7c86d9922b6202475d 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State_Fair_Of_Texas_2021-86.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=52.11%2029.83&q=80&w=1440&s=9e25df2cd2d56cf0c7af483f14a54b31 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State_Fair_Of_Texas_2021-86.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=52.11%2029.83&q=80&w=1920&s=49c24c0a8e51b20420e82cb6f74a3868 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State_Fair_Of_Texas_2021-86.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=52.11%2029.83&q=80&w=2560&s=e77d76f522c0edefcb2e98d5cc7757c5 2400w)
Head to the Wine Garden
Indulge responsibly and literally taste the romance with some of the best wines the great state of Texas has to offer. Under a canopy of colorful umbrellas, the State Fair Wine Garden features a wonderful variety of wine that you can sip by the sample, glass or bottle. Grab a shaded picnic table for two and snack on a meat & cheese or fruit & cheese plate to go along with your new favorite wine. You can even join the State Fair Wine Program!
![Wine Garden](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Wine-Garden.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=db3c6d595e6d44fd6c020e41c1eb64f5 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Wine-Garden.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=4cc1af4cfdc7bce45697f86e4c7bc3da 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Wine-Garden.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=4a2d2cb174501e0498cbe039a2aa943b 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Wine-Garden.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=b81d2d018909a2416a2db34f4b425441 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Wine-Garden.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=a50625b4c6b7f1e2ad2218bce7d8c473 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Wine-Garden.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=075dc2aa8b32a338fdac23c5d882f2fb 1280w)
Go on a foodie adventure
Savor and share delectable bites that you can only get at the state fair. From Fried Oreos and funnel cake to Cajun Crab Bombs and fried truffles, the fair has tons of foods to try. Don't forget to check out this year's Big Tex Choice Award-winners to sample the newest deep-fried confections.
![Fletchers Corndogs](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-Corndogs-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=62ce508fb480b055ee88aca859f5e7d1 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-Corndogs-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=9094effaf764dd2e0da8b1aa1a7a0958 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-Corndogs-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=19aa7abd3881e1b50ec5406d1ff2f572 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-Corndogs-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=4aee83a81e25708cfc28bba1b70736e7 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-Corndogs-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=4723ca0a7ba13f99b05ea6ebb24c9312 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-Corndogs-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=526c9e57e527dadb745ee1caecec9ed7 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-Corndogs-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=3268b73ac54af0efbfd2d1a26df2c1c3 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-Corndogs-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=8b5d0062bcc08b80ab125328817c4680 2560w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-Corndogs-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=a4f8158ed6bcf6ff3bfd4fcfe1d1f8f1 3600w)
Enjoy a romantic swan boat ride
Head to Leonhardt Lagoon to rent a swan boat for you and your sweetie. The boat rides create a wonderful romantic atmosphere and are great way to escape the fair crowds. Plus, all the paddling is excellent for working off those extra Corny Dogs and fried foods that you shared with each other! The swan boats are available to rent daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $10.
![](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/places/neighborhoods/Fair-Park-Leonhardt-Lagoon-with-Texas-Star-Ferris-Wheel.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=e89e2a26a12e123f241dff2cee2b19db 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/places/neighborhoods/Fair-Park-Leonhardt-Lagoon-with-Texas-Star-Ferris-Wheel.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=de7b4d783e0603da0b6338f9c56725fe 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/places/neighborhoods/Fair-Park-Leonhardt-Lagoon-with-Texas-Star-Ferris-Wheel.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=ca62ff6ba7a98ccca20f8cbf68aaab54 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/places/neighborhoods/Fair-Park-Leonhardt-Lagoon-with-Texas-Star-Ferris-Wheel.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=3d2a21947db3e5597d6ed7649daf210a 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/places/neighborhoods/Fair-Park-Leonhardt-Lagoon-with-Texas-Star-Ferris-Wheel.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=ce7d5dfa17648dc79c1cfb40fa5c52af 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/places/neighborhoods/Fair-Park-Leonhardt-Lagoon-with-Texas-Star-Ferris-Wheel.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=04b8eaaf47128ad1ffb1509f0ab91814 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/places/neighborhoods/Fair-Park-Leonhardt-Lagoon-with-Texas-Star-Ferris-Wheel.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=015e223ed6d1a05cb9c6aa93cf3b2a8e 1625w)
Check out the Midway
Venture over to the Midway and get a friendly game going with each other, explore one of the many funhouses or get your adrenaline pumping on the various rides. From climbing ladders to water guns and other games, there's plenty of opportunities to wow your significant other with your skills. And those stuff animals make such a fun gift that will always remind you of your time together at the fair!
![](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Midway-2G4A0153.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=13db07de6c085f21740d7f9e21b14075 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Midway-2G4A0153.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=14e1219346c2abb0cc60ee7446bef4ce 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Midway-2G4A0153.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=a80f772168547680e44f797058e2352c 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Midway-2G4A0153.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=f26023495439c1d61bbf041480193bf2 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Midway-2G4A0153.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=15ed93ff64de7cda310aa47544729b2c 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Midway-2G4A0153.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=dc6a00c3ec04f8fc2e86133505e35dcf 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Midway-2G4A0153.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=3d97f7af5ad11931a85c3518f69f8c04 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Midway-2G4A0153.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=050e264370f9861ef593870cdaaa0c17 2400w)
Ride the Texas Star Ferris wheel
No trip to the State Fair is complete without a ride on the Texas Star, one of the tallest Ferris wheels in North America. Ride to a height of more than 200 feet and hold your special someone tight as you witness the beauty of the fairgrounds and the Dallas skyline at night. It's the perfect ending to your date night at the State Fair of Texas.
![Texas Star Ferris Wheel](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/2G4A0234.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2031a0c914f0dcc4dabc2457ca87cf93 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/2G4A0234.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=5cd4107317f287bc1fcfa3bd9ca6fe8c 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/2G4A0234.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=e863b950d23fdc355f75e33a6aa222ed 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/2G4A0234.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=067a8daefe6600ced72adc3df45f86e2 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/2G4A0234.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=8b854a326ecf2ad2a9a7239f9b14efb8 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/2G4A0234.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=910370bd7a634601837a5767dad3fcf3 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/2G4A0234.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=295b372d28d05843b4d2d42c27dbb24c 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/2G4A0234.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=b281a142e883e4740b5ad2d53728b86f 2560w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/2G4A0234.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=97f4b49462cc886b97e5ef20c2c02860 3840w)
More State Fair Fun
![](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Fair-Park-State-Fair-of-Texas-Big-Tex-over-crowd-at-sunset-with-view-of-Dallas-Skyline-in-background-IMG_4420.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=690e8daa2edae66dfc98dee681c2b168 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Fair-Park-State-Fair-of-Texas-Big-Tex-over-crowd-at-sunset-with-view-of-Dallas-Skyline-in-background-IMG_4420.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=a0bd57f6c02ff102e8e32669224c0535 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Fair-Park-State-Fair-of-Texas-Big-Tex-over-crowd-at-sunset-with-view-of-Dallas-Skyline-in-background-IMG_4420.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=17b1d2691eaa13d59d151bf11e089776 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Fair-Park-State-Fair-of-Texas-Big-Tex-over-crowd-at-sunset-with-view-of-Dallas-Skyline-in-background-IMG_4420.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=51eb3246bb37436d3bd2774b2d6deb52 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Fair-Park-State-Fair-of-Texas-Big-Tex-over-crowd-at-sunset-with-view-of-Dallas-Skyline-in-background-IMG_4420.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=fa9d59bb11359e1801d4b1928c4be6f7 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Fair-Park-State-Fair-of-Texas-Big-Tex-over-crowd-at-sunset-with-view-of-Dallas-Skyline-in-background-IMG_4420.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=81c469b0cec83d78940d14bf746e49c3 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/Fair-Park-State-Fair-of-Texas-Big-Tex-over-crowd-at-sunset-with-view-of-Dallas-Skyline-in-background-IMG_4420.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=e646d352a014cbf6ca9a4433ac8b6aea 1920w)
![](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Child-with-Cotton-Candy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.6533&fp-y=0.2305&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=90f137500895ba99386e93f2b1254ff8 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Child-with-Cotton-Candy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.6533&fp-y=0.2305&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=2180c29c179d1a7b261db48a2c3b4168 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Child-with-Cotton-Candy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.6533&fp-y=0.2305&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=17f73181080736cf4bd1a35362d627aa 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Child-with-Cotton-Candy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.6533&fp-y=0.2305&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=fbf0249f8e9f63a2316a1eaddc12f088 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Child-with-Cotton-Candy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.6533&fp-y=0.2305&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=95d7929b636804463e947e4778ac7a16 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Child-with-Cotton-Candy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.6533&fp-y=0.2305&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=aa8aaa52531af88a9b865e05e0c45803 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Child-with-Cotton-Candy.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.6533&fp-y=0.2305&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=cfde2b0fbcd92066e7b0b442f3c03aec 1920w)
![](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Coupons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=f431cd0b4357a694116797f2d9672df8 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Coupons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=e8ad6c16b4d82b19bc969790aabbc288 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Coupons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=ef9610436260611d7974d5ba57f0ef33 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Coupons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=a32bbed09de24c3c1efb67dabf3649c2 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Coupons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=8d3c6fd07b4123e0142c91f92da918ee 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Coupons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=21aa85e791dd4d3f75c2d095141a876f 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/state-fair-of-texas/State-Fair-of-Texas-Coupons.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=849a4a5f784a85f7859ff3b8dae8ab73 1920w)