State Fair of Texas Tips and Tricks to Know Before You Go

1. Non perdete tempo a parcheggiare.

DART is a great option to save time getting to the fair. Just hop on a train to Fair Park Station and get dropped off right in front of the main gate. You can even buy your tickets through the DART GoPass app, where a current promo code gets you a discount off Fair admission. Driving instead? Parking runs $30 per space at official Fair lots, so budget a few extra minutes to find a spot on busy weekends. Either way, the time you save on transportation means more time at the Midway or a second (or third) Fletcher's Corny Dog.

2. Non cercate di fare tutto in un giorno.

The State Fair of Texas is the longest running fair in the country with open gates for 24 consecutive days from Sept. 25 through Oct. 18, 2026, and for good reason. There's so much to experience, so don't feel like you have to cram it all in one day.

3. Non pagare troppo.

Save on admission by buying a season pass. If you plan to go more than once (and we think you should), a season pass pays for itself fast. The Commemorative Hard Card pass includes unlimited visits, a free Bring-A-Friend admission ticket valid Monday through Friday, complimentary access to Texas Discovery Gardens, and a parking pre-purchase discount, while the lower priced Digital Season Pass skips those extras in exchange for a better price.

The State Fair of Texas also partners with local organizations to offer discounted admission throughout the run, including Feed the Need Wednesdays for anyone who donates canned goods to the North Texas Food Bank, half-price admission for seniors on Thursdays, and a special Opening Day rate for anyone who brings peanut butter to donate. Sign up as a Big Tex Insider for Value Day promo codes and other early access to savings.

4. Don't get caught off guard at the gate.

The State Fair uses a clear bag policy for security, so leave the oversized tote at home. Bags and soft-sided coolers need to be 9 by 10 by 12 inches or smaller, and if they aren't clear, they need to fit into an even smaller 4.5 by 6.5 inch clutch. Diaper bags and medical bags get an exception and will be searched at the gate instead. There's no bag check or lockers on-site, so anything that doesn't meet the policy has to go back to the car. Planning your bag ahead of time saves you a walk back to the parking lot.

Planning to step out for a break and come back later? Grab a hand stamp before you leave. Re-entry requires one, and if you leave the parking lot, you'll pay for parking again.

5. Don't forget it's coupons, not cash.

Food, rides, and games on the Midway all run on State Fair coupons instead of cash or card, so pick some up at a booth or buy them online before you go. Each coupon is worth a dollar, and the good news is they never expire, so any leftovers from a past fair are still good today. ATMs are available throughout the grounds if you need to reload, and you'll only need cash or a card for shopping with the fair's vendors.

6. Don't miss the icons

Big Tex

Big Tex vive al centro della fiera lungo Lone Star Boulevard e Grand Avenue e dà il benvenuto a tutti i visitatori della fiera con una voce profonda e dall'accento texano. Inoltre, lo stand principale di Fletcher's Corny Dog è a pochi passi di distanza, quindi una sosta per un selfie e un corny dog è l'ideale.

Midway

L'epicentro dell'eccitazione, il Midway del Fair Park, ospita le giostre, i giochi e alcune delle prelibatezze più gustose della fiera. Prevedete che le giostre siano all'inizio della giornata, perché nessuno del vostro gruppo vuole vedere la vostra coscia di tacchino una seconda volta.

Ruota panoramica Texas Star

Il cuore del Fair Park Midway è la Texas Star, l'iconica ruota panoramica di Dallas. Scattate un selfie da terra prima di salire in cielo su un percorso di 20 piani che offre una vista unica di Fair Park e dello skyline di Dallas.

Il Cane Cornuto di Fletcher

Immaginate di arrivare a casa e di accorgervi che il vostro piano di "tornare quando la fila era più corta" è andato completamente a monte. Dedicate del tempo a fare la fila per avere la possibilità di assaggiare questo classico, fidatevi di noi: l'attesa ne vale la pena. Siete vegetariani? Mettetevi in fila, perché anche voi potete soddisfare la voglia di quel famoso cane sdolcinato con un corn dog vegetariano.

Cotton Bowl

Home of the famous Red River Rivalry and State Fair Classic, the Cotton Bowl is Fair Park's symbol of victory. This year also brings back the State Fair Clásico, a soccer match between Dallas Trinity FC and a surprise international matchup. Catch one of the exciting games set to take place on this legendary field, tickets and more information here.

Sala di Stato

Set in the middle of the fairgrounds, the Hall of State is packed with historical artifacts, photos, and more, all focused on Texas history and culture. Check bigtex.com closer to opening day for this year's special exhibit, and make a visit to the Hall of State part of your time at the fair.