State Fair of Texas

The State Fair of Texas is back at Fair Park this fall, running from Friday, September 25 through Sunday, October 18. It's the longest-running fair in the country, and it's a Dallas institution that brings in around 2.5 million people every year. They call it the 'most Texan place on Earth,' and for a lot of us, that's exactly what it is.

Once you're inside, the first thing you'll run into is Big Tex, the fair's 55-foot cowboy mascot, who's basically the face of the whole thing. From there, the fairgrounds open up into a few different worlds. There are more than 100 free attractions and 70 Midway rides, and the Fair Park Rodeo and the Pig Races are two of the staples that bring people back every year. If you're there for the music, the Chevrolet Main Stage, Bud Light Stage, and Yuengling Flight Stage all host live acts throughout the run. And then there's the food—Fletcher's corny dogs are the one thing almost everyone hunts for.

College football also takes over the Cotton Bowl during the fair. You'll find the State Fair Classic and the Allstate Red River Showdown, and this year adds the inaugural State Fair Clásico, which brings a Dallas Trinity FC match into the mix. Between the rides, the music, the football, and the food, it's a lot to take in over 24 days, so you can pick your favorite days and just do the parts you actually want.

Daily admission is $15 to $25 for adults and $10 for kids, with discounts on select days; a season pass starts as low as $52 if you're planning on going more than once. Parking at official Fair lots runs from about $30 per car, and DART's Green Line to Fair Park Station is the recommended way in. The gates are open 10 AM to 9 PM Sunday through Thursday and 10 AM to 10 PM Friday and Saturday, with the last entry at 9 PM.