No Surprise Here! Minnesota State Fair Named Best State Fair In The Country
Nearly anyone who has ever been to the Minnesota State Fair knows it is pretty awesome. While there are some people who might pass on it because they don't like the big crowds of people, there are plenty of reasons why all of those people are there.
From the food and drinks to the rides, farm animals to loads of live entertainment, the "Great Minnesota Get-Together" consistently maintains its reputation as a must-visit destination for many people at the end of every summer.
While Minnesotans love our fair, we're definitely not the only ones who think it is pretty great.
I've talked to several people who have visited state fairs in other places around the country, and they all say the same thing - whatever fair they visited just isn't the same as the Minnesota State Fair.
The folks at Travel & Leisure agree, placing the Minnesota State Fair at the top of their list of the best state fairs in the country that they say are worth traveling to this year. Yep, that's right! Number one spot!
Why the Minnesota State Fair earns the top spot
The team named their top 6 state fairs in the United States, placing the Minnesota State Fair at number one, saying it is consistently the top fair people recommend to others who enjoy fairs.
Travel & Leisure referred to the Minnesota State Fair as "Often considered the gold standard", highlighting the meticulous organization and deeply-rooted local culture tied into the fair.
As you'd expect, the food is the top draw according to Travel & Leisure, with the various foods on a stick and Sweet Martha's Cookies getting a shoutout. Yes, I know some people have a hot take that the cookies are overrated, but the lines don't lie.
READ MORE: Who is performing at the 2026 Minnesota State Fair Grandstand? Here's the full schedule!
Beyond the food, the wealth of live entertainment, exhibits, and other fun make the Minnesota State Fair what Travel & Leisure calls a full-day experience (if not a couple of days' worth of fun).
What other state fairs are among the best?
The Minnesota State Fair beat out some other heavy hitters like the Texas State Fair and Iowa State Fair, which also have big reputations.
Here's how they ranked their best fair picks:
- Minnesota State Fair
- Florida State Fair
- "The Big E" (The Eastern States Exposition in Massachusetts)
- Texas State Fair
- Iowa State Fair
- Alaska State Fair
You can see what they had to say about each of them in their article.
One of the non-food highlights of the Minnesota State Fair is the entertainment. Here's a look at the big Grandstand shows on the 2026 schedule:
2026 Minnesota State Fair Grandstand Performers
Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth