Iowa State Fairgrounds
Fair and Event Space
Des Moines
"... forget to see the butter cows and eat some stick food"(6 Tips)
"Cambell corn dogs are the best here by the bud beer tent!"(8 Tips)
"Strawberry Shake at Bauders - so good!"(3 Tips)
"Fried butter sounds fun until your stuck with a huge plate of it."(3 Tips)
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Jerry GhazaliMarch 6, 2012One of the most beautiful capitols in the nation. Free tours include a 275 ft trip up in the dome and a breathtaking Law Library. Make sure to talk a walk around the gardens and monuments on the hill.
Tony SimonsAugust 12, 2014Deep fried (insert any food) on a stick. In my case, a Twinkie. And boobies EVERYWHERE. It's definitely the highlight of summer in Iowa!
The quilts are beautiful to look at and you get to have so much fun seeing the Christian concert on the first day of the fair and participate in contests.
Jenna McKeeAugust 9, 2013Barksdales chocolate chip cookies, the ones in the buckets; are expensive but the best cookies ever. Also try nitro ice cream under the grandstand!
Pork chop on a stick and the peppermint bar at Bauder's are my two very favorite Iowa State Fair treats. The extra extra large beer at the craft beer tent are really extra extra large.
Carli JoAugust 16, 2015Fried Twinkie is so good! My friends raved about their fried snickers too! None of the food will disappoint... Oh yeah and plenty of other stuff to do!
Kelli RobertsAugust 24, 2018Greatest fair in the country!! Live music, rides, shows, animals, food, food, food and lastly some great shopping.
Crescent is is the best. Good food. Try one with cream cheese. Soda refills $1.50. Just south of the Triangle.
You have to try the turkey legs at Hardenbrooks only ones that cook them on grills in front of you by far best ones on the fairgrounds just follow the smoke
Always a blast get the refillable drink container you’ll save a ton!
Don't leave without getting an Aunt Mary's Grinder across from the pavilion. Yumm!!!!
Amelia OliverAugust 14, 2012I hardly ever miss this fair (even after I moved to Texas). Must Do's: Skyglider, smoothies, butter cow, chainsaw guy, Belgian horses, bill Reilly stage!
Check out the Iowa Craft Beer Tent at the Iowa State Fair where you can try all kinds of beer crafted in Iowa. Read more
Kaitlyn MarieAugust 16, 2014A large variety of activities for those of all ages. Shows and events are fun to watch.- Fried butter sounds fun until your stuck with a huge plate of it. You adventurous people will get it just to say you got it and I'm telling you now: NOT WORTH IT.
Katie StockingAugust 9, 2014Use the hashtag #fairfoodmashup on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook with your fair food pics and be entered to win giftcards to @kumandgo and @raygun!
Catherine E.August 11, 2013Don't bother paying the money for feed at the petting zoo. The animals have feed in the cages next to them that you can use for free.
CASSIE SEMERADAugust 13, 2011Try the pineapple whip!! Also, $2 fair squares are great, and big enough to share. Porkchop on a stick is mandatory :)- M VisekFebruary 8, 2012Beattie's Melon Patch has the best tenderloin sandwiches and fresh watermelon. Right next to the giant yellow slide.
Juice MagazineAugust 9, 2012Check out our entertainment guide for food, fair trivia and music picks for the 2012 Iowa State Fair! Read more
Nikki MallisonAugust 13, 2011Depending on the time you get to the fair you might be able to park right away up close. Got to the fair around 330 today and parking was a breeze!
Loved the free boiled egg on a stick in the Age building. Also got some free cool sunglasses for Joy and Jordan.
Curtis GAugust 12, 2014Close your eyes, plug your nose, and run as fast as you can to the Iowa craft beer tent.- Lemonade in fr Grandstand pretty darn good! Water fountain NE side of Varied Ind. bldg. Strawberry Shake at Bauders - so good!
Go to the Fountain Service soda shop east of the Bud Tent and Iowa Chop stand. Order a shake or a cherry soda.
Avoid "East Side Night" (first Friday of the fair.) No offense to you east siders but get your life together!
- Crescent is is the best. Good food. $1.50 soda refill. Just south of the triangle.
Go to Toad's Tavern and have a drink and they will let you park for free!!!
Ashley MooreAugust 13, 2012There's a gluten free guide on the Iowa State Fair website for those who need it!
Kate HughesApril 24, 2013I don't know if you know this but if you are here, you are at the greatest place on earth (after DisneyWorld.)
- Just got done with my state Fair job orientation. I'm a gate ticket taker and get to use a nifty scanner that looks like a cell phone on steroids.
Kate JohnsonSeptember 2, 2010The indoor show arena is really small (& spooky!) with sketchy warm up... Go to the upper covered ring if you need a serious warm up before an under saddle class!
You have to try the maple syrup bacon funnel cake.
Remember your keys & tickets before leaving your vechicle!
Come see us at the cell Advantage tent by the petting zoo! Great deals!
Fred HoiboarJune 15, 2012Look for my tips all around the fairgrounds, and keep an eye out for me at this year's Biggest Boar competition! #FollowFred
- Play all the games and ride all rides just don't forget to see the butter cows and eat some stick food
Try the Double Bacon Corndog - Not as bacoy as it sounds.
Try the steak sandwich at Steak and Shake Ups!! Best food at the Fair!!!
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- 7.2
"Be sure to stop by the Iowa Pork Tent! The first 250 Foursquare check-ins at the tent get a free Ground Pork Slider. Show your check-in on phone to redeem. There's also a Mayor special. :)"
Nathan Wright - 7.1
"Really good bar with live music"
Lizzie Borden - 7.2
"Don't miss the bonsai show on Sunday when you're visiting Butter Cow."
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