1. BABY FUNNEL CAKES
These are my forever favorites! They’re the perfect size to share with a small group of friends or to have all to yourself and still have room for more snacks.
Where: Mconnell's Elephant Ears and Funnel Cakes, East Side of North Entrance Varied Industries Building
2. LEMONADE CREAMSICLE
It’s equal parts creamy and refreshing! I usually don’t gravitate towards “creamsicle” flavors but this drink makes me want to revisit that opinion of mine.
Where: Bacon Box, North of Varied Industries Building
3. SALTED NUT ROLLS
Regardless of your choice of nut, these are the perfect balance of sweet, salty, chewy, and crunchy. The fresher the better!
Where: Colonial Nut Roll Co., Triangle east of Admin Building: Along North Side of Walnut Square, near Giant Slide
4. DEEP FRIED PB&J
I LOVE peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, so having these deep fried with a dust of powdered sugar takes it over the top!
Where: The Bird's Nest
5. SCOTCHAROO ICE CREAM SHAKE
With their debut this year, this one was an instant win for me. It’s the perfect Midwest dessert in a cup!
Where: Over the Top
1. PARK & RIDE
Don’t stress about parking (and paying for parking). You can hop on a DART Park & Ride shuttle for super cheap. Most are under $3 round trip. Just park for free at one of three metro locations and ride straight to the fair. So easy — and perfect if you’re going with friends or family.
Where: The Iowa State Fair App on Apple and Android.
2. THE FAMILY FUN PACKAGE
Planning a family day? You can save on food, rides and games with a State Fair Value Pack or an Advance Thrill Wristband.
Where: Available online before the fair. Also available at the ticket booth.
3. $6 OR LESS LIST
Yes, food at the fair can be budget-friendly. Just download the Iowa State Fair App and explore the list of $6 or less items. There are over 100 of them and the app tells you exactly where to find each one.
Where: The Iowa State Fair App on Apple and Android.
4. DISCOUNTED TICKETS
Buying your tickets online ahead of times means instant savings. Adult admission (ages 12 and up) is $11 instead of $16 at the gate. Child admission (ages 6 to 11) is $7 instead of $10. Or if you want to go when it’s cooler and cheaper, visit Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. when adult admission is $12 and child admission is $8. These evenings are usually less crowded too.
Where: Available online through August 7.
5. BYOWB
Bring your own water bottle to stay hydrated without spending a dime. There are free water refill stations all over the fairgrounds.
Where: Near restrooms and major food areas.
1. CORN DOG
It’s not officially the fair until you get your foot long dose of nostalgia. Crispy, golden, and lathered in your favorite condiment, corn dogs hit differently when paired with a Ferris Wheel and warm summer nights. If corn dogs feel too basic, don’t worry, there are more than 60 other foods on a stick that elicit various levels of “whoa” and “yum.”
Where: Campbell’s Corn Dogs (and pretty much everywhere).
2. LEMONADE SHAKEUP
Lemonade stands are everywhere you look at the fair, but Hoppy’s on the south side of the Jacobsen Center is the original sip of summer. Hand-shaken for 77 years, and still as sweet as you remember. It’s the perfect companion to wash down that corn dog you just finished without sharing.
Where: Hoppy’s (and pretty much everywhere).
3. AGRICULTURE BUILDING
Come for the butter cow, stay for the cold AC, free egg on a stick, gigantic produce, and ice carving competitions outside. It’s a celebration of Iowa’s farming roots, with just enough quirky tradition to make it iconic.
Where: South side of the main intersection on the Grand Concourse.
4. GIANT SLIDE
Grab a burlap sack and race your friends (or your kids) down this classic yellow and green slide. It’s been sparking belly laughs and wind-blown hair for generations.
Where: Southeast of the Varied Industries Building.
5. SKY GLIDER
There’s no sweeter view of the fairgrounds than from 40 feet in the air. Glide from one end to the other (or go round trip) and soak in the sights, smells, and people-watching paradise below.
Where: One starts near Ye Old Mill and the other is near the Giant Slide.
Runners-up: Grandstand concerts, Varied Industries building, funnel cakes, baby animals, Dairy Barn ice cream cones, and Iowa Craft Beer Tent.
1. HOQ LAMB WRAP
When I saw this on the list of new State Fair foods I knew I was going to love it, and I was right. It’s made up of homemade naan filled with basmati rice, perfectly cooked lamb in a tomato cream sauce and kale. This delightful wrap will provide a welcome break from funnel cake and corndogs. (Also available in chicken AND tofu.) Pro-tip: top it with some HoQ Hot Sauce.
Where: HoQ
2. SCOTCHAROO SHAKE
I was concerned that combining peanut butter butterscotch ice cream with scotcheroo fudge and chunks of scotcheroos as well as caramel, chocolate, and whipped cream was going to be too sweet but I was totally wrong. This is genuinely delicious and a must try for fans of Iowa's favorite dessert bar.
Where: Over the Top
3. MAPLE BACON BOURBON GRILLED CHEESE
This sandwich is both tasty and texturally fantastic with a blend of different cheeses and some really good bacon on perfectly crunchy bread. If you like sweets, take full advantage of the delicious maple bourbon raspberry dipping sauce, or leave it off for a more savory experience.
Where: What’s Your Cheez
4. BACON CHICKEN RANCH EGG ROLL
There's a reason bacon chicken ranch is such a popular flavor combination: it's delicious. Winn and Sara added cheddar cheese to the inside of their crispy egg roll and topped the whole thing with homemade ranch. It tastes exactly how you want it to and it's awesome!
Where: Winn & Sara’s Kitchen
5. NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN MAC N' CHEESE PIZZA
Nashville Hot Chicken normally scares me a little, but the combo of crispy crust, gooey cheese, and just enough heat to make you feel alive works well here. I look forward to snacking on this while grabbing something hoppy from the Iowa Craft Beer tent.
Where: Wiseguys Woodfired Pizza