Fall is here and the festivities have begun, but it’s time to prepare for the real fun. The North Carolina State Fair is the state’s largest annual celebration of agriculture and culinary curiosities – an event that locals have treasured since 1853. Our editors have been attending the fair for years, and this guide will ensure you don’t miss a moment of the rides, activities, showcases and fried delicacies.
How to Buy Tickets to the State Fair
Adult tickets cost $13 at the gate, children ages six to 12 cost $7 and children younger than 5 get in free – but we recommend grabbing your tickets in advance online to save up to $3 per person.
Upgrade your ticket with a Sippin’ Spirits package for a local cocktail voucher or Kegs and Corks package to sample NC beers, wines and ciders. Want unlimited rides? The Dizzy Pass is perfect for thrill seekers.
Where to Park at the NC State Fairgrounds
Folks flock from all over the state to visit the fair each year and parking can be a hassle if you don’t know where to go. Your GPS will get you to the Raleigh fairgrounds at 4285 Trinity Rd., but where you’re coming from may inform the best place to park. We recommend reviewing the fair’s list of recommended lots around the property before you leave the house!
Park-and-ride options are also available from satellite lots, or take GoDurham for free from Durham.
Must-See Attractions
Once inside, there will be lots to see and plenty to do. To make the most of your time, we recommend these stops:
- The State Fair Flyer is a great way to ease yourself into the fair atmosphere, with panoramic views of the grounds from the comfort of a soaring chairlift. Tickets are required.
- Attending with kids? The Kiddieland Midway area is home to roughly 25 family-friendly rides, plus several games, with each ride costing between two and four tickets. Game entry is cash only. Note: The minimum height requirement for all children’s rides is 36 inches.Love live music? Check the fair’s line-up of local talent at Homegrown Music Fest – featuring more than 60 sets over 11 days – and catch a show by your new favorite band.
- No visit to the fair is complete without a trip to the Agri Supply Exposition Center to see giant pumpkins, beekeeping exhibits, livestock, award-winning homemade dishes and so much more. Make a game of it and try to guess each veggie’s weight before reading its ribbon.
- The fair’s time-honored Village of Yesteryear is a dynamic destination for both crafty creatives and history buffs alike, featuring quality handmade works from more than 75 artists and makers. Watch as crafters from across the state in period-accurate costumes weave rugs and baskets, turn pottery, blow glass and carve wooden bowls and utensils.
Must-Try Fair Foods
The State Fair is known (and highly anticipated) for its sweet, savory and even strange foods you won’t find most anywhere else. Adventurous eaters should check out the Fair’s guide to new food options – we’ve got our eye on the tiramisu cone.
As for our tried-and-true favorites, we recommend grabbing a giant donut from Peachy’s Baking Company (the line may be long, but it’s worth the wait). Other highlights include the tempura fried vegetables from The Veggie Patch, honey cotton candy from Bobbee’s Honey and a scoop from NC State’s Howling Cow Ice Cream.
Order a drink or two from breweries, wineries and cideries from across the state at the NC Public House – just across from the giant SkyGazer Ferris wheel – and savor a sip out in the beer garden. While you’re there, we recommend trying the newest pastry concoction from La Farm Bakery’s stand or cooling off in the historic Dorton Arena at the heart of the fairgrounds and shopping for local foods and products at the Got to Be NC Agriculture Pavilion. It’s the perfect place to grab a bite or to stock up on kitchen essentials.
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