How to Visit the Arizona State Fair
- 1). Park for free near the state capitol and take a shuttle bus to the fairgrounds. The traffic in the area can be awful, and the shuttle buses are comfortable and air-conditioned. Let someone else worry about the road while you sit in comfort and plan your visit.
- 2). Check the fair’s website to learn about discounted admission. The fair is affordable, and you can make it even more affordable if you time your visit right. Admission on opening day is only $1, so expect a big crowds. Local media outlets also sponsor discount days: a local radio station offers a “buy one, get one free” admission deal for early risers on Saturdays, and one of the television news stations sponsors “$5 before 5" night on Fridays. In addition, special admission-plus-ride packages are available for purchase on the web.
- 3). Time your visit to make certain you have access to everything you want to do. The livestock barns and commercial buildings close at 10:00 p.m. during the week. So, if you want to see those displays, plan to get to the fairgrounds with plenty of time to spare. The midway stays open later, so see the animals and quilts first and then ride.
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Livestock barns, courtesy of Bridge and Tunnel Club
Walk through the livestock barns. The folks who bring animals to the fair work hard all year for this event, and the animals are beautiful. You’ll get up close and personal with cattle, sheep, goats (the pygmy goats are adorable) and poultry. This is especially exciting for kids from the city who don’t see large animals every day. - 5). Visit the Arizona Game and Fish building. They bring all their cool stuff to the state fair and they are great about talking with visitors and showing off Arizona’s abundant wildlife.
- 6). Take a ride on something thrilling. Visit on one of the fair’s wristband days and you can ride all day and night for one very reasonable price (it’s less than Disneyland). On Wednesday, rides cost $1. And students can participate in the Read for Rides program: read 3 books, ride 3 rides. It’s a great deal.
- 7). Eat something you really shouldn’t. The Arizona State Fair has some of the best hand-dipped corn dogs on earth. Food booths also sell Indian fry bread, barbecued beef and deep-fried Twinkies. You only get this chance once a year.
