Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center

I've been to the Indiana State Fairgrounds for all sorts of events, including flea markets, dog shows and a light show around Christmas time. But this place is mostly known for being the venue of the Indiana State Fair every year.

In my head, I call the Indiana State Fair the "Indiana State Unfair," because it's unfair how much money I end up spending here. Yet, I keep going back year after year. That being said, it is possible to enjoy the fair for cheap if you know where to go. One of my go-to frugal places at the fair is the FFA (Future Farmers of America) barn. It is here where you can play a round of miniature golf for free, play at an indoor playground, and buy snacks for cheap: a bag of popcorn for $1 and a huge soft serve ice cream for $3. Right next to the barn is usually free lawn games, and this year, there were some bounce houses and a bubble machine to enjoy. This area also has an excellent beer garden, so you can get yourself a nice drink while you watch your children play for free and pat yourself on the back for saving money.

If you're here for the fair, just know that there is something here for everyone. There are so many things to do and see, it's very difficult to do and see them all in one day. Plus, there are lots of buildings with air conditioning to duck into when the summer sun gets to be too overbearing. During fair time, every nook and cranny of this place has something interesting to discover.

Love the Indiana State Fair. The midway for rides, free stage for music, games, vendors, fun fun fun food! The Dairy Barn is our favorite for food and milkshakes. We also like looking at the 4-H projects. This year we went twice. It's a good savings if you buy your tickets early. But, if you don't, there are still savings nights along the way - we went on $3 rides, admission, and food night for our second night.

Parking has been easier going to the north end of the fairgrounds. This year that was a 20+minute experience. Perhaps the 38th street south entrance is now the best???

Love going to the local fair every summer! My must haves are always corn on the cob and a corn dog. Can't forget to pass by the animals before leaving

Ah, another season at the Indiana State Fair. Thurs. with $3 gate admission and $3 food specials.

FYI. This year there is no free shuttle. It took me 30 minutes to park in the infield at 10:30 AM on Thursday.

Upon coming from the infield, I first saw the courtyard of basketball games. This year's theme is Indiana basketball. I tried to roll the mini basketball into any of the 6 baskets. I thought the unique basketball games and the gigantic basketballs and goals were very creative and fun to try. Also, I explored the chilled indoor exhibit about basketball and really liked some of the decorated basketballs and the infinity room.

Let's talk about the $3 fair food specials! You got to purchase before they sell out. I bought a jumbo soft pretzel (they are working on developing a gluten-free option) at Ben's, 1/3 order of taters at King's Taters, and a new option of (5) Gobble Gobble!'s sweet chili turkey meatballs, which the sauce could have been better. As for dinner, I also tried Gobble Gobble!'s new special creation of $9 Mac Daddy Empanada (mac n' cheese and turkey from the leg); it was good. Along the street of the Expo Hall, I ordered a veggie plate of skinned red potatoes, sautéed onions, and sautéed mushrooms at Sirlion Tips tent; warning: have the mushroom side of the plate away from you as it is in liquid. To the right of Gobble Gobble! food truck is the vendor with 5 for $10 lemon drop drizzle, which was absolutely delicious because the couple behind me would not accept my offer for $2 for one of theirs but was later kind to give me one. There were other new food creations that were probably all about $10 like The Dirty Dog, which I think I should have tried. I did not find the deep fried corn on a stick. On a different note, there is now Barbie Cakes but not for me.

Recommendation: Display the price of your seasonal creative food on your big sign so people are not waiting in line to ask about the price!

Let's quench our thirst. The DNR water bottle water fountain needed its filter changed so I was guided to the water bottle station west of the street near the corner by the whipped vendor and the free stage. There were 8 hoses filtering warm water; I wish it was cold during that sunny day.

Recommendation: I think in this period of Covid and germs that the fairground should upgrade their water fountains to include water bottle fillers for cold water.

I like the outside sculptures. The two Indiana signs for portraits were new and interesting.

I thought it would be a good weather day for going to the fair. It was not too crowded even with the youth groups so I went inside to cool down while enjoying the activities in the following buildings:

The Glass Barn had good activities to learn about farming.

Also, I saw some of the two-story 4-H creative contest entries.

In a building with vendors, creative cheese designed art, and canned basketball themed designs, I bought local (Mooresville) honey sticks. I was surprised to see doTERRA and learned more about their products. That building closes at 8 PM.

I was awed by the mass number of rabbits in the Expo Hall. It was the best to look at the cute and different rabbits!

This year, I do not care for the limited size in carry-in bags. I understand why but it was hard carrying two small bags with the small $3 food items for a meal.

I was disappointed that there is a $3 admission fee (but kids age 2 and younger are free) to enter the Parakeet Encounter.

So how many stars should I give the Indiana State Fair this year? It is all about the fair food, right? And the rabbits? So, I give them 4 stars.

This review is for the Glass Barn:
I chaperoned a 6th grade group today. They had very little time. The main thing they wanted to do was the activity so they could get the hat. The women working today were so rude. They told the kids that there were limited or no hats but when adults walked up they would tell them if they filled out the card they could get a hat. I called them on it when my group was finished and they very rudely gave some of the kids in my group a hat, except one who took a ChapStick because of how rude the woman was being. My daughter ended up giving him her hat because of how upset he was. Since when do we limit the amount of FREE hats that we give out? And when did we start deciding that KIDS can't have them and they are only for adults? Shame on you!

Came here for the state fair, which I happened to stumble upon on my visit to Indianapolis. Really interesting experience, didn't know what to expect but it was pretty cool! Parking was difficult, long lines, ended up parking outside and walking over. Lots of animals and competitions, many rides and fried / junk food, lots of people too.

Everyone is talking about, and it's totally worth it! Go to the fair and try the pickle pizza! So Good I wish we would've went here first because I was so full I couldn't eat much. It's right by the butterfly garden. We also tried the dilly dog in front of the horse barn(I think). It was huge and piping hot had to wait to let it cool but also a good one. I mean its corn dog with a pickle what's not to love. We also had the mini donuts, tenderloin sliders, funnel cake, cheese curds and ribbon fries. I'm so full and miserable from eating too much.

For the first time this year you can walk around with alcohol!!! Way to catch up to the times indiana! We had pink lemonade slushy from Bison and Brews 10/10

Went to the Indiana Home Show for the first time--and I was wowed by the size of the Indiana State Fairgrounds as a convention space! They managed to build a WHOLE house in there for the show, in addition to gardens and fake patio spaces.

I also appreciate that you can walk to the fairgrounds if you are in the MK area (or bike there). You could also take the redline to 42nd street and walk as well.

I go here every year with my family and friends and every time have an absolute blast! There are tons of things to do there along with many different things to see. Weather you want to go on rides, look at animals, or get some taste fair food-the Indiana State Fair is the place to go!

Recommendation:
I would recommend going on Thursday, which is when they have "$3 Night" Ok Thursday, tickets to get into the fair are $3 and so are some food choices.

Stand was an absolute delight - their mozzarella sticks were a gooey, savory treat. And let's talk about Nelson's Port-A-Put Chicken - finger-licking good and bursting with flavor!

But what truly made the day unforgettable was seeing the pure joy on my 2.5-year-old's face as they watched the animals. The fair's animal exhibits were a fantastic experience for the little one.

The only downside was the slow-moving line to park, which put a little damper on our excitement. Nevertheless, the amazing food and the incredible time we had with the animals more than made up for it. A memorable day!