Fair Park

The Basics

Fair Park encompasses 277 acres (110 hectares) and is home to six recreational, sports, and entertainment venues, as well as eight museums. In addition to the State Fair of Texas, the park is home to Cotton Bowl Stadium, which hosts soccer games. Pay a visit to the Texas Discovery Gardens, the African-American Museum, the Dallas Aquarium, and the Dallas Museum of Natural History, featuring a planetarium and IMAX theater.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Fair Park has the largest collection of 1930s art deco art and architecture in the United States, making it a must-do for architecture fans.

• This is the only pre-1950s world-fair site in the US that has not been altered.

• Don’t forget your camera: Photo ops abound, from murals, sculptures, and the European-style Smith Fountain to Woofus, a statue of a mythical beast that is part Texas longhorn, in addition to other animals.

• Visitors can bring food and drink to the park, but those items may not be allowed in some museums.

• Wagons and baby strollers are allowed.

• Wheelchairs, electric carts, and baby strollers are available to rent on-site.

How to Get There

Fair Park is located at 1121 1st Avenue, about 15 minutes east of downtown Dallas. Take I-30 East just past downtown to exit 47 (Second Avenue/Fair Park) and continue to Fair Park. Paid parking is available on-site and off-site, and may vary depending on scheduled events. You can also take the DART Rail Green Line to Fair Park Station, conveniently located at the park.

When to Get There

Fair Park is open 6am to 10pm most days. You can take your own self-guided tour of the facilities anytime during those hours. The park hosts several annual events, including football games, the Big Texas Beer Fest in March, a 4th of July event, Taste of Dallas in June, and, of course, the State Fair of Texas, which runs for three-plus weeks in September and October.

Big Tex

Debuting in 1952, Big Tex is the 52-foot-tall (16-meter-tall) iconic greeter of the State Fair of Texas. He wears size-96 boots designed by Lucchese, a 95-gallon hat, and actual clothing—including Western shirt and blue jeans—that takes a team from Dickies weeks to assemble.

Can you walk around Fair Park in Dallas?

Yes, you can walk around Fair Park in Dallas. In fact, the park’s 1.6-mile (2.6-kilometer) Fair Park Loop Trail is popular among locals for its art deco buildings, sculptures, fountains, and city views. To learn more about the area’s history, book a Fair Park tour.

Is Fair Park in Dallas free?

Yes, it’s free to visit Fair Park. While you need tickets to attend events at Fair Park, visiting the 277-acre (112-hectare) grounds is one of the best free activities in Dallas. Some parts of Fair Park require tickets, such as the colorful Texas Discovery Gardens and the African American Museum.

Is parking free at Fair Park in Dallas?

Parking at Fair Park is free on non-event days. On event days, you’ll have to pay: Options include paid parking at regular Fair Park lots and Premium Parking lots accessible via the Grand Avenue Gate. Prices to park vary with the event, and both cash and credit cards are accepted.

Do you have to buy tickets for the State Fair of Texas at Fair Park in advance?

No, you don’t need to buy tickets to the State Fair of Texas at Fair Park in advance—but it can save time and money. Some tickets, such as Premium Admission tickets, are only sold online. You can buy them in advance along with midway tickets for food, games, and rides.

Can I bring water to the State Fair of Texas at Fair Park?

Yes, you can bring water to the State Fair of Texas at Fair Park, as long as it’s not in a glass container. Coolers and ice chests are also allowed: You’re welcome to skip the fair food and bring snacks from home. Just leave behind alcoholic beverages, glass, and knives.

How long does the fair at Fair Park last?

The State Fair of Texas—which is held at Dallas’ Fair Park—takes place for a marathon 24 days, making this one of the longest-running fairs in the United States. It’s also a historic one: The State Fair of Texas began in 1896, less than 50 years after Texas became a state.