Think Twice Before Taking This Popular Vacation Photo in Alaska
10 Best State Fairs in the U.S., From Deep-Fried Classics to Big-Name Headliners
Kevin Brown/State Fair of Texas
https://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/experiences/news/photos/the-best-state-fairs-across-america
Celebrate America's 250th with the ultimate American experience: a state fair.
Few festivities feel as American as a state fair. Mixing agriculture, entertainment, food, and competition, state fairs today still evoke an unmistakable community showcase that is everything, everywhere, all at once.
Deep-fried innovations usually grab headlines (breaking news: Texas State Fair has a fried charcuterie board), while veteran headliners like Busta Rhymes (headlining the Indiana State Fair this summer) share billing with bake-off competitions. Blending nostalgia and spectacle, these are the 10 best state fairs in the U.S., where tradition meets excess in the most distinctly American way.
PHOTO: OHIO STATE FAIR
1 OF 10
Ohio State Fair
WHERE: Columbus, Ohio
When: July 29 – August 9, 2026
Expect sensory overload in the best way at the Ohio State Fair. This classic Midwestern summer fair is maximalist in every way, with a vast assortment of food (most often deep-fried), rides, livestock competitions, and entertainment. The centerpiece of the fair is its midway, packed with rides both thrilling and kid-friendly, along with a Ferris wheel for the best views of it all. The fair draws crowds for its many food innovations, with must-try snacks including the Thanksgiving Sundae (turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes stuffed into a handheld cup and finished with a big dollop of cranberry sauce), deep-fried bacon-wrapped Oreos, and deep-fried giant gummy bears. Top music acts this year include Nelly, Styx with Don Felder, Weird Al Yankovic, and an evening with the Gin Blossoms, Blues Traveler, and the Spin Doctors.
PHOTO: INDIANA STATE FAIR
2 OF 10
Indiana State Fair
WHERE: Indianapolis, Indiana
When: July 31 – August 16, 2026
Indiana’s farm life in the distinct “farm-to-fair” atmosphere of the Indiana State Fair. The marquee attraction of this state fair is the celebration of the Midwest’s working farms. Livestock judging and competitions are the main events, and the winners (both professionals and students) are treated like local celebrities. Don’t miss the excitement in the air at the Sale of Champions livestock auction, as emotionally charged bids on the Grand Champion animals get rousing ovations and often draw tears of pride. You know you’re at the Indiana State Fair when oversized pork tenderloin sandwiches (a state favorite) share the spotlight with rows of stands serving roasted sweet corn on the cob, one of Indiana’s signature summer crops. The fair is also known for its affordable or free entertainment with big-name concerts and local acts performing throughout each day. This year’s headliners include Busta Rhymes, The Beach Boys, and Gene Simmons.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF WISCONSIN STATE FAIR
3 OF 10
Wisconsin State Fair
WHERE: West Allis, Wisconsin
When: August 6 – 16, 2026
Branded as America’s Dairyland, Wisconsin’s dairy heritage is a great source of pride for the state, and you’ll see it just about everywhere, from license plates to its beloved state fair. You’ve arrived at the cheese capital of the U.S., and the Wisconsin State Fair does not disappoint in reminding you with every step through the fairgrounds. Here, dairy, in all its forms, is the headline attraction. From squeaky fried cheese curds to grilled cheese sandwiches to bolder creations like cream cheese–stuffed bratwursts and molten beer cheese lava cakes, the state’s dairy identity is the backbone of the fair foods here. Arrive early for the fair’s most iconic bite: the Original Cream Puffs. A steady line forms for this 100-year-old whipped-cream-filled pastry that remains a must-have for generations of fairgoers.
PHOTO: IOWA STATE FAIR/MATTHEW PUTNEY
4 OF 10
Iowa State Fair
WHERE: Des Moines, Iowa
When: August 13 – 23, 2026
A slice of Midwestern Americana, the Iowa State Fair is the quintessential summer destination for a showcase of American agriculture. The sprawling fair campus is a joy-filled gathering of the many cross-sections of Iowa. It is often one of the most visible stops on the U.S. political circuit for presidential hopefuls. Step into one of the many venues and watch the action as livestock competitions and auctions, along with many youth competitions, draw lively crowds. With too many fried foods to mention, pace yourself and seek out recent award-winning bites, most notably the bacon-chicken-ranch egg roll and the deep-fried bacon-brisket mac-n-cheese grilled cheese. For sweet treats, “The Butter Cow Tornado” is the fan-favorite layered sundae with butterscotch ice cream and chunks of butter cake. There’s also the “Scotcheroo Shake,” which turns heads with its blend of peanut butter and butterscotch ice cream, topped with the region’s beloved scotcheroo dessert bar.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF KENTUCKY STATE FAIR
5 OF 10
Kentucky State Fair
WHERE: Louisville, Kentucky
When: August 20 – 30, 2026
Part world-class horse show, part agriculture exhibition, the Kentucky State Fair attracts roughly half a million visitors each year to its indoor/outdoor affair at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Kentucky is the “Horse Capital of the World,” and there’s a great sense of Kentucky pride on display as top horses and riders from across the country arrive at the fair to compete for world championship titles. Southern and Appalachian flavors heavily influence the local fair fare, with barbecue stands serving traditional barbecued mutton, hickory-smoked pork, and just about everything bourbon-infused. Wander the halls of the air-conditioned center, and you’ll experience the best of Kentucky. Highlights of the many activities at the fair include arts-and-crafts competitions, cooking displays, quilt showcases, and exhibits on the future of agriculture.
PHOTO: MINNESOTA STATE FAIR
6 OF 10
Minnesota State Fair
WHERE: Saint Paul, Minnesota
When: August 27 – September 7, 2026
There is plenty more than meets the eye at the Minnesota State Fair, a deeply rooted cultural reunion of the state that has been a family tradition for generations. Devoted Minnesotans never miss this meaningful community gathering, which draws upwards of 2 million people annually. Known to locals as “The Great Minnesota Get-Together,” this favorite of state fair enthusiasts shines a spotlight on the state’s local culture. There is less focus on rides and carnival attractions here, as the 12 days at the fair are packed with homegrown fun. The CHS Miracle of Birth Center draws crowds to witness farm animals being born in real time, including calves, lambs, piglets, chicks, ducklings, and goats. Over in the Dairy Building, Princess Kay Butter Sculptures may be the most famous agricultural tradition at the fair. The demonstration finds Minnesota dairy ambassadors inside a refrigerated booth as a sculptor carves their likeness into a 90-pound block of butter–a marvel, regardless of your lactose tolerance!
PHOTO: THE IMAGE PARTY/SHUTTERSTOCK
7 OF 10
Washington State Fair
WHERE: Puyallup, Washington
When: September 4 – 27, 2026
Country charm meets exhilarating thrills on the fairgrounds of the Washington State Fair, set at the base of Mount Rainier. Known as “The Puyallup” by locals, this fair delights with a nostalgia for a bygone era. Stroll the fairway and try your hand at one of the many vintage carnival games, or strap in to the historic wooden roller coaster, thrilling riders since 1935. No visit to the fair is complete without a stop at Fisher Scones, serving fresh, hot scones since 1915. For something a little heartier, the giant Earthquake Burgers are a can’t-miss indulgence, featuring a half-pound smashed patty that extends over the edge of the bun and is topped with melted cheese and grilled onions. For the best of the fair, don’t miss one of the rousing nights at The Puyallup Rodeo. This popular event has been a top draw since 1933. It has evolved into a four-night spectacle with eight competitions, including bareback riding, steer wrestling, and the wild, unpredictable sport of bull riding. The fair also attracts headlining musical acts, with this year’s lineup including Twisted Sister, Chicago, HARDY, Jon Batiste, and more.
PHOTO: EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION
8 OF 10
Eastern States Exposition
WHERE: West Springfield, Massachusetts
When: September 18 – October 4, 2026
Not as much a state fair as a conglomeration of six New England states, the Eastern States Exposition, known as “The Big E,” serves as the official fair for Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The unique layout allows visitors to “travel” New England in a matter of steps, with each state represented by a building along the midway. One of the many charms of The Big E is how it avoids typical deep-fried fair food gimmicks and celebrates regional cuisine. Sample the best of many local purveyors with just some of the many highlights, including Maine’s fresh lobster rolls and blueberries, to Vermont’s maple syrup and cheddar cheese. No visit is complete without a Big E Cream Puff, the oversized pastry that has become a signature treat of the fair. Beyond the food, the fair remains dedicated to its roots as an agricultural exposition, featuring livestock competitions, farm exhibits, and dairy showcases.
PHOTO: KEVIN BROWN/STATE FAIR OF TEXAS
9 OF 10
State Fair of Texas
WHERE: Dallas, Texas
When: September 25 – October 18, 2026
The State Fair of Texas doesn’t just celebrate Texas culture; it supersizes it for 24 days every fall. This is the nation’s largest state fair by attendance, welcoming more than 2 million visitors annually to Fair Park in Dallas. The first sign that you’re in for a larger-than-life experience is encountering Big Tex, the 55-foot-tall cowboy who has welcomed fairgoers since 1952 and serves as the unmistakable symbol of the fair. You’re on legendary grounds here, as this is the birthplace of some of America’s most outrageous and over-the-top fair foods. One of the fair’s most enduring claims to fame is the corn dog, invented here in 1942 and still sold by the original Fletcher family operation. The innovations in deep-fried snacks at the fair never cease, with highlights from years past including a “Fried Charcuterie Board,” “Fried Thanksgiving Dinner,” and “Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick.” No visit is complete without a ride on the Texas State Ferris wheel, a fairground icon and one of North America’s tallest Ferris wheels.
PHOTO: JUSTIN KASE CONDER/N.C. STATE FAIR
10 OF 10
North Carolina State Fair
WHERE: Raleigh, North Carolina
When: October 15 – 25, 2026
Prefer your fair experience upside down? The North Carolina State Fair is a Southeast state fair destination most loved for its many gravity-defying thrills. The towering SkyGazer presides over the fairgrounds as one of the country’s largest traveling Ferris wheels, with the best views of the site and the Raleigh skyline. More intense rides like the harrowing turns of the Crazy Mouse coaster and the rotating 360-degree inversions of the Colossus pendulum swing create one of the boldest and most exciting lineups of any state fair in the country. More than just thrills, the fair’s Village of Yesteryear pays tribute to North Carolina heritage with more than 75 artisans and craftspeople, including blacksmiths, woodworkers, and weavers, demonstrating traditional skills. The North Carolina State Fair’s mid-October dates are ideal for cooler, more moderate temperatures and autumn-inspired fun.
Think Twice Before Taking This Popular Vacation Photo in Alaska
Lana2011/iStock
https://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/alaska/experiences/news/alaska-tribes-ask-tourists-to-stop-disrespecting-totem-poles-for-social-media
Alaska Native leaders are urging visitors to stop using totem poles as social media props after a viral trend sparked a rise in disrespectful behavior.
Several communities and tribal groups in Southeast Alaska have issued requests for visitors to be more mindful of how they interact with totem poles, after a viral social media trend has driven an increase in disrespectful behavior.
The trend typically involves dancing around totem poles to the song “Get Low” by Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, similar to a scene from the 2009 film The Proposal. In the film, which is set in Sitka, Alaska, but was filmed in Maine, Sandra Bullock’s character dances to the song around a campfire. Some visitors have taken to doing their own versions of the dance involving totem poles.
Totem poles are monumental carvings by the Indigenous peoples of the northern Pacific coast, stretching from Alaska through Canada to the U.S. northwest, including Haida, Tlingít, and Tsimshian communities in Alaska and British Columbia, Kwakwaka’wakw and Nuu-chah-nulth communities in British Columbia, and Coast Salish communities in British Columbia and Washington.
Totem poles are common throughout the region—both historical poles raised long ago and contemporary ones raised more recently by the tribes that still inhabit the communities. The poles have traditionally been used to illustrate legends, record clan lineage, memorialize the deceased, welcome visitors, or shame offenders. Others call attention to contemporary social issues like the role of first responders or Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW).
The Alaska Native Heritage Center, Ketchikan Indian Community, and Tlingit and Haida tribes of Alaska released a joint statement condemning acts of disrespect against Alaska Native totem poles and cultural symbols, calling the acts “deeply disappointing and unacceptable.”
“Totem poles are not tourist props, social media backdrops, or objects to be mocked for entertainment. They carry our histories, clan stories, ancestors, and cultural teachings. While some may intend this trend to be fun or good-natured, the unintended consequence is that it diminishes and trivializes living Indigenous cultures,” said Richard J. Peterson, president of the Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, as part of the joint statement. “We welcome visitors to our homelands and encourage people to learn about our cultures with respect. We ask that those who visit Southeast Alaska honor our totem poles and cultural treasures with the same care they would expect for the places, histories, and traditions sacred to them.”
Other tribal leaders pointed out that totem poles are not historical relics—they continue to be constructed and hold places of significance for tribal communities.
“Totem poles are not tourist attractions created for public amusement,” said Emily Edenshaw, CEO and Tribal Administrator of Ketchikan Indian Community, as part of the joint statement. “They are expressions of identity, history, and responsibility that have been carried forward by Indigenous peoples for generations. When visitors mock these cultural treasures, they are not simply making a joke. They are showing disregard for the communities, ancestors, and living traditions those poles represent.”
The Central Council of the Tlingít and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska is the largest federally recognized tribe in Alaska, with more than 38,000 Tribal Citizens. The Tribe’s Facebook also posted a link using the tag “Our Culture Is Not A Prop,” along with a link to an album highlighting the raising of totem poles in communities throughout Alaska.
The Sitka Tribe of Alaska, which represents more than 4,800 Tribal Citizens in and around the city of Sitka (Sheet’ká), issued its own statement on social media, requesting the visitor industry do more to educate visitors about respect for totem poles, which the tribe describes using the Tlingít word kootéeyaa. “Dancing around kootéeyaa is disrespectful, and we ask the visitor industry to strongly discourage this misguided behavior.”
Rob Allen, interim general manager for the tribe, told Sitka’s Raven Radio that incidents with the city’s totem poles aren’t new but have increased this summer.
Visit Sitka, the tourism promoter for the city, issued its own social media post with guidelines for interacting with totem poles.
“Taking photos can be a meaningful way to remember your time here, but please do so with respect. Do not climb on, touch, imitate, or interact with totem poles in ways that diminish their cultural significance or the people and communities they represent.”
Hawaii Just Banned This Type Of Tourist Attraction
Shutterstock / Mark Pitt Images
https://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/hawaii/experiences/news/hawaii-bans-cable-cars-and-gondolas-in-landmark-law-to-protect-sacred-lands
Hawaii has banned private cable cars, gondolas, and aerial tramways statewide after opposition to a North Shore project.
There’s one popular type of tourist attraction visitors to the Aloha State won’t be seeing in the future: cable cars.
The Hawai‘i State Legislature just banned aerial tramways and gondolas throughout the state in a measure signed by Governor Josh Green on Friday.
The law bans “private passenger or cargo ropeways” in the state, which effectively bans privately owned and operated gondolas, cable cars, ski lifts, or aerial tramways. Publicly owned organizations can build and operate them, but only with specific authorization from the state legislature.
Sean Quinlan, a legislator in Hawai‘i’s state House of Representatives who represents the North Shore on the island of O‘ahu, introduced the measure after significant local resident opposition to a proposal to build a gondola in the area. Local residents argued that the plan, which called for a gondola on the slopes of Mount Ka‘ala as part of the Kaukonahua Ranch development, would adversely impact the local landscape and desecrate a mountain peak historically considered sacred by many Native Hawaiians.
“I think this is a big win for local communities. This is a big win for Native Hawaiian self-determination, and I think it’s a strong message that people from lord knows where can’t come to Hawaiʻi and build lord knows what,” Representative Quinlan told Honolulu’s KHON news after the Governor signed the measure.
“We don’t want these gondolas, ski lifts taking people up the side of mountains because it’s not an appropriate use of land. It is a blight on our natural landscape, and it’s an invitation for people to create more theme parks,” he added.
The island of O‘ahu is administered as the City and County of Honolulu, and the county’s Department of Planning and Permitting had issued a conditional use permit for the project in 2019 with the understanding that the gondola would be for agricultural purposes, but opponents to the project argued it was really intended for tourism.
“This ill-advised and extremely unwelcome project was presented as an agricultural accessory business, even though it was indisputably conceived as a tourist attraction and the primary use of land zoned for agriculture,” the advocacy group Keep The North Shore Country said in a statement celebrating the ruling. The group had already put resolutions in opposition before the Honolulu City Council, but the new state measure renders those resolutions moot, as a ban on such projects is now in effect statewide.
Frustrated by the development plans at Kaukonahua Ranch and other sites on the north shore of O‘ahu, area residents have been organizing protests. Residents fear that overdevelopment would threaten the rural character of their community. Tourism has shown slow but steady growth on the island’s north shore, increasing traffic and crowding local beaches and the popular tourist spot Hale‘iwa Town. Residents say further development would only make the crowding worse.
There are currently no cable cars, gondolas, or funiculars operating in the state of Hawai‘i, and a statewide ban effectively puts a moratorium on any future development. The state has a long history of banning or putting significant restrictions on potential threats to the state’s fragile natural environment, including the importation of animals, flowers, plants, or soil from the continental United States.
Hawai‘i has also banned the sale of sunscreens containing the reef-harming compounds oxybenzone and octinoxate since 2021. The former territorial government also banned billboards in 1927—some three decades before Hawai‘i joined the union as the 50th state.
O‘ahu, the most populous island in the Hawaiian archipelago, also welcomes the most annual visitors—counting 5.6 million in 2025, or just under half of the state’s total visitors.
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