When in Iowa during August, taking in America’s quintessential state’s fair is a must for any road-tripper passing through Des Moines. The Iowa State Fair is an annual state fair held on the Iowa State Fairgrounds since 1886. It is one of the largest and best-known state fairs in the United States with over a million visitors each year.
The fairgrounds are spread over 450 acres with special attractions such as Heritage Village, Giant Slide, Ye Old Mill – touted as the “original tunnel of love”, State Fair Grandstand concerts, agricultural contests, and of course the variety of food, including healthy and gluten-free offerings, from more than 200 food stands. If you are visiting the fair as a road-tripper there is on-site 160-acre campground with more than 2,300 sites equipped with water and electrical hookups, including 734 sites with sewer and three large bathhouses outfitted with clean showers, toilets, and sinks. A convenient way to be close to the Fair and also be central to seeing Des Moines.
Iowa State Fair
3000 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50317
N 41° 35′ 43.7″ W 93° 33′ 07.0″