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Florida State Fairgrounds — Fall Festivals in Tampa

Florida State Fairgrounds

4.4(16,369)4.4 out of 5 stars, 16369 reviews Tampa, FL

About Florida State Fairgrounds

The Florida State Fairgrounds offers a vibrant family-friendly environment with a wide range of attractions, including rides, food vendors, and educational exhibits, making it a unique destination for families looking for entertainment and cultural experiences.

What parents should know

Summarized from real visitor reviews.

Best for: Family outings, especially during fall festivalsEducational trips for children interested in history and animalsCommunity events and celebrationsAll ages welcome, with rides and activities suitable for young children to adultsPetting zoo and animal interactions are great for younger kids

Why families love it

  • Wristbands for unlimited rides are cost-effective for long stays
  • Cute photo frames provided at entry
  • Variety of food options including BBQ skewers and traditional fair food
  • Clean facilities and helpful staff
  • Interactive experiences with farm animals
  • Free parking

Insider tips

  • Arrive early to avoid crowds and find parking easily
  • Consider purchasing wristbands if planning to stay for several hours
  • Bring cash for food vendors as not all may accept cards

Good to know before you go

  • Visiting during peak evening hours when crowds are largest
  • Busy weekends or popular event days
  • Crowds can be overwhelming during peak hours, especially at night
  • Parking can be challenging during large events
Crowds
Nighttime is busier than opening time; weekends can also see larger crowds
Value
Wristbands for rides are a good investment for families planning to enjoy multiple attractions; parking is free, which is a significant saving compared to other venues where parking fees can be high.
Food
A wide variety of food options available, but check with vendors about dietary restrictions
Accessibility
Golf cart shuttles assist with mobility
Safety
Staff presence throughout the venue for assistance

What parents say

Tiffany Day
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"Wristbands are definitely worth it if you're going to stay for many hours. There are so many rides to go on and the ground coverage his huge. I love how they take your picture when you first walk in. Both of ours turned out great and the frames they put them in are super cute. You can either hang them up on a wall, set it up on a shelf l, or they have magnets on the back. Super worth the money. Not too expensive at all. Nighttime is surely busier than opening time. And it's so nice of them not to charge for parking; because they very well could just because they can. The lake jetski water show"

2 months ago

Lauri Pan
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"Florida Fairgrounds is a massive local venue for large scale community events like graduations, entertainment events like fairs, and shows like the RV shows, gun shows, tattoo shows, etc. The property boundaries are easy to visualize as they are at the edge of major roads: I-4, HWY 301, Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., and Orient Rd. Parking prices range from $7-$10 per auto (they have parking for trucks and RVs but I don't know how much that is). They have lots of restrooms, garbage cans, lighting and lots of staff outside to get you parked and in for your event. Go with patience and be courte"

a month ago

Mike Newman
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"As first time visitors to the Florida State fair, we were pleasantly surprised at how clean the fair was, parking was very easy, food benders were everywhere with everything from corn dogs too turkey legs. We’re able to visit the cracker settlement, and see much of Florida’s history. Tons of rides for the entire family and great variety of farm animals we’re on display. There was also many opportunities to feed and pet various animals including llamas! It was a great day and we will be back."

2 months ago

Reviews sourced from public Google data.