Maryland State Fair Grounds — Attraction in Timonium

Couldn't decide between three stars and four. It's a solid 3.5.

From an accessibility standpoint: The pavement is very rough and uneven pretty much everywhere. If you are in a wheelchair with any kind of injury that hurts when you go over bumps, skip the fair this year. If you're in a chair for non injury reasons, it's still not great. Gravel on the pavement, multiple spots where you have to maneuver over electrical cord covers or hoses (see pictures), at least one building that's accessible only by a moderately steep ramp at one door and VERY steep ramps at the other two doors. Some exhibit buildings have open doors. Most have heavy/weighted doors with no push button wheelchair access. I didn't use the restroom while I was there so I have no info on those.

Most of the food we tried was good. Corn on the cob was amazing. Fried green tomatoes, good. Fries from the vendor we used, so-so. Jumbo grilled cheese had too much cheese for my daughter but was good. Deddle's Mini Donuts received rave reviews from everyone. We got both a box and the Strawberry Banana Crunch. The Strawberry Banana Crunch disappeared within minutes and it was hard to leave donuts on the box to take home.

Parking was not bad. We parked in the light rail park&ride so didn't have to pay $15 for parking. If you use a wheeled accessibility device be aware that there's a long ramp to get down to the rail line crossing. Fine on the way there, a little tougher on the way out if you're not motorized. Check the fair's website for info on the parking garage next to the light rail lot, as it's even closer and also free.

Rides are typical fair rides, a little on the pricey side. If you're going to go on more than one, go ahead and suck it up and buy the bracelet.

Daughter's opinion: it was OK, better than our county fair, she wants to come back next year. Husband's opinion: it's nice to see some of the cool things people have done, whether it's raising animals or...

We hit up the Maryland State Fair during the Christmas break, and wow, what an experience! Here’s the breakdown:

First off, the vibe was fantastic. There was a little bit of everything – ice skating, holiday performances, and even a farm area with animals like pigs, ducks, and ponies (and, of course, a tractor dressed up for the occasion – classic!). The nativity scene was a nice touch, bringing some cozy holiday feels.

That said, let me hit you with some pro tips: Bring your wallet! Admission for four of us was $108 (taxes included), and we ended up spending another $150-160 inside on food and fun. It’s not a cheap outing, but hey, it’s the holidays, right? Dress for Arctic conditions. Seriously, I forgot my gloves, and my fingers regretted every minute of it. There are heaters scattered around the fairgrounds, which are lifesavers, but next time I’m layering up like I’m climbing Everest. Think twice about that Ferris wheel. That thing spins FAST. I was firmly planted on the ground while others braved it, but watching their faces as they zipped around was entertainment enough for me.

The farm zone was hands down my favorite – it had a nostalgic, small-town charm. The animals were adorable, and I couldn’t stop laughing at the tractor all decked out for the season.

There were also dinosaurs in Christmas scarves (yep, you read that right) and a snow globe with ballerinas inside – super creative stuff! Santa, though? Poor guy looked like he’d been working overtime. Definitely didn’t inspire much confidence for the kids.

All in all, the fair was a blast. Just be prepared to spend a little extra cash and make sure you’re dressed for the cold. It’s a fun way to soak up that holiday spirit, even if your fingers are frozen and your wallet feels a...

MD 2024 State Fair was a rip off for family of 4! Price gouging at it's finest.

First, now have to pay for admission just to get in. The last time I attended admission was free. It's $25 for adults and $10 for the kids.

Second, you now have to use a card similar to Dave and Buster's system to get on the rides. Wristbands weren't sold after 4pm when I went. We 4went on the last Saturday the fair was in town. It was $50 for 550 credits. The main rides my family and I rode ranged from 40pts - 100pts. The main attraction ride was 100 pts. After 3 rides with the kids and one with all 4 of us, we were out of points. Of course the games were a rip off but the price has gone up too. There's a minimum of $10 buy in for all the games. So we spent $30-$40 on each game.

Third, the food was disgusting. The people handling and preparing the food didn't appear to e very sanitary or observing proper safety guidelines like wearing gloves and washing your hands before touching food. Lastly, the food is also over priced. I understand fair food has always been pricey however now it's $4 for a bottle of water. $15 for chicken kabobs and $10 for street corn.

This was an awful experience for me and my wallet. I wanted the old school experience of going to the fair and letting the kids run free off $20 worth of tickets. Those days are over. In order to have fun you're going to need to spend a good $300 so everyone can ride all the rides at least once and leave full...