Looking for a way to enjoy all the flavors and fun of the Minnesota State Fair without the crowds (or the admission price)?

We recently discovered The Fair on 4 at Mall of America, and it might just be our new favorite date night spot.

We made so many funny memories here – like competing against each other with ax-throwing, blasting dinosaurs together in the arcade, and seeing who was best at throwing darts. With fair-inspired food, creative drinks, and plenty of games and activities, this place delivers the “Great Minnesota Get-Together” vibes — and it’s open year-round!

Read on and enter my giveaway to win a $50 gift card for The Fair on 4!

Important to know: The Fair on 4 has a full menu of classics, cocktails, salads, sandwiches, and more every day of the year. But right now, through September 21st, they’re also offering a special State Fair–inspired menu.

We had the chance to try a few of these seasonal items, and here’s the full lineup:

State Fair–Inspired Menu

Food

Blue Ribbon Burger ($18) – Crispy fried cheese curds, bacon, caramelized onions, house brown gravy, and horseradish aioli on a toasted brioche bun. This was hands-down our favorite. Maybe the best burger flavor ever.
Fairway Pizza ($21) – Marinara, mozzarella, pepperoni, bacon, fried cheese curds, drizzled with burrow sauce and ranch, then sprinkled with chives. That’s a lot of toppings – and it was pretty tasty! A must-try for topping lovers.
The Midway Basket ($16) – A sampler of corn dog, crispy fried cheese curds, and golden pickle chips with marinara, ranch, and burrow sauce for dunkin’ & dippin’. Shareable and nostalgic, just like strolling the fairgrounds.

Drinks

Spicy Pickle Martini – Habanero pickle juice, garnished with a pickle spear. Bold and definitely packs a kick! My husband said this one is strong and spicy!
Rhubarb Margarita – Sweet and refreshing! We couldn’t really tell it was rhubarb – it was just nice and fruity.
Caramel Apple Float – Loon Juice Caramel Apple Cider, vanilla ice cream, Watkins cinnamon apple. Sweet, creamy, and just a little cozy.
Milk & Cookies – Cream, Bailey’s, crème de cacao, vodka, garnished with a cookie. Dessert in a glass.

(For anyone not feeling indulgent, don’t worry — their regular full menu is always available too, with some lighter and healthier options like salads and sandwiches.)

Fun Beyond Food

The Fair on 4 isn’t just about eating — it’s also an entertainment hub. Here’s what makes it extra fun for a date night or family outing:

Go-Kart Racing – Fast and thrilling. There are lots of sharp curves and a big hill. You’ll wear a big helmet for this – this is the real deal and it’s pretty wild!
Axe Throwing – A great activity to try together (or compete against friends). Be sure to come wearing closed toe shoes! (If you don’t have them they’ll loan you some Crocs.)
Dartsee – A totally new, high-tech, interactive dart experience. We especially loved the mini golf-themed version, and there are even kid-friendly options with characters. After figuring it out, we really got into it and played for an hour.
Arcade Games – Tons of variety! Pro tip: go for a timed arcade card (we did 1 hour), so you can keep playing without worrying about running out of credits. We played some more challenging ones together like Jurassic Park and loved that we could keep advancing in the game with our card, no matter how many times the dinosaurs got us!

Final Thoughts

If you want to celebrate the spirit of the Minnesota State Fair without the long lines, sweat, or crowds, The Fair on 4 at Mall of America is a perfect pick – anytime you want to go! The special State Fair menu is available through September 21st, but the fun — food, drinks, and games — is there year-round.

We’ll definitely be back – the next time with our kids! See below for a giveaway…

Check out my photo gallery for more photos:

GIVEAWAY!

Enter for up to 10 chances to win a $50 gift card for The Fair on 4! Giveaway ends September 10th at 9pm and winner will be randomly chosen and contacted by email. Fill out the Rafflepress form below:

(Disclosure: We received complimentary food and activities to facilitate writing this review. All opinions are 100% mine.)