Every ride at the Minnesota State Fair, and how tall you have to be
There are 74 rides and attractions on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, across the Mighty Midway, the Kidway and Adventure Park. 56 of them have a posted height requirement; the table below lists it in inches so you can check before you walk over rather than at the front of the queue.
The 2026 Minnesota State Fair ended on Monday, September 7, 2026. Everything below describes the 2026 fair, which is the most recent one — stands, buildings and rides carry over year to year, but dates, prices and schedules do not. I update it when the fair publishes for 2027.
- 74 rides and attractions in total
- 27 in the Kidway and other kid-scale rides
- 21 classed as thrill rides
- 56 with a posted height requirement, from 25 to 55 inches
| Ride | Type | Minimum height | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Maxx Heart-pounding spinning thrill ride. | Thrill | 55" Min/Max Height: 55"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 55" (Air Maxx footnote: "Must be at least 14 years old to ride") | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Alpine Bobs Classic spinning ride that whips you around tight turns. | Thrill | 42" Min/Max Height: 42"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 42" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Apple-Go-Round Apple-Go-Round is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north end nea... | Kids | 36" Min/Max Height: 36" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 42" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Beach Party Tropical-themed swinging pirate ship that goes upside down. | Thrill | 48" Min/Max Height: 48"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 48" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Beetle Bobs Beetle Bobs is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north end near t... | Kids | 36" Min/Max Height: 36" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 42" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Big Bamboo Fun House Big Bamboo Fun House is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north e... | Kids | 36" Min/Max Height: 36" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 42" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Butterfly House Walk through a tent with hundreds of live butterflies fluttering around you. They might land on your shoulder! | Family | Not posted | $5 per person |
| Carousel Classic merry-go-round with hand-painted horses. Perfect for the youngest fairgoers. | Kids | Not posted | $3 per rider (does NOT accept Mighty Midway or Kidway tickets) |
| Charlie Chopper Charlie Chopper is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north end ne... | Kids | 30" Min/Max Height: 30" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 36" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Cliff Hanger Hang glider-style ride that swings you out over the crowd. | Thrill | 48" Min/Max Height: 48"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 48" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Combination Carousel Combination Carousel is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north e... | Kids | Maximum height 54" — this one is a ceiling, not a floor: riders taller than 54" are too big for it. The fair lists no mi... | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Crazy Mouse Spinning Roller Coaster Spinning roller coaster with tight turns and unexpected spins. | Thrill | 48" Min/Max Height: 48"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 55" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Dalton Tractor Ride Kidway ride. Tickets required on a Mighty Midway & Kidway Fun Card; ticket count per ride is posted at each ride. Ride t... | Ride | 32" Min/Max Height: 32" - 54"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 32" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Defender Intense thrill ride for grown-up coaster fans. | Thrill | 55" Min/Max Height: 55"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 55" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Dive Bomber Mini airplane ride for little pilots. | Kids | 32" Min/Max Height: 32" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 36" | Kidway tickets |
| Downdraft Hovercraft-style ride that lifts you and spins. | Thrill | 46" Min/Max Height: 46"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 48" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Dragon Wagon A first-time roller coaster perfect for little ones. | Kids | 36" Min/Max Height: 36" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 42" | Kidway tickets |
| Ghost Pirate Dark Ride Ghost Pirate Dark Ride is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north... | Kids | 36" Min/Max Height: 36" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 42" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Giant Sing Along Group sing-along stage where everyone joins in on classic songs. | Attraction | Not posted | Free |
| Giant Slide A fairgrounds favorite for over 50 years. Grab a burlap sack and slide down this giant red-and-yellow slide. Family-frie... | Family | 45" Verbatim: "Riders must be 45 inches or taller to ride unaccompanied; anyone under 45 inches must ride with a parent or g... | $4 per rider. Does not accept Mighty Midway or Kidway ride & game tickets. |
| Hampton Space Age Gentle spaceship-themed adventure for the youngest fairgoers. | Kids | 36" Min/Max Height: 36" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 36" | Kidway tickets |
| Haunted Castle Dark Ride Dark ride through haunted spooky scenes. | Family | 40" Min/Max Height: 40"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 40" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Haunted House Walk-through scary attraction with surprises around every corner. | Family | Not posted | $5 per person (does NOT accept Mighty Midway or Kidway tickets) |
| Hog Rally Hog Rally is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north end near the... | Kids | 25" Min/Max Height: 25" - 54"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 34" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Infinity Spinning ride that tilts and turns. | Thrill | 48" Min/Max Height: 48"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 48" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Iron Dragon Roller Coaster Kid-friendly roller coaster shaped like a dragon. | Family | 48" Min/Max Height: 48"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 52" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Juke Box Fun House Mighty Midway ride. Tickets required on a Mighty Midway & Kidway Fun Card; ticket count per ride is posted at each ride.... | Ride | 32" Min/Max Height: 32"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 42" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Jumbo (Flying Elephant) Flying elephant ride - kids can pilot their own little elephant up and down. | Kids | 36" Min/Max Height: 36"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 48" | Kidway tickets |
| Kamikaze Inverted swinging ride that goes upside down. | Thrill | 50" Min/Max Height: 50"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 50" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Kiddie Bumper Boats Kiddie Bumper Boats is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north en... | Kids | 32" Min/Max Height: 32" - 52"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 32" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Kiddie Ferris Wheel Kiddie Ferris Wheel is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north en... | Kids | 32" Min/Max Height: 32" - 48"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 32" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Kite Flyer Kite Flyer is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north end near th... | Kids | 42" Min/Max Height: 42" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 42" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Kracken Sea-monster themed flipping thrill ride. | Thrill | 55" Min/Max Height: 55"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 55" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Krazy Maze Mirror maze with lights and music. Try not to bump into yourself! | Family | Verbatim: "No age or height restrictions. This ride does not accept Mighty Midway and Kidway ride & game tickets" | $6 per person (does NOT accept Mighty Midway or Kidway tickets; no age or height restriction) |
| Lady Bug Lady Bug is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north end near the... | Kids | 36" Min/Max Height: 36" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 42" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Magic Maze Glass House Walk-through mirror maze for all ages. | Family | 36" Min/Max Height: 36"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 42" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Merry Go-Round Merry Go-Round is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north end nea... | Kids | 36" Min/Max Height: 36" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 42" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Mini Swings Mini Swings is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north end near t... | Kids | 32" Min/Max Height: 32" - 46"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 32" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Monkey Maze Glass House Monkey Maze Glass House is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the nort... | Kids | 32" Min/Max Height: 32" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 42" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Monster Truck Monster Truck is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north end near... | Kids | 36" Min/Max Height: 36" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 42" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Monty's Traveling Reptile Show Live show with snakes, lizards, and turtles. Kids can touch some of the animals. | Family | Not posted | $3 per person (does NOT accept Mighty Midway or Kidway tickets) |
| New York New York Fun House NYC-themed walk-through funhouse. | Family | 42" Min/Max Height: 42"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 47" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Overdrive Fast-action spinning ride. | Thrill | 47" Min/Max Height: 47" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 55" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Pirate Jet Kidway ride. Tickets required on a Mighty Midway & Kidway Fun Card; ticket count per ride is posted at each ride. Ride t... | Ride | 32" Min/Max Height: 32"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 36" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Puppy Express Puppy Express is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north end near... | Kids | 36" Min/Max Height: 36" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 42" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Raiders Raiders is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north end near the H... | Kids | 36" Min/Max Height: 36" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 36" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Rock Star Tilting and spinning ride. | Family | 42" Min/Max Height: 42"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 42" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Rock Wall $7. Moved for 2026 — previously located in Adventure Park, now on the west side of Cooper St. between Randall & Wright a... | Ride | Not posted | $7 per rider |
| Safari Train Kid-sized train ride around a track. | Kids | 30" Min/Max Height: 30" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 36" | Kidway tickets |
| Samba Balloon Kidway ride. Tickets required on a Mighty Midway & Kidway Fun Card; ticket count per ride is posted at each ride. Ride t... | Ride | 36" Min/Max Height: 36" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 36" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Scooter (Bumper Cars) Classic bumper cars - smash into your friends! | Family | 42" Min/Max Height: 42"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 52" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Sizzler Classic spinning fair ride. | Thrill | 42" Min/Max Height: 42"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 52" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Sky Liner Tall spinning thrill ride. | Thrill | 48" Min/Max Height: 48"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 48" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| SkyGlider Two-person open chairlift connecting north and south ends of the fairgrounds. Like a ski lift - dangle your feet and enj... | Family | Not posted | $7 one way / $12 round trip per person |
| Skyride Gondola-style cars that take you all the way across the fairgrounds (east to west or back). Great views and a nice break... | Family | Not posted | $7 one way / $12 round trip per person |
| Skyscraper A 160-foot spinning arm that whirls riders in seats at each end high above the fairgrounds. One of the three big-thrill... | Thrill | Not posted | $40 per rider, or $35 Early Bird until 1 p.m. on weekdays (not Labor Day). Does not accept Mighty Midway or Kidway ride & game tickets. |
| Slide Slide is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north end near the Hau... | Kids | 32" Min/Max Height: 32" - 54"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 32" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Sling Shot A reverse-bungee capsule that launches two riders straight up between two towers. One of the three big-thrill attraction... | Thrill | Not posted | $40 per rider, or $35 Early Bird until 1 p.m. on weekdays (not Labor Day). Does not accept Mighty Midway or Kidway ride & game tickets. |
| Space Tower Built in 1965. A slowly rotating observation ride 330 feet up that gives you a 360-degree view of the fairgrounds and Tw... | Observation | Not posted | $6 per ride (does NOT accept Midway tickets) |
| Starship 3000 Round spaceship that uses centrifugal force to pin you to the wall. | Thrill | 42" Min/Max Height: 42"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 42" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Techno Power High-tech spinning ride with music and lights. | Thrill | 52" Min/Max Height: 52"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 52" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| The America Wheel New for 2026, honoring America250. A 230-ft observation wheel with 45 climate-controlled gondolas, standing in the North... | Family | Not posted | $7 per rider. Accepts credit cards. Does not accept Mighty Midway or Kidway ride & game tickets. |
| The Scorpion Three-armed ride that tilts and swings riders high in the air. | Thrill | 42" Min/Max Height: 42" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 48" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| The Thunderbird 180-foot tall swing ride that spins riders out over the fairgrounds. Tallest portable swing ride in North America. | Thrill | The fair publishes no height requirement for this ride. | $8 per rider (cash/card; does NOT accept Mighty Midway or Kidway tickets) |
| Thor Mighty Midway ride. Tickets required on a Mighty Midway & Kidway Fun Card; ticket count per ride is posted at each ride.... | Ride | 54" Min/Max Height: 54"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 54" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Tilt-A-Whirl Tilt-A-Whirl is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north end near... | Kids | 36" Min/Max Height: 36" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 46" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Tornado Mighty Midway ride. Tickets required on a Mighty Midway & Kidway Fun Card; ticket count per ride is posted at each ride.... | Ride | 48" Min/Max Height: 48"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 48" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Turbo Bungy $7. Moved for 2026 — previously located in Adventure Park. Does not accept Mighty Midway and Kidway ride & game tickets.... | Ride | Accessibility guide: "Guest must be able to stand on their own and be physically able to jump on a trampoline." No heigh... | $7 per rider |
| Ultimate Dinosaurs NEW for 2026. Life-size dinosaur skeleton casts, real fossils and augmented-reality interactives presented by the Scienc... | Ride | Not posted | Free with fair admission |
| Wave Swinger Wave Swinger is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north end near... | Kids | 45" Min/Max Height: 45" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 45" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Winky the Whale Winky the Whale is one of the 29 rides at the Kidway, the fair's ride park scaled for young children on the north end ne... | Kids | 30" Min/Max Height: 30" and up; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 32" | Kidway ride & game tickets (Fun Card) |
| Ye Old Mill The oldest attraction on the fairgrounds (1915!). A peaceful boat ride through a dark 1,300-foot water tunnel. A longtim... | Family | Not posted | $5 per ride |
| Zero Gravity Spinning ride that simulates weightlessness. | Thrill | 42" Min/Max Height: 42" - 77"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 42" | Mighty Midway tickets |
| Zipper The most iconic carnival thrill ride - flipping cars that spin you upside down repeatedly. | Thrill | 48" Min/Max Height: 48"; Minimum Height to Ride Alone: 48" | Mighty Midway tickets |
About the height requirements
Heights are in inches and are the minimum to ride, measured in shoes at the ride entrance. Several rides have a second, higher threshold above which a child may ride alone; a few also have a maximum height or a minimum age. Where any of those is published it is noted in the row rather than in this column, so read the note as well as the number. Ride operators have the final say, and a ride can change its own limit mid-fair for reasons of its own, so treat this as what to expect rather than a guarantee.
"Not posted" means the fair has not published a height minimum for that ride, not that there is none. If you find one that differs from what is here, tell me and I will correct it.
74 rides listed. Browse the rest of the fair in the guide. MN Fair Guide is independent and not affiliated with the Minnesota State Fair.