THE TOP 5 ADULT THINGS TO DO AT THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS

I hope you all had a nice and relaxing weekend :) . Mine was very eventful, as a friend of mine was visiting, and I also devoted my Sunday to be at the State Fair. October 18th was the last day for the State Fair of Texas (aka Texas State Fair), and you'd think maybe the crowd would of died down by now right? WRONG! It seemed as if everyone waited till the last minute to go...including myself. Although there were masses of people, I overall had an awesome time! Last year, I remember my boyfriend not wanting to go to the State Fair because in his mind, it might include too many "kiddish" and family activities. While that might be true, there is definitely a little bit of everything for everyone at the State Fair. I won't be able to cover everything the State Fair offers in today's blog because frankly, I didn't get to go to all the exhibits as I arrived late in the afternoon. What I do know is, considering I don't have kids, naturally I try to target things to do that I would enjoy. Here are my top 5 adult things to do at the State Fair (in no particular order).

1. Snap a Pic with Big Tex

First of all, if you live in Dallas or are visiting, I recommend taking the DART Train to arrive at the State Fair. It's an experience in itself especially if you're not used to using train systems. I am accustomed to driving everywhere, so it's nice to use the train every once in a while to get around. It's $5 to use the train for the day, but it sure beats paying $10+ for parking at Fair Park and waiting in long lines to park.

After 60 years of Big Tex representing the State Fair in North Texas, the original Big Tex sadly burned down on October 19, 2012 due to electrical issues. Dallas was dedicated to recreating a bigger and better Big Tex to debut the following year. This is him! He received much criticism when he made his first appearance, but I personally was glad to have this iconic figure back in the fair!

Snapping a pic in front of Big Tex is a tradition. If you don't do it. You didn't go to the fair :-P

2. Taste local beer at the Beer Garden

I am a wine and beer kind of gal so wherever beer gardens are offered, I'm there! If you are visiting from out of town and you like beer, I would definitely check out this spot!

Eating 'Cowboy Corn Crunch' (#2 Finalist for the Tex Choice Awards 2015), with local Community Beer .

3. Take a tour on the Texas Skyway

12 coupons will get you on this ride. There is no "tour guide", but what I enjoyed most about the Texas Skyway is that it gives you the chance to oversee the entire park! It travels through the middle of the fair, and it gives you a chance to get to the other side of the fair without having to walk!  Should you wish to return to your first destination, it'll take 5 more coupons to travel back.

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4. The Texas Star Ferris Wheel

While the Texas Skyway allows you to see the Fair, the Texas Star allows you to see the city! Due to the lines being extremely long, I unfortunately didn't get on this ride. With better planning next year, it'll be on my "to-do" list!

5. Indulge in everything Fried Food!

You definitely want to throw your diet out the window! Just about anything you can imagine has been fried at the State Fair. Many attempts have been made, and only a few win a spot on the Big Tex Choice Awards contest held annually. This is where I spent most of my time, as eating these combinations of fried foods I only do once a year!

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Pretzel- Crusted Pollo Queso

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Fresh Squeezed Pink Lemonade

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Fried Deviled Eggs

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Deep Fried Alligator's Egg Nest

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Fried Mac n' Cheese

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Fried Beer-Battered Buffalo (my fave)

Fried Cheesecake (my 2nd Fave)

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A quick glimpse of the cook frying an Oreo!

There are so many things that I didn't get to partake in this year at the State Fair. Concerts for one, and browsing through local vendors and their crafts. Other suggestions are; if you are a kid at heart you might like the carnival rides and games. Fascinated with vintage cars? They have a show on display, as well as exhibitions for brand new vehicles from companies like Ford.

There is certainly a little something for everyone, but the commonality is...everyone definitely has a GREAT time at the State Fair of Texas <3

XOXO Vanessa

DELANEY VINEYARDS- A WINERY IN GRAPEVINE, TX

I LOVE WINE!!!  My close friends and family say I'm a "wino", but of course I don't think I am. I only drink wine on social occasions, after a long day of work, when I'm watching my favorite shows, and for relaxation. What constitutes a "wino".. I have no idea. How about you tell me!? :p On a day when I want to taste local wines, and window shop I head to Grapevine. The city of Grapevine, which is home to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, lives up to it's name by providing several local areas for wine tasting. You can find a lot of these places in Downtown Grapevine, which if you haven't been... is filled with local boutiques that sell anything from costume jewelry, antiques, home decor, garden and outdoor, western wear, candy shops, Texas Humour nick-nacks, pet gear, cigars, and lots more! This is the city where GrapeFest Wine Festival takes place and let me tell you....IT. IS. AWESOME!!!

So if you are looking for a place to take your fellow "winos"... first stop DELANEY VINEYARDS & WINERY !

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Delaney Vineyards & Winery 2000 Champagne Blvd. Grapevine, Texas 76051

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 Cute little Wine Bar to wine taste while you wait for your tour group

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Lots of Wine Barrels! You can sign up on a wait list at the end of the tour with your name and phone number to purchase one of these!

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I just LOVED these large double wooden doors!

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Ceiling Decor

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The Vineyard

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The roses are planted at the end of each vineyard to determine the weather and how that will affect growth of the vineyard. For example, if the roses wither quickly, that may be pesticides (or something else) in which the staff would have to examine the vineyard more closely.

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Spacious Outdoor Patio

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This is definitely a place you must see when you visit! It's smaller I'm sure than other vineyards but nonetheless it's something different to do in the DFW area. And if you love wine, you don't care how large or small the vineyard is! Where there's wine is all that matters :p

XOXO Vanessa

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