1, Wear comfortable shoes. If you're bringing a backpack or tote bag, consider bringing an extra pair so you can switch out late in the day. Your feet will thank you. (Here's a list of smart things to bring when you head to the fair.)
2. Take DART or make plans for parking. If you're a party of two or three, and it's geographically feasible, it makes sense to take DART. For families of four or more, parking on the grounds for $20 makes sense, especially if you're toting a cooler or wagon or stroller.
If you're deciding based on how much time it takes, keep this in mind: Unless you're really far away, DART doesn't take that much longer. Allow extra time even if you're parking at the fairgrounds because traffic gets thick, and you'll still have to walk from your parking spot to the entrance.
3. Don’t spend more than you have to for tickets. See my guide to the best ticket price you can get.
4. Ask for help or learn more about the things you love. Stop at any information booth, and let them help you. They can look up ANY food and tell you where to find it. They know where the restrooms are, where there's a phone charging station, what time the music shows start and lots more.
5. Save money on drinks. If you're drinking water, bring your own bottled water or a water bottle to refill at fountains. If you're having tea or soda, buy a refillable Big Tex souvenir cup for $10 and your refills will be just $3. Some places will give you lemonade or slushies in your refill cup, and you can use it again next year. (Just like coupons, they don't expire.)
There's $1 water at the DAR House and budget-friendly milk and juice in the center of the Tower Building. The cheapest beer is at Beer Barn (Cotton Bowl Plaza) and Ice House on the Midway. That one's a few booths down from the multicolored slide.
6. Taste the free food, and feel free to bring your own. There are always free food samples, and this year, there are free beer samples too. And even if you plan to gorge on fair food, it might make sense to bring a snack or two to tide you over (or for when your budget runs out.) A little bit of protein, raw veggies or fruit never hurt anyone and it's easy to bring some along.
7. All the shows are free. Go see them! The Mavs Vault exhibit in the Hall of State is super fun. There's a Dia de los Muertos exhibit in the Women's Building, a bird show, a marionette show and lots more. The Majesty of the Horse show is all new this year and so is the parade. On some evenings, there's an evening rodeo in the Coliseum.
8. Consider going more often for shorter times. If you got a great ticket price, or better yet, a season pass, it's fun to just go in the evening for a fried food dinner or a concert. Or the Mini Zebu Costume Contest at 7 p.m. on Oct. 11. I always go for that. If you can skip work for a day, you can spend an afternoon in the Celebrity Chef Kitchen and see some great chefs from local restaurants. There will be free samples!
9. Don’t forget to take pictures. Make sure your phone is fully charged before you leave, and bring a charged booster if you have one. If not, Cricket has a charging station that's free to use in the Embarcadero building.
10. Have fun! Seriously, it's all about fun, and don't let anyone tell you there's a right way or a wrong way to do the State Fair of Texas.