Eat, drink, ride the Ferris Wheel, and be merry at one of the family-friendly state fairs this year.
The kids may want to stick to hot dogs and cotton candy, but at some state fairs you can graze on fresh baking, ethnic specialties, and regional highlights such as cheese in Wisconsin, maple syrup in Vermont...
Crafts are a highlight too, and you can buy quilting and other handiwork, or just admire; and animals are of course a mainstay of a state fair, with livestock exhibits-- especially the goats, pigs, cows, etc. raised by 4-H clubs. Dogs show off in demo's, horses strut their stuff; there's grandstand racing at some state fairs too. And you might catch a big-name entertainment act (at a smaller price than usual.)
All lots of fun; but for kids, the big magnet is probably always going to be the midway: the Ferris wheel, carousel, kiddie rides... And maybe some fireworks to end it all.
- About's Guide for Romantic Getaways has a directory of state fairs
