When it comes to the best things to do in Dallas, also known as “the Big D,” we’re spoiled for choice, and for good reason. The city is growing so fast that it has a lot of, well, everything. When it comes to sports, you have to get tickets to a Dallas Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium. The Dallas Mavs (basketball) and Dallas Stars (ice hockey) are also worth cheering for more than a cheesy Frito Pie, though.
The arts scene is also pretty good. In fact, Dallas has a whole downtown area called the Arts District that is full of art museums, theaters, and sculptures outside. Arriving with nothing to eat? You’re in the right spot. Dallas’ restaurant scene has everything from uptown glamor (think afternoon teas, sexy rooftop bars, and elevated Southern kitchens) to sauce-all-over-your-face barbecue and Tex-Mex. Warning: The portions are always bigger than you think, so make sure you order enough.
No matter what you like, there’s something for everyone. So come to our feast of the best things to do right now in Dallas.
62 Best Things to Do in Dallas
1. Kickstart your trip on the Reunion Tower observation deck
The Reunion Tower is one of Dallas’ most famous landmarks. It is right in the middle of the city, next to the Hyatt Regency, Dallas. The tower’s 470-foot-high tourist-friendly GeO-Deck offers full 360-degree views of the Big D’s beautiful skyline and is arguably the city’s best photo op. With both indoor and outdoor viewing points, a casual dining restaurant, and plenty of cocktails, it should be one of your must-dos in
2. Swim across the state of Texas
On Memorial Day, May 30, the Texas Pool, which is on the National Park of Historic Places, opens for a new season of fun in the 168,000-gallon saltwater oasis. This year marks the 61st anniversary of the pool. There is a snack bar on-site, and if you’d rather bring your own food to the cookout, there are also BBQ grills. Just wait at least 30 minutes before trying to swim from El Paso to Houston. It costs $10 per visit for tourists and people who are not members, or $150 for a season membership for one person.
3. Dealey Plaza
You can visit a place in Dallas that changed the course of history forever. The Texas School Book Depository, the Grassy Knoll, and Elm Street as it curves down to the railroad tracks would not be so interesting if John F. Kennedy hadn’t been killed there on November 22, 1963.
Dealey Plaza is mostly the same as it was when it was made a National Historic Landmark in 1993. It’s hard not to be moved when you look up at the corner of the sixth-floor window from which Lee Harvey Oswald fired his three shots, see the X that marks the spot where JFK was hit by the fatal second bullet, and stand on the bank from which Abraham Zapruder took his famous footage.
4. Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
If you love beautiful flower displays and being outside, you have to go to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. This interesting place has 66 acres of show gardens with flowers that bloom all year.
Architectural Digest called this one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. It is one of many botanical gardens in the United States. In the spring, there are hundreds of thousands of flowers to see, and in the fall, more than 90,000 pumpkins and gourds are used to decorate the gardens. Check out their website for a list of upcoming events.
5. Dallas Zoo
The Dallas Zoo is the biggest and oldest zoo in Texas, and your kids will love going there. It covers 106 acres and is home to more than 2,000 animals. Bring your kids to see animals in their natural habitats. Meet giraffes, elephants, zebras, cheetahs, and lots of other animals. Some lucky people get to feed giraffes. Before going to the petting farm, the little ones can ride a mini-train and a magical merry-go-round.
6. The Sixth Floor Museum
From a historical, social, and cultural point of view, the Sixth Floor Museum tells the story of JFK’s life and death. Look at more than 90,000 artifacts and stand in front of the exact window from which Lee Harvey Oswald fired his gun. Then, go to the Grassy Knoll to see the “X” in the middle of the street where JFK was shot and killed, and then walk a few blocks to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza.
7. Pioneer Plaza Cattle Drive
This larger-than-life cattle drive sculpture by Robert Summers has 70 bronze steers and three bronze trail riders. It is on the actual Shawnee Trail drive from the 1850s and is in front of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
8. Meet the cowboys at Fort Worth
Today, we might think of Fort Worth as a big city, but in the 19th century, it was known for something completely different. Back then, Fort Worth was a thriving cowboy trading post and a key part of the Chisholm Trail.
Still, its Wild West feel has been kept very well. The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is a must-see, as are the rodeos at the Fort Worth Stockyards. If you’re staying in Dallas, the best way to see Fort Worth is on a pre-planned day trip.
9. Indulge in a little al fresco iambic pentameter
Shakespeare Dallas will be back on stage at the Samuell-Grand Amphitheater on June 15, with a view of the lawn. Bring your own blanket or chair, or rent one there, because the performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest, and Hamlet are limited to a small number of people.
Most of the time, the productions here don’t follow the usual rules, so you can always expect something new. And since you can bring your own picnic, complete with beer and wine, you can have a very cheap cultural experience under the stars.
10. Arts District
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Klyde Warren Park, and the Winspear Opera House are just a few of the places we’ll visit in this area. Dallas is home to the largest urban arts district in the United States. It is made up of 20 square blocks to the southeast of Uptown.
From the famous Dallas Black Dance Theatre in the east to the Dallas Museum of Art in the west, the Arts District is full of respected venues and institutions. There is also a lot of interesting architecture, like the neo-Gothic Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin Guadalupe (1902), which has a 68-meter spire and 100 stained glass windows.
11. Margarita Mile
Dallas has been called the official home of the frozen margarita for a long time. Everyone can get a frozen margarita, but in Texas, everything is bigger and better, right? A self-guided margarita trail called Margarita Mile opens each summer in Dallas.
During the season, bars and restaurants all over the city center serve their best and brightest frozen margaritas, as well as clothing and other items to celebrate the event. Visit Dallas has a website where you can find out what’s going on, and the mile even has its own Instagram account. It’s a great thing to do if some adults who are old enough want to have a party or fiesta.
12. Perot Museum Of Nature And Science
The impressive Perot Museum of Nature and Science is on the edge of the Arts District. It is 180,000 square feet big. There are five interactive displays in the museum that look at the earth, space, geology, paleontology, and engineering.
A little hard to understand? Relax. At a children’s museum, you can play with a dinosaur dig, a simulated earthquake, and a hall full of gems that will blow your mind. People in your family who like science and are curious will have a great time here. Kids will love the outdoor play area and the theater, which has activities just for them.
13. AT&T Stadium
There are sports stadiums and then there are sports spaceships. The AT&T Stadium for the Dallas Cowboys is definitely the latter. This amazing $1.15 billion gridiron cathedral is called “Jerry World” after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. It can hold up to 100,000 fans and has won multiple awards for its innovative design. If you take the VIP guided tour, you can see everything behind the scenes, from the Cowboys’ locker room to the press box.
14. Thanks-Giving Square
The beautiful white spiral Chapel in the middle of this downtown square stands out against the sharp angles of the office buildings around it. The Thanks-Giving Foundation welcomes people from all nations, cultures, and religions and gets tens of thousands of visitors every year. Its goal is to spread the idea that giving thanks can bring people together, no matter where they live.
15. Learn about one of America’s greats on the JFK assassination tour
On Dallas’s JFK tours, visitors learn about one of the most gruesome and famous assassinations in history. With a political and historical expert leading the way, you’ll learn how the fateful day went down, the conspiracies surrounding the event, and a lot of little-known facts.
16. Go for a high-flying ride in a powered parachute
Less than an hour by car from Dallas, Future Flight LLC Powered Parachutes gives thrill-seekers the chance to fly in a powered parachute with an FAA-certified pilot. At speeds of up to 32 mph and heights of up to 1,000 feet, you can see the North Texas scenery without any windows or doors getting in the way. If you like it, you can buy your own for as little as $10,000.
17. Klyde Warren Park
At the beginning of the 2010s, three blocks of the Woodall Rodgers Freeway were moved underground to make room for this new kind of public park. This completely changed a part of Downtown Dallas’s Arts District.
Klyde Warren Park was designed to be a central place for people to meet in Dallas. It has a big lawn with a tree-lined pedestrian promenade, a restaurant, a children’s park, a botanical garden, a reading room, a dog park, a performance pavilion, and an urban games area. The park opened in 2012 and is named for the son of billionaire Kelcy Warren, who gave $10 million to help build it.
18. Dallas World Aquarium
The Dallas World Aquarium is in downtown Dallas, close to the Historic West End District. It started out in an empty warehouse in the 1920s. Today, it is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The best thing about the Dallas World Aquarium is that it’s like a combination of an aquarium and a zoo. There are many different kinds of fish, seadragons, crabs, sharks, and rays at the aquarium. And don’t forget the cute penguins! The aquarium has a rainforest exhibit where different kinds of birds live. In the Mundo Maya cenote, you can see reptiles and amphibians in the evening.
19. National Videogame Museum
Inside the Frisco Discovery Center is the National Videogame Museum. Every old-school gamer’s dream, the National Videogame Museum (NVM) is all about the history of the video game industry. It has a mind-blowing collection of video game memorabilia, like the world’s largest working Pong game. The best part is that you get to play the games, so they’re not just for show. Play classic games like Space Invaders and Donkey Kong against your kids and their friends. This is one place that no kid, big or small, will want to leave.
20. Pecan Lodge
There are a lot of great barbecue places in town, but the Pecan Lodge is the one that people keep going back to. This restaurant in the cool Deep Ellum neighborhood has pit-smoked food that is out of this world (as evidenced by the lines out the door, around the corner, and into the parking lot).
The homemade jalapeno sausages, ribs, and beef brisket are especially good. The “hot mess,” which is a sea salt-crusted sweet potato with barbacoa and chipotle cream on top, is so good that it will make you go crazy.
21. City Hall
Dallas City Hall is one of the most unique and well-known buildings in the city. Designed by I.M. The inverted wedge shape of the building by I. M. Pei is a sight to see, and the 7-acre plaza has sculptures by Henry Moore.
22. Experience the best of aviation at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum
You might have just gotten off a plane to get to Dallas, but have you ever looked closely inside a cockpit to see how those huge metal birds stay in the air? Now is the time! There are several A-level museums in Dallas, but the Cavanaugh Flight Museum might be the most interesting.
This popular place for tourists has a wide range of planes and helicopters from different time periods. However, the best part is the flight tour, which is a godsend for aviation fans!
23. Live that Vegas life, baby
Even though neither Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant nor WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville are in Dallas or even Texas, local gamblers love to take the 90-minute drive north to either of them. With 400,000 square feet of gaming space, WinStar is the world’s largest casino.
Choctaw, on the other hand, is a slot-dream lover with more than 7,400 machines to try your luck. Both casinos have luxury rooms, resort-style pools, and fine dining, so it’s easy to turn a day trip into a Vegas-style staycation. If the odds are always in your favor, it could even pay for itself.
24. Nasher Sculpture Center
Raymond Nasher, who built the NorthPark Center mall and died in 2007, was an avid art collector. He and his wife, Patsy, put together a stunning collection of sculptures, some of which are still on display at the mall. At the turn of the 21st century, the Nasher Foundation paid for a Renzo Piano-designed museum with a two-acre garden to make these treasures available to the public.
The center’s collection includes works by Alexander Calder, Giacometti, Hepworth, Henry Moore, Matisse, Gauguin, Joan Miró, Picasso, Claes Oldenburg, Richard Serra, and Rodin. Only a small part of the foundation’s holdings can be shown at once, so the center’s exhibition changes every few months.
25. Children’s Theater
Since 1984, the Dallas Children’s Theater has been making kids and their families laugh. The theater has a season of plays and a theater academy to teach people about literature, art, and the performing arts.
Magical stories, histories, and biographies with a theatrical twist are used to entertain and teach the kids, the artists of tomorrow, and the audience. All of this takes place in a great, airy space that makes everyone feel happy and refreshed.
26. Stockyards Championship Rodeo
At the Stockyards Championship Rodeo in Fort Worth, you can try your first rodeo. The first indoor rodeo ever was held in the historic Cowtown Coliseum in 1908. Even now, it’s still a place where the best cowboys and cowgirls in town put on shows. Make friends with the friendly Texans there, and for the after party, go to Refinery 714 on Main Street.
27. Fair Park
The Hall of State at Fair Park is home to the largest collection of 1930s art deco exposition-style architecture in North America. It has more than 3 million historical documents and three-dimensional objects on display.
28. Take to the skies with a powered parachute flight
Here’s another one for all of you who like airplanes!
If you’re looking for a fun, adrenaline-filled outdoor activity, a powered parachute flight with an FAA-certified pilot should be at the top of your list. You’ll have unobstructed views of the lush, green countryside below, and you can just sit back and let the pilot do the work while you enjoy the ride.
29. Immerse yourself in artistic masterpieces
Visit the Lighthouse ArtSpace in downtown Dallas to become one with the art of masters like Vincent Van Gogh and Frida Kahlo. And on July 1, Claude Monet and the other Impressionists will show up.
During each multimedia presentation, you’ll step into one of several rooms with floor-to-ceiling projections of the artists’ most amazing works, set to music and animated for a surreal and beautiful way to see these masterpieces. Tip: The side galleries are usually less crowded than the main space, so you can get a better feel for the art. Tip number two: Sign up for one of the yoga classes on-site for a different kind of peace.
30. Meadows Museum
In the 1950s, the oil baron Algur Meadows (1899–1978) made several trips to Madrid, where he fell in love with Spanish art at the Museo del Prado. He decided to build his own “Prado on the prairie” in Dallas, which is now the Meadows Museum on the campus of Southern Methodist University. It has one of the largest collections of Spanish art outside of Spain.
The art here dates from the 900s to the present day. It includes Renaissance altarpieces, huge Baroque canvases, liturgical polychrome images, graphic art, Impressionist landscapes, abstract painting, sketches, and sculpture. Velázquez, El Greco, Murillo, Ribera, Zurbarán, Goya (six works), Sorolla, Rodin, Picasso, Dal, Miró, Henry Moore, and Giacometti are just some of the great artists
31. Horseback Riding at Ascend
Southwest Dallas has a beautiful camp called Ascend. You can get there by going south. This wooded area with trails makes horseback riding fun and relaxing for both new and experienced riders.
Take a one-hour trail ride or ride in the fenced-in area with the help of trained equestrians and lots of pictures. You don’t need any experience at all; in fact, newcomers are warmly welcomed!
32. Cedar Ridge Preserve
Cedar Ridge Preserve, which used to be called Dallas Nature Center, is like finding a piece of Hill Country in Dallas. The preserve is only 20 minutes from downtown Dallas, and it has a height of 755 feet from which to look down.
600 acres of natural land make up the Cedar Ridge Preserve. Take one of the nine miles of trails for a walk. Find out about the local trees, fields, and wildflowers. Birdwatching is a popular activity here, and the butterfly gardens look like something out of a fairy tale. Bring your lunch and eat it in one of the picnic areas while you talk about the wild mammals, insects, birds, and reptiles you have seen.
33. McKinney Avenue Trolley
Take the city’s trolley, which goes up and down the busy McKinney Avenue in Uptown and the downtown Arts District. It has been around since 1983 and is usually open 365 days a year for free. The Standard Pour, which is known for its barrel-aged cocktails, is one of the best pubs in town. You can also get on and off at Klyde Warren Park or the Dallas Museum of Art to see what else downtown has to offer.
34. Deep Ellum
No other neighborhood in Dallas is as interesting as Deep Ellum, which is the city’s music center. More than 100 years ago, this was where jazz and blues musicians learned their craft. It was also where gamblers and people who liked to cause trouble went to dance all night and watch minstrel shows. Now, it’s where most of the city’s avant-garde culture happens. The streets are lined with art galleries, music venues, restaurants, and theaters, just like they were in the early 1900s.
35. Feel the intense thrill of a skydive!
Jumping out of a plane from 14,000 feet above the sprawling cityscape is sure to be one of the most memorable things you do not just in Dallas, but in your whole life.
Divers are always with trained instructors who watch out for their safety. All you have to do is enjoy the freefall and take in the beautiful views from above.
Tip: The picture packages might cost a little more money, but they are well worth it if you want to be able to brag the most.
36. Pretend you live in a legal marijuana state
Texas always takes a while to catch up with states that are more progressive, but we always do. And the same is likely to happen soon with legal marijuana products. Until then, you can enjoy Delta 8-THC, Delta 9-THC, and Delta 10-THC, which are all just as chill and totally legal.
Talk to an experienced budtender at some of the best dispensaries in town, such as Bloom Labs, MoonTaxi, The Weed Spot, The Green Room Hemp Dispensary, and Delta 8 North Plano. (You can always Google “Delta 8 Dispensaries in Dallas” to find a different friendly neighborhood, er, joint.)
37. Frontiers of Flight Museum
The Frontiers of Flight Museum is in the southeast corner of Dallas Love Field Airport. It has more than 30 aircraft and space vehicles on display, some of which were built in the North Texas area. There are 13 galleries and exhibits to look at, including artifacts from the Hindenburg, lots of information about aviators like Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart, and a full-size model of the Wright Brothers’ 1903 Wr.
As for planes that have been kept, don’t miss Apollo VII, which was used for the first manned Apollo Space Program flight in 1968. Also important are the last surviving Texas-Temple Sportsman monoplane from 1928, a de Havilland Tiger Moth from 1940, a Bell 47 (from the TV show M*A*S*H), and jet fighters and bombers like an F-16b from 1977, an LTV A-7 Corsair II from 1967, a Republic F-105D from 1958, and a Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star from 1959. (1950).
38. Rent a Party Bike
Dallas has more to offer than just good things for families to do. It’s also a great place for a bachelor/bachelorette party or a fun trip with friends. And renting a party bike for a pub crawl in Downtown Dallas is one of the best ways to take the fun to the next level in Dallas.
This two-hour trip will be one of the most fun things you’ve ever done. A party bike is a great way to get the party going.
39. Medieval Times Dallas
The Dallas Castle, which is part of Medieval Times, adds a unique touch to the downtown skyline because it stands out and won’t blend in. You will have real fun from the days when queens, kings, and brave knights were in charge.
You can park your car anywhere around the castle for free, then walk to the drawbridge and the castle passageway. Look in the beautiful moat for turtles. As you wait in line to get into the Hall of Arms, look at the full suits of armor.
Knights will put on a show for you, so cheer until you can’t talk. There will be skilled swordplay, hand-to-hand fighting, horseback jousting, falconry, and a lot more. All of this happens while you eat a four-course meal fit for a king. As a side effect of all this fun, you play word games with your cooking sticks, utensils, and brooms when you get home.
40. Round Up Saloon
People in Dallas tend to like both country and western music. How can you enjoy both the most? By doing a two-step, of course. Round Up Saloon has six bars, karaoke, a pool room, and a big dance floor. Put on your cowboy boots and get ready to dance! This swanky gay bar and dance hall has popular line-dancing lessons almost every night of the week, so get ready for a lot of box steps and partner swinging.
41. Founders Plaza
In this park in the middle of downtown, next to the Old Red Courthouse, there is a copy of John Neely Bryan’s log cabin, which was his home when he started the city. There is also a fountain, a map of Dallas County in the 1800s made of terrazzo, and the John F. Kennedy Memorial on the site.
42. Try indoor skydiving
Indoor skydiving uses a 14-foot-tall wind tunnel system that mimics the thrill of freefall. It’s all the excitement of a jump with the comfort of a confined and controlled space.
43. Get wet and wild at a waterpark
People who want to beat the soon-to-be-hellish Texas heat can relax in a pool, but if they want to add a rush of adrenaline to their chlorine-scented day, there are a lot of waterparks in town to choose from.
You can get wet all year long at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark in Grand Prairie. They also have an outdoor wave pool open in the summer. Just a few miles down the road, you can find more than 20 rides and attractions at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor.
If you want a resort-style stay, you can book a room at the beautiful Hilton Anatole and get free access for two to their JadeWaters pools, including the adults-only leisure cove. And if you want to feel more like you’re in your own neighborhood, go to one of the five Hawaiian Falls locations in neighborhoods around the metroplex.
44. Dallas Heritage Village at Old City Park
The Dallas Heritage Village has the largest group of historic buildings in the city. The sidewalks are shaded by trees and are lined with historic buildings. These homes, built between 1840 and 1910, are set up as outdoor museums on 20 acres. The only sign that time has passed is the skyline of Downtown Dallas peeking out from behind the trees.
City Park was planned in the 1870s and was Dallas’s first public park. It was also the site of the city’s first zoo and weekly outdoor concerts in the 1880s and 1890s, like the ones that happen here today. The park was in danger of being turned into something else until the Millermore plantation house moved there in the late 1960s. It was the first of 21 historic buildings that now live in the park.
Each building is decorated with furniture, tools, and other things from that time period, and a team of role-playing interpreters brings the whole village to life.
45. Museum of Biblical Art
In Dallas, there are a lot of museums and exhibits to see. But this museum has a theme that might be more interesting to you than others, especially if you have a spiritual or religious background. The Museum of Biblical Art has displays and exhibits about the Bible. This interesting museum has art, paintings, historical items, and other things that have to do with the Bible.
The exhibits in this museum change all the time, which keeps people on their toes. Even if you’ve been here before, you might find something new.
There has been a sculpture garden, a European art treasury, and an art conservation lab in their shows. The National Center for Jewish Art is always open and running, and the Resurrection Mural by Ron DiCianni is also always there. This is a great place to be if you want to learn more about your faith or family history, or if you just want to check out some history.
46. Play Street Museum
The Play Street Museum is a place for kids to learn and have fun. It has an indoor play area that is meant to encourage a child’s sense of freedom, adventure, and creativity. The Play Street Museum also hosts private events like birthday parties, family reunions, and more.
47. George W. Bush Presidential Library
The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum might not sound like a lot of fun, but it’s a treasure trove of early 21st-century history that’s very interesting to learn about.
The museum has an important exhibition about the 9/11 attacks, as well as an exact copy of the Oval Office and amazing information about the Bush family. The most interesting part, though, is the “Decision Points Theater.” You sit in front of a big screen and make decisions based on real evidence that the President had. As you might have guessed, it’s not as easy as it seems.
48. D-Link
The D-Link is a free shuttle that goes all over downtown and to the Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff. It is another way to get around town that is offered by Dallas Area Rapid Transit. There are stops at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, the Omni Dallas Hotel, The West End, The Sixth Floor Museum, Main Street Garden, the Dallas Arts District, Deep Ellum, Victory Park, and the Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff.
49. Glide through colorful streets on a segway tour
Forget walking! Segway tours, which run 5–6 times a day and are led by knowledgeable locals, are one of the best and most fun ways to see the city. They zip by popular sites like Dealey Plaza, Thanksgiving Square, the place where JFK was killed, and many other historical landmarks.
50. Go on an overnight safari at Fossil Rim
At this drive-through wildlife center, you can see giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, bison, cheetahs, and dozens of other animals. The center is dedicated to saving species that are in danger of going extinct.
Meander through 7.2 miles of roads where you can stop whenever you want to feed the animals right from your car. You can book a public guided tour or a private guided tour for you and your most daring travel companions. But if you want a really cool experience, book a room at the lodge or in one of the safari cabins, where you can sleep to the sounds of real animals instead of a white noise machine. Everything happens in Glen Rose, which is about 90 minutes or less from most places in Dallas-Fort Worth.
51. American Airlines Center
This multipurpose arena is in the Victory Park neighborhood. The Dallas Mavericks, led by Dirk Nowitzki, won the NBA Championship in 2011. At the time this article was written, the Mavericks’ home games had been sold out since 2001. Mark Cuban, the owner, plans to sell tickets that didn’t sell for a lot less money or give them to charity.
This is also where the Dallas Stars play their home games around the same time of year. The last time they won the Stanley Cup was in 1999. Since it opened in 2001, the American Airlines Center has held up to 20 big concerts a year. In 2019-20, there were shows by Elton John, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Eagles, and Celine Dion. Within a five-minute walk of the arena, you can get Tex-Mex (at Mesero), Southern-style food (at House of Blues), pizza (at Olivella’s), and sushi (at Imoto). There are also many food options inside the arena, from tacos to hot dogs.
52. Legoland Discovery Center
Do you have children with you? Or do you just like how simple and nostalgic Legos are? You should go to the Legoland Discovery Center in Dallas either way. This place to have fun is full of fun things to do and see. There are rides, a 4D theater, and a great place to buy gifts. And, of course, Legoland wouldn’t be Legoland if you couldn’t build something.
You and your kids can build and test Lego race cars, and little builders can play with big blocks in Duplo Village. You can meet Lego characters, try out virtual reality, and bring your bathing suits for Pirate Beach, an outdoor water experience. There are so many things to do at Legoland, so check out their website to learn more and plan your trip.
53. Galleria Dallas Ice Rink & Xd Ride
The Galleria is a big, family-friendly place with lots of fun things to do for a whole weekend or even longer.
Ice skating and the XD ride are at the top of the list of things to do. The ice rink is a great place to cool off from the hot weather in Dallas and show off your skating skills. Grab your child’s hand and watch their faces light up as you go through hundreds of exciting spins and falls.
The XD ride is a 7D simulation ride that will be a lot of fun for the whole family. When you sit down on the XD ride, you’ll experience a thrilling mix of falling, flying, moving, seeing, and hearing. When they finally agree to leave, you can go shopping at the mall, where you can eat and drink amazing things.
54. Highland Park Village
Shopping is almost a sport in Dallas, so if you want to use your credit card to play ball, you’ve come to the right place. Highland Park Village was the first outdoor shopping mall in the United States. It is known for its Spanish-style architecture and high fashion (think Chanel, Dior, and Alexander McQueen).
Get a cupcake from Bird Bakery or see a movie at the Village Theater after you go shopping to make the most of your trip. Or, if you’re looking for more style points, the NorthPark Center in Dallas is an award-winning style citadel with over 235 stores, modern art, and a 1.4-acre garden.
55. Free Admission Museums
Who says you need money to learn about other things? The Dallas Museum of Art is free to visit and has more than 22,000 works of art from ancient civilizations to the present day.
The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum’s Samurai Collection, the Crow Collection of Asian Art, the African American Museum, and the Museum of Geometric and MADI Art are also great places to visit. The Meadows Museum of Art at Southern Methodist University has one of the largest collections of Spanish art outside of Spain. It is free to visit on Thursdays after 5 p.m.
56. Dig in on a tastebud-friendly food tour
What are the most common foods in Texas? You can only find out one way. Take the food tour. On a mouthwatering food tour, hungry travelers can try street market treats like Chile con queso, exotic fruits, upscale BBQ, and a lot more while running through popular foodie boroughs like Uptown and West Village.
57. Get face-to-face with a shark
We always think of sharks when it’s summer. But you won’t have to worry about your safety when you get close to them here. Grapevine Mills has a lot of places to shop and eat, like H&M and Applebee’s, but if you get tired of those, check out the Sea Life Grapevine Aquarium, which is right inside the mall.
You can walk through the only 360-degree ocean tunnel in Texas, which is full of thousands of fish, rays, and sharks, or you can visit the sea turtle hospital and find out what they do. Plan your visit around feeding times to see the most action underwater, or book a behind-the-scenes tour to learn more about how a big aquarium works.
58. Design District
The Design District has grown on the redeveloped floodway of the Trinity River, which is northwest of Downtown Dallas. Where there used to be old showrooms and warehouses from the 1950s, there are now art galleries, men’s and women’s fashion boutiques, swanky interior design shops, a number of fine dining spots, and brand-new high-end homes.
One of the things I love most about the Design District is that it has grown in a natural way. The low, almost unremarkable warehouses that have been here for decades are still there, and they are joined by beautiful new buildings. There have been no huge mixed-use developments, national chains, or large-scale demolitions here.
59. Six Flags Over Texas
Six Flags Over Texas is a theme park near Dallas. It is not to be confused with Six Flags Great Adventure. The name comes from the six countries that have ruled the area at different times.
Six Flags is a fun amusement park with nine different areas with different themes, like Mexico and Looney Tunes. From the Batman ride to the Caddo Lake Barge and everything in between, there are rides for kids, families, and thrill-seekers of all ages.
There are also special events, live shows, food, shopping, and dozens of rides. Just look at the park’s website to plan your trip and find out what activities you and your family can do there.
60. Museum Of Geometric And Madi Art
The Museum of Geometric and MADI Art is a great place to have fun while learning. It has creative workshops for people of all ages who like art, design, space, shapes, etc. Learn during docent-led tours are available on request. In the museum’s permanent collection, you can look at art from all over the world. There are also free music shows, salons, tours, and more.
61. Southfork Ranch
No trip to Dallas is complete without a stop at the most famous white house west of Washington, D.C. Southfork Ranch, home to the dysfunctional Ewing family on the TV show Dallas, is an easy 40-minute drive from downtown Dallas in the small suburb of Parker, Texas. On a working ranch, you can take lessons on how to ride horses or go hiking with a guide.
You can’t miss the chance to go on a guided tour of the house and see everything from J.R.’s bedroom to the gun that killed him, as well as lots of costumes, clips, and props from one of the longest-running TV shows ever.
62. Tour of Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
The Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center is in the Arts District. It was designed by I.M. Pei, who won the Pritzker Prize. M. Pei, and has beautiful architecture, open spaces, great acoustics, and stunning sculptures and works of art all around it. It’s beautiful to look at, and you don’t need a concert ticket to see it for yourself.
Conclusion
Dallas is a city in north-central Texas, United States. It was founded in 1841 and is on the Trinity River. It is most likely named after either Joseph Dallas or George Mifflin Dallas. Cotton helped the town grow, but when the big East Texas oil field was found in 1930, it made the city a major center for the oil business.
It grew very quickly after World War II when a number of big companies that made airplanes moved to the area. These were followed by plants that made electronics and cars. It is the home of many insurance companies and the largest financial center in the Southwest.
It is also a major transportation hub. Southern Methodist University is one of the many schools there (founded in 1911). It is known for its cultural events, such as opera, ballet, and symphony concerts. The Kalita Humphreys Theater, which was made by Frank Lloyd Wright, is also in the city.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Things To Do In Dallas
What is Rainbow Vomit in Dallas?
Rainbow Vomit is an art gallery and photography experience that takes you into a world of art, light, and sound that makes you feel like you’re on a journey into the fantasy of flight. Guests can be the hero of their own comic book and take fun pictures in over 20 places that would look good on Instagram.
What do people go to Dallas for?
There are more than a dozen neighborhoods and districts in Dallas. Each one has its own feel and things to do. From amazing museums and theaters in the Arts District to cool bars with live music in Deep Ellum, there is something for everyone in Dallas.
What is Dallas known for?
The city is known for its cultural events, such as opera, ballet, musicals, and symphony concerts. The Kalita Humphreys Theater, which opened in 1959 and is part of the Dallas Theater Center and was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is one of the most famous buildings in the city.
Is downtown Dallas worth visiting?
Downtown Dallas is the place to be if you like museums. The natural world and historical events are shown in beautiful places all over Dallas. One of the best museums in Dallas is also the one that has the most connections to the city as a whole. This must-see place is on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository, which is an old building.
Why is Dallas so popular?
But this city has always been great for more than just business. Art, education, and sports have been important in Dallas since it was founded. In the 1920s and 1930s, people really liked popular music, and many of the best jazz and blues musicians played in Dallas.
Does Dallas have a beach?
White Rock Lake Park is the only beach in Dallas, and it is within the city limits. Even though you can’t swim at this beach, there are lots of fun family-friendly things to do there. From boating and canoeing to hiking, the beach area has a lot of cheap and free things to do.
Why is Dallas called the Big D?
In 1956, Big D became well-known because of a song that Bing Crosby sang in a musical. The song went, “Big D, little A, double L-A-S.” Since the early 1950s, Paul Crume’s column in the Dallas Morning News was called “Big D.” The name has stayed.
How close are Houston and Dallas?
The number of kilometers between Houston and Dallas is 363. (225 miles). It takes 385 kilometers to drive from Houston to Dallas (239 miles).
Can you take pictures in the Dallas Museum of Art?
In the Museum’s collection galleries, you can take both still photos and videos. The cameras must be held by hand and not have a flash. In special exhibitions, you can’t take pictures. Call the Rights and Reproductions Coordinator at 214-661-1780 if you want to use images of DMA artwork in a publication.
What is the best month to visit Dallas Texas?
The best time to go to Dallas–Fort Worth is between September and November when it’s not too hot, tourists have gone home, and the Texas State Fair is in full swing. Keep in mind that hotel prices can go up during Cowboys football season, especially in the Metroplex area.
How close is Dallas to the ocean?
People from Dallas often go to Galveston, a beautiful and historic island city just off the coast of Texas, to go to the beach. The distance is less than 270 miles.
How far is it from Dallas to the ocean?
In the southeast direction, it’s 279.47 miles from Dallas to Surfside Beach, and it’s 305 miles (490.85 kilometers) by car if you take the I-45 S route. If you drive from Dallas to Surfside Beach without stopping, it will take you 5 hours and 22 minutes. This is the quickest way to get from Dallas to Surfside Beach.
