Have you recently arrived in Dallas and you’re looking to get out and experience the sights, sounds and adventures of your new home?
Maybe you’ve lived in the Dallas Fort Worth area for a while now but you still haven’t taken advantage of all that your city has to offer. And even if you think you know your city well, you’re likely to find that there’s a lot you have left to discover for your or your family.
Whether or not you’re looking for things to do in Dallas for yourself or for your friends and family we’re here to help you find a new activity that you’ll love. After all, even if you have a set of activities you like to do yourself, these might not always be available depending on the weather, time of day, season, or a number of other factors. And it’s always good to have a backup plan—which is why we created this guide for you to easily allow you to stay informed about stuff to do in Dallas.
And it’s always good to keep an adventurous spirit when it comes to exploring your city -- you never know when you’re going to find your new favorite activity! There’s no reason that you shouldn’t experience the very best that your city has to offer.
Cowboys and Southern History: Fun Things to Do in Dallas
You may think that you have done everything there is to do in Dallas, but you likely have only begun to scratch the surface. But you want to make sure that you’re getting the best that Dallas has to offer.
That’s why this guide is here—to provide you with the top attractions in the Dallas Fort Worth area.
Dallas is a city with a rich history and culture, and there are certain top attractions that are a must-see. Dealey Plaza is one of the best places to go in Dallas to really appreciate the history of the city. This plaza has a number of landmarks that commemorate the day in which the U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
You can learn all about that event at the Sixth Floor Museum, which has a wealth of information about the President and his life and times.
There’s also the Reunion Tower, which is one of Dallas’ most instantly recognizable landmarks. This tower, also known as The Ball, is topped by a geodesic dome that lights up at night with over 200 LED lights. By taking the elevator to the GeO-Deck at the top, you’ll get one of the best views of Dallas that can be found anywhere. There’s also fine dining at the top, allowing you to get lunch or dinner while admiring the scenic skyline of Dallas.
If you have the chance, watch the Dallas Cowboys play at AT&T Stadium, one of the largest stadiums in the world. But even if you can’t get tickets to the Cowboys the stadium is still one of the best attractions in Dallas, with tours running daily.
If you’re looking for a neighborhood with live music, great food and one of the best vibes in Dallas, then you should check out Deep Ellum. Located close to downtown Dallas, this neighborhood has too many live music venues, craft bars and tasty eateries to count. And why wouldn’t you want to see a show from the city that produced musicians such as Demi Lovato, the Steve Miller Band and Usher?
Look out Families: Things to Do in Dallas with Kids
Whether you’re looking to entertain toddlers or teens, there’s no shortage of fun activities in the Dallas Fort Worth area for the whole family. And you don’t have to break the bank to have fun with your kids as well -- many of these options are very cost-effective.
There are a number of parks and green spaces within the city to take your children for some fun in the sun as well as relaxation. The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, known as one of the most elaborate botanical gardens in the country, allows you to see a variety of flowers and ornamental plants while also offering scavenger hunts and other activities for the kids.
And if you’ve been there already there’s the Fort Worth Botanic Garden as well, which offers a new variety of scenic walks for your family.
For a more hands-on experience, you can’t go wrong with Klyde Warren Park, located in the Dallas Arts District. With a number of different areas allocated for kids, including play structures, a splash pad and a butterfly garden, your toddlers and children will remain occupied for hours. There’s food for the whole family as well, with a variety of food trucks present all around the edges.
For adventurous children and teens looking for some excitement, there’s Trinity Forest Adventure Park, located just a few minutes away from downtown Dallas. Your kids can explore the seven acres of obstacle courses that this park provides with over twenty ziplines.
Adult Things to Do in Dallas
Although there’s a lot of stuff to do in Dallas with the kids, perhaps you’re looking to ditch them for a night out on the town. Or maybe you’re by yourself and looking for a good time out in Dallas.
The good news is that Dallas offers many opportunities for adults to have a good night out as well.
If you’re looking for good bars, there’s no shortage of those—including a number of cheap places that serve good food and drinks. The Deep Ellum neighborhood is one of the best places in Dallas to go if you’re looking for a good bar.
Some of the top bars there include Thunderbird, built out of a former service station, Ebb & Flow, and Elm & Good.
There’s also a great amount of culture in Dallas for you to experience. There’s a number of museums, like the Dallas Art Museum and the Nasher Sculpture Center in the Arts District, that allow you to experience a wide variety of cultures in one place.
There’s also the Dallas Theater Center for top quality drama and the Meyerson Symphony Center, where you can see the world-class Dallas Symphony Orchestra perform.
Free and Cheap Things to Do in Dallas
Looking for fun on a budget?
The good news is that there’s no shortage of fun activities for you to partake of in Dallas. Many of the sights in Downtown Dallas are inexpensive or simply free. For example, you can walk around the West End Historic District and see many of the landmarks for free, including the JFK Memorial. Then you can walk through the Dallas Farmers Market to take in the sights, sounds and smells and find food cheaply. The Klyde Warren Park is close by as well and allows you to spend an afternoon or evening without spending a cent—especially with children, who’ll love to explore the park.
The Dallas Museum of Art is free and open for the public, giving you a great opportunity for an inexpensive afternoon. The Crow Museum of Asian Art is also free, making the Arts District a great inexpensive destination.
And if you want to get out of the city, you can explore the surrounding vistas for free. The Trinity River Audubon Center is a great destination for hiking through the prairie and forests, especially if you like to birdwatch or take in the sights of nature.
Things to Do in Downtown Dallas
Downtown Dallas offers up a number of different opportunities for you to have an exciting night out on the town. There are a number of different districts in downtown Dallas, each with its own character and fun activities. You can visit the Arts District for visual and performing art, the historic West End, and the Farmers Market District among others.
As the name might suggest, the Arts District is the place to go in Dallas to take in art of all kinds. The Crow Museum of Asian Art showcases a wide variety of art from Asian cultures—and is free and open to the public. There’s also the Dallas Art Museum, which is one of the 10 largest art museums in the country and is sure to have whatever sort of art that you enjoy looking at. If sculptures are your thing then there’s also the Nasher Sculpture Center in this district as well.
If you’re looking to get some great food in downtown Dallas then look no further than the Farmer’s Market District.
This location features the Dallas Farmers Market, open seven days a week with healthy and sustainable food from local farmers. This district also features 29 other shops and restaurants, leaving you with many options to get a good meal or take some healthy food home.
If you or your companions are into history then the West End Historic District is great for learning about Dallas’ past. Are you interested in learning more about the fascinating history surrounding President John F. Kennedy, who met his tragic end in Dallas? Visit the John F. Kennedy Memorial or travel to the Sixth Floor Museum to learn more about the life and death of President John F. Kennedy, or visit the Old Red Museum to learn about the rich history of Dallas itself. Alternately, visit Wild Bill’s Western Store for classic Texas style.
Things to Do in Dallas at Night: Dates, Urban Centers and More
While the day might be ending, the fun doesn’t need to stop in Dallas. There’s a number of fun things to do in the Dallas Fort Worth area during the night, and many of them are cheap and affordable for you or your loved ones.
To take in the city at night, there’s no better place to do it than in the air. For that, you want the Dallas Reunion Tower.
This Dallas landmark has a prominent place on the skyline, so it isn’t hard to find and offers some of the best views of the city. Additionally, there are fine dining options at the top of the tower, making the evening the best time to visit the tower. Who can resist a good meal with panoramic views of Dallas around them?
If you’re looking to get some late night shopping in, there are a number of malls and shopping centers open late in Dallas. The North Park Center, Galleria Dallas and West Village Uptown Dallas are all open until 9 pm on the weekday. There are a number of museums that stay open late as well, including the Dallas Museum of Art on every third Friday when they host unique shows until midnight.
And you can always go and catch a show at the Dallas Comedy House if you’re looking to see some top quality improv or hear some good Texan music at some of Dallas’ smaller venues like the House of Blues, Trees or the Bomb Factory. There are always theater performances going as well in venues like the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre or Music Hall at Fair Park.
There's always more to do during the day, though, so don't stay up so late that you miss the early morning fun. Whether it's going for a jog in Klyde Warren Park or getting breakfast at the Dallas Farmers' Market, there's plenty to do in Dallas in the day as well.
Date Night Alert: Things to Do for Couples
Are you looking to show that special someone in your life a good time in Dallas? Maybe you’re dating someone who’s new to the city, or you’re looking for a new activity to spice up your dating life.
There’s no shortage of fun places to take your date in Dallas, so even if you think you’ve exhausted the list of your possibilities, you’re likely to find a new chance for a romantic time out.
If you’re looking for live music, then Dallas offers up a number of romantic opportunities to take in a good time with music and dancing. Legacy Food Hall, Eight11 Place, Lava Cantina, Love and War in Texas, Blue Martini, and the Rustic are some of the best places to go on a date for live music and dancing.
If you’re looking for a more unique experience, why not go ice-skating year-round? The Galleria Dallas Ice Skating Center is a great place to take your date for a fun time on the ice, whether or not you know how to skate. And for the adventurous sort, why not try indoor skydiving? Head to iFly for a thrill unlike what you’ve experienced before.
When it comes to a romantic night out, there’s no reason that you can’t try something new with what Dallas has to offer.
Cool Things to Do in Dallas: Exciting, Unique Activities
Are you looking for something unique in Dallas that you haven’t experienced before? Dallas has a lot of the usual attractions, but it also has some unique, wild, and cool features that you simply can’t find anywhere else. You have to get a photo next to the “Eye” Sculpture, a giant sculpture of an eyeball downtown that is becoming recognized as a Dallas landmark. And if you’re in Deep Ellum, you have to see the sculpture of the Traveling Man, a giant metal robot that has become emblematic of the artistic neighborhood.
For a sight you can’t find anywhere else, try the Chapel of Thanksgiving at Thanks-Giving Square. This chapel, featuring beautiful stained-glass art, looks pretty drab from the outside. But when you enter you’ll be stunned by the colors inside. This chapel is non-denominational and open to all faiths.
And for green spaces, you can’t beat the Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas. This city park is simply one of a kind. Built over a freeway, this park is a unique oasis amid all the skyscrapers. You can get there on the historical M Line Trolley, which is a unique experience itself.
Things to Do in Dallas – Indoor or Outdoors
If you or your family are looking to stay indoors on a rainy day or when the weather isn’t good for outside activities, you can still have a great deal of fun. There’s a number of different museums, exhibitions and other indoor attractions that will amaze you and your kids. The Dallas World Aquarium has a wide variety of marine life -- including the opportunity to walk through a glass tunnel where sharks swim overhead.
And when the weather takes a turn, why not stop at the zoo? The Dallas Zoo offers the chance to see over 2,000 different animals, boasting the largest selection of different animals and species in the State of Texas. If you’re looking for a new zoo to take your children to, you can try the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center as well.
For museums, a can’t miss stop for all families is the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. This science museum includes a number of exhibits targeted especially at children and showcases a wide variety of subjects including a dinosaur fossil dig and a five-foot geode as part of the mineral gallery. The Perot Museum is also a great place to go by yourself or on a date, as they often have special programming for adults only. Another museum you and your kids may enjoy is the National Videogame Museum.
There, your kids can play a variety of retro games on classic equipment they likely can’t find anywhere else, and you can get the chance to play the video games of your childhood you haven’t seen in years.
Maybe your family is looking to find some fun in the water.
For that, you can head to Pirates Cove Waterpark or Epic Waters Indoor Park and have fun on the waterslides, pools and rides. Alternately, you can check out the local amusement parks including Six Flags over Texas and Hurricane Harbor for some old-fashioned fun on the roller coasters and rides.
As this guide shows you, there is truly no end to the activities and fun times that you can have in Dallas with your family, loved ones, or just by yourself.
Hopefully, you’ve learned about some of the best that your city has to offer and have some new ideas for the next top attraction that you want to visit. And remember that many of these options are free or cheap. You don’t have to break the bank to have a good time in Dallas. And you don’t have to keep going back to the same old attractions with such a wide variety available for you.