Cedar Hill is a refreshing scene outside the busy Dallas and Fort Worth metropolis.
This city was founded in 1846 by a group of settlers from Peters Colony who traveled south of Dallas to start a new life.
This small Texan City sandwiched between the Dallas and Ellis Counties is an excellent destination for various reasons.
One, it’s conveniently nestled just outside Dallas and Fort Worth.
Second, it has plenty of charming natural attractions that are excellent places to reconnect with nature—Cedar Hill has 32 parks that make up its greenbelt system encompassing over 2,480 acres.
With all that in mind, this city is a haven for outdoor adventurers.
Read on to discover the best things to do in Cedar Hill, Texas!
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Located on FM1382, Cedar Hill State Park encompasses 1,826 acres of natural area and wildlife habitat.
It’s an excellent place to immerse yourself in nature or escape the stressful city life.
This natural attraction offers some of the best outdoor activities you’ll find in the area.
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People often visit this park for hiking, mountain biking, camping, birdwatching, boating, fishing, and even a simple picnic with nature.
Regardless of your preferred outdoor activity, Cedar Hill State Park has something exciting waiting for you.
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Cedar Hill Roller Skating Rink may not be as famous as modern clubs, but it remains a gem in its community.
This famous attraction is situated on North Main Street.
It’s the oldest running roller skating rink in Texas, making it a more special place to visit.
Offering visitors a nostalgic experience of how people had fun back in the day, the retro-style rink has provided locals with entertainment since 1956.
Like most indoor skating rinks, Cedar Hill Roller Skating Rink has colorful disco lights and loud music that will surely improve everyone’s mood.
Cedar Hill boasts an upscale entertainment and leisure destination called Hillside Village.
This regional shopping mall is situated along FM 1382 and features a 615,000-square-foot open-air facility.
It houses over 60 retail stores and restaurants, making it one of the premier shopping destinations outside the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
While shopping, you’ll come across mainstream brands such as Victoria’s Secret, H&M, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dillard’s, Old Navy, Hollister, Barnes & Noble, Bath & Body Works, Champ’s, American Eagle, Versona, and plenty more.
Besides shops, Hillside Village houses an eclectic collection of fast food chains and gourmet restaurants to choose from after shopping.
You’ll also appreciate its charming outdoor landscape filled with boutique-style shops, fountains, and manicured gardens.
Take a historical side trip to the Cedar Hill Museum of History along Texas Street.
This museum, which opened in 2006, is a fascinating place to learn, explore, and imagine the history of Cedar Hill.
It has various exhibits displaying different historical artifacts, including a 50-foot-long prehistoric lizard fossil uncovered in Dallas County.
At the same time, you can also recount relevant events such as the 1856 tornado and the 1932 First State Bank Robbery of the notorious Bonnie and Clyde.
A visit to the Cedar Hill Museum of History gives you an excellent insight into the city’s fascinating history.
You’ll also learn a bunch of stuff along the way through its guided tours.
The Red Oak Creek Trail is a short hiking trail that is part of the extensive greenbelt of Cedar Hill.
This three-mile trail connects the various outdoor and natural attractions.
While hiking, it will take you to Virginia Weaver Park, Cedar Hill Recreation Center, Cedar Trails Greenbelt, and Dot Thomas Park.
It’s perfect for those who want to explore Cedar Hill on foot and enjoy sceneries.
It has a paved trail making it convenient for hikers of all ages to traverse them.
At the same time, you can stop at these parks and recreation centers for some worthwhile activities if you want to enjoy the experience even more.
Further down, the route leads to a high school stadium where local sports events regularly happen.
The Red Oak Creek Trail offers everyone a worthwhile trip through the city’s inner community.
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Joe Pool Lake encompasses over 7,740 acres and is located within Cedar Hill State Park.
Anglers from the Dallas and Ellis Counties converge at this premier fishing location to try their luck.
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This lake teems with largemouth bass, white bass, white crappie, channel catfish, and bluegill.
It’s an ideal spot to cast your line, relax, and patiently wait for the fish to bite.
Besides fishing, you’ll also appreciate Joe Pool Lake’s peaceful solitude, fresh air, and natural beauty.
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Dot Thomas Park is one of the many parks you’ll come across in the city.
This one is particularly convenient and peaceful to visit if you want to chill and pass the time.
You can find this park along South Clark Road.
You’ll enjoy over 6.5 acres of a lush green field, perfect for picnicking and other outdoor activities.
Like most parks, Dot Thomas Park features picnic tables, concession stands, a short hiking trail, numerous sports fields for softball and baseball, and a playground.
At the same time, hikers can proceed to explore the Red Oak Creek Trail since this park is part of its route.
The Lester Lorch Park-Beaver Disc Golf Course is a vast 18-hole disc golf course along Texas Plume Road.
It’s nestled in a nature preserve with natural landscapes.
Thanks to its location, it has a technical layout that many disc golfers describe as a challenging course.
This place is also an excellent choice for those who want to have a side trip with nature since this golf course teems with local wildlife.
If you’re an avid disc golfer or want to learn this unique sport, visit the Lester Lorch Park – Beaver Disc Golf Course and conquer its scenic landscape.
Check out Altitude Trampoline Park Cedar Hill for a fun-filled activity with kids.
This massive indoor trampoline park is situated along West Belt Line Road No.2.
It features over 20,000 square feet of various themed trampoline facilities.
With various trampolines for dodgeball, basketball, and acrobatics, it’s a nice place to bounce around with your loved ones.
More activities await at Altitude Trampoline Park Cedar Hill, so don’t forget this exciting place to include in your itinerary.
Situated along FM 1382, Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center is a wildlife sanctuary teeming with Texas’s local flora and fauna.
It’s one of Cedar Hill’s perfect places for nature-tripping, either by yourself, with your family, or with friends.
This natural attraction lets you see a wide array of common and rare plants and animals, including the rare black-chinned hummingbird.
You can explore over 200 acres of unspoiled wildlife habitat and spot various animals and plants along the way.
So, pack your binoculars and camera to complete your wildlife experience at Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center.
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The Historic Downtown Cedar Hill lets you travel back to the city’s humble beginnings.
Like most historic downtowns, this one features some of its most charming and well-preserved historical buildings.
At the same time, you’ll enjoy shopping, dining, and other leisure activities while strolling down the streets.
Downtown Cedar Hill has shops, restaurants, and cafes primarily housed in centuries-old buildings, making it a fascinating place in the city to explore.
If you’re looking for unique souvenirs, check out the antique shops and jewelry stores.
You’ll surely enjoy reading the historical markers of the old buildings you’ll come across; there’s also the option to step inside them and uncover their fascinating backstories.
Charles Baldwin Stadium, the home field of the Cedar Hill TLC Tigers, hosts the city’s heart-pumping high school football games.
If you’re a football fan, this is your go-to place.
This generously sized stadium can accommodate as many as 3,500 people.
At the same time, various sports events also take place at Charles Baldwin Stadium, making it an ideal place for sports enthusiasts.
Find this sports stadium along Essex Drive.
Windmill Hill Nature Preserve is a 75-acre natural area along North Duncanville Road.
It mainly features pristine rolling hills, wooded areas, a creek, and meadows for various outdoor activities.
Hiking, biking, and nature viewing are some of the most famous activities you’ll enjoy at this natural attraction.
Most people visit this place for off-road mountain biking.
You can hook up with the Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association to guide you during your biking adventure at this place.
Windmill Hill Nature Preserve has rocky and steep terrains at some parts, making it a bit challenging to traverse.
You can also find the Stevie Ray Vaughn Memorial Bridge along the bike route, giving you a bit of a historical side trip.
Penn Farm Agricultural History Center pays homage to Texas’ agricultural scene back in the day.
John Anderson Penn settled in Cedar Hill in 1854 and established a cattle and horse farm; this museum preserves what’s left of this farm.
While touring, you’ll come across various exhibits that give you a glimpse of the simple farm life in Cedar Hill.
At the same time, you’ll also find various old farm machinery used in the past.
If you’re up for a more historical side trip, Penn Farm Agricultural History Center has other exhibits and historic buildings from the 1800s.
People often book this place for wedding pictorials, engagements, and family photo shoots because of its scenic backdrops.
The Cedar Hill Farmers Market is one of the attractions in the historic downtown area.
It’s where you’ll find some of the city’s best locally grown products and fresh produce.
At the same time, you’ll enjoy munching baked goodies and canned products from local vendors.
If you’re looking for unique souvenirs or accessories, various handcrafted items are available at this farmer’s market.
Catch the Cedar Hill Farmers Market on select days from June to October.
Have you chosen the attractions you’ll visit after reading about the best things to do in Cedar Hill, Texas?
This charming suburban city offers a refreshing travel experience—don’t miss out on a chance to visit!
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