Dallas, rich in history and dramatic mythologies, is a city built upon tales of wild cowboys and cheerleading pomp.
Dallas, Texas, a city that has so far evaded the downtrend of most oil-based industries, is known for its glimmer and glam.
Go shopping at Uptown, sway to the jazz-filled Deep Ellu, or have fun at Bishop Arts District, a place teeming with indie cafés and boutiques.
Interested to know more about this stunning place?
Here are the 35 best things to do in Dallas, Texas:
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The State Fair of Texas is a month-long event that captures the spirit of Dallas.
As the massive Big Tex mascot beckons, roll into the high energy generated by the flock of visitors from across the country.
Imagine acres of everything good – greasy street food, events, bombastic concerts, and rides.
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Meander between the countless stalls and attractions and prepare to splash out on quick bites and kitschy souvenirs.
Running from September to October yearly, the State Fair of Texas is worth scheduling your vacation around.
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Located dab smack in uptown Dallas – in fact, poised over a freeway – you’re hard-pressed to find a green space like Klyde Warren Park.
Unique positioning aside, it is also highly accessible.
You can enjoy a casual stroll before helping yourself to one of the many food trucks and restaurants around the perimeter.
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With multiple entertainments, Klyde Warren Park has a mini-amphitheater, storytelling tree, chess, table tennis corner, and a dog park.
Mingle with the locals and maybe catch a fun dance lesson or concert!
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Dallas Museum of Art is a multiple-time to-visit attraction–not only because entry is free.
Travel back thousands of years by scouring through some 23,000 artworks.
These strands of history are pieced together through galleries featuring Greek and Roman art and their African, Western European, Asian, and American counterparts.
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Within the collection are masterpieces by Monet, Picasso, and Gauguin.
You can even dip your feet into fashion by visiting the recreated rooms of Coco Chanel.
Dallas Museum of Art is a must-see for everyone.
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Swerve around John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza for a bite of history – not only is it considered the “birthplace” of Dallas, but it is also the assassination site of John F. Kenney.
Designated as a historical landmark in 1993, many tourists wander around this neighborhood to observe the old structures that date back to the 1800s.
The plaza itself houses monuments around its perimeter in honor of prominent residents.
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Not only does this Dallas stand out with its unique architectural design, but it is also the city’s 15th tallest building.
Marking over 500 feet, Reunion Tower is recognizable by its spherical head.
Take to the tower’s revolving platform for a 360-degree view of the city and complement your sightseeing tour with a good lunch.
It’s the perfect midday stop to fuel up and peer out.
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Get an alternate view from Chase Tower’s Sky Lobby if you’d rather not pay for the classic Reunion Tower visit.
Look over the city’s avenues and collages of architecture from 40 stories up, the ceiling-to-floor glass windows providing great angles for your cinematographic shot.
In fact, try and pinpoint attractions close to you.
It is an excellent way to narrow down your itinerary for the day.
Or, if you’re there at night, track the route you’ve taken and recount the fun activities you’ve accomplished.
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There’s always that one neighborhood that overloads on nostalgic charm and hipster vibes; in Dallas, welcome to Bishop Arts District.
Not only was it a busy trolley stop in the 1930s, but its historic roots also dig deep in antique shops.
Pop in and out of the independent boutiques that line the streets, and flash your cameras at the vibrant street art.
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Taste test at any of the restaurants, bars, and coffee shops or simply wander around the district.
A comfortable cluster of to-see and to-eat, it is the perfect area to wind down after a day of busy exploration.
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Photographers alert! Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge is your destination of the day.
Not only is it the perfect place for a picture of the Dallas skyline, but its steel arch and cables also make for great subjects.
It also bridges restaurant hubs such as Trinity Groves and Sylvan 30.
After getting that requisite city shot, head to Trinity Groves for lively music and food.
Mexican, Asian, vegan, or seafood, they have it all.
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Suitable for all ages, Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a solid itinerary choice if you’d like to add some science-ing to your adventures.
You will love it for the hands-on experiences, all 11 permanent exhibition halls combine video and informative displays with simulations, educational games, and other interactive initiatives.
There is also an impressive 35-foot fossil and a collection of robots that children flock to, conveniently grouped at the children’s museum.
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Seated in a brown blocky building is the Sixth Floor Museum dedicated to President John F. Kennedy.
An interactive classroom that details his early life, presidential run, and later assassination is worth a visit for anyone wanting to learn more about American history.
You can take a self-guided audio tour, and even stand at the window from which the fatal shot was fired.
Round off the visit with quiet contemplation at the building’s café or book-filled gift shop.
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Stunning features decorate the grounds of Nasher Sculpture Center, totaling over 300 statues crafted by Picasso, Rodin, Matisse, and their contemporaries.
Wander indoors and outdoors with your camera at the ready, but also learn more about the craft itself!
The venue is also beautifully designed, a project headed by the prolific Renzo Piano, who worked on other international architectures.
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Look no further than White Rock Lake Park if you’re seeking a taste of wildlife in the middle of an urban jungle.
The broad roaming grounds allow plenty of space to run about, making it a popular venue for events and special runs.
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The lake, after which the park is named, also offers various things to do, including kayaking and canoeing and quiet banks to bird watch from.
Sweat it out on the hiking and biking trails or explore the wetlands; you can also settle down for a languid picnic.
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There is much to do in Fair Park, but a slot in Dallas Music Hall is a must-visit attraction.
Seating over 3000 audiences, this performing arts facility is impressive in capacity and design; its Spanish Baroque exterior, and capped towers exude a magical aura, as do its arched pillars and extended porch.
Attend events, lectures, concerts, and other performances – there is no shortage of events all year round.
If you can, try catching a Broadway show or opera to recognize the venue’s potential fully.
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For general time consumption and no-fuss eating options, head to NorthPark Center for the typical shopping experience.
However, its sheer size makes it stand out; it is the second-largest shopping hub in Texas.
Browse the racks at North Face or buy new kicks at Nike, or maybe you’d prefer to check out Tesla’s latest wheels.
Whether you’re there for some retail time or need a place to kick back, NorthPark Center has everything you need.
There’s even a courtyard with carefully curated art pieces if you need fresh air.
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From live music venues to speakeasies and tattoo bars, Deep Ellum has the soul and look of an artsy persona.
A historic district founded in 1873, it has long established its reputation as the entertainment collective in town.
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Stumble through its street art-marked blocks for many restaurants, fun venues, small businesses, and vibrant galleries.
You never know what you might stumble over, but Deep Ellum is ready to keep you busy; perhaps you’ll settle in a rooftop bar and sigh over city views, or maybe you’ll be lulled into a salsa bar, living up the Dallas candor.
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Do you want to see layered tiers of colors?
To see cherry blossoms fanning out over carefully trimmed bonsai and patches of tulips carpeting the ensemble?
Drop by Dallas Arboretum and Botanic Gardens for 66 acres of flowery interest, foliage changing with the seasons.
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Picnic areas dot the grounds, allowing for hours of relaxing in manicured nature.
Since no active sports are allowed, you’ll find it the perfect space for peace.
It is also a great spot to bring kids, thanks to the fun play and exploration area in the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden and a Children’s Garden Café.
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Dallas World Aquarium is unique because it covers all ground between saltwater and freshwater ecosystems, bringing you aquatic life and those that survive around it.
Open your eyes to the exhibits’ five worlds: Mundo Maya, Orinoco, South Africa, Borneo, and the Aquarium.
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From our feathery friends to hanging sloths and the colorful species that hide in corals, Dallas World Aquarium is a see-all place where conservation is the main focus.
Sit in on feeding and talk sessions to learn more about this wildlife and the efforts to protect them.
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There is no district more vibrant than Uptown, recognized for its many shops, eateries, nightlife destinations, and other entertainment venues.
Catch a game at Victory Park or spend some time around West Village, which presents a large concentration of outdoor boutiques and yummy eats.
The cuisine is also dynamic, serving up Japanese sushi, oyster bars, poke bowls, tacos, and Moroccan styles; there are patio bars, music lounges, craft breweries, and fancy cocktail spaces to round off your nights.
Look no further for art perusal, for Uptown is home to art galleries, Magnolia Theatre, and the Museum of Geometric & MADI Art.
You ask for it, and Uptown will have it.
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If you’ve ever dreamed of taking to the skies, Frontiers of Flight Museum proves that dreams can come true.
Browse through the 13 galleries displaying over 30 exhibits, which showcase hundreds of aircraft models from small-scale space vehicles to full-sized planes.
You won’t miss the Wright brother’s 1903 Wright Flyer nor the dedicated section to Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, and other flight pioneers.
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A range of military aircraft is lined up according to their battle eras, leading up to a space flight exhibit.
This museum is like a runway to the future of aviation.
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Please stop at Pioneer Plaza and pose with the hardiest of them all; these life-sized Dallas Cattle Drive Sculptures are plucked out of your cowboy dreams.
From trail drivers to mid-action cowboys, longhorn cattle to galloping horses, the statue-dotted square is something out of an old western.
Commissioned by a real estate developer, the statues have long become a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike.
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From being the first self-contained shopping center to a first-class shopping haven, Highland Park Village is the go-to for a particular retail session.
While you can indulge in the more straightforward (and less costly) pleasure of eating at its varied restaurants and cafés, this upscale plaza is for avid shoppers.
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Channeling the sharp style of a fashion editor, it is home to luxury brands such as Hermes, Alexander McQueen, and Christian Louboutin, outfitted with the trendiest clothing and shoes.
Here you’ll find the promised glitz and glam of Dallas.
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Burn off your energy on this famous trail, which stretches out along the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad.
Mingle with the joggers, the inline skaters, and those on bicycles at a comfortable pace.
Since there are separate paths for bikers, don’t worry about swerving out of the way and breaking your rhythm.
There are also stopover spaces and nearby restaurants whenever you need a rest; jogging this trail is an easy way to stay in shape through all munching you’ll be doing!
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No one would have expected the Texas Theatre to be the hiding and arrest spot for President John F. Kennedy’s assassin. Still, it has subsequently gained historical fame after the 1963 incident.
The somewhat unassuming exterior also fails to reveal that it is the first of its kind in Dallas to offer air conditioning and other modern luxuries – although the foyer’s vintage Pac-Man game is exactly what you come to expect.
Drop by if you have some time to spare and catch a movie (or a special event).
Adventure Landing is precisely what it sounds like – a fun complex brimming with exciting activities and family-friendly entertainment.
Try your hand at either of the three mini-golf courses (or all of them), or split into teams for laser tag.
The mega arcade will take you through your favorite childhood games while adrenaline junkies can hop on go-karts.
The kids will love splashing about the bumper boats and challenging home runs at the batting cages; snack bars and other food services are available on-site when they feel peckish.
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One of Dallas’ earliest public parks, Fair Park, is more known for hosting the 1889 Dallas State Fair.
Its original 80-acre expanse was enlarged to 277 when the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition came around; now, the estate serves as a recreational and educational complex.
The park is for aesthetic relaxation, from art deco buildings to fresh lawns, unusual art-in-nature installations, and a lagoon.
Stroll around if you have time to spare and explore the Texas Discovery Gardens.
The Children’s Museum and Dallas Music Hall will keep you occupied with their various to-see and frequent showcases.
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Legoland Discovery Center is everything you have dreamed of as a child and everything a child still dreams of.
Comprised of rides, diverse build, play areas, and a 4D cinema, this complex will have you designing life-sized models in no time.
Children and adults alike will also have a blast on the extended factory tour, where you’ll see just how Lego are made.
It’s a great activity to fill up an afternoon.
It’s time to play an extra in a historical drama!
Fall into the storyline and play the role of a royal banquet guest; a spectacular show has been prepared to accompany your four-course dinner.
Watch as brave knights clash on horseback, jousting it out for the hand of the princess.
Then come the falcons, swooping in to amaze you with their regal flight. The Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament is dining and entertainment wrapped in one.
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The Museum of Biblical Art shows art with a Biblical subject in a lovely setting.
It has welcomed more than 50,000 visitors yearly since Mattie Caruth Byrd established it in 1966.
The Museum still upholds its reputation as a preeminent institution in Dallas-Fort Worth’s community of artists and educators.
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Eleven galleries and other top pilgrimage attractions are inside the gorgeously renovated Museum.
The Museum of Biblical Art Dallas provides various events, field trips, and activities for art lovers of all ages, ideologies, and origins.
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Follow the path of historical occurrences that led to the president’s death and the events that followed the killing at the JFK Tour.
As part of the bust tour, they unload from the vehicle at a few different places to tell the story’s key moments.
Visitors take a three- or four-block stroll in the historic West End as part of the walking tour.
The tour program begins at the JFK Memorial, where the group meets the visitors.
In addition to being subject matter specialists, the tour leaders are fantastic storytellers.
Hotel ZaZa Dallas, located in the hip Uptown district, provides business and leisure guests with an amazing hotel experience and a wealth of advantages.
This distinctive option amid Dallas boutique hotels provides stunning bedrooms and conceptual suites, prize-winning restaurants, a lively nightlife, and a soothing day spa.
It strikes the ideal balance between Mediterranean sophistication and cozy charm.
At ZaSpa, rejuvenate with a calming massage and reviving facial.
The Hotel ZaZa is the perfect location to easily and stylishly celebrate life’s significant milestones!
They can handle all the arrangements for your wedding, reunion, birthday celebration, and more.
The purpose of Ascend Camp & Retreat Center is to offer memorable experiences that change the lives of people who participate in it.
Ascend Camp & Retreat Center is the best place to go whether you’re planning to organize a family gathering, a Christmas party for your business, or simply a special occasion!
The camp facilities include a dining hall with indoor and outside seating, a pool with a stunning 5000 square foot new deck, sports grounds, and more.
The communal areas have bonfire pits, playgrounds, pavilions, amphitheaters, public bathrooms, and much more.
Every cabin on Ascend Camp & Retreat Center has temperature control, bunk beds, and a full set of showers.
Spacious and open, Ascend Camp & Retreat Center offers a variety of ways to enjoy the sunshine and pleasure.
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The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum’s advanced knowledge of the American presidency explores when President Bush served and offered access to his administration’s relevant documents and memorabilia.
Public access is available at Library and Museum, while The Research Room is only accessible by appointment.
Visitors can access many presidential documents for study, teaching, and informational reasons.
Explore the fascinating materials in this historical archive.
Discover American history, the American Presidency, and significant public policy concerns.
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Chances are you’ve heard of Six Flags Over Texas.
Luckily for you, Arling, near Dallas, has Six Flags to satisfy your heart-thumping need for a thrill.
Dangle from new heights and scream as you turn upside down – there is no time for hesitation.
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From classics such as the Texas Giant and the Titan to hair-raising rides as twisted as their namesakes (a.k.a The Joker and Harley Quinn Spinsanity), there is no shortage of airborne challenges.
If you want to enjoy the ambiance without turning your stomach over, game stalls and milder rides keep you occupied.
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It goes without saying that if you’re in Dallas between April and September, you must try catching a game at Globe Life Park.
And no baseball experience is complete without its home treats, so help yourself to the Dilly Dog, a hot dog special that burrows in a deep-fried pickle.
Not quite your thing? Maybe the chili, cheese, and onion-topped Boomstick will have you in arms instead.
With that 2-feet long challenge in hand, you’re bound to muster up some loud cheers for the home team.
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If you’ve heard of Texas, you probably have listened to AT&T Stadium too.
While it isn’t the biggest sporting venue in town, it’s one of the most well-known. If you are lucky, catch the home team Dallas Cowboys (or Jerry World) in a game, or go ahead and tour the stadium off-hours.
You will be taken through the dressing rooms, other critical locations, and even onto the field.
Snap a video and show everyone just how fast your dash is!
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Dallas is the perfect destination for you if you’ve come seeking a place to relax, take a break from your demanding work, and just savor a setting with enjoyable indoor and outdoor activities.
It features a downtown Arts District crammed with galleries, theaters, and outdoor sculptures.
The restaurant scene features a variety of cuisines, including Tex-Mex, BBQ, rooftop bars, and uptown grandeur.
Don’t miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure; book a trip to Dallas right now!
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