Key Takeaways
- Dallas has something for everyone, from family-friendly getaways to rocking nightlife and sublime shopping.
- The city’s public transport systems make it easy to move between one attraction and the next.
- Museums, parks, food, sports, and music are just the tip of the iceberg for Dallas attractions.
Dallas is not known as the Big D for nothing. Things to do in Dallas include a world-class arts scene, family-friendly attractions, beautiful parks, and fantastic food and drink. If you’re more of an outdoors person, there’s plenty to do — gardens, bike trails, and walking loops are just a few examples.
This guide will cover the best things to do in Dallas, which is perfect for residents and visitors alike. Discover hip neighborhoods, food trucks, museums, and how to travel back to Dallas’ ranching days.
Things To Do in Dallas, Texas: What Can’t I Miss?
Some of the city’s most famous attractions include:
- The 28-block, 68-acre Dallas Arts District is a downtown arts hub with museums, opera, a symphony center, and more.
- The Reunion Tower and its 360-degree panoramic views from its GeO-Deck observation point.
- Klyde Warren Park with its food trucks and green spaces.
- The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza chronicles the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
- The Texas State Fair showcases the best of the traditional Texas lifestyle, with shows and fair attractions for everyone. It’s usually held on the last Friday in September for just over three weeks.
What Are the Must-Visit Attractions in Dallas?
More must-visit attractions in Dallas include:
- Dallas Zoo is one of the country’s largest zoos and houses animals from around the globe. Do you prefer marine life? Try the Dallas World Aquarium.
- The Dallas Museum of Art has a collection that spans many periods and styles, from the ancient to the contemporary.
- The AT&T Stadium is home to NFL football and the Dallas Cowboys. For NBA basketball, head to the American Airlines Center to watch the Dallas Mavericks or the Dallas Stars for NHL ice hockey fans.
- The 66-acre Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden offers peace and tranquility to Texans and guests through its breathtaking displays.
Are There Any Notable Museums or Art Galleries in Dallas?
Dallas is full of fantastic museums and art galleries apart from the Dallas Museum of Art. There is something for everyone among these hallowed halls, from the Spanish art of the Meadows Museum in the Highland Park area to the Asian works and peaceful gardens at the Crow Museum of Asian Art.
The Sixth Floor Museum
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is in the former Texas School Book Depository. It’s where you can learn about the JFK assassination. See the spot from where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the deadly shots at President John F. Kennedy and explore the events of a day that shook the world.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science explores the boundaries of human scientific knowledge in an educational and entertaining way for all ages. Go prehistoric in the T-rex room, travel to Mars with the Mars Rover, or unlock the mysteries of our existence in just some of the displays.
George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
George W. Bush was America’s president for eight years, presiding over monumental moments that defined national and worldwide events. This museum covers that period, with exhibits about the 9/11 attacks, the ensuing War on Terror, and much more.
Frontiers of Flight Museum
The Frontiers of Flight Museum is for aviation and space enthusiasts. It covers more than 100 years of human flight, from early designs to exhibits to the Apollo 7 space mission and aircraft’s role in conflicts.
African American Museum of Dallas
The African American Museum of Dallas has curated one of America’s largest collections of African American Folk Art, including paintings, African art, and Black Renaissance paintings.
Nasher Sculpture Center
Modern art meets contemporary sculptures at the 55,000-square-foot Nasher Sculpture Center. The center’s glass facades give continual views of the sculptures throughout the gallery, including a garden.
Which Outdoor Parks and Recreational Areas Are Popular in Dallas?
Discover the outdoors within Dallas-Fort Worth’s metropolitan boundaries through its plentiful parks and green spaces. Biking, hiking, and even kayaking are all on the menu for people who love to be outside while staying within the city limits.
Klyde Warren Park
Downtown Dallas boasts the lush and green Klyde Warren Park. People use this space for picnics, enjoying live music, walking their dogs, eating alfresco, or simply relaxing. There are playground areas for kids, including fountains, interactive storytelling sessions for children, and even a Butterfly Garden. Create a beautiful selfie among the manicured trees and arched lamps that make Klyde Warren Park unique. Foodies love the Food Truck lane, with everything from corn dogs to tacos.
Katy Trail
The historic Katy Trail runs along a 3.5-mile former railway line. Instead of puffing steam trains, you’ll find bike and walking paths through verdant trees and blooming plants.
White Rock Lake Park, Dallas
Over 1,000 acres at White Rock Lake have created an explosion of outdoor activities. The lake’s shimmering blue waters are ripe for a kayak, canoe, or paddle board ride while others run, bike, or hike its shores. There’s a waterpark, athletics tracks, and even a golf course.
Some folks enjoy fishing the calm waters, while others immerse themselves in the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, which is situated here. The serene atmosphere makes this a popular picnic spot.
Trinity River
The 710-mile Trinity River winds through Dallas, creating a natural visitor attraction. Dine at a river-view restaurant, hike the mile-long Texas Buckeye Trail, or bike the nine-mile Great Trinity Forest path.
Which Neighborhoods Are Known for Their Unique Vibe and Attractions?
There are 21 City of Dallas Landmark Districts. Here’s the lowdown on some of our favorites.
The Dallas Arts District is a walkable and lively cultural hotspot. Restaurants and food trucks keep the cultural fans going. Here are a few of the Art District’s attractions:
- Dallas Museum of Art
- Crow Museum of Asian Art
- Klyde Warren Park
- Meyerson Symphony Center
- Strauss Square
- The Dallas Opera
- Winspear Opera House
- Wyly Theatre
Deep Ellum (aka Deep Elm)
Deep Ellum is right in Dallas’s old industrial heart. This former warehouse district is now more of a cultural passageway to the best of Dallas cool.
Also known as Deel Elm, this area has striking street murals, boutique shops, funky eateries, and lively bars. There are many live music venues and nightclubs, like the Bomb Factory, plus edgy performance art programs at the Undermain Theater.
Support local artists, purchase contemporary art at Kettle Art, and check out more artwork at The Power Station or The Umbrella Gallery. If all that makes you thirsty, brewpubs and cocktail bars will boost you, as will the many Tex-Mex joints.
Uptown Nightlife
Bar hopping is easy along McKinney Avenue in Dallas’ uptown area dotted with lounges, bars, and restaurants. As the night lingers, clubs like Parliament, It’ll DO Club, and The Mansion Bar open their doors for those looking to party the night away.
West Village
West Village mixes residential living over and above retail outlets and restaurants to bring a laid-back but active pulse to locals. The Katy Trail nearby offers a release in case West Village’s numerous spas and wellness centers can’t. Stayed out too long after shopping? There are numerous rooftop bars, wine bars, and live music venues to suit your mood.
Dealey Plaza National Historic Landmark District
Dealey Plaza features a high concentration of some of the best things to do in Dallas. There’s the Sixth Floor Museum, plus the 360-degree panoramic views from the GeO-Deck of Reunion Tower, Dallas’ iconic landmark.
Take a pic at the nearby Giant Eyeball sculpture or visit the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. The Dallas World Aquarium and Museum of Illusions are also within this area.
If you’re staying in downtown Texas, walk east a block from Dealey Plaza to find Pioneer Plaza. This large public park contains a wonderful cattle drive sculpture of Texas Longhorn cows and the Pioneer Park cemetery.
Can You Recommend Family-Friendly Activities and Attractions?
Aside from those mentioned already, Dallas is packed with family-friendly attractions.
For amusement parks, Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington has world-class roller coasters among its 100-plus attractions. If you prefer waterparks, some options are Bahama Beach, Ridgewood Sprayground, Cove Aquatic Center at Crawford, and Great Wolf Lodge.
Irving’s Urban Air Adventure and Trampoline Park will give the wee ones wings. And if you’re visiting at Christmas, then the Christkindl Market, Victorian Christmas Market, and Jingle and Mingle will surely delight.
Where Are the Best Shopping Districts in Dallas?
There are many beautiful shops throughout Dallas. Here are a few shopping highlights:
- NorthPark Center: More than 200 retailers offering luxury boutique retail, restaurants, and trend-setting brands.
- Bishop Arts District: Situated in the Oak Cliff neighborhood, this area is where you can find hip bars, restaurants, coffee shops, galleries, and boutiques, with Bishop Street well worth a visit.
- Galleria Dallas: Perfect for big brands, this mall is also famous for its ice skating center.
What Are the Top-Rated Restaurants and Local Food Experiences?
When you think of food in the Lone Star State, you likely think of Texas BBQ and Tex-Mex, and Dallas is no different. Food trucks, tacos, and barbecue meat abound.
Some of the Dallas and Fort Worth area’s best BBQ joints include Goldee’s BBQ, Cattleack, Pecan Lodge in Deep Ellum, and Baby Back Shak. For Mexican food, there’s Avila or Joe T. Garcia’s in Fort Worth, the western part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolis.
For fresh produce, head to the Dallas Farmers Market, which offers seasonal produce, arts and crafts, and restaurants. The selection includes everything from Mediterranean to Mexican and wines from Texas’ own vineyards.
Performing Arts in Dallas: Where to Go
The Arts District’s AT&T Performing Arts Center is the epicenter of the Big D’s major venues.
The center hosts three excellent venues with incredible acoustics: the Winspear Opera House, Wyly Theatre, and Strauss Square. Resident performers include the Dallas Black Dance Theater, Dallas Opera, and the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico.
Are you looking for al fresco performing arts? Sammons Parks is perfect for a picnic with a concert. Downtown Dallas also hosts Broadway shows and other global touring companies.
Classic music fans will love the acoustics at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, where the Dallas Symphony Orchestra plays.
Where Can I Experience Live Music and Entertainment in Dallas?
Up-and-coming and established global stars make Dallas a point of call on their tours. Here are some must-visit live music venues in Dallas:
- Adair’s Saloon in Deep Ellum is the place to see fresh, new, emerging bands.
- House of Blues offers southern-inspired food alongside its lashings of rock and blues-inspired bands.
- The Balcony Club caters to jazz aficionados.
- Three Links is great for local up-and-coming bands.
- Trees—named after the trunk-like beams that keep the roof up—is the Bomb Factory’s sister venue and hosts some of the best names in the music business.
Are There Any Annual Events or Festivals in Dallas?
The annual Texas State Fair usually runs from the last Friday in September for over three weeks. Its home, Fair Park in South Dallas, is open year-round, with concerts, an aquarium, artwork, and the iconic corn dog ever-present.
Fort Worth Stockyards runs twice-daily cattle drives, just like in the Westerns, telling Texas’ ranching history in the 21st century.
What’s the Best Way to Travel and See Dallas Highlights?
Dallas is accessible via two airports and has an extensive public transport network to whisk you around attractions.
Land at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) or Dallas Love Field (DAL). Travel into and around the city via the DART light rail system, America’s longest with over 90 miles of tracks. You can also take a dollar ride on the Dallas Streetcar network or for free (donations welcome) on the McKinney Avenue Trolley M-line connecting downtown Dallas to uptown Dallas via the Dallas Arts District.
There’s also a Dallas CityPASS, valid for nine days, which offers up to 50% off entry prices to four must-see Dallas attractions. Discounts apply at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and Reunion Tower GeO-Deck, plus admission to two of Dallas Zoo, George W. Bush Presidential Museum, and Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum.
So Many Amazing Things to Do in Dallas, Texas
With so many fantastic things to do in Dallas, Texas, we wouldn’t be surprised if you wanted to move to Texas or extend your stay with a trip to Houston.
We’re energy experts, so why not learn everything about moving to Dallas and finding the city’s best energy rates? Texas gives many of its residents the right to choose their electricity provider. That could be with us at Amigo Energy or one of our sister companies, Tara Energy or Just Energy.
Remember that switching energy suppliers in Texas is as simple as following our easy-to-follow moving guides. After a fun-packed visit to Dallas, you can rest assured we’ll be able to help you find the best value for your home’s utilities.
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