The Top 10 Things to Do in Dallas, TX
#10 -
Globe Life Field & AT&T Stadium
Visit the newest baseball stadium that was host of the 2020 World Series! (Go Dodgers!) Regularly Home of the Texas Rangers, the stadium was built right next to the older stadium, Globe Life Park. It includes an outdoor/indoor promenade of merchandise shops, restaurants, bars, and huge T.V. screens to take in all the games! It is located near AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys) and Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington. Since it is about 20-30 minutes from Downtown Dallas, you should definitely make a day of it! Get to the game early, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy the home runs!
Walk next door and into luxury while visiting AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys! Enjoy a fun football game, drink and food in hand, in one of the comfy seats provided in this state of the art facility. If no game is happening during your stay, think of taking one of the stadium tours. Led by a friendly guide, it takes you up and down, into suites and locker rooms, to give you a better glance into this epic franchise. The stadium also hosts many other events such as concerts and Monster Jam. Closely located near Globe Life Field (home of the Texas Rangers) and Six Flags Over Texas in the Arlington area, about 20-30 minutes outside of Downtown Dallas, make this a must stop on your trip! You can make a day trip out of it and visit all these locations in one day.
#9 -
Six Flags Over Texas
Get ready for some thrills! Join the excitement of the crowd and some loops as you speed along on one of the many exhilarating coasters! Six Flags boasts over 40 rides and attractions ranging from 225 feet tall drops to the Looney Tunes Adventure Camp. This adventure is perfect for the entire family, because there really is something for everyone. We personally liked the scare of Mr. Freeze:Reverse Blast and The Joker, but you can keep it low key on the carousel or Daffy’s School Bus Express for the children. While at the park, divulge in the food, sweet treats, and carnival games as well. Not to mention their many shows! Get tickets in advance to skip the booth line. It is definitely worth a look at the season pass as it offers perks such as parking, guest passes, and admission into the neighboring Hurricane Harbor Arlington that pay themselves back in just a few visits. The theme park is located about 20-30 minutes outside of Dallas, so make it a day trip and possibly even visit Globe Life Field or the Cowboy’s football stadium all in the same day!
#8 -
Dallas Museum of Art & Nasher Sculpture Center
A mesmerizing display of art and culture await you at the Dallas Museum of Art. Peruse four floors of historical art and artifacts from different cultures and influences around the world. Take in the works of Monet and Van Gogh in the European wing, then venture through the Arts of Africa, Asia, and America for a look at life from multiple perspectives and time eras. Best part is this museum is free! Just check ahead to see days of operation and if they are on a reservation ticket system. We did end up purchasing a ticket for the special exhibit. This did not disappoint and whatever the revolving display may be, it is probably worth the price. The one we saw offered a psychological interpretation of homes and all they symbolize in our lives. I personally enjoyed just walking the halls, as they boasted an immersive art experience as well. Then walk right across the street to the small, but pleasant Nasher Sculpture Center. The center has many different types of sculptures, from ones made out of rare stones to ones created with state of the art 3D scanning technology. These can be done together in one day and are conveniently located in the Dallas Arts District, which is also the location of Klyde Warren Park, where you can grab lunch afterwards and rest your feet.
#7 -
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
A beautiful garden, home to many flora and fauna that sit among refreshing waterfalls and fountains. A great place to visit during the holidays for their special displays! We happened to be there in the fall and were astounded by the vibrant pumpkins and pumpkin art displays that lined the paths. There were literally thousands of pumpkins! It was chilly while we were here, but the cafes offered hot chocolate and goodies and the gift shop was already looking a lot like Christmas. This is a bit outside of Downtown Dallas, so we took a rideshare. When making the trip, plan to visit White Rock Lake and park. The lake and park are a huge expanse of green and blue nestled amongst beautiful homes. If weather permits, we highly recommend taking a stroll or bike ride and enjoying the peaceful nature outside of the city.
#6 -
Klyde Warren Park/Food Truck Lane
Located in the Downtown Dallas Arts District, this park offers a retreat amidst the tall city buildings and freeways of city life. It hosts Food Truck Lane which offers several eating and dessert options for you to enjoy. Grab a quick bite, take a seat to relax, and enjoy the local life around you. Or, you can take part in some of the organized activities that the park has to offer. They host family movie screenings, exercise classes such as barre or yoga classes, and much more!
#5 - Museum of Illusions
Located in the West End and not far from other activities like the Sixth Floor Museum, the Reunion Tower, and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the Dallas Museum of Illusions offers a unique and highly Instagrammable experience. It’s an open floor plan, move at your own pace offering that contains many different types of illusions and brain game activities. There are optical illusions, holograms, interactive photo setups, and much more. Be sure to walk through their Vortex Tunnel to experience an earth bending sensation. Overall, it’s a fun and different activity that we would definitely recommend.
#4 -
Reunion Tower
For the best views in Dallas, take the climb up the hard to miss Reunion Tower. Fondly known as “The Ball,” the tower was built in 1978 and is now Dallas’ most recognizable city structure. You can simply ride up and admire the amazing city views from 500+ feet high, or you can take part in some of the packages/activities that the tower has to offer. They have date packages that include admission, photos, and flutes filled with champagne. Some examples of their activities include their “Painting with a View” night or their “Sunrise Yoga” morning event. Located directly behind the Hyatt Regency Dallas hotel, it is also close to the Sixth Floor Museum and Museum of Illusions. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time and are on a reservation/time system. The Reunion Tower is on the Dallas City Pass, so be sure to check that out if you’re planning to hit a couple of these activities while you’re in town.
#3 -
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Dealey Plaza is the site of one of the most infamous moments in American history. It is the location where President John F. Kennedy was shot while driving in a motorcade through downtown Dallas. Originally known as the “birthplace of Dallas,” the area is the location of the first home built in Dallas. Presently, it is a well maintained park where hundreds of visitors a day come to pay their respects to the former president and to learn about his life. You can walk the park for free, or you can buy admission to the Sixth Floor Museum, a museum dedicated to the life, death, and legacy of the 35th president of the United States. It contains photos, video, artifacts and more to tell the story of JFK’s life. The museum building itself is part of the history, as the former Texas School Book Depository building had evidence of a sniper on its sixth floor on the day of the shooting. All in all, a great dedication to a beloved president and a true piece of American history. The Dealey Sixth Floor Museum is included on the Dallas City Pass, so be sure to check that out if you’re planning to hit a couple of these activities while you’re in town.
#2 -
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science
In 2006, three Dallas institutions, the Dallas Museum of Natural History, the Science Place, and the Dallas Children's Museum, merged together into one entity. They expanded their team up in 2012 by building the Perot Museum of Nature of Science in downtown Dallas. The facility is huge! The building stands 14 stories high and has five floors that are accessible to visitors. There’s a bunch of educational and hands-on offerings for the youngsters. The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is included on the Dallas City Pass, so be sure to check that out if you’re planning to hit a couple of these activities while you’re in town.
#1 -
The Dallas World Aquarium
Opened in the fall of 1992, the Dallas World Aquarium has been helping to protect many animals that are threatened or endangered. It’s home to so many animals that since its opening it has expanded several times. Taking over adjunct buildings allowed for new areas such as “The Orinoco - Secrets of the River” and the “Mundo Maya” exhibits. There are many different areas of the aquarium, each with animals from all around the globe. From blue footed penguins to Japanese crabs, there’s almost an endless amount of creatures to fall in love with. Be sure to dine at one of their restaurants, which feature an international flare. Located towards the edge of the West End Historic District of downtown Dallas, it is not far from many other Dallas activities on our top 10 list.
Click here to learn about our top 10 things to do in another incredible city!