Dallas is a sprawling metropolis that’s bursting with fun and exciting things to do. It's the ninth-largest city in the US and the birthplace of the frozen margarita, packed with world-class shopping, delicious dining, a diverse art scene and plenty of history, outdoor activities and pop-culture curiosities.
Come for the scream-worthy roller coasters, sports teams and luxe malls. Stay for thebarbecue, beer and mural-strewn neighborhoods, filled with musicians playing everything from the blues to hip-hop beats.
Explore Dallas’ neighborhoods
Dallas is an amalgamation of neighborhoods, each with their own flavoroffun. Shop and dine out in the laid-back and artsyBishop Artsdistrict.Deep Ellumis a great neighborhood for live music,beautiful murals, art fairs, andrestaurants.Uptown attracts visitors for its strip of restaurantson McKinney Streetthat turn into barsat night,and Oak Lawn is a nationally known hot spotfor the LGBTIQ+ community.
Grab a bite at Allgood Cafe,rooftop drinks at the Green Room,or rub elbows with bikers at Renos Chop Shop Saloon.Pecan Lodgeslings mean barbecue in Deep Ellum, whileSonny Bryan's Smokehouseis a beloved local favorite for breakfast, lunch or dinner. NearWhite Rock Lake,Mariano's Haciendais where the frozen margaritawas invented in 1971 – though theoriginal margarita machine is now part of theSmithsonian Institution's collection in Washington, DC.
Get cultured in the Arts District
Downtown Dallas is home to the largest contiguous arts district in the United States, theDallas Arts District. Spend time exploring an impressive selection of larger-than-life sculptures at theNasher Sculpture Centerbefore stopping in theDallas Museum of Art(forfree!) toadmiremore than24,000 works of art spanning some 5000 years.
Walk across the street to theCrow Museum of Asian Art,orKlyde Warren Park, which sits on top of a highway.For an evening activity,buy tickets to aDallas Symphony Orchestraconcert at theMeyerson Symphony Center. To be close to all the district offers, stay at the newHALL Arts Hotel– andbe sure tocheck out its curated selectionofart.
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Root for the home team at an athletic event
With seven professional teams in the area,it’s easy to see whythis isasports-loving city.Fans of pro basketball and hockey can cheer ontheir teams – theDallas Mavericksandthe Dallas Stars – at theAmerican Airlines Center, while fans of WNBA and MLB can scoot over to Arlington, to taketheir loved ones out to the ball game at thenewTexas Rangersstadium or watch the Dallas Wings hit the court atCollege Park Center.You can also make the short drive to Frisco tocatcha soccer match withFC Dallas.
Experience the thrill of race-car driving withNASCAR at Texas Motor Speedway, and of course,don’t miss a chance towatchAmerica’s Team, theDallas Cowboys– though their home field at Jerryworld is also technically in nearby Arlington.
Learn about the John F Kennedy Assassination
One of the darkest moments in Dallas’ past is the assassination of President John F Kennedy. Pay your respects by visiting theSixth Floor Museumto learn about the president’s life and death, then go outside to see the “X” on Elm Street that marks where he was hit. Just a block from Dealey Plaza istheJohn F Kennedy Memorial Plaza, which features a statue commemorating thepresident.
For more JFK history, drive toTexas Theatretowatch a film in the same spotwhere Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested, or totheHilton Fort Worth, where JFK spent his last nightalive.
Kayak on the Trinity River
Outdoor lovers will find a plethora of activities in Dallas, from running on the Katy Trail to sailing on White Rock Lake. But the most unique experience one can have is kayaking on theTrinity River Paddling Trail, a National Recreation Trail with more than 130 miles of river.
Those with their own kayak or canoe can choose from 21 different launch sites, some of whichlead through wildernessand others guideyou under the city’s most notable bridges next to the skyline. Trinity River Kayak Co.offers various kayaking tours, includingone at sunset.
Unwind at the Dallas Arboretum
Set next toWhite Rock Lake, theDallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardenis one of the most beautiful spaces in town. It’s known as one of the best arboretums in the world because of its phenomenal seasonal displays that celebrate Halloween, winter holidays and tulipseason.Live concerts and art shows are also a common occurrence.
Spend a day at the first-ever Six Flags
Six Flags is a worldwide name in amusem*nt parks, andDallas just so happens to be the home of the brand's veryfirst park.Six Flags Over Texasis a located in Arlington, a suburb of Dallas, and is a great place to spend the day with friends or family.Have a blast on14 roller coasters and 45 thrilling rides across 212 acres. Mr Freeze, the Texas Giant and El Diablo are just a few of their most excitingroller-coasters.
Go big at theState Fair of Texas
If you visit Dallas between September and October, youmustget a ticket to theState Fair of Texasand say "howdy" to BigTex, a 52ft cowboy statue at the entrance of the fair.
As one of the oldest and largest state fairs in the country, the State Fair of Texas is a huge to-do in Dallas that draws millions of peoplestate and nationwide, who love the thrill of amusem*nt-park rides, agriculture showsandrodeos, live music, shopping and playing games. It's also known for having some of the most creative fair foodin the nation,likecotton-candy burritos and waffles stuffed with fried chicken.
Delve into Dallas fandom at Southfork Ranch
Uncover the mysteries of who shot JR with a visit toSouthfork Ranch, homeofthe Ewing Mansion from the 1978-1991 TV show Dallas.Fans of the hit series can explore the ranch with a guided tour – you’ll see spots made famouson the show, as well as a selection of memorabilia like Lucy’s wedding dress. After your tour,shop at a themed retail store and grab a bite from the on-site deli.
Museum-hoparound the city
Althoughthere are quite a fewmuseums in Dallas’ Arts District,we'd be remiss not to mention that there are other museums worth a visit.
InFair Park, theAfrican American Museumis the largest such institution in the southwestern US and has a selection of historical and cultural displays, while steps away from Dealey Plaza, theDallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museumdelves into the Holocaust and the development of human and civil rights movements that followed.
Take your kids to theto do hands-on science experiments, or explore the galleries of theMeadows Museum, whichhouses one of the largest collections of Spanish art outside of Spain.
Shop til youdrop, all over town
Home not only to the oldest shopping center in the US,Highland Park Village, butalso to the firstNeiman Marcusstore, whichstill welcomes customers today, Dallas has definitely earned the right to be called a shopper’s paradise.
Experiences varybetweenworld-class malls, like theGalleriaandNorthPark Center(home to an Andy Warhol painting!), and localizedspots likeTraders Village,the largest outdoor flea market in Texas, and thefarmers marketon theweekend.
Camp at Cedar Hill State Park
If you grow tired of Dallas’ urban sprawl and want to reconnect with nature, visitCedar Hill State Park, just a 25-minute drive from downtown Dallas. The 1826-acre park offers overnight camping, as well as trails for hiking, running or mountain biking. Boat owners can spend the day on Joe Pool Lake, fishing for bass, crappie and catfish, while those without a boat can just jump on in for a swim.
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This article was first published Jun 14, 2021 and updated Apr 18, 2022.
