Top 25 Things to Do in Dallas

Texas has made quite a name for itself across the country. While you may not think of this southern state as a fun place to travel to, there are some cool places here that are worth exploring, one of them being Dallas!

Dallas, Texas is the third biggest city in the state after Houston and San Antonio. Located in northern Texas, closer to the eastern side, this city offers great food, irresistible neighborhoods, and lots of fun activities. If you find yourself in Dallas, make sure you check out the best things to do in Dallas.

Enjoy all the city vibes, run around a museum or two, and eat all the delicious food you can find! After being a Texas native for several years and calling the Dallas area home, I want to share some of my favorite finds with you so you too can enjoy this city! Let’s dive into the best things to do in Dallas TX.

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See More With the Dallas City Pass

If you plan on visiting multiple major attractions here, I recommend purchasing the Dallas CityPASS. It allows you entrance to 4 attractions (included locations only) at a much cheaper price than buying each ticket separately. You'll save a lot of money by buying this pass!

1. Dallas Arboretum

At the top of the list, this one might just be my favorite. Stroll through the beautiful gardens of the Dallas Arboretum and enjoy the peace of nature. With over 65 acres of gardens to explore, there is so much to see at the Dallas Arboretum, including their seasonal displays like the pumpkin patch in the fall!

2. Reunion Tower

The best place to get great views of the city is at the top of Reunion Tower. Head to the top of this observation deck to snap some awesome pictures and see Dallas from a completely new point of view. This one is not for those afraid of heights though!

Reunion Tower is included in the Dallas CityPASS.

3. Perot Museum

If you think science museums can’t be fun, you haven’t been to the Perot Museum. While this is a great place for families with young kids to explore, it really is fun for any age! There is so much to learn about here, and many of the exhibits are hands-on or interactive so you’re really engaged.

Perot Museum is included in the Dallas CityPASS.

4. Six Flags Over Texas

Thrill seekers, this one's for you! If you enjoy roller coasters, you have to make your way to Six Flags Over Texas. With coasters big and small, this is fun for a group of any age. If you’re looking for a thrill, jump on the Texas Giant, Titan, or my favorite, The Joker.

5. Walk the Trinity Skyline Trail

If you're a fan of hiking, this one's for you! Get some fresh air and exercise while enjoying beautiful views of the city on the Trinity Skyline Trail. This hiking trail is 4.6 miles and is perfect for city hiking or biking. There are a few parking lots available at different points on the trail which makes for easy exploring.

Read Next: 9 Best Hikes in Big Bend National Park, Texas

6. Visit Eataly

When it comes to food and shopping, Eataly did it right. Step into a mini Italy, shop for authentic Italian food and goods, and enjoy traditional Italian dishes in Eataly. This market is combined with three restaurants and quick-service dining to accommodate all types of shoppers and diners. It’s such a fun (and delicious) place!

7. Catch a Concert at the House of Blues

You can look up concerts in the Dallas area before your trip and try to find one of your favorite artists. Or see what tickets you can grab last minute for a fun spontaneous adventure! A couples of my favorite venues are House of Blues Dallas (below) and the Factory at Deep Ellum.

8. Walk Around Cute Neighborhoods

While the downtown area of Dallas is quite small, there are several neighborhoods surrounding it that are fun to explore and admire their unique vibes. Deep Ellum is one of my favorites, along with University Park and Oak Lawn.

⭐️ Plan a visit to Deep Ellum! From vibrant street art to amazing food and coffee, this Dallas neighborhood might just be the best.

9. Shop, Shop, Shop

One thing you can still find plenty of in Dallas is shopping malls, and they do not disappoint. If you’re wanting to spend the day shopping, head to North Park, where Eataly is located, or the Shops of Southlake. You can find designer stores at both, along with nice budget-friendly shopping.

10. Enjoy Live Music Bars

Grab a drink, sit back, and enjoy live music at one of the many bars in Dallas. You can often find different genres, so take a look at some local bars and see who’s playing tonight! You’ll probably find some delicious craft beers as well.

Adair's Saloon is one of the best live music bars.

11. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Cedars

You can’t go wrong with going to the movies, and Alamo Drafthouse is the best place to do so. With a full menu along with buttery popcorn and candy options, you can enjoy your lunch or dinner while watching a movie. The seats are super comfy, and the food is delicious!

12. The Dallas World Aquarium

You’re never too old to visit an aquarium, and The Dallas World Aquarium does not disappoint. Walk through the shark tunnel and admire the magnificent animals. And make sure you catch the penguin feeding show, they’re the cutest!

13. Dallas Zoo

If you’re a fan of the aquarium, you’re probably a fan of the zoo too, and I highly recommend the Dallas Zoo, it’s one of my favorites. If you’re visiting in the summer, make sure you drink plenty of water as the Texas heat is no joke. What’s your favorite animal at the zoo?

Dallas Zoo is included in the Dallas CityPASS.

14. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

Learn about the assassination of John F. Kennedy at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealy Plaza. In 1963, JFK was killed at Dealey Plaza, and the former Texas School Book Depository became the Sixth Floor Museum. You’ll also learn about his family, the administration, and more during this time period.

Check out the Sixth Floor Museum guided tour.

15. Dallas Farmers Market

Every weekend, year-round, you can enjoy the local goods brought to The Shed at the Dallas Farmers Market. Here you can find local produce, handmade crafts, artisan foods, and more. There is also a permanent building with many restaurants and shops to enjoy. If you’re a fan of curry, I highly recommend you try the Tikka Masala from 8 Cloves.

16. Giant Eyeball

You just can’t skip this one, and it is hard to miss. Located on Main Street, this 30-foot-tall replica of a human eyeball is an interesting monument unique to Dallas. And it’s free! A weird but fun attraction to see downtown.

17. Dallas Museum of Art

Art lovers, this is a must-visit for you. With pieces of contemporary art, sculptures, and many different paintings, there is much to admire at the Dallas Museum of Art. This is one of the largest art museums in the country, so you can plan to stay a few hours if you want to see everything.

18. Dallas County Courthouse

You’re probably thinking, okay why would I want to go to a courthouse? Well, the Dallas County Courthouse is one of the prettiest buildings in the city. With a unique architectural style and intricate details, you’ll definitely want to take photos here.

19. Sweet Tooth Hotel

Ready for a unique experience? Grab tickets to the Sweet Tooth Hotel, an immersive exhibit created by multiple artists and their own artistic visions. Walk through a world of whimsy and magic, and make sure you stop by Calirosa Cocktail Lounge for a yummy drink. There are even live music events you can catch here!

20. Escape Room

If you’ve never tried an escape room, Dallas is the perfect place for your first one! And if you've escaped before, you can find multiple unique escape rooms here for a brand new experience. This is a very fun activity for friends or family with four or more people in your group.

Check out the Escape Game The Colony.

21. Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum

Dedicated to teaching the history of the Holocaust and World War II. Explore this small but moving museum to learn about this historical time period as well as the human rights movement that followed. There are also featured events you can catch here for a shorter period of time.

Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum is included in the Dallas CityPASS.

22. Museum of Illusions

This is a fun one for all ages! Head to the Museum of Illusions in Dallas for a memorable time. There are multiple rooms to walk through, like the Vortex Tunnel and Reversed Room, as well as installations and optical illusions to see.

23. Try All the Food - Join a Food Tour!

You have to try multiple restaurants while in Dallas; you’ll be surprised by all the delicious food you can find while in this southern city. If you haven’t before, you must try some barbecue as no one can do it like the Texans can. Try Sammy’s on Leonard Street. You can also find other delicious cuisines like Indian and Thai.

If you're a fellow foodie, make sure you schedule in the secret Dallas food tour!

24. Catch a Sports Event

If you’re a sports fan, you’ll definitely want to see who’s playing while you’re in town! Baseball lovers - head to Globe Life Field and catch a Texas Rangers game. Or see if the Cowboys are playing any games at the AT&T Stadium! The sports culture here is endless.

Check out this guided tour of the Cowboys AT&T Stadium.

25. Explore Grapevine During the Holidays

If you’re visiting Dallas during the holiday season, around November through December, you should definitely take a little trip to Grapevine, a city about 40 minutes from downtown Dallas. They go all out for the holidays on Main Street, and there are great restaurants here and fun activities for all ages.

Bonus: Plan a Weekend Trip from Dallas!

You can take a weekend trip to Palo Duro Canyon or learn how to get to Big Bend National Park & all about the best hikes.

If you're a fan of hiking and scenic nature views, plan an overnight trip to Palo Duro Canyon State Park! This gem is located just outside Amarillo, Texas, about 5 1/2 hours drive from Dallas.

Another nature gem in Texas is Big Bend National Park. Dallas is the best city to fly into if you plan on visiting this national park.

Dallas Travel Planning

Dallas TX FAQs:

I recommend staying in Dallas for 2 to 3 days. There are tons of hotels to choose from, including luxury hotels like the Omni and boutique hotels like Lorenzo. With a couple of days here, you can try multiple restaurants and check off many of the best things to do in Dallas.

Being in the southern United States, Dallas gets very hot in the summer, so I recommend skipping these months to visit if you can. Winter isn’t bad here because of the location, so you can visit anytime between December through February and still have an enjoyable time.

However, fall and spring are the best times to visit as the weather is cool and you can comfortably explore the city. I suggest visiting during these seasons; the best months to visit are March through May or September through November.

A big downside to Dallas is that it’s not a very walkable city. You can explore the Dallas Downtown Historic District on foot, but the surrounding areas are not very accessible without a car. There is a small public transportation system here called DART, but it mostly serves the downtown area only.

If you are visiting for a few days, I recommend renting a car from the airport so it is easier to get around and check off the best things to do in Dallas. You can also use rideshare apps like Uber, but prices vary so much and it can get expensive.

Dallas is a fairly spread-out city, so once you’re out of the historic downtown district, many places are far apart and a car will definitely come in handy.

Are you ready to explore the best of Dallas? This Texas city is known for its sports culture, southern cuisine, global business hub, and fun music and art culture. From art museums to live music, a fantastic zoo, and thrill rides at Six Flags, Dallas truly has something for everyone to enjoy.

Now you can explore the best of this city and make the most of your time here! Check out the best things to do in Dallas for a fun time and don’t forget to try all the food you can. This city needs to be on your radar if you haven’t been yet. And there’s always more to explore if this isn’t your first time in Dallas.

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