Things To Do In Dallas, TX
Dallas, Texas, nicknamed the “Big D,” is a vibrant metropolis in North Texas known for its blend of historic landmarks, cultural institutions, and modern attractions. As the third-largest city in the Lone Star State, Dallas boasts a thriving arts district, world-class museums, lush green spaces, and a renowned culinary scene. The city’s skyline, punctuated by the iconic Reunion Tower, reflects its economic vitality, while neighborhoods like Deep Ellum and Bishop Arts offer eclectic music, shopping, and dining experiences. From the solemn halls of The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which chronicles President Kennedy’s legacy, to the serene gardens of the Dallas Arboretum, there’s something for every interest.
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
8525 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218, United States
The Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden in Dallas, TX spans 66 acres along White Rock Lake. Its themed gardens include the Sunken Garden Theater, the serene White Garden, and the interactive Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. Seasonal highlights such as Dallas Blooms—when over a million bulbs erupt in color—and Autumn at the Arboretum’s pumpkin village and corn mazes draw visitors year-round. Meandering paths lead past koi ponds and cascading fountains, while on-site dining overlooks tranquil water features.
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
411 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75202, United States
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in Dallas, TX occupies the former Texas School Book Depository and chronicles President Kennedy’s 1963 assassination. Exhibits feature original footage, photographs, and artifacts such as the Oswald rifle, alongside reenacted “sniper’s nest” window views. Interactive displays explore the political and social climate of the 1960s, while rotating exhibits delve into leadership, civil rights, and media influence. Guided tours, lectures, and student workshops foster deeper understanding and civic reflection.
Reunion Tower
300 Reunion Blvd E, Dallas, TX 75207, United States
Reunion Tower in Dallas, TX rises 470 feet above the city, crowned by a geodesic dome of LED lights. At the GeO-Deck, interactive telescopes and digital guides pinpoint landmarks like the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and the Trinity River. The Cloud Nine Café beneath the dome serves light bites and refreshments, while Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck offers rotating panoramic dining with contemporary Asian-inspired cuisine. After dark, vibrant LED shows animate the skyline in dynamic patterns.
Klyde Warren Park
2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX 75201, United States
Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, TX covers 5.2 acres atop the Woodall Rodgers Freeway, linking downtown to Uptown. Its amenities include a children’s playground, dog park, performance pavilion, and open lawns for picnics. A rotating roster of food trucks serves global street foods, from tacos to gourmet grilled cheese. Free daily programming features yoga, dance workshops, and lunchtime fitness, while weekends host farmers’ markets and outdoor movie nights. Live music and cultural performances enliven the park’s stage year-round.
Dallas Museum of Art
1717 N Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201, United States
The Dallas Museum of Art in Dallas, TX anchors the Arts District with over 25,000 works spanning 5,000 years. Admission to the permanent collection is free, showcasing ancient artifacts, Impressionist paintings by Monet, and modern works by Pollock and Rothko. Sculpture gardens and reflective pools blur indoor-outdoor boundaries, while interactive studios invite families to create their own art. Guided tours illuminate thematic exhibitions, and rotating special exhibits feature celebrated global artists.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX 75201, United States
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, TX features five floors of immersive exhibits within its distinctive cube-on-cylinder design. The Moody Family Children’s Museum engages young explorers with hands-on geology and ecology activities. In the Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall, guests discover robotics, renewable energy prototypes, and massive machinery. The Hall of Paleontology displays hundreds of fossils, including a towering T. rex skeleton. State-of-the-art 3D theaters screen films on natural phenomena, while maker labs and hackathons offer coding and circuitry workshops.
The Dallas World Aquarium
1801 N Griffin St, Dallas, TX 75202, United States
The Dallas World Aquarium in Dallas, TX immerses visitors in global ecosystems under one roof. The Orinoco Rainforest exhibit features lush vegetation, cascading waterfalls, and free-flying macaws and butterflies. Beneath the surface, the Gulf of Mexico gallery showcases vibrant coral reefs teeming with fish, rays, and small sharks. Interactive touch pools let guests feel starfish and sea cucumbers, while keeper talks highlight conservation and breeding programs.
Dallas Zoo
650 S R.L. Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX 75203, United States
The Dallas Zoo in Dallas, TX covers 106 acres and houses over 2,000 animals. The Giants of the Savanna exhibit recreates African plains with free-roaming giraffes, zebras, and ostriches, while the Wilds of Africa monorail offers aerial views of lions, hippos, and rhinos. The Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo invites children to hand-feed goats and learn about farm animals. In the Eurasian Highlands, snow leopards and Tibetan wolves roam rocky terrains. Seasonal events like Safari Nights combine animal encounters, live music, and local food vendors under evening skies.
White Rock Lake Park
8300 E Lawther Dr, Dallas, TX 75218, United States
White Rock Lake Park in Dallas, TX encompasses over 1,000 acres of shoreline, woodlands, and wetlands. A paved 9.3-mile loop circles the lake, popular with runners, cyclists, and birdwatchers spotting herons and kingfishers. Rental kayaks, canoes, and pedal boats allow guests to glide over calm waters, while fishing piers draw anglers targeting bass and catfish. Shaded picnic groves beneath oak trees provide ideal gathering spots. Nearby, the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden enriches the scenery with formal gardens.
Bishop Arts District
Dallas, TX 75208, USA
The Bishop Arts District in Dallas, TX is a creative enclave of over 60 independent shops, galleries, and eateries housed in historic storefronts. Bishop Avenue’s brick sidewalks lead to artisan boutiques selling handmade jewelry, vintage clothing, and bespoke home décor. Food highlights include seasonal fruit pies at Emporium Pies and inventive Mexican street fare at Te Deseo. Craft breweries and intimate cocktail bars offer evening relaxation, while monthly Art Walks spotlight local painters, sculptors, and photographers.