Best Things to Do in Dallas, Texas: Fun Places to Go, Dallas Itinerary, and DFW Highlights
On This Page:
- Dallas Offers An Abundance of Fun Things To Do
- The Best Museums in Dallas
- Pro Sports Abounds in the Metroplex
- Plan to Play a Round of Golf While in Dallas
- Favorite Family Activities in Dallas
- Dining & Shopping in Dallas
- Live Music and Theater Across All Genres
- Recommended Hotels For Your Stay in Dallas
- 1. Holiday Inn Express - Dallas Downtown by IHG
- 2. Hyatt House Dallas Uptown
- 3. Hotel ZaZa Dallas
- 4. Hotel Crescent Court
- 5. The Adolphus, Autograph Collection
- “The Big D” is Big Indeed, With Something for Everyone, and More!
Dallas Offers An Abundance of Fun Things To Do
If you are thinking that the Dallas Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) which includes seven counties, has a population of 5.6 million, and encompasses 5,277 square miles may be a prime spot to vacation, you are absolutely correct. While there are many superlatives rightly attributed to the Fort Worth side of the DFW Metroplex, with two-thirds of the area’s population being on the Dallas (east) side, there are so many incredible attractions located here that we recommend, if possible, adding a day or two to your itinerary.
A true world-class destination, Dallas is a cultural hotspot with renowned museums, two lively arts districts, nearly 4,000 places to dine within the city limits and thousands more in the suburbs, professional hockey and basketball in the city and other major sports close by, unmatched shopping, and nightlife that stretches into the wee hours. Most attractions offer online pre-purchase of admission tickets, which we strongly recommend doing. Click on the links below for more information.
Here’s a closer look at some of the most popular activities that may interest you.
Author: Laura Paredis
Interior of a Museum
The Best Museums in Dallas
The museums listed below will primarily appeal to adults, though teens may also be drawn to particular facilities that specialize in subjects that interest them.
- Dallas Museum of Art (Downtown Arts District) – DMA is one of the premier art museums in the U.S. with a global collection covering more than 5,000 years of humanity. General admission is FREE, though a donation of whatever you can afford is appreciated. There is a fee for special exhibits, though the first Sunday of each month is “Free for All”, including any special showings.
- Nasher Sculpture Center (Downtown Arts District) – Located next door to the Dallas Museum of Art, the museum features a wonderful collection of both modern and contemporary sculptures presented in the Outdoor Sculpture Garden as well as multiple indoor galleries. Admission is FREE only on the first Saturday of each month.
- Crow Museum of Asian Art(Downtown Arts District) – Locally famous Texas philanthropists Trammell and Margaret Crow’s personal collection of Asian art from their extensive world travel. The University of Texas affiliated museum is always FREE as the Crows were dedicated to sharing their outstanding discoveries with the public, with a $7 per person donation suggested, but not required. More than 600 East Asian artworks from China, Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia are on display. There is a second location of the Crow Museum on the University of Texas at Dallas campus in north suburban Richardson.
- The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealy Plaza (downtown) – Located in the Texas School Book Depository building, the museum is on the site where the assassin of President John F. Kennedy took aim on November 7, 1963. That day, and the JFK legacy are fully chronicled at this fascinating facility.
- Meadows Museum at SMU – Southern Methodist University (University Park) – Widely known as “Prado on the Prairie”, the Meadows Museum houses the largest collection of Spanish art outside of Spain. The 66,000-square-foot two-story museum is located on the campus of SMU.
- George W. Bush Presidential Center (University Park) – On the campus of Southern Methodist University (SMU), this historical facility gives visitors fascinating insight into the two terms that George W. Bush served as the U.S. President. Also located here is the 15-acre Laura W. Bush Native Texas Park, filled with trees, plants, grasses, and flowers that call Texas home.
- African American Museum of Dallas (Fair Park) – This is one of the largest U.S. collections of African American folk art. Founded in 1974, the museum is always FREE. It is nationally known for its impressive permanent art collection from many highly regarded African American artists.
Author: https://www.dma.org/
Dallas Museum of Art
Pro Sports Abounds in the Metroplex
- NHL Dallas Stars (Downtown Dallas) – Fast-paced professional ice hockey at the American Airlines Center. The NHL season runs from early October to the playoffs which end in early June. The Stars play 41 home regular season home games.
- NBA Dallas Mavericks (Downtown Dallas) – The American Airlines Center is also home court for professional basketball from late October to the playoffs which end in early June. The Mavs play 41 regular season home games.
- MLB Texas Rangers (Arlington) – Technically in Tarrant County which is considered Ft. Worth, Arlington is close enough to Dallas for baseball fans to make the short drive for a baseball game. The Rangers play 81 regular season home games from early April to late September. The MLB playoffs take place in October.
- NFL Dallas Cowboys – The Cowboys used to play their home games in the Dallas suburb of Irving but have now moved to Arlington. The football team plays up to nine home games each season, with the possibility of playoff games beyond. The regular season runs from early September to early January.
- MLS FC Dallas (Frisco) – Soccer fans won’t mind the 30 mile drive to north suburban Frisco where FC Dallas plays their 17 home games at Toyota Stadium.
Author: https://www.instagram.com/fcdallas/
MLS FC Dallas
Plan to Play a Round of Golf While in Dallas
With the men’s PGA Championship Tour scheduled to visit Field Ranch East in suburban Frisco in May of 2027, golf may already be on your mind, albeit a bit early to plan to attend next year’s competition. In the meantime, there are several attractive and affordable local courses that are open to the public including Tension Park Golf Club, which offers two championship 18-hole courses just 10 minutes east of downtown. Stevens Park Golf Course is another excellent golf value within the city limits and provides fabulous skyline views for golfers to enjoy. The challenging, scenic, and hilly course is also just 10 minutes from downtown Dallas to the west in the Oak Cliff neighborhood.
If you are staying closer to D/FW Airport or in the Mid-Cities Area to the west of Dallas, you may want to consider playing a round at the Irving Golf Club which is conveniently located between Irving and downtown Dallas. The 18-hole, par 71 public course is set along the west fork of the Trinity River, with views of downtown Dallas possible from various points along the way.
Author: drobotdean
Senior male coach teaching young sportsman how to play golf
Favorite Family Activities in Dallas
- Perot Museum of Nature and Science (Victory Park) -
- Dallas Zoo (South Dallas) -
- Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden (East Dallas) – Just check out the Arboretum’s Instagram page and you’ll know that a visit here is a must.
- Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington)
- Reunion Tower (downtown) - 360-degree Observation Deck
- Moody Family Children’s Museum (Victory Park at the Perot Museum)
- Children’s Aquarium Dallas (Fair Park)
- Galleria Dallas Ice Skating (North Dallas)
Author: https://www.instagram.com/perotmuseum/
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Dining & Shopping in Dallas
- Upscale retail shops at Highland Park Village and the Galleria Dallas are always a fun way to spend your day. Highland Park Village is an open-air luxury shopping experience located just ten minutes from downtown. There is free valet parking offered, as well as complimentary chauffeur car service available within five miles of the Village and to/from Love Field. Many of the boutiques here won’t be found anywhere else. At the Galleria in North Dallas visitors will have more than 140 retail shops to browse and dozens of dining options. Grab something on-the-go or choose from a vast selection of full-service restaurants.
- Dallas is home to several historic neighborhoods with oodles of locally owned independent boutiques, art galleries, coffee shops, restaurants and bars, breweries, and live music venues. Check out the Bishop Arts District, Deep Ellum, Lower Greenville, Design District, and Uptown Dallas for the latest information about what’s happening in these trendy neighborhoods when you are here. The local vibe varies from urban to artistic, to sophisticated, culture centric, and pedestrian-friendly in most locales. Dining options are seemingly endless, but be sure to make dinner reservations for that special night out well in advance of heading for the Big D.
Author: https://hpvillage.com/
Highland Park Village
Live Music and Theater Across All Genres
- Broadway Dallas (Fair Park) – This is the place for incredible live stage performances. Broadway Dallas has brought shows from the Great White Way and other locations to North Texas for more than 80 years, with more than 400,000 theater fans attending annually at the Music Hall at Fair Park, as well as at the Winspear Opera House. There’s no need to travel to New York City when Broadway comes here!
- Dallas Symphony Orchestra (Downtown Arts District) – This esteemed orchestra performs throughout the year at the 2,062-seat Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.
- The Dallas Opera (Downtown Arts District) – For more than six decades world-class opera performances have entertained North Texas patrons. The Dallas Opera’s elaborate shows can be enjoyed at the spectacular horseshoe-shaped, 2,200-seat, Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House.
- American Airlines Center (Downtown) – In addition to being the home of the NHL’s Dallas Stars and NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, the all-purpose arena is the place to go for top name entertainment, with stars such as Cardi B, Nine Inch Nails, Demi Lovato, Megan Maroney, A$AP Rocky, Doja Cat, and Lionel Ritchie with Earth, Wind, and Fire performing here. Family shows such as Disney on Ice also schedule their DFW performances at the American Airlines Center.
Author: https://dallasopera.org/2526-season/
The Dallas Opera
Recommended Hotels For Your Stay in Dallas
Downtown Dallas, where we love to stay when visiting, offers a wide array of hotel properties in all price categories, so it’s a great area to explore the city whether you’re traveling with the entire family or a significant other. We have come to rely on the hotel booking website Travelated in recent years whenever and wherever we travel as they consistently offer the widest selection of hotels at the best prices. Check out these popular options, each no more than one mile from the city center: Holiday Inn Express – Dallas Downtown (3 stars); Hyatt House Dallas Uptown (3 stars); Hotel ZaZa Dallas (4 stars); Hotel Crescent Court (5 stars); The Adolphus-Autograph Collection (5 stars).
1. Holiday Inn Express - Dallas Downtown by IHG
Address: 302 South Houston Street, Dallas, 75202, TX, US
Holiday Inn Express – Dallas Downtown (3 stars)
“The Big D” is Big Indeed, With Something for Everyone, and More!
Yes, the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex is a sprawling region of North Texas that can be overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors, but Dallas alone is quite compact, making access to major venues simple. In fact, many downtown sites are walkable if you are attending a show at the Winspear Opera House or Meyerson Symphony Center or touring the Dallas Museum of Art and adjacent Nasher Sculpture Center. That’s why staying downtown is a good option here. Of course, if you prefer a more suburban feel, along the LBJ Freeway in North Dallas may be more to your liking.
No matter where you choose to stay, if you can avoid rush hour, getting around by car is quite doable. Dallas offers a big-city experience along with down-home Texas friendliness. Culture, sports, live entertainment, and shopping are all world-class here. And be sure to find some amazing Texas barbecue while you’re in town.
