The big D, a cosmopolitan city known for its high concentration of restaurants and shopping centers awaits you with many cool things to do in Dallas. So whether you’re moving here, or just visiting, here are the best things to do in Dallas and places to visit in Dallas you must put in your itinerary. And don’t worry, from outdoor fun to sports and museums, there’s something for everyone here!
Be in nature in Dallas
1. Trinity river forest hike
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Dallas in the outdoors, head to the forest that speaks in colors and whispers when blowing winds on prairie grasses, alongside the trinity river. You can explore the area by hiking, biking, horseback riding, or walking.
Costs:
$6 per person
Trail hours:
Wednesday – Friday: 09:00 am – 02:00 pm
Saturday: 08:00 am – 02:00 pm
2. White rock lake
Put a visit to this 1,015-acre city lake on your ‘best things to do in Dallas’ list. It’s one of the most heavily visited parks for events and runs and offers many fun activities for its visitors. This is one of the best places to visit in Dallas that will allow you to experience natural wildlife in an urban setting.
Costs
Free Entry
Timings:
05:00 am – 12:00 am
3. Dallas blooms
If you love to stop and smell the flowers, this is one of the best things to do in Dallas for you. The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical garden host the largest annual floral festival from February to April: The Dallas Blooms.
When here, you can expect the beauty of an explosion of color from 100 varieties of spring bulbs and more than 500,000 spring-blooming blossoms, thousands of azaleas, and hundreds of Japanese cherry trees.
Costs
$12 – $17
Hours
February 21st – April 11th
09:00 am – 05:00 pm
Participate in sports events in Dallas
4. Fairpark’s NERF challenge
Get the child in you out to play at the NERF challenge – one of the best things to do in Dallas! Nerf blaster wars, foam firing toy weapons, and a wide range of other games for a wide range of audiences.
Costs:
$25 onward
5. Horseback riding at River Ranch
A little something for everyone, this is one of the cool things to do in Dallas you’ll truly enjoy. From horseback riding lessons to weddings, River Ranch is one of the most versatile places to visit in Dallas when you’re here.
Costs
$50 per person
Timings
- Wednesday: 10:00 am – 05:00 pm
- Thursday: 12:30 am – 5 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00pm
- Saturday: 09:00 am – 05:00 pm
- Sunday: 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday : closed
6. Skydive Dallas
One of the thrillingly cool things to do in Dallas, this one’s a place you must visit for the adventurer in you. Skydive Spaceland-Dallas is a must to put in your list of places to visit in Dallas.
Costs:
From $99 – $219
Timings:
08:00 am – 06:00 pm
Explore museums in Dallas
7. Meadows museum
A place for exhibition, research, and education in the arts and culture of Spain, the Meadows Museum is one of the important cultural places to visit in Dallas. You can also attend the many lectures, workshops, and events that take place here.
Costs:
Students: $4
Adults: $12
Timings:
Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Thursdays until 9:00 pm
Monday: Closed
8. Nasher sculpture center
Home to one of the finest collections of contemporary sculptures in the world, the Nasher sculpture center features more than 300 masterpieces from artists around the world. In addition to indoor gallery space, it contains an auditorium, education and research facilities, a cafe, and a store, making it one of the best places to visit in Dallas for a taste of its culture.
Costs:
Students: $5
Adults: $10
Timings:
Monday – Wednesday: Closed
Thursday – Sunday: 11:00 am – 05:00 pm
9. Dallas Museum of Art
One of the largest art museums in Dallas, it encompasses more than 24,000 works and spans 5,000 years of history, representing a full range of world cultures. What makes it one of the best places to visit in Dallas is its community for creativity, from hosting exhibitions and lectures to concerts, literary events, and dramatic and dance presentations.
Costs:
- $9 – $16
Timings:
Monday-Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11:00 am – 05:00 pm
Thursday: 11:00 am – 05:00 pm
Friday: 11:00 am – 05:00 pm
Saturday: 11:00 am – 07:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am – 05:00 pm
Get a taste of the Texan culture in Dallas
10. State fair of Texas
Be a part of the celebrations of Texas heritage at the state fair in September with all aspects of Texan culture on display for you to experience. Preserving traditions and historical roots, promotes agriculture, education, and community involvement, making it one of the best things to do in Dallas.
Costs:
$14 – $18
Timings:
September 25 – October 18
Sunday – Thursday: 10:00 am – 09:00 pm
Friday & Saturday: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
11. The Fort Worth stockyards
A glimpse into the west world without the terrifying robots, Fort Worth embodies the western heritage like no other. From the original brick walkways to the wooden corrals, every inch of the Stockyards tells the true history of Texas’s famous livestock industry.
From cattle drives to re-enactment gunfights, the activities make it one of the best places to visit in Dallas, for all things Texas.
Costs:
No entry fee
Timings:
11:30 am – 04:00 pm
12. Dallas Cowboy Stadium
Formerly known as the cowboy’s stadium, and now the AT&T stadium is one of the best places to visit in Dallas, one of the reasons being its retractable roof.
Home to the Dallas cowboys of the national football league, the cotton bowl classic, and the big 12 championship game, and the many events and tours that it hosts, this is one of the cool things to do in Dallas for sports lovers.
Eat, drink and shop in Dallas
13. Keller’s Drive-In
In the mood for some old-school drive-in meals? Head to Keller’s Drive-in, one of the best places to visit in Dallas for mouth-watering burgers at a minimal rate.
Keller’s Drive-In has been finding people in their cars for 51 years. Jack Keller on the 50th anniversary of the drive-in eatery commented his original thought for the place,
“Just a place to sell beer and some hamburgers, that’s all.”
And that’s exactly what it is. So after you’re done with all the best things to do in Dallas, head here to treat your taste buds.
Costs:
Under $5
Timings:
10:30 am – 09:00 pm
14. The Balcony Club
We’ll let this quote from USA today convince you visit one of the coolest bars in Dallas.
“As the saying goes, sometimes the best things come in small packages, which is undoubtedly the case with this intimate jewel of a jazz joint. And what this laid-back watering hole lacks in square footage, it more than makes up for in ambiance, not to mention, live music — which is served up seven nights a week. The club’s repertoire features both local and national jazz artists as well as everything from R&B to soul, funk, classic rock, and even country.”
Timings:
Monday – Saturday: 05:00 am – 02:00 pm
15. West Village
Designed by nationally known architect, David M. Schwarz, what was once a joint development business venture, is now referred to as Uptown’s Downtown. Being the city’s most walkable shopping, dining, residential, and entertainment district, it’s one of the best places to visit in Dallas.
Timings:
- 10:00 am – 09:00 pm
We’ve got your back!
D’you know what else Roomi does outside of helping its readers find things to do in Dallas, Texas? With our ever-increasing lists of rooms and roommates across the world, we help you find your perfect match!