Dallas is known for having plenty of things for visitors to see and do. You can visit classic locations such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science or Reunion Tower. Or maybe you want to visit the newest and hippest neighborhoods in the city such as the Design District or Trinity Groves. Dallas also offers everyone plenty of outdoor activities, from golf courses to water parks to sporting events and more. On top of that, there are plenty of great dining and shopping options to experience while you are here.
The city of Dallas offers a good public transportation system. That said, trips to some of your favorite destinations will be quicker with a great rental car in Dallas. Couples visiting Dallas for a weekend should opt for a premium sedan to tour the city in style. Groups and families would probably prefer a comfortable and sporty SUV.
- 1. Dallas Museum of Art
- 2. Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden
- 3. Perot Museum of Nature & Science
- 4. Dallas Zoo
- 5. Nasher Sculpture Center
- 6. Six Flags Over Texas
- 7. The Dallas World Aquarium
- 8. Klyde Warren Park
- 9. Frontiers of Flight Museum
- 10. Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark
- Best Places to Eat & Drink in Dallas
Must-see attractions in Dallas
1. Dallas Museum of Art
If you are a fan of some of the world’s most famous artists, you are going to love visiting this museum. Whether you want to see the works of Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir or Cezanne, this is the museum for you. As a little bonus, you’ll often find some great food trucks parked right outside of the museum for an afternoon snack or meal.
Address: 1717 N Harwood St., Dallas, TX 75201
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 to 2 hours
2. The Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden
This beautiful green space encompasses an area of around 66 acres. The gardens are just a short drive to the northeast of the center of Dallas. A couple of the real highlights of coming here includes seasonal events such as those around Halloween and Christmas. There is also an ongoing concert series here sure to please visitors.
Address: 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 to 2 hours
3. Perot Museum of Nature & Science
For those fascinated by science and natural history, this is the place for you. This museum has a convenient location right in the center of Dallas. This museum offers many different exhibits related to all things about natural science. One of the highlights is the number of minerals you will find contained in the museum. There is even a sports exhibit plus there are plenty of interactive items to check out while you are here.
Address: 2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX 75201
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 to 2 hours
4. Dallas Zoo
This is a roughly 106-acre zoo that’s just a couple of miles to the south of Dallas. This is the oldest and largest zoo in Texas. When you visit here you will find over 2,000 animals that represent roughly 400 different species. Beyond that, there are some great food choices here plus a monorail that kids will love riding on.
Address: 650 S. R L Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX 75203
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 2 to 4 hours
5. Nasher Sculpture Center
It’s not often that you find a museum dedicated exclusively to the art of sculpture. This is one such museum that you will find in the northeastern corner of the city of Dallas. One of the highlights of visiting here is the large sculpture garden that you will find outside of the museum building. This makes a great place to explore art while going on a leisurely stroll in a serene and natural setting.
Address: 2001 Flora St., Dallas, TX 75201
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 hour
6. Six Flags Over Texas
This large theme park is just a short drive to the west of Dallas and it covers around 212 acres. This was the first theme park in the Six Flags chain and opened in 1961. Whether you are someone who wants to go on the most thrilling roller coasters or would prefer some gentler rides this park has it all. Not to mention that there are plenty of food and live entertainment choices, plus quite a few holiday-themed events.
Address: 2201 E. Road to Six Flags St., Arlington, TX 76011
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: At least half of a day or a full day
7. The Dallas World Aquarium
If you are someone who enjoys finding out what lurks beneath the surface of the water you should visit this aquarium. It focused on education and conservation by hosting quite a few animals that are either endangered or threatened. They then work to try to breed those animals to keep them from going extinct. Beyond the animals that live under the water, there is also a great jungle and rainforest setting where you will see animals such as sloths and monkeys.
Address: 1801 N. Griffin St., Dallas, TX 75202
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 to 2 hours
8. Klyde Warren Park
If you enjoy spending an afternoon in a wide-open green space, visit this park that’s just a short drive to the northeast of the center of Dallas. It covers roughly 5 acres and one of the highlights is the number of concerts during the warmer months. This is also a great place to find local food trucks to try out.
Address: 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX 75201
Entry fees: Free
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 to 2 hours
9. Frontiers of Flight Museum
This is a destination that is a must-see for any aviation enthusiast. The museum sits on the southeast corner of Love Field just a short drive to the east of the center of Dallas. The museum offers a wide selection of aviation history vehicles and artifacts and has a primary focus on the history of aviation and space exploration. Once you are inside the building you will find nearly 200 different World War II aircraft models.
Address: 6911 Lemmon Ave., Dallas, TX 75209
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1 to 2 hours
10. Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark
What better way to escape the warm and humid summer days in Dallas than by visiting an indoor water park. Some of the highlights of this waterpark include a lazy river, several waterslides, and even a place to do some surfing. On top of all that, there is a great arcade. This is a paradise for kids.
Address: 2970 Epic Place, Grand Prairie, TX 75052
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 3 to 4 hours
Best Places to Eat & Drink in Dallas
While you may think of Dallas as a place that does nothing but barbecue, you will be pleasantly surprised to learn there are quite a few options for dining here. While some good old fashion fare like chicken, ribs and burgers are certainly at your fingertips, you will also find some very upscale fine dining choices as well.
Cattleack Barbeque: Of course, we have to start with the requisite barbecue restaurant in Texas. This restaurant has very limited hours as they are only open for lunch on Thursdays and Fridays and the first Saturday of the month. Once you taste the incredible smoked meats and very traditional side dishes you will see why you will be happy if you have to wait a bit for a taste.
TJ’s Seafood Market & Grill Preston Royal: While you may not think of seafood when you think of Dallas this restaurant will change your mind. It’s famous for its oysters, fish fillets, fish tacos and lobster roll smothered in butter.
Resident Taqueria: This unique Dallas take on Mexican food is one you will certainly not want to miss. The restaurant has a reputation for unique combinations of ingredients. One of their signature favorites is their smoked chicken taco which includes salsa macha, pickled sofrito and crushed peanuts.
