10 Best Things to Do in Dallas, Texas

Dallas, Texas, is a metropolitan city in the North of the USA and the 9th biggest city in the United States of America. It has a rich history, wherein it is well known for its cotton and oil production and at present, a hub of real estate, finance, education, telecommunication, and transportation. There is a treasure trove of experiences, restaurants, shopping centers, and live music places to enjoy.

There is no shortage of places to visit in Dallas, from visiting the performing art venues and fascinating museums in the Arts District to the cool bars and buzzing nightlife in Deep Ellum. Go on a picnic along Turtle Creek or spend a weekend at the Dallas Arboretum admiring the botanical perfection. Get to know the local wine scene, meet the cowboys at Fort Worth, Tour the Sixth Floor Museum to learn about JFK’s assassination, hop on a horse and hit the trails, sample some fine Texas barbeque, or go on an overnight safari at Fossi Rim. The various art galleries, museums, sports stadiums, parks, and restaurants together make for a truly incredible travel experience!

The best places to visit in Dallas are Klyde Warren Park, Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, Reunion Tower, and George W. Bush Presidential Center. There are countless things to do in Dallas, and each offers an excellent learning experience. Let us look at some of the fascinating things to do in Dallas.

Top 10 Things to do in Dallas

Encounter Wildlife at the Dallas Zoo

The Dallas Zoo is the oldest and the largest zoological park in the state. This 106-acre zoo consists of over two thousand animals of approximately 400 species. The Dallas Zoo includes the eleven-acre Giants of the Savannah, which opened in 2010, the only zoo exhibit in the United States to mix elephants and other species such as ostrich, zebras, impalas, giraffes, and guinea fowls mingling in the same habitat and natural environment. The highlight is the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo, which has koala, kangaroo, lorikeet, giraffe feeding sessions, a miniature train, and a carousel. With the 90-minute backstage safari, you can experience a memorable behind-the-scenes tour.

Take a Whiff of Flowers at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden

The 66-acre Arboretum and Botanical Garden along the shores of the White Rock Lake were named “One of the most breathtaking gardens in the World” by the Architectural Digest. This garden has an 8-acre interactive Rory Meyer’s Children’s Adventure Garden featuring a cascading waterfall (Cascades), a treetop canopy walk (Moody Oasis), and a two-story treehouse. Many educational programs, public events, and an arts and crafts show (Artscape) take place in the Arboretum throughout the year. Try to plan your visit during the spring months when the park is full of Dallas Blooms with over five lakh blooming bulbs with a vibrant display of colors.

Experience the Underwater World at Dallas World Aquarium

Dallas World Aquarium, an aquatic wonderland, has a twenty-thousand-gallon walk-through exhibit filled with sharks. There are piranhas, three-toed sloths, giant river otters, manatees, ocelots, and Orinoco crocodiles in the many conservation projects. Blue and black-footed penguins are seen swimming in the outdoor South Africa exhibit. The aquarium portion displays marine life, including jellyfish, Japanese crabs, Leafy, Weedy, and Ribbon seadragons. Sting rays, sharks, and sawfish are a few fish living in the Mundo Maya cenote. There is a multi-level rainforest with a waterfall where exotic birds such as Cocks of the rock and toucans. The animal feeding sessions in the aquarium are canceled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

View the Skyline from Reunion Tower

The Reunion Tower is the most iconic landmark in Dallas, completed in 1978, in the shape of a geodesic ball perched atop five cylindrical concrete poles. When lit up at night, the Reunion Tower looks spectacular. The highlight of the tower is the Geo Deck viewing platform, situated 470 feet above the ground, having two viewing areas, one outside and one on the inside. The indoor area has high-definition zoom cameras and an interactive touch screen providing visitors 360o views of the city. Special events like yoga and painting classes take place in the tower. On weekends, there are ‘Tower After Hours’ events to enjoy, like trivia nights and wine tasting.

Spend the Day at White Rock Lake

White Rock Lake is a thousand-acre serene lake surrounded by picnic areas, crisscrossing trails, and wildlife refuges. The park surrounding White Rock Lake is a prime spot for hiking, rollerblading, picnicking, biking, running, fishing, jogging, and bird watching. Visitors enjoy sailing, paddle boarding, and kayaking in the lake. Swimming in the White lake is prohibited. It is a dog-friendly park having plenty of space for pets and children to run around. It is a fun place to unwind and relax. Explore the White Rock Municipal Fish Hatchery in the Southwest corner of the park, where you can spot beavers, coyotes, red foxes, and pelicans in abundance.

Immerse Yourself in Art at Deep Ellum

The Deep Ellum District, also called the Deep Elm, is a one-stop place to visit for street art, music, art, dining, shopping, and entertainment. It is one of Dallas’s revitalized neighborhoods. It is an old jazz district with a fun blend of 1800, as evidenced by the vintage signs and artsy murals as you walk down the streets. The streets lined with colorful murals, unique art galleries, concert venues, and performing arts activities are a favorite among the locals and visitors. There are 50 plus pieces of artists on walls of restaurants, clubs, and tattoo shops, like the portrait of chef Antony Bourdin and Running Man statues by sculptor Brad Oldham. Experience an eclectic night in Deep Ellum with bustling bars and live music playing in the background.

Explore the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum

The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum feature fourteen thousand square feet of exhibits, including a 22-foot-tall ravaged steel beam from the World Trade Center. There is a walk-through replica of the Bush Oval Office, and you can view some of the gifts given to the President and First Lady from foreign Heads of State. Explore the issues and events of the administration of President George W. Bush in the four themed areas – opportunity, freedom, responsibility, and compassion. The attraction is the Decision Points Theater, where you can sit in front of a big screen to make decisions based on pieces of evidence the President had at his disposal.

Shop at Highland Park Village

The Highland Park Village, the Beverly Hills of Dallas, is renowned for its Spanish-influenced architecture. It is an open-air center with over fifty world-class boutiques and a dozen restaurants. Experience luxury as you shop in the high-end stores of different fashion and lifestyle brands like Chanel, Dior, and Alexander McQueen. Relax after a tiring day of shopping at Mi Cocina, a Mexican restaurant, grab a bite at a cupcake from Bird Bakery, or catch a film at the Village theater. International shoppers can acquire Texas sales tax refunds by presenting their identification and flight information at the onsite Tax-free Shopping Ltd.

Cool Off at Hawaiian Falls

The Hawaiian Falls is a Hawaiian-themed waterpark that opened in 2003 in North Garland. A family-friendly waterpark for kids to have a fun day out on a hot summer day. You can go floating down the Lazy River as you ride past the waves, waterfalls, and a water volcano. Explore the Keiki Kove fortress with geysers, rope ladders, and dump buckets. Kids can enjoy an enhanced wave pool experience with an LED screen to watch movies, games, and music. Rides like Pineapple Express, Torpedo, and The Rush are the highlight of Hawaiian Hills Waterpark. Sharkey’s Cafe is a favorite of kids since it offers French fries, nachos, churros, pizzas, pretzels, and other snacks.

Get a Glimpse of History at the Dallas Heritage Village

If you are a history buff then the Dallas Heritage Village, located in Old City park, is a must-visit place for you! Immerse yourself in the lives of Texans during the Victorian era at the Dallas Heritage Village. Marvel at the ancient buildings and classic architecture with some finely preserved homes of the nineteenth century on display. The Heritage Village comprises a log house, a school mansion, a shotgun house, and a farmstead. At the general store, you can weigh products, wrap merchandise, and sit around an old stove. As you stroll the grounds, you can sense how the community developed for ordinary Texans over a hundred years, including how family life progressed, crops were grown, and how animals were cared for!

No matter which attraction piques your curiosity, you will surely have a great time in this city. Dallas’s rich legacy, culture, and hospitality make it a fantastic city for tourists worldwide. So, apply for your US visa or US tourist visa and plan your trip to this beautiful metropolis.