Welcome to the best things to do in Dallas!
Growing up in Houston, I’d visited Dallas a handful of times.
But I’d never taken the time to see much of the city.
Well, that changed this past weekend when I drove up to Dallas to visit some family.
I spent some time just exploring around, and I was really pleasantly surprised!
It’s funny how many exciting and beautiful things we can discover when we look at the same places through a new lens, right?
On today’s post, I’ve rounded up all the best things to do in Dallas that I know you’ll love.
Let’s dive in.
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Dallas Essentials
Top Experiences & Tours In Dallas
Where To Stay In Dallas
1. Hang out at Klyde Warren Park
One of the best things to do in Dallas is spend a few hours strolling around Klyde Warren Park.
This 5.2 acre green space was built on top of what used to be an eight-lane freeway that ran through Downtown Dallas.
Now, the park is considered an engineering feat, as well as a wonderful place to enjoy some of Dallas’s best scenery.
Bring your appetite, because the onsite restaurant Mi Cocina on the Park serves up legendary Tex-Mex and margaritas.
Next door, La Parada offers casual tacos, nachos, and other snacks with window service and an outdoor patio.
If you’re still hungry, take a stroll down Food Truck Lane and browse the wide selection of food trucks.
You can check the food truck schedule on the Klyde Warren Park website, here.
When I visited, I grabbed a delicious salad from Serious Salads with an Arnold Palmer to wash it down. Then, I finished with dessert from Cone Creamery.
Throughout the park, there are plenty of picnic tables to relax at, as well as a huge play area and splash pad for kids.
The park also holds exciting events almost every day, including fitness classes, pet-friendly yappy hours, and more.
Find the Klyde Warren Park event calendar here.
2. Explore Deep Ellum
Deep Ellum is THE place to go in Dallas for fantastic nightlife, entertainment, and funky art.
Dating back to 1873, the whole neighborhood is both historically and culturally significant.
It’s significant for being one of Dallas’ first commercial districts, as well as for its live music scene.
Over the 20th century, the neighborhood went from booming as a jazz and blues hotspot, to eventually drawing nationally-known acts.
Today, many of Deep Ellum’s historic buildings still stand, now housing interesting shops and restaurants.
If you’re hungry, you can’t go wrong with local favorites like AllGood Cafe, Cane Rosso, or Pecan Lodge.
For boozy fun, take a trip to Deep Ellum Brewing Company, or grab a cocktail at Yellow Rosa or Double Wide.
I also recommend browsing the fun plants and gifts at Jade & Clover, where you can even build your own terrarium. After that, try to score some vintage finds at Flea Style.
Deep Ellum is also home to some of Dallas’ most popular street art, like the Welcome To Dallas mural at 2901 Commerce Street.
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3. Explore Bishop Arts District
Another one of the best things to do in Dallas is explore Bishop Arts District.
This neighborhood was Dallas’ busiest trolley stop in the 1930’s, making it another historically significant place in the city.
Nowadays, that historic charm blends perfectly with the trendy shops, cafes, and bars that call the district home.
I recommend spending the morning here, and starting off with a coffee and a light bite from Tribal All Day Cafe.
For something a little more indulgent, try a creative grilled cheese sandwich from Dallas Grilled Cheese Co, or a burger from the longstanding Hunky’s.
On the weekends, Oddfellows is THE place to brunch.
If you’re looking for some spectacular ambiance, grab a meal at the Mediterranean-inspired Paradiso.
Or, stop for a cocktail at the SUPER instagrammable Casablanca, designed after a Moroccan courtyard.
After you’ve eaten, take a stroll up and down the main drag of North Bishop Avenue and keep an eye out for any stores that interest you.
Spinster Records is a cool place to peruse vintage records, and All Good Things is the perfect spot to pick up some adorable gifts and stationary.
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4. Ascend Reunion Tower
One of Dallas’ most recognizable landmarks, Reunion Tower is an observation tower that stands at 561 feet tall.
Taking a ride up to the top offers unbeatable views of the city and its surroundings.
I recommend visiting around sunset if you can, because you’ll be rewarded with stunning colors reflected off of the skyline.
You also might be able to snag reservations at the upscale Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck, which only opens for dinner.
(Unfortunately, Five Sixty is temporarily closed due to COVID.)
Reserve your Reunion Tower tickets in advance here.
5. Browse Dallas Farmers Market & The Shed
Right in the heart of Downtown Dallas, you’ll find one of the best places to shop for all of your locally-sourced needs.
Since 1941, Dallas Farmers Market has been the place for local vendors to sell fresh produce, specialty foods, and artisanal goods.
The main building, The Market Shops, is a 26,000 square foot market and food hall that’s open 7 days a week.
It houses a diverse selection of restaurants, spanning from Jamaican cuisine at Caribbean Cabana, Afghan at Laili, Vietnamese at Nammi, and Italian at the favorite Palmieri Cafe.
You can also stop for a refreshing juice at Juicebabe, or some dessert at Chelles Macarons.
Although, you’ll want to visit on the weekend if you can, because The Shed is only open on Saturday and Sunday.
The Shed is an open-air pavilion where you’ll find regional farmers selling their seasonal produce, as well as a handful of home goods and art.
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6. Ride the M-Line Trolley
Taking the M-Line Trolley is one of the best ways to see the highlights of Dallas.
Not only are these historic trolley cars super cute, they’re totally free to ride!
The route includes stops at many of the best museums, theaters, parks, and hotels in the city.
There’s even a live trolley tracker on the Mckinney Avenue Transit Authority’s website, so you can see exactly where your next ride is.
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7. Visit White Rock Lake & Dallas Arboretum
If you’re looking to enjoy some nature not too far from the city, White Rock Lake is the place for you.
Located only a 15 minute drive out of Downtown Dallas, this lake is the perfect place to spend a peaceful morning or evening.
It features a 9 mile hike and bike trail, picnic areas, and the White Rock Paddle Co. that rents kayaks and SUPs. (Although the shops closes seasonally, so check their website before making a reservation.)
This peaceful park even houses the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden.
The 66-acre botanical garden has been named one of the South’s best by Southern Living Magazine.
It’s the perfect place to take photos and admire beautiful blooms.
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8. Watch a sunset in Trinity Groves
Trinity Groves is relatively new on the Dallas scene, but there’s already a lot to appreciate here.
You’ll find this neighborhood just across the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, a picture-worthy Dallas landmark.
At the base of the bridge, Trinity Groves boasts a 15-acre dining, retail, and entertainment space set in former industrial warehouses.
The area attracts new chefs and restaurateurs through their Restaurant Concept Incubator program, which encourages creative new restaurant ideas.
Some of those concepts have already become local favorites, like the Mexican fare and liquid nitro frozen margaritas at Beto & Son.
Other popular spots are Kate Weiser Chocolate, Saint Rocco’s, and the colorful beer garden ArtPark Trinity Groves.
Nearby, Trinity Groves Overlook Park is one of the best places to watch a sunset with a view of the Dallas skyline.
It’s also the access point for the Trinity Skyline Trail, a 4.6 mile hike and bike path.
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9. Visit a museum
Dallas is home to some wonderful museums.
Exploring one or two is the perfect way to spend a rainy day in the city.
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science looks like a work of art itself, and houses a ton of interesting exhibits.
You also have the Dallas Museum of Art, which has over 24,000 works that span 5,000 years of history.
Of course, one of Dallas’ most famous museums is The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.
This museum is dedicated to the life, legacy, and assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which took place here.
Related: Art Instagram Captions
10. Visit Fort Worth Stockyards
If you’re looking for quintessential Texas, one of the best things to do in Dallas is visit the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Okay, I know, this isn’t technically in Dallas, but I still recommend it.
In fact, I think it’s one of the best things to do in Texas! Especially if you’re visiting from out of state.
That’s because it gives you a peek into classic Texas culture and history.
Fort Worth Stockyards is a historic district, just under a 40 minute drive from Downtown Dallas.
Its charming historic buildings are now renovated into shops, restaurants, and bars.
This is the place to watch a rodeo or shop for cowboy boots, all with that Wild West charm.
The stockyards even holds a twice-daily cattle drive, right down the brick-paved Main Street.
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