Dallas is famous for many things; artistic and commercial, pleasant and poignant, and just for simply being big! Big thinking, big ideas, big success. One can’t really hear the name Dallas without thinking of any of those things, especially from the oil and cotton industry point of view and, on a lesser but just as relevant scale, the memory of the country’s beloved president, John F. Kennedy, whose life was so very sadly shortened on a visit to this great city. There are also some wonderful things to enjoy, explore and experiment here, so let’s have a look at the best things to do in Dallas!
1. Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
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Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
For a lovely family day out in the fresh air, drop into Dallas’s gorgeous Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. The 66 acre gardens offer lots of interest, especially for the younger family members, including the amazing 8 acre Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden with its fun play and exploration area as well as the Children’s Garden Café. If you want to bring your own refreshments instead, there are plenty of picnic areas too. The gardens are proud of being a quiet retreat with well manicured grounds (in other words, to protect the exotic plants, no active sports are permitted).
2. The Sixth Floor Museum/Texas School Book Depository
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The Sixth Floor Museum
Most people will make this poignant visit when they visit Dallas. The Sixth Floor Museum documents the much loved President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and legacy, housing many facts about the tragic day as well as covering the President’s early life and presidential policies. Each admission comes with a self guided audio tour which makes the visit that much more educational. Even more poignant is to be able to stand at the corner window where those fateful shots had been fired. There is also an award winning gift shop offering a considerable selection of books and films as well as a nice café filled with freshly brewed coffees, teas, pastries and sandwiches.
3. Perot Museum of Nature and Science
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Perot Museum of Nature and Science
The Perot Museum is very popular with children of all ages, in particular because of its interesting hands-on learning experiences. The museum is home to five floors of 11 permanent exhibit halls that contain state-of-the-art video and 3D computer animation with awesome, life-like simulations, educational games and interactive kiosks. There is also a children’s museum, outdoor play space and courtyard! In particular the kids will love the 35 foot Malawisaurus fossil, one of many, as well as the robots. The museum has really perfected a great mix of scientific data and approachability for the kids.
4. Klyde Warren Park
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Klyde Warren Park
Klyde Warren Park is unusual in that it sits over a freeway; the Woodall Rodgers Freeway, in fact! This 5.2 acre public park opened in 2012, and named for Klyde Warren, the young son of billionaire Kelcy Warren. This unique park is easily accessible as it sits right in the middle of uptown Dallas, with food trucks and restaurants along its perimeter. The kids will be kept busy at the child size amphitheatre and storytelling tree, and there is a putting green, chess and ping pong area and dog park as well. It’s worth checking the park’s calendar of events too, as it also hosts concerts and dance lessons. There really is something for everyone here!
5. Dallas Museum of Art
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Dallas Museum of Art
Treat the family to a stop at this wonderful museum! Home to over 23,000 works of art spanning 5,000 years of humanity from all cultures, this entrance fee free museum is home to a permanent collection of masterpieces which include Picasso, Rodin, Monet, Gauguin and many more, as well as constantly changing galleries which showcase the many areas of World Art from Greek and Roman to African, American, Asian and Western European. There is even an area in which the rooms of a southern French villa once owned by Coco Chanel have been recreated!
6. American Airlines Center
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American Airlines Center
This multi purpose arena is home to the Dallas Stars (NHL) and Dallas Mavericks (NBA) as well as being used for lots of other exciting live entertainment and concerts.
American Airlines is very proud of its establishment and with good reason! The facilities are kept super clean, and offer a comfortable seating of up to 21,000 which are also handicap and access available. With plenty of snack bars selling ample varieties of snacks and drinks, a fun time is guaranteed for all!
7. White Rock Lake Park
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White Rock Lake Park
White Rock is a very popular park, offering an ample variety of special events and runs, and is loved for the fact it has managed to offer a natural area with plenty of wildlife right in the middle of an urban setting. It is also a wonderful day out for all the family as there is so much you can do here. From bird watching to kayaking and canoeing where you can enjoy paddling around the lovely lake, and with 9.33 miles of hiking and bike trails, along with picnic areas, wetlands, dog park, and plenty of space for kids to play and ride their bikes, it’s the perfect place to ‘decompress’ from city life, or simply have some family outdoor fun.
8. The Texas Theatre
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The Texas Theatre
A visit to this historic theater to watch a movie or special event will have the family feel as if they have stepped back in time. This is a piece of Dallas history that has been brought back to life, having gained historical fame as being the location of Lee Oswald’s hideout and consequent arrest for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and killing of police officer J.D. Tippit on November 22, 1963. It was also the first Dallas theater to offer air conditioning along with many state of the art luxuries, and which to this day offers authentically furnished, comfortable seating, a well stocked refreshment area and a really comfortable, friendly atmosphere, with even a vintage Pac Man game to play in the foyer!
9. Reunion Tower
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Reunion Tower
To get a really great view of Dallas, why not visit Reunion Tower? This is one of the best known Dallas landmarks, reaching the dizzy height of 561 feet, making it the city’s 15th tallest building. The family can enjoy a 360 degree view of the city as the Tower’s platform revolves. There is also the legendary chef Wolfgang Pucks’ Five Sixty restaurant at the top of the tower if you’re in the mood to enjoy a meal. The staff are very friendly and informative, and happy to answer any questions about the Tower.
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