Things to do in Dallas

Things to do in  Dallas

Texas with a capital D

Wild West meets modern metropolis in the Big D. As famous for its football team—the inimitable Dallas Cowboys—and southern roots as it is for its skyscrapers and shopping malls, Dallas is Texas’ cool, cosmopolitan, and cowboy boot-wearing third city. Once you’ve hung out in the Dallas Arts District and visited JFK’s assassination site, order some frozen margaritas and dive into the Deep Ellum nightlife scene. One of the best things to do in Dallas is eat, so don’t miss a tasting tour of the city’s beloved food trucks and BBQ joints.

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Top 15 attractions in Dallas

#1

John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza

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Simple but profoundly moving, the John F. Kennedy Memorial in Dallas comprises a granite slab bearing the assassinated president’s name etched in gold. The slab is surrounded by soaring concrete walls that appear to be free-floating, capturing the feeling of loss felt around the world following Kennedy’s assassination on November 22, 1963.More
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#2

Dealey Plaza

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Dealey Plaza is a public park in Dallas, Texas, best known as the location where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, fired on by a sniper from the Texas School Book Depository. A museum focusing on Kennedy and the assassination now occupies the former depository, and there are various remembrances around the plaza.More
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#3

Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

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John F. Kennedy’s presidency, ending with his assassination in Dallas, profoundly shaped American history. Explore his legacy at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in Dallas. Filled with insightful exhibits that celebrate JFK’s personal and political life, you’ll come away with a deeper understanding of this notable American president.More
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#4

Reunion Tower

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Located in the heart of downtown Dallas, Reunion Tower has been a city landmark since 1978. Referred to affectionately as “The Ball” by locals, the tower offers sweeping panoramic views from the only indoor/outdoor observation deck in the city, plus high-definition telescopes and cameras, interactive exhibits, and two rotating restaurants.More
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#5

Dallas Arts District

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The Dallas Arts District is a hub for performing arts, museums, and architecture, and at 69 acres and 19 blocks in size, it is one of the largest urban arts districts in the United States. Visitors interested in the arts will want to check out the Winspear Opera House, Meyerson Symphony Center, and the Wyly Theatre, among others.More
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#6

Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District

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Fort Worth, once known as Cowtown, is a city that never forgot its roots. You can see those roots still honored at the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, where a Texas longhorn cattle herd takes to the streets daily. This festive ritual is exemplary of how the city continues to embrace its Cowboys and Culture brand.More
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#7

Pioneer Plaza

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Pioneer Plaza, located in downtown Dallas’ Convention Center District, honors the 19th-century cattle drives on the Shawnee Trail with a bronze sculpture of 49 longhorn steer driven by three cowboys on horseback. With a waterfall and artificial cliffs, the park is one of the most popular tourist spots in Dallas.More
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#8

Dallas World Aquarium

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Described by visitors as more zoo than aquarium, the quaint Dallas World Aquarium provides a unique experience attractive to families. Feel like you’ve entered a real rain forest at the aquarium’s re-creation of the South America Orinoco Rainforest, home to colorful birds and the only three-toed-sloth exhibit in the US.More
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#9

AT&T Stadium (Cowboys Stadium)

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AT&T Stadium (previously named Cowboys Stadium) is a top attraction for sports fans visiting Dallas. Located in Arlington, Texas, the stadium is most famous for its resident Dallas Cowboys football team and giant retractable roof. In addition to football games, the venue hosts concerts and other events year-round.More
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#10

Perot Museum of Nature and Science

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Based in downtown Dallas, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science offers a variety of exhibits at its Victory Park campus. The museum features 60,000 square feet (5,574 square meters) of hands-on activities, interactive displays, games, and activities. Special events are planned throughout the year for both kids and adults.More
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#11

George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum

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The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum explores the two terms of the United States’ 43rd president. Several exhibits tell the story of American history from 2001 to 2009, including the terrorist attacks of September 11, while the nation’s second-largest presidential library welcomes visitors to peruse official records and artifacts from Bush’s presidency.More
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#12

Billy Bob's Texas

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The famous roadhouse-style barbecue steak, brisket, and ribs are only part of the story at Billy Bob’s Texas, dubbed the world’s largest honky tonk. More than 6,000 people can squeeze into the Fort Worth venue to watch country music concerts, hit the dance floor, dine at the restaurant, play arcade games, or watch a bull riding contest.More
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#13

Dallas Zoo

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The oldest and largest zoo in Texas, the Dallas Zoo is home to hundreds of animals, including a herd of elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, ostriches, gorillas, and penguins. On the zoo’s 106 acres you’ll also find the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo, a highly rated reptile and amphibian exhibit, and the only koalas in Texas.More
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#14

Nasher Sculpture Center

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The Dallas Arts District’s Nasher Sculpture Center is home to some of the finest examples of modern sculpture in the world. With more than 300 pieces in the permanent collection, visitors can see works by Alexander Calder, Willem de Kooning, Pablo Picasso, and Alberto Giacometti, plus special exhibits featuring artwork on loan.More
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#15

SEA LIFE® Aquarium Dallas

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Beyond anything you’d expect inside a mall, atSEA LIFE® Aquarium Dallas you can immerse yourself in the oceanic environment filled with sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, clownfish, jellyfish, touch tanks, and more. Visitors of all ages will love walking through the 360-degree ocean tunnel, watching fish swim overhead.More
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Itineraries for your Dallas trip

Top activities in Dallas

JFK Assassination and Museum Tour with Lee Harvey Oswald Rooming House

JFK Assassination and Museum Tour with Lee Harvey Oswald Rooming House

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Sightseeing Tour of Dallas

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Dallas CityPASS®

Dallas CityPASS®

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Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum and Downtown Dallas

Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum and Downtown Dallas

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Dallas and Cowboys Stadium Combo Tour

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Dallas and JFK Cruizer Tour

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Small-Group Dallas and Fort Worth City Sightseeing Tour

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Half-Day Best of Fort Worth Historical Tour with Transportation from Dallas

Half-Day Best of Fort Worth Historical Tour with Transportation from Dallas

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Southfork Ranch and Dallas/JFK Highlights Tour

Southfork Ranch and Dallas/JFK Highlights Tour

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1-Hour JFK Assassination Walking Tour

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Dallas and JFK Full-Day Tour with Sixth Floor Museum and Oswald Rooming House

Dallas and JFK Full-Day Tour with Sixth Floor Museum and Oswald Rooming House

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Dallas Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate

Dallas Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate

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JFK Assassination Tour with JFK Museum and Oswald's Rooming House

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Dallas' Reunion Tower GeO-Deck Observation Ticket
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Dallas' Reunion Tower GeO-Deck Observation Ticket

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SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevine Admission Ticket

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JFK Assassination Tour with Oswald's Rooming House

JFK Assassination Tour with Oswald's Rooming House

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Haunted Dallas Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour

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Half-Day Best of Fort Worth Historical Tour with Transportation from Dallas

Half-Day Best of Fort Worth Historical Tour with Transportation from Dallas

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All about Dallas

When to visit

All the frozen margaritas in Dallas won’t keep you cool in the Texan heat—temperatures can climb over 100°F (40°C) from June through August. To avoid the sweltering heat and the summer crowds, opt for a spring or fall visit instead, when the weather is ideal for sightseeing, and the Big D hosts some of its most popular festivals. Add the Dallas Blooms, the Dallas International Film Festival, and the State Fair of Texas to your travel itinerary.

Getting around

Dallas is huge, so make the most of the four DART Rail train routes (red, blue, green, and orange), which link downtown Dallas with the city’s airports and neighborhoods. Alternatively, hop on a DART bus, ride the Dallas Streetcar between downtown Dallas and the Bishop Arts District, or take the M-Line Trolley from the Dallas Arts District to Uptown. If you want to escape the crowds, Uber, Lyft, and Alto can get you to other parts of the city.

Traveler tips

Dallas is foodie heaven, so swing by the Dallas Farmers Market before booking a table at one of the city’s brunch hot spots. Don’t leave the city without checking out the food trucks at Klyde Warren Park, where you’ll find Fletcher’s corny dogs, a local institution (order yours the Dallas way with mustard and a Dr. Pepper).

Local Currency
US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
CDT (UTC -6)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
English
Attractions
24
Tours
211
Reviews
7,891

A local’s pocket guide to Dallas

Kristin Dorsett

Kristin grew up in Dallas and spent her formative years visiting theme parks and music venues. Now, as an adult who frequently visits family in the area, she's far more appreciative of the region’s food and culture.

The first thing you should do in Dallas is...

find a barbecue restaurant with an outdoor patio and order a beer or margarita. One of my favorites is Ferris Wheelers Backyard and BBQ in the Design District.

A perfect Saturday in Dallas...

involves catching a show in Deep Ellum. While the names have changed since I spent my formative college years hopping from venue to venue, the laid back vibe and cold beer have not.

One touristy thing that lives up to the hype is...

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which covers the history of the JFK assassination. Although I didn’t appreciate it as a school kid, I learned a lot as an adult.

To discover the "real" Dallas...

you should visit when there’s a rodeo in town. The most famous is the Mesquite Rodeo which typically runs during the summer months.

For the best view of the city...

eat at the restaurant at the top of Reunion Tower. It’s a bit pricey but the views are phenomenal. Plus, Dallas is very flat, so you can see for miles and miles.

One thing people get wrong...

is thinking Dallasites all wander around in 10-gallon cowboy hats. Typically, if you see someone in a cowboy hat, they’re a tourist.

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People Also Ask

What is Dallas known for?

Think of Dallas and you can’t help but think of the Dallas Cowboys—arguably the most famous football team in the NFL. The Texan city is also famous for the TV show “Dallas”, the birthplace and headquarters of 7-Eleven, and as the city where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

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What attractions are there in Dallas?

Head up the landmark Reunion Tower for a view over Dallas, visit the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum, and take a stroll around the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Football fans won’t want to miss a behind-the-scenes tour of the AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.

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How can I have fun in Dallas?

Watch a show in the Arts District, ride a rollercoaster at the Six Flags Over Texas theme park, or dive into the interactive exhibits at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. In the evening hours, head to the Deep Ellum entertainment district to sip frozen Margheritas and enjoy live music.

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How can I spend 3 days in Dallas?

Three days in Dallas gives you enough time to take in the top attractions and explore Dallas’ neighborhoods. Visit the Reunion Tower, John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza, and Dallas Arboretum, tour the AT&T Stadium, and party in the Deep Ellum entertainment district, then take a day trip to Arlington or Fort Worth.

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What entertainment is there in Dallas?

Dallas is a cultural hub, where you can discover the museums of the Arts District, hit the shops at the NorthPark Center or Dallas Galleria malls, or catch a football game at AT&T Stadium. The Deep Ellum entertainment district is buzzing at night, packed with bars, restaurants, and live music venues.

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Is Dallas safe to visit?

Yes, Dallas is generally a safe city to visit. However, crime rates are still reasonably high, and, like all major US cities, you should take care at night and keep an eye on valuables. South Dallas, Cedar Crest, and the Convention Center District are some of the less safe areas.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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