Things to do in Dallas
Spring and fall are mild and pleasant. Summers are long, hot, and humid (often 95F+); winters are short and mild with occasional ice.
Best months: March, April, October, November
What is worth your time in Dallas
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical GardenDo not miss
66 acres of gardens on White Rock Lake, spectacular during spring blooms and fall pumpkins.
Park · 2.5 hr4.7
Dallas Museum of ArtDo not miss
A free encyclopedic art museum anchoring the downtown Arts District, with a strong global collection.
Museum · 2.5 hr4.7
Klyde Warren ParkDo not miss
A 5-acre park built over a freeway, with food trucks, lawns, and games linking downtown to the Arts District.
Park · 1.1 hr4.7
Perot Museum of Nature and ScienceDo not miss
A striking cube of a museum with dinosaurs, gems, and hands-on science, great for families.
Museum · 2.5 hr4.7
Reunion TowerDo not miss
The ball-topped icon of the Dallas skyline, with a 360-degree GeO-Deck over the city.
Viewpoint · 1.1 hr4.7
Nasher Sculpture CenterDo not miss
A jewel-box museum and garden of modern sculpture in the Arts District.
Museum · 1.6 hr4.6
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey PlazaDo not miss
The definitive museum on JFK's assassination, in the building from which the shots were fired, overlooking Dealey Plaza.
Museum · 2 hr4.6
Bishop Arts DistrictDo not miss
A walkable Oak Cliff strip of indie boutiques, murals, and acclaimed restaurants.
Neighborhood · 2 hr
Dallas Arts DistrictDo not miss
The largest contiguous urban arts district in the US, home to the city's marquee museums and halls.
Neighborhood · 1.5 hr
Deep EllumDo not miss
Dallas's live-music and street-art heart, packed with murals, bars, and music venues.
Neighborhood · 2.3 hr
Fort Worth Botanic Garden and Japanese Garden
Texas's oldest botanic garden, with a tranquil koi-pond Japanese Garden.
Park · 1.5 hr4.8
Kimbell Art Museum
A small, perfect Louis Kahn-designed museum in Fort Worth with a superb old-master collection.
Museum · 2 hr4.8
The Kessler Theater
A restored 1942 art-deco theater in Oak Cliff hosting intimate live music.
Nightlife · 2.3 hr4.8
White Rock Lake Park
A 9-mile loop trail around a scenic lake, Dallas's favorite spot for running, cycling, and sailing.
Park · 1.8 hr4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- The DFW metroplex is huge and car-dependent; budget for driving and parking between districts.
- Summer heat is intense; plan outdoor stops for morning or evening.
- DART light rail covers downtown, Deep Ellum, and the arts district if you want to avoid driving in the core.
- Fort Worth is a 45-minute drive west and worth a full day for its Stockyards and museums.