It’s true what they say, “Everything is bigger in Texas!” Even when it comes to the never-ending list of things to see, do, eat, and drink in the wonderful and lively cities of the Lone Star State. If you have a trip coming up and you’re looking for some fun things to do in Dallas, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve rounded up our 40 best things to do in Dallas for couples, families, and everyone else in between. So saddle up, partner! Let’s check it out!
1. Sixth Floor Museum
All the context you could want about the assassination of John F. Kennedy is available at this comprehensive museum. As you work your way up to Lee Harvey Oswald’s sixth-floor spot, you’ll learn about JFK’s career and the landscape in the early-1960s. The assassination itself is covered in great detail with hundreds of photographs from the scene and analysis of the film. You can even see the window from which Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shot that killed the president.
2. Perot Museum of Nature and Science
This incredible and massive museum has 11 permanent exhibit halls on five floors and contains lots of interactivity and hands-on activities! You can experience an earthquake, make music in a sound studio, build your own robot, smell the beeswax of the Blackland Prairie, and compete against world-class athletes. It’s main attraction, however, is an amazing dinosaur hall that features fossils and research labs!
3. Frontiers of Flight Museum
Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas is a must for aviation enthusiasts! You can spend your time looking at over 30 aircraft and space vehicles on display and learning about aviation history. The museum also has a vast collection of photographs, artifacts, and planes from the World War II era. Other special attractions include the Apollo 7 command module, a model of Leonardo da Vinci’s parachute design, and missiles!
4. African American Museum
The African American Museum of Dallas is a museum that celebrates the diverse history and culture of African Americans. It features permanent displays on sports, business, politics, and civil rights, as well as temporary exhibitions that showcase different themes.
5. Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
This museum is located close to Dealey Plaza and offers an intimate and emotional experience for all visitors. There are testimonies by survivors and devastating artifacts, such as a genuine boxcar from a concentration camp train. You can see moving images, read about first hand accounts, and witness informative exhibits about the Holocaust on your visit.
6. Museum of Biblical Art
As the name suggests, this museum is a popular attraction and a treasure trove for all things related to Biblical times. You’ll uncover artifacts focused on the Old Testament, Judaic-themed ritual objects, historic sculptures, and plenty more. The museum is also renowned for its historic art, with displays ranging from Michelangelo to the Holocaust period and everything in between.
7. George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
This facility is home to various archives and memorabilia of (yup, you guessed it) President George W. Bush himself, displaying over 43,000 artifacts, letters, gifts, and so much more. As a real differentiator to most museums, this place also offers a full-scale “presidency experience,” allowing you to take a seat in a replica Oval Office!
8. Arts District
Dallas lays claim to the largest urban arts district in the United States, on 20 square blocks with a rare concentration of cultural attractions, restaurants, shopping, art galleries, music venues, and more. This is the city’s cultural hub and is known for its world-class museums and performance venues. It is also famous for its architecture and is best viewed by good old fashioned walking!
9. Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a 66-acre natural paradise located on the shores of White Rock Lake. The garden has several thousand species of trees, shrubs, and herbs, and the grounds are beautifully maintained year-round!
10. Pioneer Plaza
This public park is famous for its bronze sculpture depicting a herd of longhorns being rounded up by three cowboys. Rendered in bronze by artist Robert Summers, this marvelous sculpted ensemble is also known as the largest bronze monument in the world!
11. Giant Eyeball
Probably one of the strangest things you can do in Dallas is see this giant, blue eyeball! This 30 foot-tall fiberglass sculpture is located on private grounds of the luxurious Joule Hotel but can be easily seen from the street!
12. White Rock Lake
A peaceful and blissful place to visit if you are hoping to escape the city life! You can rent paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks on the shore and spend your day on the water. Or, explore the hiking and biking trails that surround the lake and take a pit stop at one of the many picnic tables!
