I recently had the opportunity to explore Dallas for 6 incredible days. I explored most of Downtown Dallas, Fort Worth and we ate at a bunch of BBQ spots. From the aquarium to the Fort Worth Stock Yards, here are the top 10 things to see and do in Dallas, Texas!
The J.F Kennedy Memorial is located a block away from Dealey Plaza, the building from where the 35th President was assassinated.
The sixth and seventh floors of the Sixth Floor Museum are dedicated to him, and they feature photographs, films and artefacts that narrate and chronicle the late President’s life, death and legacy.
The Open air John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza, on the other hand, is a cenotaph with plain white walls that appear to be free-floating and expressing the feeling of loss and emptiness that was brought about by the assassination on November 22, 1963. It is a place of reflection, and the granite slab only bears three words etched in gold; John Fitzgerald Kennedy!
The Dallas World Aquarium is more than just an aquarium and features a great deal of wildlife. It is a non-profit aquarium and a zoo that aims at preserving endangered animals. It starts with artificial reproduction of the Orinoco Rainforest, where you can see exotic birds like Cocks-of-the-rock in habitat-like exhibits and animals such poison-dart frogs and vampire bats.
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The major attraction is an awe-inspiring, interactive 40-foot tunnel dug through a shark tank where you are surrounded by large fish. There are also smaller displays that boast colorful corals, jellyfish and vibrant sea anemones from all over the world. If you visit with children, they get to learn life-long lessons about the relationship between the world’s species and themselves.
If you want to get a perfect view of Dallas, then the Reunion Tower is the place to visit. This is one of the most known Dallas landmarks and is the City’s 15th tallest building. The tower has 3 circular floors which surround a central glass-encased shaft. Go to the ‘GeO-Deck’ which offers interactive digital experiences that give you information about various Dallas Landmarks.
There are also telescopes that offer amazing views of the urban landscape from a startling vantage point. You get to enjoy 360-degree views as the platform rotates. You can then capture some amazing photos of Dallas to take with you!
The Klyde Warren Park is somehow unusual in that it sits over a freeway. It is a unique 5.2-acre public park and a piece of gorgeously manicured urban green space in the heart of Dallas’ urban hub which is easily accessible. This park serves as a gateway between downtown and the Arts District, and it is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city to get some rest.
This is an awesome place if you are in Dallas and you want to walk. And if you have kids, then it becomes a must go. There’s a child-size amphitheater and a storytelling tree that are treasured spots for Children. There are also daily programs like yoga, outdoor classes, concerts and much more. Further, there are food trucks along the streets if you need a bite!
The Westin Galleria Hotel is one of the best places you could stay when in Dallas. It is an incredible hotel located inside one of the best malls in Dallas, the Galleria Mall. It is just about 20 minutes’ drive from the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport making it easily accessible and convenient. The hotel features convenient amenities like free Wi-Fi and a business center, as it is located amongst shops and Restaurant.
The rooms are quite comfortable and everything that you would expect. They are equipped with the latest amenities and furniture. The staff is always pleasant to talk to and if you need some fine dining, the 2nd Floor Bistro-Bar and The Oceanaire Seafood Room will give you just that!
Deep Ellum is Dallas’ most exciting entertainment district and if you love the hype then this is not to miss. It is a neighborhood that is mostly composed of arts and entertainment venues, and it is the one that fills Dallas City with its breath and spirit. The place always possesses an electric atmosphere and is located just a few blocks east of downtown Dallas.
Deep Ellum comes alive at night, and its nightlife has given it all the fame. There are live music venues which feature countless of concerts. Nowadays, its food scene has also gone a notch higher, and you can get the best of Dallas foods here. There’s even a brewpub that will light up your head if you are a beer lover!
Pecan Lodge is highly revered in Dallas, and it is arguably the best spot for the best barbecue in Dallas. It is located in Deep Ellum, having moved from Dallas Farmers Market in a bid to increase production and cater for the high demand. However, somehow people can’t just have enough of their bbq and will always flock the place. They make bbq that is all cooked in an array of unique offset smokers. The result is a smoky, tasty bbq meal.
Getting a taste of Pecan Lodge’s sumptuous grab may ask for some patience, but the experience can’t be overstated. You can also get some excellent fried chicken here or the stuffed sweet potato popularly known as the Hot Mess. This spot was named among the top 4 bbq joints in the World by ‘Texas Monthly’, and a visit will show you why!
Fort Worth is the beginning of the west, and the Fort Worth Stockyards national Historic District is the culmination of the Western culture. It is emblematic of the establishment of the livestock industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The place was once a home to cowboys, cattle men and outlaws, but today it is one of the places that you must visit in Texas with people coming in day and night to get a taste of American West.
The living museum celebrates the Wild West day of the area, and there are cattle drives twice a day. The Stockyards museum has an extensive collection of documents and artifacts from Old West era. You can have a walk on the elevated sidewalk that are past the historic buildings to get a glimpse of life at the turn of the century.
The Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar BAR-B-QUE is yet another excellent bbq point which you must visit when in Texas. The Coopers brand in itself is a legend and a stalwart in the barbecue business and the name always pops up among the best in the US. Here, the West Texas ‘cowboy style’ is used in the cooking, and the meats are cooked with direct heat from coals rather than get smoked with indirect heat and wood smoke.
Cooper’s Forth Worth has a huge dining area and an outdoor patio that is very spacious. Before you get in, you line up to select your meat from a holding pit. The spectacle there can overwhelm you and that is the part you’ll need to exercise restraint. Otherwise you’ll end up getting everything! In Texas, you can also visit Houston which has a vibrant, colorful nightlife filled with variety of food spots. Visiting Restaurants is the best way to experience a Houston nightlife.
The Fort Worth Zoo was recently ranked by USA Today as one the top 4 zoos in the US. This is rightly so and a place you must visit when in Dallas. The zoo was opened in 1909 and is home to more than 500 species of animals. It has a wide array of indoor and outdoor exhibits to enjoy.
The Fort Worth Zoo houses everything from primates, lions, cheetahs, flamingos and other exotic animals. You also get to see some of the most endangered reptiles and amphibians on the planet at the Museum of Living Art (MOLA). Lately, the zoo has gotten a lot of attention with its huge expansion and the birth of a baby chimpanzee, the first one since 1989.
Discover the heart of Texas through a scavenger hunt. It won’t be like the type of scavenger hunts you used to do as a kid. These are tailored to adults, whether it be for team-building skills at work to custom games for your group. Since 2000, CityHUNT has vowed to change the world one entertaining and unique scavenger hunt at a time.
Tours we recommend:
Dallas Arts District Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure
Dallas Hotels to DFW/DAL Airport: 1-Way Private Trans
Dallas is a place you can travel to with a family, and the people are extremely welcoming! There are so many things to see and do, but this is part of everything I did while staying in Dallas. A special thanks to the Westin Galleria Hotel in Dallas for hosting us!
What did you think of the top 10 things to see and do in Dallas? If you have any more recommendations please leave us a comment below!
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Ray says:
Touring the Texas Motor Speedway – or watching a NASCAR or Indy event if one is going on – is my #1 recommendation. It’s the second largest racetrack in North America (behind Indianapolis Motor Speedway) and can appeal to just about anyone who has a general interest in sports or local DFW culture. I’m not a big auto racing fan myself, but the tour did inspire me to start watching more NASCAR races afterwards. Just keep in mind that the Texas Motor Speedway is located about 30 minutes North of the Forth Worth Stockyards District. So, you’ll need access to some sort of transportation as there is no public transit systems that will take you there.