What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear about Dallas? Perhaps, it’s the best things to do in Dallas. Perhaps, it’s the Dallas Cowboys American football team, or the delectable Southern cuisines. Or, if you love wildlife, it could be the Dallas Zoo. 

Dallas keeps a rich history. This city in Texas was founded by John Neely Bryan – a Presbyterian farmer, lawyer, and tradesman in the United States – who settled on the east bank of the Trinity River nearby a natural ford one day in 1841. Bryan had chosen the best spot for a trading post to serve the population migrating into the region. 

Today, Dallas has evolved to being one of the hottest destinations for tourists from all over the world. So, in this travel guide, we are going to discover the best things to do in Dallas. Keep reading! The countdown begins right now.

Best Things To Do In Dallas

1. Dig In To Great Food

The first activity in Dallas that we are going to showcase right here is its great food. Obviously, you must first fill your stomachs before heading to your sightseeing tours. And Dallas will spoil you of its gastronomic treats. Dig in.

Dallas is known for its Tex-Mex recipes, barbecue, and soul food. The city’s tenure as a confluence of Mexican and American culture is hugely responsible for its reputation in the kitchen. 

According to food website Eater Dallas, the best places to try Dallas cuisine are Babe’s Chicken Dinner House, Tolbert’s, and Mia’s Tex-Mex Restaurant, among countless others. 

2. Pay Tribute To The Assassinated American President, John F. Kennedy At The Sixth Floor Museum

The names of former president John F. Kennedy and Dallas are strongly intertwined. Kennedy was assassinated at around noontime as he rode in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas.

So what better way to remember the former president than visiting Dallas? Stop by the Sixth Floor Museum. Located at Dealey Plaza, the place where Kennedy was shot, the museum chronicles his life and assassination from a historical, cultural, and social standpoint. This is one of the things to do in Dallas worth checking out.

You can also travel back in time and be in the experience as the museum lets you stand in front of the window from which the assassin fired his rifle. Then, you can proceed to the Grassy Knoll to see the spot in the street where Kennedy was actually shot. It’s one of the best things to do in Dallas that you don’t want to miss.

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3. Hop On And Off The McKinney Avenue Trolley

In a world filled with Uber and Grab cars, trolleys would certainly be a treasure. Hop on and off Dallas’ trolley, which travels up and down the lively McKinney Avenue in Uptown and the downtown Arts District. 

Yes, it is free of charge. Founded in the 1980s, it operates all year round, and you can jump on the trolley as you explore around and sample the best offerings in the best pubs in town. Or, hop off to other Dallas attractions such as the Dallas Museum.

4. Be In Tune With Nature At Dallas Arboretum 

Dallas Arboretum is touted as one of the best botanical gardens anywhere in the world. This 66-acre botanical garden is a museum, nature-style. There are nature exhibits throughout the year, as well as Christmas displays during the fall and winter season.

Then, be sure to wander along the Texas Skywalk to be treated with the most spectacular views, relax on the rooftop of the Moody Oasis, and walk under a waterfall at the Cascades. 

And, if you are a fan of music, Dallas Arboretum showcases concerts atop its beautifully manicured lawn on the shores of its White Rock Lake. Listen to a wide range of musical genres, especially songs from the 70s and 80s. Truly nostalgic. 

5. Revel Into Various Art Forms At Arts District

Some people travel for shopping. Some people travel for the heart-pounding experiences. Some people travel for the beaches. Some people, well, travel to see great art. Take those tourists who visit Dallas’ Arts District, for instance. 

Regarded as the largest contiguous urban arts district in America that challenges Paris, Dallas’ Arts District is a 118-acre expanse filled with museums and theaters. If you are an enthusiast of visual arts and the performing arts, this is the place to be. The district is home to the Dallas Museum of Art, Crow Museum of Asian Art, AT&T Performing Arts Center, and so much more.

And if you feel that going around the district is too much, you can stop by the many restaurants in the area to grab some food, such as at DMA Cafe, La Stella Cucina Verace, The Artisan, and more.

There are more things to do in Dallas in this piece. Keep reading!

6. Watch A Rodeo Show At Stockyards Championship Rodeo

If you feel like your Dallas itinerary is a little bit boring, and you want some action, your wish will be granted at the Stockyards Championship Rodeo. As the name implies, this is where you can watch indoor rodeo shows that will keep your heart racing and craving for more. 

The show is held in the historic 1908 Cowtown Coliseum, which is also where the world’s first indoor rodeo happened. Believe it or not, until today, it still hosts shows starring the finest cowboys and cowgirls in town. 

And be sure to stay after the show. Afterparties are being held at Refinery 714 on Main Street where you can make friends with gregarious Texans.

7. Don’t Forget To Get A VIP Guided Tour Around AT&T Stadium

AT&T is not your usual sports stadium. It is a sports spaceship stadium! Yes, this home of the Dallas Cowboys, nicknamed “Jerry World” after the owner Jerry Jones, is a massive $1.15-billion gridiron cathedral that can accommodate up to 100,000 fans – not to mention it has won several awards for its highly innovative design. 

Because it is a one-of-a-kind sports stadium, it does not leave you missing out on the whole experience as it offers a VIP guided tour. Once you avail this tour, you can get behind-the-scenes access to everything from the press box to the locker room. This is among the things to do in Dallas that is perfect for avid fans and tourists alike.

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8. Propose To Your Special Someone At Reunion Tower

If Paris has the Eiffel Tower, New York City has the Empire State Building, Seattle has the Space Needle, Dallas takes pride in its Reunion Tower. The icon of the Dallas skyline, it is more than just a tower or observatory. 

The deck is where the best activities and things to do in Dallas happen. There’s a revolving restaurant and bar on the deck, as well as yoga and painting sessions. 

Looking for the best place to propose to your special someone? Look no further, because lovers can book the tower’s proposal package, so you can romantically pop the question with bubbles in its private section.

9. Boogie At Round Up Saloon 

We’re not yet done with our list of the best things to do in Dallas. If you love good music and dancing, head over to Round Up Saloon and get ready to boogie!

If you are in Dallas, you will learn there are two popular music genres here, country and western. At Round Up Saloon, you have the power to enjoy both. It has plenty of bars, a karaoke space, a pool room, and a sizable dance floor. 

On the dance floor, you can wear those cowboy boots as you get ready to boogie. Plus, if you are not a line dancer and want to learn this dance genre, there’s a dance hall at Round Up Saloon that offers line dancing lessons nearly every night week round. 

10. Do Your Shopping Spree At Highland Park Village

New York, Tokyo in Japan, London in the United Kingdom, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Paris in France, Hong Kong in China, and Buenos Aires in Argentina are all listed as the best cities worldwide for shopping. We know what you’re thinking – where is Dallas?

Well, Dallas is on the quieter, more humble side when talking about shopping, but it never fails to provide for every shopper’s needs and wants, as shopping is considered a local sport in the Big D. Shopping is one of the best things to do in Dallas, particularly at Highland Park Village. 

The first outdoor shopping center in the United States, Highland Park Village is truly a beautiful landmark because of its Spanish-influenced architecture. Here, you can find lots of restaurants and shops with catalogs in women’s fashion, menswear, children’s outfits, jewelry, shoes, handbags, beauty products, and so much more. 

The shops here include Alexander McQueen, Tom Ford, Jimmy Choo, Ralph Lauren, Christian Louboutin, Rolex, Chanel, Dior, Fendi, Hermès, and more. Posh shopping, you think? You got it.

Additionally, after shopping, cupcakes from the Bird Bakery are a must-try.

More Of The Best Things To Do In Dallas

As much as we would like to populate this list of the best things to do in Dallas, we could go for ages. So to drive home the point, here is the rundown of more of these activities.

• The Dallas World Aquarium
• Perot Museum of Nature and Science
• Klyde Warren Park
• Dallas Farmers Market
• Frontiers of Flight Museum
• George W. Bush Presidential Center
• Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
• And a whole lot more!

So that wraps up our listing of the best things to do in Dallas.

Your Dallas Adventure Awaits: The Experience Of A Lifetime 

In Texas, they say, “You got to go big, or go home,” and this applies to its great city of Dallas. Dallas is for the big time, for those who have big dreams. Never miss any moment. 

Dallas offers a wide range of activities and attractions that will definitely entertain and delight visitors, regardless of their ages and interests. From world-class museums and art galleries to exciting outdoor adventures and theme parks, there is no shortage of activities to do in this fully vibrant and diverse city.

Whether you are a foodie, a history buff, a sports lover, or simply looking for a place to have fun and relax, Dallas always has something for everyone. What are you waiting for? Plan your trip and book your experience in this bustling metropolis in Texas. 

From the classics like the Reunion Tower and the Arts District, to new experiences and must-see spots like the Design District and Trinity Groves, there are endless ways to fill a trip and enjoy many things to do in Dallas.

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