The best things to do in Dallas

Dallas has several walkable neighborhoods, but none are quite as charming as Bishop Arts. 1920s-era bungalows now house restaurants, bars and shops, so there’s plenty to keep you entertained for an afternoon or the whole evening. Itinerary permutations are endless, but a few good stops include The Wild Detectives to browse books with a glass of wine, Paradiso or Taco y Vino for a leisurely lunch and some high-energy dancing to vinyl DJs at Ladylove Lounge & Sound. If you think ahead, try to snag a dinner reservation at Lucia, one of the best Italian restaurants in town.

This trippy, immersive art installation hails from Sante Fe and debuted in DFW in 2023 as the brand’s fourth permanent exhibit. Dubbed “the Real Unreal,” it tells the story of a suburban family that went missing after unlocking portals to a different world. You can explore their home, where nothing is as it seems, to unravel a series of clues across more than 30 rooms. It’s weird, wild and worth a visit.

DFW is stocked with breweries, so you’ve got plenty to choose from. Fortunately, some of the city’s best beer makers are congregated around downtown and the Design District, so you can make a day of it and check out spots like Community, Peticolas, Manhattan Project and Pegasus without spending all day in the car. We mean someone else’s car, obviously—this is a job for Uber or Lyft.

The Great Trinity Forest, just south of Downtown Dallas, is one of the largest urban forests in the country. It’s also home to the Trinity Forest Adventure Park, where you can partake in aerial adventures like zip lining, ropes courses and military-style obstacles. Race through the treetops from 50 feet above the ground on more than 30 zip lines, test your balance across wobbly bridges and tight ropes and see nature in whole new ways.

Dallas’s best barbecue is found in a little strip mall, where the Cattleack team is serving perfectly smoked brisket, dino-size beef ribs, pulled pork and sides like burnt end beans and hatch chili mac and cheese. It’s only open for lunch on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and the first Saturday of the month, so plan your schedule accordingly. Pro tip: get there before the doors open to limit your time in line.

The Sixth Floor Museum chronicles the life and assassination of JFK from a historical, social and cultural perspective. Poke through more than 90,000 artifacts and stand in front of the window from which Lee Harvey Oswald fired his rifle. Afterward, head to the Grassy Knoll to see the “X” in the street where JFK was fatally shot before making your way to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza a few blocks away.

This 66-acre botanical garden is one of the top botanical gardens in the world, offering spectacular nature exhibits throughout the year, such as the largest floral festival in the southwest, Artscape (an arts and crafts show) and jaw-dropping pumpkin and Christmas displays in the fall and winter. Wander along the Texas Skywalk for spectacular views, relax on the rooftop of the Moody Oasis and walk under a waterfall at the Cascades.

Dallas has more than just pickup trucks—jump on the city’s trolley, which trundles up and down the lively McKinney Avenue in Uptown and the downtown Arts District. Founded in 1983, it usually operates 365 days a year and is free of charge. Hop on and off as you sample the best pubs in town (one particular highlight is The Standard Pour, known for its barrel-aged cocktails), or hop off at Klyde Warren Park or even the Dallas Museum of Art to see what downtown has to offer.

Embrace your rodeo dreams, or just live vicariously through actual cowboys and cowgirls at the Stockyards Championship Rodeo in Fort Worth, which is held each Friday and Saturday night. It’s only about 45 minutes from Dallas but feels like a world away, with a full roster of events like breakaway roping, team roping and barrel racing, plus bull riding and special showcases that bring in the best talent from across the country. 

Dallas boasts the largest contiguous urban arts district in America: a 118-acre expanse packed with museums, restaurants and theaters. Get your bearings on a scavenger hunt or walking tour before deciding where to invest your time. Highlights include the Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, Crow Museum of Asian Art and the AT&T Performing Arts Center, a multi-venue music and theater complex centered on the striking drum-shaped Winspear Opera House.

Seattle has the Space Needle, New York has the Empire State building and Dallas has the Reunion Tower. This skyline icon is more than just a pretty observatory—partake in permanent and seasonal activities on the deck like yoga, painting and a revolving restaurant and bar. On the lookout for over-the-top romance? Lovers can also book a “Love Is in the Air” proposal package to pop the question with bubbles in a private section. 

The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum might not sound like a barrel of laughs, but this is a fascinating treasure trove of early 21st-century history. In addition to a significant exhibit on the 9/11 attacks, the museum includes an exact replica of the Oval Office, plus incredible insights into the Bush dynasty. The standout attraction, however, is the strangely addictive Decision Points Theater, where visitors make decisions based on genuine evidence the President had at his disposal. Spoiler; being President isn't as easy as it looks.

The long, narrow Klyde Warren Park opened in late 2012 on top of the Woodall Rogers Freeway and has since become one of the most popular spots in Dallas. This 5.2-acre park hitches the city’s Uptown and downtown Arts District together. You’ll find a popular playground, a stage that hosts live concerts and food trucks that line one side of the park. Throw in dozens of free daily activities (think table tennis, badminton, chess, ice skating, concerts and yoga), and it’s easy to see why Klyde Warren Park is a worthwhile stop on any visit.

This calming space is nestled within Dallas Arts District and is home to one of the finest collections of modern and contemporary art in the world. The lush 1.4-acre sculpture garden is a paradise for photographers and Instagrammers, with works by Rodin, Henry Moore, George Segal and more. It also forms an incredible backdrop to 'til Midnight at the Nasher, a free live music and outdoor movie series that includes admission to the museum.

Locals like both kinds of music in Dallas: country and western. The best way to enjoy both? By two-stepping, naturally. With six bars, karaoke, a pool room and a large dance floor perfect for busting a move, don your cowboy boots and get ready to boogie at Round Up Saloon. This glitzy gay bar and dance hall offers popular line dancing lessons nearly every night of the week, so get ready for box steps and partner-swinging galore.

Ever fancied a Stetson hat, bolo tie or cowhide boots? Wild Bill’s Western Store will hook you up. Situated in Dallas’ historic West End, the iconic store has welcomed everyone from Bon Jovi to Mick Jagger. Just going into the store is a Texan bucket list experience in and of itself.

Shopping is a local sport in Dallas, so if you want to play ball with your credit card, you’ve come to the right place. Highland Park Village—the first outdoor shopping center in the U.S.—is renowned for its Spanish-influenced architecture and haute couture (think Chanel, Dior and Alexander McQueen). After shopping, grab lunch with the posh crowd at Sadelle’s or squeeze into Honor Bar to fuel up with a burger and salad.

Get a breath of fresh air on this 3.5-mile trail, a route stitching together several Dallas districts that follow the path of the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad. While you won’t find any trains along the trail, you will find almost everything else; the Katy Trail is popular among cyclists, dog walkers, inline skaters and runners alike.

When uptown, indulge in Dallas’ glamorous side at the swankiest afternoon tea spot in town. Every weekend, Hotel Crescent Court’s conservatory sunroom and courtyard transform into a quaint English-meets-Texan celebration of tea and scones, with views overlooking the property’s beautifully manicured gardens and grand fountains. Dress to impress, and opt for the “endless champagne” option for extra glamour.

Lower Greenville seems to change its stripes each decade, but in its current era, the popular strip is one of the best dining neighborhoods in the city. The choose-your-own-adventure collection of stops includes Michelin-awarded bars and restaurants as well as beer gardens and lovable dives. For the best meals, try Sister, Goodwins, Rye, Quarter Acre, Shoyo and Via Triozzi, and don’t miss the top-notch cocktails at Apothecary, where the bar team puts a culinary spin on its creative drinks.