The 20 best things to do in Dallas

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.

There are plenty of top barbecue joints in town, but the one that locals keep going back to is the award-winning Pecan Lodge. The pit-smoked food at this restaurant in the hip Deep Ellum neighborhood is out of this world (as evidenced by the lines out the door, around the corner, and into the parking lot). The handmade jalapeño sausages, ribs, and beef brisket are particularly excellent, while the “hot mess” (sea salt-crusted sweet potato topped with barbacoa and chipotle cream) is deliriously good.

Pop your rodeo cherry in Fort Worth at the Stockyards Championship Rodeo. Held in the historic 1908 Cowtown Coliseum, this was the site of the world’s first indoor rodeo. Fast forward to the modern day, and it still hosts events starring the finest cowboys and cowgirls in town. Befriend gregarious Texans while you’re there and hit up Refinery 714 on Main Street for the after-party.

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.

There are sports stadiums, and then there are sports spaceships—AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys) is undeniably the latter. Nicknamed ‘Jerry World’ after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, this incredible $1.15-billion gridiron cathedral seats upwards of 100,000 fans and has won multiple awards for its innovative design. Jump on the VIP guided tour, and get behind-the-scenes access to everything from the press box to the locker room.

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 two-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 US) is renowned for its Spanish-influenced architecture and haute couture (think Chanel, Dior, and Alexander McQueen). After shopping, grab a cupcake from Bird Bakery to make the most of your trip. Or, if you’re on the hunt for more style points, Dallas is also home to the epic NorthPark Center, an award-winning citadel of style that blends over 235 stores with contemporary art and a 1.4-acre garden. 

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 with cyclists, dog walkers, inline skaters, and runners alike.

No trip to Dallas is complete without a visit to the most famous white house west of Washington, D.C. Home to the dysfunctional Ewing clan of the Dallas TV show, Southfork Ranch is an easy 40-minute drive from downtown Dallas to the small suburb of Parker, Texas. This is a functioning ranch, and you can take horseback riding lessons or hit the trails with a guide. You can’t miss a chance to join a guided tour of the house, taking in everything from J.R.’s bedroom to the gun that shot him, as well as plenty of costumes, clips, and props from one of the longest-running shows in television history.

While the police were on their trail for over two years, you can capture Bonnie and Clyde’s time in Dallas in a swift three hours. Both the infamous Depression-era outlaws grew up in the Dallas area, where their crime and murder spree began before ending in a hail of bullets just across the Louisiana border on May 23, 1934. On an excursion with DFW Historical Tours, you’ll stop at Clyde’s family home, the cafe where Bonnie worked, their hole-ups and crime sites, and their graves. The tour includes transportation and a guide whose family has been connected to the outlaws for nearly a century.

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.

Get to know Dallas on horseback at Texas Horse Park. The 302-acre park sits within the Great Trinity Forest, an area once owned by Davy Crockett and his wife. With riding lessons, trail rides, and hippotherapy, the Texas Horse Park is a tribute to Texas' equestrian history. Channel your inner cowboy or cowgirl as you ride along the Trinity River amid ancient trees, freshwater springs, and a large Native American archaeological site.

Lower Greenville, formerly an area worth avoiding, has become the hottest ticket for a good time in town. Shop through small gift and clothing shops on the avenue, or have a beer on the buzzing outdoor patio at the Truck Yard. Finish the evening with cocktails on the lively roof terrace at HG Sply Co or a live show at the Granada Theater.