The 25 Best Things To Do In Dallas, Texas, On Your Next Visit

Dallas is one of those quintessential must-see Southern cities where you feel equally comfortable in both cowboy boots and stilettos. Between a storied football franchise, glittering city skyline, historical intrigue, museums galore, and a restaurant scene that seriously impresses, this north Texas destination always delivers an outstanding getaway, whether you're traveling with family, friends, or solo.

Here are the 25 best things to do on your visit to Dallas, Texas.

Explore The City

Visit the Arboretum

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a bucket list item to cross off your list. Locals refer to this 66-acre showplace as the city’s “crown jewel." While you'll find it blooming in the spring with thousands of flowers and overflowing in the fall with pumpkin displays, you cannot beat Christmastime at the Arboretum, when the grounds are decorated with over 1 million LED lights, a 50-foot-tall Christmas tree, and a quaint German village.

dallasarboretum.org, 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218

Peruse the Design District

In the Design District, you'll find art galleries, antique shops, fine dining, and upscale interior design showrooms. Stop by the Dallas Contemporary before heading to Haas Moto Museum & Sculpture Gallery, with its collection of over 230 motorcycles and metallic sculptures. Then, play a round of games at Cidercade, before choosing one of the amazing restaurants in the area such as trendy spots The Charles and Carbone Vino.

Tour the Dallas Museum of Art

In the Dallas Arts District, you'll find Dallas Museum of Art plus a dozen major performance venues. At the DMA, general admission is free with a ticket and includes viewing the museum's collection galleries and most exhibitions. There are more than 25,000 works in the collection that spans over 5,000 years old.

dma.org, 1717 N Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201

See the Flagship Neiman Marcus Store

Fans of luxury shopping will want to head to Dallas's Main Street District for the flagship Neiman Marcus store, the six-story 1914 Beaux Arts store with a restaurant and espresso bar that was once a favorite of Lady Bird Johnson.

neimanmarcus.com/dallas-downtown, 1618 Main St, Dallas, TX 75201

Attend the Dallas Opera

Opened since 1957, the Dallas Opera has been putting on incredible performances with internationally-renowned opera singers ever since. Each season will vary on which shows are available to attend, but you can expect classics such as Romeo and Juliet as well as new creations that offer a fresh perspective. Make sure to book tickets ahead of time online to ensure a seat.

dallasopera.org, 2403 Flora St #500, Dallas, TX 75201

Go See a Ballet Performance

There are no shortages of ballet performances to enjoy year-round, including a packed season at Texas Ballet Theater, including The Nutcracker, Beauty & The Beast, and Dracula. Via the Dallas Black Dance Theatre, catch performances specializing in modern contemporary dance.

texasballettheater.org, 1540 Mall Cir, Fort Worth, TX 76116

See the Skyline From Above

One of the most recognizable features of the Dallas skyline is Reunion Tower, a glowing orb that rises 561 feet above the ground. Travel up to the GeO-Deck and enjoy a snack or drink while taking in a stunning sunset view while you plan your itinerary.

reuniontower.com, 300 Reunion Blvd E, Dallas, TX 75207

Visit a World-Class Science Museum

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is also located in the Dallas Arts District, and it's chock-full of educational exhibits on prehistoric time periods, space, and innovation. Find everything from dinosaurs to DNA to diamonds at various exhibits.

perotmuseum.org, 2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX 75201

Learn About JFK's Final Day

Delve into the story of the dark day of President John F. Kennedy's death with the respectful and detailed exhibits housed at the Sixth Floor Museum, located at the former Texas School Book Depository.

jfk.org, 411 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75202

Take Advantage of Dallas' Parks

Take an afternoon break at one of the city's spacious downtown parks. A local favorite is Klyde Warren Park, which was built over a freeway in an intriguing design feat. It has a dog park, a place for kids to play, and food trucks. You can also find space to roam at White Rock Lake Park, a 1,015-acre lake located approximately 5 miles northeast of downtown Dallas.

Spend an Evening in Deep Ellum

Known as Deep Ellum on the city's east side, this entertainment district is known for its colorful street murals, vibrant art galleries, and beloved concert venues. You can find plenty of brew pubs, cocktail bars, and Tex-Mex spots to spend your time exploring, as well as performances at venues such as The Factory and Louie Louie's Dueling Piano Bar. Head to Elm & Good for a helping of contemporary Southern cuisine at this restaurant located at the Kimpton Pittman—the first hotel to open in Deep Ellum, paying tribute to African American architect William Sydney Pittman, designer of the original historic building.

Find The Best Food And Drink

Best Breakfast Spots To Hit

An absolutely delectable bakery by day and high-end French eatery by night, Carte Blanche garners quite the line on any weekend morning, and rightfully so. The seasonal pastry creations don't disappoint, and we recommend getting a mix to share. Just make sure to show up early before items sell out. For low-key vibes and classic breakfast dishes, head to John’s Cafe on Greenville Avenue, which has been around for five decades. For a healthier start, grab a table at Tribal All Day Café in Bishop Arts before exploring the artsy district.

Best Lunches For a Mid-Day Break

Sadelle's, a seafood-and-brunch-focused spot, hails originally from New York, but its Dallas location in the swanky Highland Park Village dishes out the same popular selections, including seafood towers for bagel lovers, triple decker club sandwiches, and more á la carte options. Head to Loro, an Asian-inspired smokehouse, for their standout burger and rice bowls; or the acclaimed Pecan Lodge in Deep Ellum for familiar BBQ classics such as brisket, beef ribs, and jalapeno sausage.

Best Dinner Restaurants To Book a Reservation

For Tex-Mex, look no further than Javier's Gourmet Mexicano. For the past 45 years, Javier’s has become a bit of an iconic Dallas institution, and you can expect unique entrées such as the Mayan-style pork tenderloin or ancho chile quail. Start with a margarita, of course. Head to Honor Bar in Highland Park Village for tavern-style snacks and ice-cold martinis. In the Bishop Arts neighborhood, Lucia offers some of the best hand-made pasta in town. Start with the house-made charcuterie and bread. Smoky Rose offers all of Texas' most famous fare, if you're seeking out Lone Star cuisine.

Shop Until You Drop

Stroll Around Highland Park Village

A charming small-town square meets ultimate luxury shopping in Highland Park Village. Walk around the local and international boutiques, and stop into the curated collection of cafés and restaurants when in need of a retail respite. Start at the St. Michael's Women's Exchange for unique gifts and home wares, and work your way around the square.

smwexchange.com, 5 Highland Park Village, Dallas, TX 75205

Be Tempted at the Galleria Dallas

This mixed-use development in North Dallas is a shopping destination that also offers restaurants (including regional favorite Mi Cocina) and other entertainment. Window-shop to your heart's content, and be tempted by the many luxury stores. During the holidays, you can make use of the large ice-skating rink at Galleria Dallas.

galleriadallas.com, 13350 Dallas Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75240

Shop the Sales at NorthPark Center

Opened in 1965, NorthPark is known as the quintessential mall in the Dallas area and now has over 235 stores and restaurants. You can also catch free seasonal events such as art exhibits, retailer sales, and children's educational and entertainment events.

northparkcenter.com, 8687 N Central Expy, Dallas, TX 75225

Be A Sports Fan

Attend a Dallas Stars Game

This professional ice hockey team plays at the American Airlines Center in the Victory Park neighborhood in downtown Dallas. Regular season runs from September through April, making it easy to find a game to attend while in town.

americanairlinescenter.com, 2500 Victory Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

Head to Arlington for the Dallas Cowboys

Known as "America's team," the Dallas Cowboys have a long legacy stemming back to 1960, and attending a game is a unique experience for Texans and out-of-staters alike. You'll find the home games played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, just a short drive from Dallas city center. The regular season runs from September through January.

attstadium.com, 1 AT&T Way, Arlington, TX 76011

Cheer on a World Series-Winning Team

In 2023, the Texas Rangers won the World Series, which makes it a great time to solidify allegiances or simply attend a game at the Globe Life Field in Arlington. Luckily, baseball seasons runs a majority of the year, giving ample options to grab a hot dog and enjoy nine innings.

globelifefield.com, 734 Stadium Dr, Arlington, TX 76011

Sit Courtside for the Mavericks

The home games for the Dallas Mavericks also take place in the American Airlines Center in the Victory Park neighborhood in downtown Dallas. For basketball fans, you'll find a great experience with plenty of food and drink vendors, as well as many games to choose from. The season runs from September through April.

americanairlinescenter.com, 2500 Victory Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

Best Places To Stay

Stay Downtown

The Adolphus Hotel gets major style points for its lobby and accommodations, as well as a rooftop pool lounge, house car service for anything within a 2-mile radius, and even an in-house barber shop. Additionally, the Hyatt Regency Dallas is a spacious hotel with an 18-story atrium situated right next to Reunion Tower, with three on-site restaurants and an ideal location near Dealey Plaza and other major Dallas attractions.

Stay in the Design District

The Hilton Anatole, in the Dallas Design District, boasts the largest art and antique collection of any hotel in the world, with more than 1,000 original artifacts, including a section of the Berlin Wall. The Virgin Hotels Dallas is a great walkable option to the galleries, shops, and restaurants in the Design District.

Stay in Uptown

Book a room at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek to stay at a Dallas hospitality institution. The tucked-away grounds are gorgeous (get a first-floor patio room to take full advantage), and you can catch live music at the Mansion Bar on the weekends. Hotel Crescent Court is another Uptown staple that is walkable to many shops, restaurants, and bars.

Stay at the New Hôtel Swexan

This family-owned, 134-room concept exudes boutique luxury with top-notch hospitality. Hôtel Swexan, opened in 2023, mixes European charm and Texas spirit in its decor and accommodations, and offers bar-none amenities such as a rooftop infinity-edge pool, private social club, and signature steakhouse. It's located in the Harwood District of Dallas, close to the most popular neighborhoods and attractions.