Museums, parks, entertainment, attractions, and more! Discover 100+ things to do in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex
Things to do in Dallas
Museums
Dallas Museum of Art: The DMA is one of the largest art museums in America.
Perot Museum: Museum Of Nature & Science
Nasher Sculpture Center: Discover a collection of modern and contemporary sculpture.
Crow Museum of Asian Art: Dedicated to celebrating the arts and cultures of Asia, from ancient to the contemporary.
The Sixth Floor Museum: Overlooking Dealey Plaza at the intersection of Elm and Houston Streets.
The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Thanks-Giving Square: Designed to inspire gratitude and to honor the great American and world traditions of thanksgiving. Explore the historical exhibits and artwork on display.
Frontiers of Flight Museum: Experience the stories of aviation and space flight at Texas’ premier Aviation and Space Museum.
Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum: Its mission is to teach the history of the Holocaust and advance human rights to combat prejudice, hatred, and indifference.
The Old Red Museum of Dallas County History & Culture: Showcases Dallas County’s story in a comprehensive exhibition.
Dallas Heritage Village: Home to the largest and finest collection of 19th century pioneer and Victorian homes and commercial buildings in Texas.
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas: Features interactive exhibits and multimedia displays about the Federal Reserve, money, and the economy.
Museum of Biblical Art: The Museum offers myriad programs, field trips, and events for art appreciators of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs.
Reunion Tower: A 561 ft observation tower in Dallas, Texas and one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
Parks
Dallas Zoo: The oldest and largest zoological park in Texas.
Dallas World Aquarium: Replica habitats containing exotic birds, mammals, and fish.
Klyde Warren Park: A 5.2 acre public park in the center of Dallas Bridging Uptown and Downtown.
Dallas Arboretum: A 66-acre botanical garden
Texas Discovery Gardens: Public garden teaches nature conservation with events & exhibits like the butterfly house
Lakeside Park: The lake is filled with hundreds of lily pads and a lovely wooden bridge leads to the popular teddy bear sculptures
Trinity River Audubon Center: Your gateway to explore the amazing resources of the 6,000-acre Great Trinity Forest, the largest urban hardwood forest in the United States
Fair Park: A National Historic Landmark that boasts one of the nation’s largest collections of 1930s art and Art Deco architecture
JFK Memorial Plaza: A monument to United States President John Fitzgerald Kennedy in the West End Historic District of downtown Dallas
Dealey Plaza: A National Historic Landmark District
Cedar Ridge Preserve: Audubon nature preserve offering 9 miles of hiking trails through 600 acres of hill country habitat
Pioneer Plaza: The Plaza depicts a cattle drive featuring three cowboys and a herd of forty longhorn steer
White Rock Lake: One of the most heavily used parks in the Dallas Park system, it is one of the best places to experience natural areas and wildlife in Dallas
Malls
Galleria Dallas: Legendary ice skating center, dynamic Holiday events, and North Texas’ only American Girl
NorthPark Center: Consistently ranked among the top five shopping destinations in the country with clean, modern lines and open space to display fine art throughout the mall
Sports
Dallas Mavericks: 2011 NBA Champions
Dallas Stars: 1999 Stanley Cup Champions
Check out more Dallas photo opps and see where to stay when you are in Dallas!
Things to do in Fort Worth
Museums
The Kimbell Art Museum: Renowned Asian and European focused art collection plus exhibits set in a Louis Kahn-designed building (the permanent collection is free)
Modern Art Museum: post-World War II art featuring a collection of international modern and contemporary art
Amon Carter Museum of American Art: A renowned collection of American art, and admission is free
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
National Cowgirl Museum: dedicated to honoring women of the American West who have displayed extraordinary courage and pioneering fortitude
Log Cabin Village: Costumed actors and a collection of historic buildings illustrate life in mid-19th-century Texas
The CR Smith Museum: preserves the history of American Airlines and explains what it takes to run the airline
Stockyards Museum: showcases the rich history of the Fort Worth Stockyards
Bureau of Engraving and Printing: learn about U.S. currency and see where billions of dollars are printed
Pickle Emporium: get a peek at how pickles are made
Parks
Fort Worth Botanic Gardens: the oldest major botanic garden in Texas it contains a collection of more than 2,500 species of plants and is composed of twenty-five specialty garden spaces
Fort Worth Japanese Gardens: located inside the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens
Water Gardens: experience a variety of water features as they wander through this relaxing urban park
Sundance Square Plaza: with fantastic fountains, four giant umbrellas, and a state-of-the art sound and lighting this is a public space unlike any other
Stockyards: Come see the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive
Burgers Lake: Spring-fed lake with sandy beaches, lifeguards and picnic areas
Trinity Park: home to a duck pond, a miniature train, several playgrounds, and Trinity Trails, the best hiking and biking trails around town
Airfield Falls Trailhead & Conservation Park: Tarrant County’s largest natural waterfall
Panther Island: take a kayaks, canoe, or stand up paddleboard up the Clear or West Forks of the Trinity River. This portion of the Trinity River is calm which makes it perfect for a laid-back journey.
Lake Worth: a great place to go boating or fishing, it’s also home to one of the largest city-owned nature centers in America
Shopping
La Gran Plaza de Fort Worth: a Latin American themed shopping experience and family fun
Sundance Square: pedestrian-friendly downtown shopping district
Movies
Coyote Drive In: Enjoy outdoor double features with a big, covered concession area, plus a playground
Sports
More Things to Do in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
Arlington
Museums
The Planetarium at UT Arlington: one of the largest planetariums in the State of Texas located in a groundbreaking UTA research facility
International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame: The innovations of bowling are highlighted through life-sized replicas, touch-screen kiosks, film montages and interactive games
National Medal of Honor Museum: Opening in 2024 the museum will showcase the Medal of Honor recipients and their stories of valor and inspiration
Entertainment
Six Flags Over Texas: the first amusement park in the Six Flags chain
Hurricane Harbor: North Texas’ largest water park features 50 acres of rides & slides & a 1-million-gallon wave pool
Parks
River Legacy Parks: a 1,300-acre urban oasis following the curves of the Trinity River
Levitt Pavilion: the place for more than 50 free outdoor concerts each year
Sports
Texas Rangers: MLB Team
Dallas Cowboys: 1996, 1994, 1993, 1978, and 1972 NFL Champions
Dallas Wings: WNBA Team
Esports Stadium Arlington: The largest dedicated esports facility in North America at 100,000 square feet
Shopping
Decorator’s Warehouse: the largest Christmas decor store in Texas, and open year round
Grand Prairie
Epic Waters: the largest indoor waterpark in Texas
Joe Pool Lake: camping, cabins, trails and more
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!: discover the strange, shocking, and beautiful
Louis Tussaud’s Palace of Wax: With over 200 life-like wax figures, you’ll be able to strike a pose with your favorite superstar
Lone Star Park: horse racing track and entertainment destination
Major League Cricket: coming in 2022
Grapevine
Grapevine Vintage Railroad: a unique experience on authentic 1920s Victorian coaches
DFW Founders Plaza: Observation area for plane spotting with picnic benches, telescopes & control-tower transmissions
Legoland Discovery Center: The ultimate indoor LEGO playground
Sea Life Grapevine Aquarium: An interactive aquarium featuring thousands of aquatic creatures, plus interactive touch pools and a 360° ocean tunnel
Parr Park: Bikers and runners alike love the challenge of the Bear Creek Trail
Frisco
National Video Game Museum: the country’s first dedicated videogame museum
Museum of the American Railroad: dedicated to celebrating the heritage and exploring the future of railroads through historic preservation, research, and educational programming
Texas Sculpture Garden: a unique and significant collection comprised of more than 40 works of contemporary sculpture
The Star: Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters and practice facility
FC Dallas: an American professional soccer club which competes as a member of the Western Conference in Major League Soccer
Irving
Fritz Park: free petting farm during the months of June and July, weather permitting
Mandalay Canal: Enjoy stand up paddle boarding along the canal
Gondola Adventures: Take a romantic cruise on Lake Carolyn or through the Mandalay Canals in a beautiful gondola
Las Colinas
Mandalay Canal Walk: Paved waterfront trail with a gondola ride, and waterfalls
The Mustangs of Las Colinas: a breathtakingly realistic bronze sculpture of nine wild mustangs galloping across a stream
Lewisville
Lake Lewisville: recreational lake is great for fishing, skiing, swimming, relaxing, and recreational boating
Mansfield
Hawaiian Falls: Family friendly water park (also have locations in Roanoke, Garland, and The Colony)
North Richland Hills
NRH2O: Family friendly water park
Plano
Crayola Experience: Dozens of hands-on, creative activities and a full day of fun
Heritage Farmstead Museum: a historic farm museum
The Texas Pool: swim across Texas
Parker
Southfork Ranch: made famous by the Ewing Family in the television series Dallas
Pilot Point
Ray Roberts Lake State Park: Wooded equestrian and hiking trails around a lake
Rockwall
Lake Ray Hubbard: one of the largest lakes in north Texas there are plenty of nice beaches, hiking and biking trails, and other outdoor activities
Chisholm Trail Rides: horseback riding tours
Wylie
Lake Lavon: enjoy camping, fishing, swimming, boating and other recreational activities
This list is AMAZING!
Great lists! Thank you! I know the Arlington, and would love to add some of the greatness in this city. Do you mind? My favorite is the Levitt Pavilion there’s only fall and spring but they do many free concerts when they opened it was 100 free concerts a year. It’s in a beautiful open-air Pavilion Downtown Arlington, and it’s phenomenal! UTA has the Maverick speaker series they have a spring season and a fall r, where they have extraordinary lecturers to come in. When they open the concerts now not concerts lectures for free. Now I believe they ask for a $5 ticket price, and it’s well worthr it!! I’ve got more if you want it.