For our next family day out, we’re off to the third largest city in Texas. Do you know what that is? Why Dallas of course! And we are here to let you know the Top 9 Family Attractions to enjoy in this great city, from the best museums for kids, fun free things to enjoy in Dallas, the best ways to get around the city and even a fun day trip from the city...Family Days Out have you covered so you don’t miss out on what to do and where to go with the entire family!
So before you wonder “what fun things to do in Dallas with kids” are there, keep reading! Starting off with a bit of fascinating deep dive on Dallas itself…..
BBQ, cowboy hats, authentic Mexican cuisine, the first (and largest) zoo in Texas, AND the longest-running state fair in the entire nation….Dallas has so much to offer, with an incredibly rich history and culture to explore. In fact, did you know Dallas is home to the largest contiguous urban arts district in the country?
The city is teeming with shopping, sports, concerts, festivals, and that famous Texan hospitality, and no matter how old your kids are, there will be something fun for them to explore. Texas is all about BIG, and Dallas is no different with BIG family fun waiting for you - so let’s go!
There are so many fun things to do in Dallas, no matter what you love to do. There is an underwater adventure at the Dallas World Aquarium, magic to be found at the Dallas Museum of Illusions, art-tactic experiences at the Dallas Museum of Art, budget-friendly options with several FREE admission museums, and the perfect place for kids to learn about US history including the cities tragic connection to President Kennedy.
Getting around Dallas is easy with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (“DART”) Light Rail (which happens to be the longest light rail system in the country!), as well as the iconic Dallas Streetcar that runs every 20 minutes through the Reunion District, Oak Cliff and Bishop Arts District. Both options are great for the budget and run from early in the morning until midnight.
Source: More information here: https://www.dart.org/
Lions, tigers and bears - oh my! Dallas Zoo is the LARGEST zoological experience in the entire state, so of course, this is our number one pick! Kids can explore the wilds of Africa, and see the giants of the Savanna. They can enjoy hands-on fun at the Children’s Zoo and Discovery House, and even enjoy some of the fun programs and camps that the zoo offers. A must-visit on any trip to Dallas!
66 acres of beautiful nature await at this popular arboretum & botanical garden. Not only are they home to nearly 1.5 million plants, but they also host fun events, from holiday nights, family days, and Hispanic Heritage celebrations! Nearly 1 million people each year can’t be wrong, so why not celebrate the joys and art of nature on your next family day out.
Yee Haw! Founded in 1975, this great museum honours the women of the American West who have pioneered with extraordinary courage, great for inspiring those little girls in the family who can learn they can do anything! In fact, it’s the only museum of its kind, with fascinating exhibits and Hall of Fame too. Saddle up!
In 1992, an old 1920s warehouse once home to rubber and steel, opened as Dallas World Aquarium. Since then, the aquarium has expanded to not just show kids can amazing creatures of the ocean are, but also the brilliant creatures of the rainforest….of Borneo and of South Africa….kids can come face to face with amphibians, eagles and ocelots, and enjoy talks and feedings too. Time to get wild kids, we’re in Dallas!
Just west of Dallas you’ll find 212 acres of fun, thrilling, exciting and unforgettable theme park fun! In fact, this Dallas location was the FIRST amusement park in the Six Flags chain, opening back in 1961. With over 45 rides, shows and attractions for all ages, there is something for the whole family no matter how BRAVE you might be feeling! Get ready for a roller coaster time on your next family day out!
Step back in time at the largest and finest collection of Victorian buildings & 19th-century pioneer homes, set across 20 tree-shaded acres making the perfect family day out for all ages. Kids can discover firsthand what life would have been like over 100 years ago for families living in Texas - families just like you! Learn about everyday life as you enjoy a self-guided tour through this architectural and cultural history!
Enjoy year-round water fun at the LARGEST indoor waterpark in North Texas! With slides, rides, games, thrills, and plenty of splashes for all ages, it’s a great way to cool off in that Texas heat. There’s a huge wave pool to enjoy, plunge slides, lazy rives, plenty of fun for those younger kids, and plenty of twists and turns for the older kids, you’ll see when you visit why it’s an incredibly popular waterpark to visit!
From Da Vinci to the Wight Brothers and into the 21st century and beyond, this fascinating museum allows kids to experience stories of aviation and space flight! They want to inspire, motivate and educate all who visit (of all ages!) through their comprehensive exhibits and programs, all with a STEM focus. Kids can even see REAL aircraft up close - some one-of-a-kind that will be sure to impress! Up, up and away!
Spread across two campuses, this fascinating museum features 11 permanent exhibits that takes kids back in time to the world of the dinosaurs (they can even become a Junior Paleontologist!), enjoy hands on fun in the Children’s Museum, discover the wonders of life, nature and our ecosystems, uncover how complex the human body really is and explore the stars and the planets….just to name a few! It’s science made fun for all ages.
Famous Dallasites
Nick Jonas
Nick Jonas shot to fame with Disney along side his brothers in the Jonas Brothers! He’s gone on to have a successful solo career and acting career, winning multiple awards along the way.
Image Credit: Drama League USA
Owen Wilson
Owen Wilson is a comedic actor known for such films as “Meet the Parents”, and “Night at the Museum”, and even co-wrote a number of films with fellow Texas Wes Anderson!
Image Credit - Zach Caranzareti
5 Fun Dallas Facts
Some cool and fun facts about Dallas, Texas we should all know.
- The frozen margarita machine was invented in Dallas!
- The first convenience store - a 7-eleven - got its start in Dallas
- Dallas is home to one of the original copies of the Declaration of independence
- Dallas got it’s first professional baseball team in 1888!
- The term “Super Bowl” was coined in Dallas!
Top 5 FREE Things to do in Dallas
Dallas Farmers Market
Established in 1941, the Dallas Farmers Market was set up as a central hub for farmers to bring their produce from all across the region to the city. Today, it’s a market filled with food entrepreneurs, farmers, ranchers, and families just like you, all wanting to experience the incredibly diverse flavours and cultures of Texas. Whilst the market is open daily, don’t miss a trip to The Shed which is open weekends, and is the open-air market and a great day out for the family! One tip….make sure you visit with an empty stomach!
Dallas Museum of Art
Located in the Arts District of downtown Dallas, this great FREE museum features over 24,000 works of art from cultures all over the world, and various time periods too! It’s an amazing display of 5,000 years of human creativity, and gives kids an amazing insight into art, and the world. The collections and galleries are constantly changing, so there is always something new for kids to go back to. Of course, this museum has a great exhibit on Texas Art too! Make sure you check out the family programs and hands-on fun for kids as well.
Klyde Warren Park
Dallas is surprisingly green for such a bustling city, and Klyde Warren Park contributes to that! This 5.2 acre public park is a great respite from all the walking you’ve likely done on your day out. There are always fun events and activities within the park, so check the website for the schedule. There’s a fun children’s park for those little ones, yoga for those hard-working parents, lawn games for those curious hands and minds, dancing, and pop-up food trucks for when those stomachs start to rumble!
White Rock Lake Park
White Rock Lake Park is nearly 2,000 acres of water fun for the family just a few miles northeast of downtown Dallas. It’s the perfect place to feel a world away from the city without traveling far at all. Spend the day hiking, exploring the Blackland prairies, get out on the hiking trails or take to the wheels and hit the biking trails…don’t forget to take a picnic for when you need to recharge. Keep an eye out for the various plants and animals that call the park home too! It’s one of the best places to discover the mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds that call it home - and don’t forget to spot the fish too!
John F Kennedy Memorial & Dealy Plaza
Famously and tragically, President John F Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas on November 22, 1963. Today, Dealey Plaza can be found in the very spot that a tragic event happened with a museum (with paid admission), but a short walk away is the new memorial celebrating the life and achievements of this great President which is free to roam. The “open tomb” style symbolizes the freedom of his spirit and offers those who visit a chance to reflect in remembrance. There is also a quote etched in the stone from a speech he was due to give on that fateful day.
Why Texans Call This the Best BBQ Spot in Dallas
Do you love Dr Pepper? Do you find Wooly Mammoths fascinating? Well, do we have a treat for you! Waco is only and hour and a half from Dallas, and it’s not only the birthplace of Dr Pepper complete with it’s very own Dr Pepper Museum, but also the final resting place of the wooly mammoth so there is history AND pop culture all mixed into this eclectic and super cool town.
There are markets for you to explore, plenty of antique stores to visit, and even a chance for kids to mountain bike or hike with a visit to Cameron Park (complete with a zoo!!) Waco also features a cultural and historic district, and don’t miss a chance to see the historic Suspension Bridge built back in 1870. There are historic houses, museums filled with incredible art, AND the very cool Hawaiian Falls Waterpark.
There is classic Texas history to be enjoyed at the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and Texas Ranger Museum, and just 5 miles northwest of Waco kids can experience history first hand at the Homestead Craft Village, which is 18 acres of living history including a 200 year old barn, restored 1760 gristmill and woodworking shop, complete with guided tours to really immerse yourself in the history.
Here’s our top 4 things to visit in Waco:
- Waco Mammoth National Monument
- Homestead Craft Village
- Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
- Dr Pepper Museum
We hope you found this content useful! Please share with your friends, and if you have any comments, or want to let us know what we can do to further help you find fun days out with the family, then just email our team at [email protected]! Let's get the family adventure started!
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Family Days Out latest blogs and activities for kids, there are certainly plenty of great places to visit across the USA, Canada, and Australia.
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