Fun Places In Dallas and Fort Worth for Visitors

Are you visiting Dallas or Fort Worth, Texas any time soon? I’ve lived in the suburbs for almost 30 years now. It has changed so much. I’ve seen this part of the state become a concrete jungle. From high rise apartments and more in downtown Dallas to sprawling mansions in the suburbs. The newer highways are doing a decent job of keeping up with the increase in the population. We have both new and old places to discover and tons of things to do. It’s easy to travel to Dallas by plane as we have two large airports that are serviced by most airlines. We have fun places in Dallas and Forth Worth for the whole family to enjoy.

The housing market is amazing here! Homes in Dallas can be very affordable. I personally LOVE to look at real estate and look at homes that are for sale on a weekly basis (whether I’m ready to buy or not). I love new homes but have really enjoyed seeing all of the renovations that people are doing on older homes, thanks to America’s love with HGTV. We’re actually thinking of doing a “house flip” ourselves soon since we love that sort of thing.

 

Here are some fun things to do in Dallas and Fort Worth:

Magnolia Market – Take a short drive down to Waco to visit the place that seems to have made “modern farmhouse” a style that’s sweeping America by storm. You can shop at the market, listen to a concert or just hang out with the family. I haven’t been to the new Magnolia Table restaurant but have heard good things.

Fort Worth Zoo or Dallas Zoo – Both of these zoos are tops. They have exhibits for the whole family to enjoy.

Fort Worth Stockyards – If you’re looking for a visit to an authentic cowtown experience then you will want to go to the stockyards. Check ahead for rodeo activity, cattle herding, concerts and the world renowned Billy Bobs.

Sports – The Dallas/Fort Worth area is home to professional sports teams in all arenas. No matter what time of year you visit you can find a sport in season including the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars, Dallas Mavericks and more. If you know ahead of time the dates that you’ll be in the area you can purchase tickets online.

Six Flags Over Texas – If amusement parks and rides are your thing then you’ll want to go here.

Shopping – We have some of the best shopping here from high end stores to outlet malls. Highland Park Village, Southlake Town Square and Northpark Mall are favorites.

LegoLand in Grapevine – I’ve never been to Lego Land because my kids are grown. However, I’m at the Grapevine Mills mall often and see people lining up with their kids to get into this place. It’s a nice reprieve from the heat outside during the summer months. I recommend that you purchase tickets online before you go since I’ve seen rather lengthy lines form.

Aquariums – The Dallas Word Aquarium is in Downtown Dallas and the Sea Life Aquarium is at the Grapevine Mills mall (right across from LegoLand). I personally feel like these are fun for smaller kids. They are both nice, but they don’t feature hours of things to see. They’re more suited to a short visit before or after lunch.

The Gaylord Texan Resort – When you walk in the door of the Gaylord Hotel you feel like you’ve walked into a new little world. I suggest staying here during the Christmas holiday season to see the way they transform it into a winter wonderland, complete with Ice tubing and ice sculptures. They have several top restaurants for the family as well as a nice steakhouse for a romantic dinner without kids.

The Great Wolf Lodge – This is a family friendly hotel with an indoor water park. It’s perfect for year-round visits. The kids will love it. They have rooms with built in bunk beds that kids go crazy over. And if I recall correctly, there’s a nice Starbucks in the lobby for the parents to enjoy.

Klyde Warren Park – This is a newer spot in Downtown Dallas. This park was built over the highway and is quite unique. There are restaurants, a dog park, food trucks and more here.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens – These gardens are some of the most beautiful you have ever seen. Check their website for events that may be going on during your visit to Dallas.

Concerts – We have many different venues for attending concerts. Every genre of music is covered. Check Ticketmaster for the dates you’ll be traveling here because I’m sure you’ll find a concert that meets your needs.

Theater – Yes, we have both Broadway and off-Broadway shows that make their way through town year round.

Museums – Both Dallas and Fort Worth are loaded with museums. Dallas has The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, The Museum of Art, The Sixth Floor Museum, The George W Bush Library and more. Fort Worth has The Kimball Art Museum, The National Cowgirl Museum, The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and more. Museums are great choices for the hot days of summer for staying cool.

Austin – Austin is about 3 hours south of Dallas. If you have an extra day or two you may want to consider taking the drive down. Austin has great restaurants, amazing food and is our state capitol.

Lastly, don’t forget to to get some authentic Barbeque and Tex Mex foods while you’re here. We have some of the best!

Have you been to the Dallas/Fort Worth area recently? What are some of the fun places in Dallas that you recommend?