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Your Dallas Fort Worth WOW Weekend: Texas Vacation Adventures for Families, Foodies & Fun-Seeking Travelers
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items If you’re anything like me, you want fun and exciting weekend or vacation plans that are doable and not stressful to put in motion. So, here is my list of “DFW's Best of the Best” for making memories: a little culture, a little nature, and a few big “WOW” moments that kids, teens, and grownups will all enjoy. Maybe you’re a local that needs some fresh ideas, or you’ve got family ... These picks make it easy to build a great day or an awesome weekend. Comfy shoes are recommended—because you’re going to have plenty of fun moving around!
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Downtown Dallas Icons
Fort Worth Culture: Where the West Begins
Dallas-Fort Worth Nature Breaks
You'll Only Find it in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
Save Money Tip: Dallas Top Attractions Bundle
Downtown Dallas Icons
Here are a few places designed to let you know you’re really experiencing Dallas. Think skyline views, big museums, and stops that will give you great photo ops and even better “remember when we…” stories.
This is not your classic skyline moment—if you've never been, the Reunion Tower Geo-Deck is a unique way to see the Dallas skyline! Go around sunset if you want to take some breathtaking photos and see the “city lights” show. Then I would suggest dining in one of the Tower restaurants with a view as a family or for a romantic date night. Tickets are required for the Geo-Deck. It's free for anyone 3 and under, plus they offer discount tickets for seniors or kids 4-12 years... I would suggest getting your tickets ahead of time.
Dallas Reunion Tower Geo-Deck: Indoor/Outdoor Observation Deck
A powerful, historic, and surprisingly engaging museum tour that chronicles the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. This is great for older kids or teens and anyone who loves true history. The tickets are on a timed basis, so you need to pre-book when you can. It's closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Museum at Dealey Plaza with Tour of Lee Harvey Oswald Rooming House
A walkable hub of performances, public art exhibits, eateries, and museums. There is something for everyone in the way of visual and performing arts. For example: Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Texas Ballet Center, Crow Museum of Asian Art, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and The Dallas Opera. And that's just a few of the options in the arts district. It's an easy way to spend a half-day with food, photos, and a show. You can check the events calendar before you go.
Dallas Arts District
You know the name, so you can imagine it's not your usual boring museum. The architecture alone is impressive: a 54-foot glass-enclosed escalator greets you at the door. They have at least 11 high-tech, hands-on exhibits like the earthquake simulator, robot-programming arena, and dinosaur exhibits that kids and grown-ups will enjoy. It's at least 2–3 hours of interactive education.
Perot Museum of Nature & Science
This stop in the Downtown Dallas West End is a powerful stop that will stay with you in a good way. It will spark a meaningful conversation, especially for older kids, teens, and adults.
Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
Fort Worth Culture: Where the West Begins
Fort Worth has a special kind of charm that's part artsy-cool, and western vibe. These picks offer great food mixed with a little culture. Includes some free fun with Fort Worth Water Garden. These are some of my family favorites because there is something every age can enjoy.
Fort Worth culture with cattle drive vibes- be witness to a real-live cattle drive, complete with “cattle hands” dressed in authentic western cowboy gear. It happens twice a day in the Fort Worth Stock Yards. Then check out some of the Stockyard restaurants like Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que or Cattlemen's Steak House. They won't disappoint.
Fort Worth Stock Yards
This is my go-to “everybody will enjoy it” spot. It's several walkable blocks filled with restaurants, patios, and shops that give off a fun downtown energy. I would check the events calendar because there’s often live music or some family-friendly event scheduled.
Sundance Square in Downtown Fort Worth
If your crew likes fresh air and fun, then check out Panther Island Pavilion in the Trinity River Fort Worth area, close to downtown Fort Worth. You’ll find lots of seasonal events like concerts and festivals. You should have no problem finding kayak/paddleboard/canoe rentals on-site.
Fort Worth Panther Island: Entertainment & Outdoor Recreation
This is a relaxing urban escape in downtown Fort Worth: a dramatic water feature you can feel and photograph. It's great as a no cost break between bigger ticket items.
Fort Worth Water Gardens
If you want to visit several of the popular sites in Fort Worth and you don't want to buy separate tickets, Best DFW Tours does a tour that includes several Fort Worth mainstays: The Fort Worth Stockyards, Sundance Square Plaza, The Water Gardens, an...
Fort Worth Sightseeing Tour
Dallas-Fort Worth Nature Breaks
Sometimes the best day is one where you just get outside and breathe. These picks are for animal and nature lovers, and families who want a fun outing that's relaxing too. Bonus: these are great “low-pressure” plans for an easy win!
If you need a quick reset, this park has walking and biking trails, and picnic areas with a view of the gorgeous White Rock Lake. It's especially photo worthy at sunset. Great for a low-cost day that still feels special.
White Rock Lake
The Dallas World Aquarium is a popular spot in the DFW area. Its indoor jungle vibes are amazing for kids or just a great way to spend a rainy day inside. A must-see is the indoor rainforest and the waterfall scene. Because it's so popular, I would suggest getting tickets ahead of time.
Dallas World Aquarium
If you like zoos, wear comfy shoes to visit the largest and oldest one in Texas. If you are out-of-town visitors, this is a great place to visit along with the Dallas Aquarium. Kids love the interactive animal feeding attraction. Again I would suggest purchasing tickets ahead of time.
Explore the Largest Zoo in Texas: The Dallas Zoo
A truly one of a kind park located in Farmers Branch outside of Dallas. Its popular because at sunset it turns into a glow-in-the-dark play area. It includes a tot playground and zipline area for ages 5-12. If possible call and plan ahead because Farmer Branch residents get first admittance and the park enforces a non-resident capacity of 200 people at a time.
Joya at Oran Good Park: A Glow-in-the-Dark Playground
You'll Only Find it in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
These are the kind of experiences that make people say, “Okay… that was COOL.” They offer a little more of an “adventure mode." If you already live in the are and want something different than your usual dinner-and-a-movie, or you are visiting and want a unique DFW experience, you can start here.
This is an adventure that the whole family, young and old can enjoy together. You get the chance to experience the auora of early 20th century train coaches. There are several round-trip routes you can experience: 1). Historic Grapevine area to Historic Stockyards in Fort Worth; 2). Stockyards to Trinity River in Fort Worth 3). Short line ride in the Grapevine area.
Grapevine Vintage Railroad
Whether you are a Dallas Cowboys fan or not, this tour is a must. AT&T Stadium is the largest domed structure in the world! Even non-football fans will leave impressed. Choose a self-guided tour, a VIP guided tour, or an exclusive owner's experience tour (this one includes a virtual conversation with Jerry Jones). If you are there for a game, you can also book a Game Day Tour.
AT&T Stadium Tours
This one is a hit with teens. You can enjoy 70 unique art experiences that include hands-on exhibits, secret passages, storytelling art adventures, and hidden portals. There is even a downloadable app to help you navigate through the maze of fun and an onsite cafe so you can plan to enjoy the whole day in one place. For adults: there is an after-hours attraction that is adults only. Adulti-Verse is for 21 years and up and features a DJ, entertainment, and drinks.
Meow Wolf: Immersive Art & Interactive Exhibits-Grapevine
This aerial adventure park in Dallas features self-guided ropes courses and ziplines built into the trees. Courses are offered for climbers of all levels, so it is suitable for children as well (must be at least 6 years old). All the courses are self-guided so you can go at your own pace and receive detailed instructions for each course.
Dallas Trinity Forest Adventure Park
Save Money Tip: Dallas Top Attractions Bundle
If you’re visiting (or hosting family), this can save money and make planning easier. Using the Dallas CityPASS® saves you up to 51% on admission to four top Dallas attractions versus the cost of paying for each ticket individually. If you are already planning to do a tour of the downtown Dallas area, this is definitely a smart way to save yourself some money.
The pass is valid for 9 consecutive days and you have the option of a printed or mobile ticket. You get Perot Museum + Reunion Tower, and then you get to pick 2 more attractions—great when you want a full day or week of activities without the high ...
Save OVER half-off on Your Dallas Attraction Tickets
