15 Best Things To Do In Dallas, Texas

Texas is a huge state with plenty to offer. From major metropolitan hubs to small Western towns, planning where to go can feel overwhelming. If you’re flying in, which it’s safe to assume most people are, there’s a great chance you’ll end up in Dallas. Don’t make the mistake of just transferring through Dallas to get to your next destination, but instead, plan a whole trip in this fun, majestic Texan city. I recently spent a few days here, and was totally blown away by how much fun it is. Here are 15 things to do in Dallas, Texas.

1. Visit Dealey Plaza

One of the most historic landmarks in not only Dallas, but the entire US, is Dealey Plaza. In 1963, John F. Kennedy was assassinated at Dealey Plaza. Even before then, Dealey Plaza was known as the “birthplace of Dallas.” In 1993, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and later that year, was deemed an official National Historic Landmark.

• Book a JFK Tour here.

2. Take In The Views At Reunion Tower

There are fewer better views in the city than those at the top of Reunion Tower. Ride the elevator up 470 feet above the city to the Geo-Deck, and take in those stunning views. I highly recommend going at sunset. Though it gets busy, there’s really nothing like it! If you’re headed there with a special someone, take advantage of their Love Is In The Air Package which includes two admission tickets, two glasses of sparkling wine, a digital photo, a photo frame, and two Reunion Tower logo champagne flutes. Reunion Tower is conveniently attached to Hyatt Regency Dallas, and overnight stays can be booked here.

• Buy a ticket for Reunion Tower in advanced here.
• Buy the Dallas CITY Pass for a discount on tickets (and access to other popular attractions).
• Address: 300 Reunion Blvd E, Dallas, TX 75207

3. Design Your Own Hat At Flea Style

One of the most fun things I did when in Dallas was creating my own hat at Flea Style. Flea Style, founded by former lifestyle editor Brittany Cobb in 2009, is a do-it-yourself hat bar, where shoppers can choose a hat from several styles and colors. Once a hat is chosen, take a gander at all of the impeccable accessories to personalize your hat. The options go from what you would expect to above and beyond creative: golden playing cards, matchboxes, bejeweled pieces, feathers, leopard print scarves, you name it! If you can’t decide on accessories, there’s also the option to paint your hat whatever colors you’d like. The accessories had me overwhelmed, so I decided to funkify my hat and paint it in No Man Nomad colors: teal, purple, and pink The best part is you get to paint it yourself. It’s super fun, and I was still able to add just one small bedazzled cactus on my hat, too.

• Address: 3009 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226

4. Margarita Mile

Who doesn’t love a good cocktail? Better yet, who doesn’t love a good margarita? Dallas is home to the frozen margarita, and in a genius move, the city has concocted the magical *margarita mile*. Margarita Mile is a self-guided margarita tour of Dallas consisting of 24 margaritas in total. While 24 is a lot of margaritas, try to hit as many as you can when visiting Dallas, because the list really includes the best of the best! Download the Margarita Mile app to keep track and get perks along the way. Some of my favorites that I tried were:

• The frozen Paloma from Tejas
• The Signature Black Margarita from Terry Black’s BBQ
• The spicy floral Diabolico Margarita from Ruins in Deep Ellum
• The Squozen from Jose (I highly recommend grabbing a bite here, too. Their food is INCREDIBLE.)
• The Prickly Pear Marg from Gloria’s Latin Cuisine (best paired with pupusas and super garlicky yucca fries)
• The Liquid Nitrogen Marg from Beto & Son

Fashion Tip: Wear something festive for margarita mile like this lime green dress or these silver shorts with a lime green crop-top (like me!). Don’t skip out on these realistic lime earrings or these adorable tequila shot earrings for only $9.99.

5. AT&T Discovery District

The AT&T Discovery District is an interactive art display where live music frequently occurs. It’s home to The Exchange Food Hall (more on that later), and has a large lawn where you can hang out and lounge out. There are also occasional outdoor wellness and arts-and-crafts classes.

• Address: 308 S Akard St, Dallas, TX 75202

Camera tip: Traveling alone? Pack a tripod, or a selfie stick that turns into a tripod! This attachment helps keep your phone sturdy.

6. Thanks-Giving Square

Thanks-Giving Square is a place I was on the fence of visiting. When I hear of city squares, I assume it’ll be the same redundant statues, a few chain stores and restaurants, and, typically, a lot of people. Since it was so close to my hotel, I decided to see it to “say I saw it.” What a surprise I was in for! Certainly not a typical “city square,” Thanks-Giving Square is actually run by Thanks-Giving Foundation, whose goal is to promote peace by finding a common ground amongst diverse people. From the outside, the main building looks like a seashell, but walk up the spiral walkway, and inside, you’ll find a beautiful chapel with rainbow-stained glass. There’s also a spot to write a note of something you’re grateful for, and the notes ranged from people sharing stories of recovering from addiction to being newly married to losing a loved one. I left a note that I was grateful to visit Dallas, because, if it’s not obvious by now, I REALLY love this city, much thanks to places like Thanks-Giving Square.

• Address: 1627 Pacific Ave, Dallas, TX 75201

7. Eat True Texan Barbecue

If you’re visiting Texas, you’d be a fool to not try some Texas barbecue. Luckily, in Dallas, there are plenty of options, but one of my favorite spots was Terry Black’s Barbecue. I typically go for brisket, and while I did try brisket here, the real star of the show was the smoked turkey! I highly recommend grabbing lunch at Terry Black’s and grabbing a signature black margarita, which just so happens to be a stop on Margarita Mile.

8. The Giant Eye

Looking to do something quirky that won’t take too much of your time? Head to The Eye! It is exactly as its name suggest: a giant eyeball! It’s located right outside of the Joule Hotel, and there are plenty of eateries and cafes nearby. The Eye is enclosed in a fenced area, so you can’t get up close and personal, but you can definitely still snap a selfie with it.

• Address: 1530 Main St, Dallas, TX, 75201

9. Shop In Bishop Arts District

Who doesn’t love a good shopping spree? Bishop Arts District in Dallas is a few blocks jam-packed with locally owned shops, cafes, and restaurants. My favorite shop was Dolly on Bishop, where I bought an awesome pair of sunglasses to help protect me from that blazing Dallas sun. The shop also offered a wide variety of cowgirl boots and vintage clothing. Dolly on Bishop aside, Tejas is located in Bishop Arts District, which, you guessed it, is a margarita mile stop, but they also have incredible Tex-Mex (get the pork and queso taco!). The entire area is filled with people wining, dining, shopping, and sipping coffee. An already lively city feels extra alive in Bishop Arts District.

10. Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden

Who needs The Netherlands when you have the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden? Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden holds the largest display of tulips outside of The Netherlands, though it’s seasonal and only runs until April 16, 2023 (check their website for their current displays). It is easy to feel like you’re a world’s away from a city when frolicking through these magical gardens. Spring is an ideal time to visit, but the gardens are open year-round. There’s also a “Taste Table” kitchen on site, where you can try local produce. The day I was there, spinach was the featured ingredient, and, though admittedly, at first I was skeptical, Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden made me a believer in Spinach soup! It was so good I was licking the bowl clean.

• Address: 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218

11. Admire Art At Nasher Sculpture Museum

Nasher Sculpture Center is a large museum featuring abstract sculptures of a grandiose size, as well as some more traditional art, and a large outdoor garden with more giant sculptures. 400 pieces are in the permanent collection, but there is also a rotating set of pieces that typically stay on display for 3-4 months. The beauty of this museum is it makes for a great rainy day activity, and it’s easy to see in as little as 30 minutes, with it being easy to spend upward of over an hour here. In other words, visiting is low-key and flexible, and just like everything else on this list, highly recommended.

• Address: 2001 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201

12. Stay At The Statler Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton

Dallas is a huge city, and so naturally, there are plenty of hotels to choose from. If you’re looking for a hotel in a prime location, with great eateries and bars on site, chic decor, comfy beds, and a price that won’t break the bank, I cannot recommend The Statler Dallas enough. It doesn’t hurt that there’s a glistening rooftop pool to beat that Texas heat. There’s even a hidden speakeasy behind a telephone booth in the back of the hotel, a rooftop bar, and a bar with an arcade inside. Grab breakfast at the fantastic on-site restaurant, Overeasy, and make sure to check out the “waiting room” on the fifth floor, adorned with gold decor that’s so chic, you’ll feel like a royal. Book The Statler here.

• Address: 1914 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75201

13. Try Food At The Exchange Hall

As mentioned above, AT&T Discovery District is home to many great eateries. Most of those are found at The Exchange Hall. I love a good market where I can get the best bites under one roof. It makes trying more things more accessible. I opted for the katsu sandwich from Birdie, a fried chicken joint run by Chef Josh Harmon. I’m a sucker for a good katsu sandwich, and I loved that it had a Texas twist. The portion was huge, the price was right, and it came with fries and mac’n’cheese. And, when in Rome, I grabbed a spicy marg from one of the two bars, and it was *chef’s kiss.* 10/10 recommend this place for a quick, delicious bite!

• Address: 211 S Akard St, Dallas, TX 75202

14. Visit The Adolphus Hotel

The Adolphus Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in Dallas, Texas. While it is available for booking, you can still visit if you don’t base yourself out of here. The cafe connected to the hotel, Otto’s, is a great spot for a cup of Joe. Admire the lobby and feel like true royalty, sharing space where famed personalities such as Marilyn Monroe, Queen Elizabeth II, and several US presidents have stayed. Book The Adolphus, Autograph Collection here.

• Address: 1321 Commerce St, Dallas, TX
  

15. Overwhelmed? Take A Tour

It can be overwhelming to plan your own itinerary in a city as large as Dallas. Save yourself the headache, and book a tour of the city! Some of the most popular options include:

• JFK Assassination Tour
• Open Air Tour of the City in an Electric Cruiser
• Dallas Cowboys Stadium Tour
• From Dallas: Fort Worth guided tour (perfect if you’re looking to explore Fort Worth for a day!)

DISCLAIMER: Visit Dallas sponsored my visit to Dallas, Texas.

DISCLAIMER II: I might make a small commission from some of the links throughout this article, but the price is the same for you. This helps keep my business running so I can continue to provide free travel tips!