Last week I started working on this post and got distracted by the amazingness of my own town, McKinney (a suburb of Dallas). hahaha! I ended up sharing my favorite things about McKinney. If you’re traveling to Dallas this summer, I highly recommend spending a day in McKinney. 🙂 You can read what to do here.
I must tell you I’m sharing things to do in Dallas, BUT as I type this I’m realizing I don’t go to Dallas enough! When we drive down, we always have fun but the effort to head south doesn’t just happen often.
If you were visiting, I’d tell you to…
Check out the Perot Museum.
The Perot Museum was built in 2006 and is 4 or 5 stories of fun! When my kids were this age, we’d hang downstairs our entire visit. There’s a big kid area for children five and under. They could have played all day! Now, when we visit we check out all the floors. It’s a great place for some indoor fun.
Just a short walk away is this park-Klyde Warren Park that houses food trucks! I’d recommend walking there for lunch. I must add that I’m telling you that and I’ve never made it there myself. It’s ALWAYS my intention but on the walk there’s an El Fenix conveniently located at the bottom of the hill (the park is at the top). I usually talk myself and whoever is with me into eating there before we make it to the top. 🙂
We’ve taken several family members and first time Dallas guests to Dealey Plaza and the Grassy Knoll. This is my cousin, Whitney, on our visit years ago. (This picture is so tiny, and if I make it larger it’s crazy blurry.)
I’ve shared my love of Javier’s Gourmet Mexican food before, but I thought I should share it again. 🙂 If you’re visiting from out of town, eat here. And then thank me.
Another family favorite is the Dallas Zoo!
Ft. Worth has the reputation for having a better zoo, but Dallas is closer to us and never disappoints. I think Dallas is stepping up their game. They’ve added several new areas and will be adding a hippo exhibit in 2017. When Ebby Lee and I were there for her field trip, I saw they will be having sleepovers at the zoo. I would have been terrified to spend all night in the DARK with wild animals all around. Am I the only one that doesn’t think that sounds fun? But…it’s WAY fun during the day. 🙂
The Dallas Arboretum is another cool place to visit. In the last few years they’ve added a large children’s area, which is really cool. They have concerts at night. We’ve attended a wedding there-gorgeous venue for a wedding. But my favorite time to visit is the fall! Pumpkins galore and who doesn’t love to be outside in the crisp fall air?
The American Airlines Center is home to the Dallas Mavericks’ and the Dallas Stars. If you happen to be in town when either of those teams are playing, you should check it out. The AAC also houses concerts, shows, and other events.
Earlier this year, I did a post about some of my favorite restaurants. And you guys were awesome and shared yours in the comments. I’d definitely check out the comments for restaurant ideas in Dallas.
This might be our favorite thing to do as a family in Dallas-the Texas State Fair. This year the dates are September 30-October 23rd. Seriously, a GOOD time!
This is on the Slaughter’s Bucket List because we’ve never been! The Dallas World Aquarium! I don’t know why, but I’ve heard great things and it’ll be a much needed break from the pool this summer.
Okay, now it’s YOUR turn! What’s your favorite thing to do in Dallas? Favorite spot to shop? Favorite place to visit? Favorite food? Please share with us all!
Thank you!! XOXO
I visited Dalled 2 years ago and we ate at Sissy's Kitchen… I still dream about that place and the amazing food!
Loved all of your suggestions! We are so blessed to live by so many fun things to do! My kids would echo the Perot Museum for sure!
We are heading to Big D this weekend for a football tourney! I am also a fan of El Fenix…there is one in Burleson and we stopped there many times on our way home from TCU baseball. Mi Cocina is also a fave for us but I'm totally going to have to check out this Javier's place. Have a great week pretty lady!
World Aquarium is amazing (expensive but worth it!) And you have to eat at Campisi's Egyptian Lounge on Mockingbird.
These sound great! I live in Fort Worth so we do not venture to Dallas too much but when we do I'm always like…we need to come here more!
When we are going to AA Center , the Perot or Aquarium we always take the train and that in itself is ALWAYS fun!!
El Fenix Screams our name very single time to!!
Lesley McFarland
http://Www.kltfamily.blogspot.com
All great suggestion! I think our group needs to take the kids to the food trucks this summer on one of our non-pool days!
Well my favorite part about Dallas is of course SMU!!! 😉 I haven't been but heard great things about the George Bush Library. Nick & Sam's is great for a super fancy restaurant (but pricey). I went to the Aquarium for a field trip with my 3rd graders and it's pretty cool. I think I'll venture out there with the boys this summer. Carrie Underwood comes here in September I believe (AAC)…that's always amazing! We like to look at Christmas lights around Highland Park too.
Such a great post – I'm definitely remembering this for our annual trip to Dallas later this year – I think that I need to try Javier's – sounds amazing!
We are headed to Dallas at the end of June for a wedding. Trying to keep boys ages 7 & 9 busy in a new town can prove to be challenging so I was waiting for this post. Does anyone have an honest opinion on Medieval Times?
We just did it for my 12 year old's birthday and his friend and our 9 year old all loved it. It was pretty fun! Good food too. Just make sure you google a promo code to get a good deal because it can be pricey!
We have never done the Dallas Aquarium either! Definitley should do that 🙂 I agree the Dallas zoo is much better and we had a blast the most recent time.
Super fun!! All great suggestions!! Great post, girl!
Has anyone ever done the VIP Dallas Cowboys tour at ATT Stadium ?? My daughter and I may be coming in the fall and we both want to do it! Curious if anyone has and what they thought! Thank you !!!
It is a great tour! You get to go in the locker rooms, in the suites, and in the field! Definitely worth it 🙂
Our Dallas favorites are The Porch and Neighborhood Services.
Thank you Laura!!!
You need to go to the Food Trucks at Klyde Warren Park, friend! First off, there's something for everyone; my husband likes the Vietnamese food, my kids like the specialty grilled cheese truck and I whole heartedly love the sushi. Yes, I ate sushi from a truck, don't judge! Plus, there's a splash park there! You can eat at El Fenix in McKinney, you need the Food Trucks in your life ASAP! 🙂
I'm so glad you did this post! DJ and I just decided to head to Frisco at the end of June to visit his uncle and to explore Dallas a little more!