Dallas: The Best Of Dallas You Can’t Miss

Travel Attractions – Best of Dallas, Texas, USA

Dallas‘ fascinating history isn’t surely the only reason people visit. There are many other attractions and things you can do. Read on to know more about this fascinating city and add them to your travel bucket list.

Whether you want to visit the country’s ninth largest city, experience world-class shopping and dining, or learn about pop-culture curiosities, Dallas has plenty to offer.

The city is also home to many museums, a diverse arts scene, and outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy a thrill-seeking roller coaster, a botanical garden, a children’s adventure garden, and a zoo.

Whether you’re an aviation buff or a history buff, the Frontiers of Flight Museum is an excellent choice.

Dallas’ rich history includes oil production, ranching, and farming. It grew rapidly after the 1873 introduction of the railroad, which made it a major trade hub. 

The city was home to many insurance companies and banks after WWII. This made it an important financial and business center.

The center is the best location to begin a visit. You’ll find excellent museums, restaurants, hotels, and many other fun activities here. You can also explore other areas like the West End and Arts District. The Deep Vellum District is a reemerging district with many eclectic shops and restaurants.

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Museums

1. Perot Museum Of Nature & Science

The Perot Museum of Nature (2012) is a unique attraction. The extraordinary structure is a cube that sits over a water garden. The façade depicts North Texas’ drought-tolerant grassland.

Although it would be difficult to summarize this museum’s many aspects in one sentence, you can be certain that there is plenty of interaction and hands-on activities.

You can feel an earthquake, create music in a sound-studio, build your robot, smell the Blackland Prairie’s beeswax, compete against top athletes, and go on a mini-trip around the city.

A natural history museum is incomplete without dinosaur skeletons. The “Life, Then and Now Hall”, ruled over by the gigantic Alamosaurus and T.rex fossils, has a Paleo Lab, where you can view the museum’s cutting edge dinosaur research on monitors in real time.

2. Dallas Museum of Art

The Dallas Museum of Art (DMA), is a major museum of art located in city downtown. 

Its collection includes ancient Mediterranean art, including Greek, Roman, and Egyptian art; European art from 16th to 18th centuries, including pieces from Claude Monet; modern art, such as Jackson Pollock; and a library with more than 50,000 art-related books. 

It has more than 24,000 pieces from America and all over the world, including everything from contemporary art to ancient artefacts.

3. Dallas World Aquarium

The Dallas World Aquarium, located in downtown Dallas Texas, is well-known for its many animal, bird, and fish exhibits. It has also been responsible for saving many endangered or threatened animals. 

The Aquarium offers many exhibits to see, as well as the opportunity to feed some animals, attend talks, and eat.

This aquarium was established in 1992. It is a non-profit aquarium and museum located in downtown Dallas’ West End Historic District. It is well-known for its conservation efforts, cooperative breeding program with other international zoos, and its education role. 

4. Ripley’s Believe It or Not

Robert Ripple started the Ripley’s Believe it or Not franchise. Grand Prairie was the first franchise to open. There are many family-friendly exhibits in the park that offer insight into some of the most bizarre and unbelievable events. 

Grand Prairie’s Ripley’s Believe it or Not is a fun and educational place for teenagers and children. Visitors will be amazed and even curious by the facts presented here.

They also have a 7D movie theater where visitors can let their imaginations run wild and feel every bump, drop, and turn. 

The Enchanted Ripley mirror maze is another attraction where visitors will be enchanted by the mirrors and LED lights. Visitors are challenged by the Ripley’s Laser race to test their resolve and willingness.

Waterfalls

1. Hamilton Pool Waterfall

The beautiful waterfall, which measures 50 feet in height, can be reached by hiking 80 feet into the canyon. It is located in Hamilton preserve. 

The waterfall is surrounded by a collapsed cave and water flows throughout the year. Hamilton preserve covers 232 acres and is located 220 miles from Dallas.

2. Krause Springs

Krause Springs is well-known for its swimming and camping sites and draws a lot of tourists in the summer. It is just outside Austin and about a four-hour drive from Dallas. 

The Krause Springs, a property covering 114 acres, has many attractions. The campsites are available for visitors, as well as swimming in the pools and hiking.

3. Turner Falls

The natural swimming pool is located on the banks of the honey creek Turner Falls, which is 77 feet high. 

The natural pool is accessible for visitors to enjoy hiking and swimming. It is located in the Arbuckle Mountains, and can be reached by road from Dallas.

Zoos

1. Wild Things Zoofari

Wild Things Zoofari, which was established in 2010, is an organization that visits schools and libraries across Texas to perform shows about endangered species and their conservation. 

The shows provide hands-on experiences with reptile and animal behaviors and habitats. Wild Things Zoofari is known for its petting and pony rides, Nativity Scenes and carousel rides.

2. Dallas Zoo

The Dallas Zoo was established in 1833, located on 106 acres, just 3 miles from Dallas. It is Texas’ oldest and largest nonprofit zoo. The zoo has over 2000 animals housed. including 406 species. There are many programs and events held at the zoo. Visitors can also enjoy dining and shopping at the zoo.

The non-profit Dallas Zoological Society manages it. There are two main regions to the zoo: ZooNorth and Wilds of Africa. ZooNorth is the oldest and original section of the zoo.

The Wilds of Africa area was built seventy-eight year after ZooNorth. It can be accessed via a tunnel under Clarendon Drive from ZooNorth.

Parks

1. Twin Falls Park

Twin Falls Park was established in 1971 in Dallas’ Wolf Creek neighborhood. It is ideal for running, walking or any other form of exercise. There are also picnic tables and benches that can be used to read, sit down, or have a meal.

The paths are lined with trees and lush green grass, while the Red Bird Creek separates the park by its footbridge. The park has a playground and grassy areas for dogs on one side and trails, thick trees and grills on the other. 

3. Cedar Hill State Park

This state park, which protects a tract on old farmland and parcels of prairie, is another open space that is located close to Downtown Dallas.

The Penn Farm Agricultural History Center allows you to learn more about the land’s history by touring reconstructed and original farm buildings dating back to the 19th century and the early 20th centuries.

The Dallas Off-Road Bike Association has created a 12-mile trail through the park. It consists of three concentric routes that range from 3-12 miles in length. Joe Pool Lake is a popular spot for swimmers on the gravel beach, as well as fisherman who are looking for crappie and largemouth black bass.

There are 350 campsites that have been developed, with access to water, electricity, and hot showers, for those who want to make it a weekend.

Other Highlights

1. McKinney Avenue Trolley

The McKinney Avenue Trolley is a great option for anyone who loves historic transport. Streetcars were abandoned by the government in 1956. However, the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority (non profit) has been operating restored streetcars since 1980. 

The team will gladly take you from Uptown into the Dallas Arts District at no cost. They ask for a small donation towards their maintenance. The round, maroon-colored and white signs are easy to spot. Wave your hand to the motorman as the trolley passes you. Ring the bell when you are ready to jump off.

2. 2-Hour Historic Dallas Segway Tour

Enjoy a Segway tour of Dallas that lasts 2 hours. It takes you to historic landmarks and other significant sites around the city. After your guide gives clear instructions on how to operate the Segway, you can travel in comfort. 

Segway tours of Dallas will take you to landmarks like Pioneer Plaza, John F Kennedy Memorial, Dealey Plaza and the Dallas Arts District. You can cover more ground by Segway than walking or coaching. 

Enjoy a 2-hour Segway tour through Dallas. Hear commentary from your guide while you explore downtown Dallas landmarks like City Hall, Dealey Plaza and John F Kennedy Memorial Plaza.

3. Dallas CityPASS

Dallas CityPASS allows you to explore the city and get free admission to top attractions. Each Mobile ticket gives you access to the fascinating Perot Museum Of Nature and Science and to the Reunion Tower GeO–Deck. It is valid for nine days and allows you to explore the city whenever and wherever it suits you. 

You can also choose to enter 2 attractions: Dallas Zoo or George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. Your mobile ticket includes:

Perot Museum of Nature and Science – Reunion Tower GeO–Deck Plus admission to two of the following top attractions; George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, or Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. Enjoy up to nine days of convenient City PASS mobile ticket use.

4. Electric Cruiser Open-Air Tour

You can see the best of Downtown Dallas from an electric cruiser. For a guided tour of Dallas City Hall, Dealey Plaza, Pioneer Plaza, join a licensed guide.

This cruiser tour is an eco-friendly option to sightseeing. You’ll be accompanied by a licensed guide. Visit the Dealey Plaza National Historic Landmark district in West End.

Begin your tour by visiting Pioneer Plaza. Here you will find a sculpture depicting the Shawnee Cattle Drive. This sculpture is the largest bronze sculpture in the world and commemorates the 19th century cattle drives along the Shawnee Trail.

FAQs About Dallas, Texas