| Attraction | Summary |
|---|---|
| Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden | A 66-acre oasis showcasing seasonal floral displays and themed gardens. |
| Dallas Zoo | Texas’ largest zoo with over 2,000 animals across 106 acres. |
| Reunion Tower and Observation Deck | Iconic Dallas skyline views from a 470-foot observation deck. |
| The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza | Chronicles the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. |
| Klyde Warren Park | A 5.2-acre urban park bridging downtown with Uptown Dallas. |
| George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum | Highlights major events of the 43rd president’s life and presidency. |
| NorthPark Center | A premier shopping destination with over 230 stores and luxury brands. |
| Dallas Museum of Art | Houses over 24,000 works of art spanning thousands of years. |
| The Stockyards National Historic District | Offers a glimpse of the Texas Wild West with daily cattle drives. |
| Perot Museum of Nature and Science | A five-floor museum dedicated to science and nature education. |
| Crow Collection of Asian Art | Features a comprehensive collection of Asian art in downtown Dallas. |
| Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary | Nearly 300 acres of nature preserve offering educational exhibits and wildlife encounters. |
Dallas is one of the best cities on the planet as of now. Some of the most precious attractions of Dallas are given below.
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Name and Location: The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is located on the shores of White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas.
History and Significance: Originally constructed in 1939 as part of a private estate, the Dallas Arboretum opened to the public in 1984. Today it spans 66 acres with elaborate seasonal flower displays and gardens showcasing plants from around the world. It is known for its beautiful landscapes and is a popular spot for weddings and photography.
What to Expect: Visitors can see expansive manicured gardens with over 50,000 plants, fountains, a children’s adventure garden, and seasonal floral shows. Popular spots include the Jonsson Color Garden and A Woman’s Garden.
Visitor Information: The Arboretum is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Hours are 9am-5pm. Admission is $17 for adults, $14 for seniors and $12 for children ages 3-12.
Spread across 66 acres on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a stunning oasis just minutes from downtown. Seasonal floral displays utilizing over 2,000 varieties of plants cascade through meticulously curated gardens centered around a historic Spanish-style mansion. Themed gardens include the Sunken Garden showcasing tropical plants and the Woman’s Garden featuring works from nationally acclaimed female sculptors. The arboretum’s emphasis on education and conservation comes to life in venues like the edible farm and environmentally sustainable Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. From azaleas in spring to pumpkins in fall, a visit during any season promises inspiration through nature.
The Dallas Zoo
Name and Location: The Dallas Zoo is located near downtown Dallas, Texas in Marsalis Park.
History and Significance: Founded in 1888, the Dallas Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Texas. Home to over 2,000 animals, it supports conservation and education about wildlife. Popular exhibits include the Giants of the Savanna and the Simmons Hippo Outpost.
What to Expect: Visitors can see gorillas, lions, tigers, komodo dragons, and elephants along with many other species. The zoo features naturalistic habitats, animal feedings and shows, children’s areas, and food vendors.
Visitor Information: The Dallas Zoo is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Hours are 9am-4pm. Admission is $19 for adults, $15 for seniors and $14 for children ages 3-12.
At 106 acres, the Dallas Zoo in Oak Cliff is the largest zoological experience in Texas. Home to over 2,000 animals representing 406 species, its exhibits offer immersive wildlife encounters with recreated habitats from around the globe. Check out gorillas and chimpanzees in the Wilds of Africa, rare snow leopards in the Himalayan Highlands, or a Komodo dragon, world’s largest lizard species, up close in the Herpetarium. State of the art venues like the award-winning Simmons Hippo Outpost offer the opportunity to safely view impressive wildlife. With special experiences like behind-the-scenes animal encounters, this world class zoo promises memorable fun for visitors of all ages.
Reunion Tower and Observation Deck
Name and Location: Reunion Tower is a 561-foot observation tower located in downtown Dallas, Texas.
History and Significance: Completed in 1978, the tower was originally built as a communications tower but also features a public observation deck. It provides 360-degree views of Dallas and the surrounding areas. Its ball lights up the Dallas skyline at night.
What to Expect: Visitors can ride to the GeO-Deck observation deck 470 feet up the tower. There they find telescopes, interactive consoles, a gift shop and the Five Sixty restaurant which revolves for panoramic city views while dining.
Visitor Information: Reunion Tower is open daily 10am-9pm, with seasonal variations. General admission starts at $18 for adults and $13 for youth ages 4-12. Restaurant reservations recommended.
One quintessential Dallas experience is witnessing the city’s iconic skyline from Reunion Tower’s GeO-Deck observation deck 470 feet in the air. Ascend via quick elevators to panoramic 360 degree floor-to-ceiling views spanning up to 50 miles on clear days. Interactive screens let you zoom in on notable landmarks while guides highlight aspects of Dallas history and architecture. By night, see the city awash in glittering lights during the tower’s nightly lighting show featuring thousands of LEDs and star-like lights. Dining at the tower’s Five Sixty restaurant adds a dash of luxury with revolving vistas as you savor gourmet cuisine. For amazing aerial city views, Reunion Tower captures Big D’s bold spirit.
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Name and Location: The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is located inside the former Texas School Book Depository building in downtown Dallas.
History and Significance: The museum examines the life, times, death, and legacy of President John F. Kennedy and is located on the sixth floor which is where assassin Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed Kennedy in 1963.
What to Expect: Visitors view films, photographs, artifacts and interpretive displays capturing Kennedy’s presidency, death and historical legacy. The seventh floor houses a museum store and food counter.
Visitor Information: Open daily 10am-6pm except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Admission is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors/youth and $13 for ages 6-18. Tickets should be purchased online in advance due to limited capacity.
Located in downtown Dallas’ West End Historic District, the Sixth Floor Museum chronicles one pivotal event in American history – the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Displays document Kennedy’s legacy and provide in-depth context on the social and political landscape of the early 1960s leading up to his fateful Texas trip. The museum’s crown jewel lies inside – an exact replica of the infamous sixth floor corner window of the former Texas School Book Depository showcasing original locations of nearby landmarks. An audioguide recreates the assassination via radio broadcasts as you view Dealey Plaza from above. For understanding one tragic November day that still impacts America today, few places shed light better than this thoughtful, emotive museum.
Klyde Warren Park
Name and Location: Klyde Warren Park is a 5.2 acre public park built overtop of Woodall Rodgers Freeway in downtown Dallas.
History and Significance: Opened in 2012 through a public-private partnership, the park is named after billionaire philanthropist Kelcy Warren. It connects downtown with popular Uptown Dallas on a pedestrian-friendly greenspace featuring free daily programming.
What to Expect: Visitors will find ample green space, walking paths, a performance pavilion, a restaurant, food trucks, fountains, games and activities, making it popular with families and downtown office workers on breaks.
Visitor Information: Klyde Warren Park is open 6am to 11pm daily. Admission is free. Food and drinks must be purchased from on-site vendors.
Built as a dynamic greenspace covering a busy freeway, Klyde Warren Park transformed downtown Dallas into one interconnected, walkable community. This 5.2 acre urban oasis contains lush lawns, tree groves, a children’s park, water features, outdoor performing arts venue and more. With daily programming like fitness classes, food trucks and live music, the park energetically activates downtown. Visit the park on the weekends to discover local vendors at the Dallas Farmer’s Market next door. Thanks to its central location bridging downtown with touristy Uptown, the park see lots of locals and visitors relaxing or attending events in this vibrant public space. As the heart and soul of the new Dallas, Klyde Warren Park is a can’t miss experience.
The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Name and Location: The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum is part of the George W. Bush Presidential Center located on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
History and Significance: Opened in 2013, it is home to the presidential archives and museum exhibits exploring the presidency of the 43rd United States President George W. Bush.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore theDecision Points Theater, exhibitions on Bush’s time in office, replicas of the Oval Office and Cabinet Room, and gardens. Talks, events and temporary exhibits occur frequently.
Visitor Information: It’s open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday noon-5pm, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day. General admission is $18.
Located on the campus of Southern Methodist University, the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum tells the story of America’s 43rd president. Permanent exhibits guide visitors through major events that shaped Bush’s life and presidency using multimedia displays and artifacts like a twisted beam from the World Trade Center wreckage. Stand inside an exact replica of the White House’s iconic Oval Office. Marvel at a full-size replica of the Rose Garden with its central fountain and blooms. Temporary exhibits further explore aspects of the Bush presidency and political history. By documenting crucial recent history, this interactive museum provides rare insight into executive leadership during profoundly impactful times.
NorthPark Center
Name and Location: NorthPark Center is an upscale shopping mall located at the intersection of North Central Expressway and Northwest Highway in Dallas, Texas.
History and Significance: Opened in 1965, NorthPark features over 230 stores including luxury brands and major department stores like Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy’s and Dillard’s across nearly 2 million square feet.
What to Expect: Shoppers can browse premium shopping alongside art exhibits, dining and amenities. Popular stores include Apple, Burberry, Cartier, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Seasonal displays, events and live music happen regularly.
Visitor Information: NorthPark is open Monday – Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 11am-7pm except Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
With over 230 stores representing the world’s most prestigious designers and luxury retailers, NorthPark Center stands as one of America’s preeminent shopping destinations. Spanning 1.4 million square feet, NorthPark offers an unrivaled retail experience accompanied by extraordinary art, architecture, landscaping and ambiance. From the latest runway fashions at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue to Tiffany & Co.’s little blue box, NorthPark elevates materialism into artistry. Take an art break with works by Warhol, de Kooning and Erté amid garden courtyards. For haute couture shopping reminiscent of big city boulevards like Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, NorthPark raises Dallas’ reputation as a world-class retail mecca.
The Dallas Museum of Art
Name and Location: The Dallas Museum of Art is located on Harwood Street in downtown Dallas, Texas, within the Dallas Arts District.
History and Significance: Established in 1903, the DMA is one of the 10 largest museums in America, with over 25,000 works spanning 5,000 years of creativity from regions around the world, making it a significant cultural destination.
What to Expect: Visitors enjoy collections of Ancient American, African, Middle Eastern, Asian and European art, alongside lectures, concerts, film screenings, interactive spaces and food and drink.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesdays-Sundays 11am-5pm, Thursdays until 9pm. Closed Mondays, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Admission is $18 for adults, free for kids and under.
As the cultural crown jewel of Dallas Arts District, the Dallas Museum of Art houses over 24,000 works spanning thousands of years of human creativity. Find Ancient Mediterranean masterpieces, Art Nouveau glassworks, and icons of Modernist painting and sculpture. Stand before works by legendary artists – Monet, Renoir, Rodin, O’Keeffe and Pollock among them. Displays explore cultures worldwide from Aboriginal Australian bark paintings to intricate Japanese Edo period armor. Don’t miss the Marguerite and Robert Hoffman Collection, one of the nation’s finest assortments of post-Impressionist art. With free general admission, experiencing fine art at the DMA offers enrichment to visitors of all backgrounds.
The Stockyards National Historic District
Name and Location: The Stockyards National Historic District is located in north Fort Worth, Texas.
History and Significance: It preserves the area’s history as a huge livestock market integral to Fort Worth’s meat packing industry in the late 19th and early 20th century.
What to Expect: Visitors experience the sights, sounds and tastes of the Old West with rodeos, saloons, western stores, cattle drives and American cowboy culture. Restaurants and live country music venues abound.
Visitor Information: The district’s free to explore daily 10am-5pm. Restaurants, bars and stores keep independent hours. Weekends can get especially busy with rodeos, live music, and events.
For a nostalgic glimpse of Texas’ Wild West era, visit Fort Worth’s legendary Stockyards National Historic District. Against a backdrop of Old West brick facades and wooden corrals, watch real Texas cowboys driving a herd of cattle down Exchange Avenue during the daily cattle drive. Learn about legendary drovers on the Chisholm Trail at the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Shop for custom-made cowboy boots and hats, authentic leather goods and more unique Western wear. Save your appetite for gigantic Texas-sized steaks and barbecue at landmark steak-houses and saloons frequented by cowboys back in the day. From rustic watering holes to rodeo at Cowtown Coliseum, the Stockyards District fully embraces cowboy heritage in quintessential Texas style.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Name and Location: The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is located in Victory Park, Dallas near downtown.
History and Significance: Opened in 2012, the museum was funded by a $200 million gift from the Perot family to inspire minds through nature and science. Its striking architectural design has become a Dallas landmark.
What to Expect: Visitors explore 5 floors with 11 permanent exhibit halls focusing on everything from dinosaurs and space to the human body and energy. Extensive children’s areas, an IMAX theater, lab spaces, programs and cafe provide a full day of discovery for all ages.
Visitor Information: Open daily 10am-5pm except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. General admission is $25 for adults, $19 for youth ages 2-17. Discounts for seniors, military, students.
Dedicated to inspiring minds through nature and science, the Perot Museum delivers an awe-inspiring educational experience across 5 floors of cutting-edge exhibit halls. Get lost exploring children’s areas packed with interactive experiments demonstrating principles of engineering, soundwaves, flight and more. Gaze through a telescope at distant galaxies in the expanding universe. Journey through geological ages filled with menacing dinosaurs. Marvel at gems and minerals in kaleidoscopic shapes, colors and compositions. With its dedication towards nurturing the next generation of inventors and innovators through STEM education, the Perot Museum leads the way towards North Texas’ future.
Crow Collection of Asian Art
Name and Location: The Crow Collection of Asian Art is an art museum located in the Arts District of downtown Dallas.
History and Significance: Developed from the private Asian art collection of real estate developer Trammell S. Crow and his wife Marguerite, the museum opened in 1998, making exceptional Asian art and cultures accessible to all.
What to Expect: Visitors view galleries from regions like China, Japan, India and the Philippines containing thousands of objects including Chinese jades, Buddha sculptures, Cambodian textiles, paintings, furniture, and more, some dating back 4,000+ years.
Visitor Information: Free general admission Tuesday-Sunday 10am–5pm, closed Mondays and major holidays. Galleries are handicapped accessible and visitors of all ages are welcome.
Nestled downtown in the Dallas Arts District, the Crow Collection of Asian Art transports visitors centuries into the past and halfway around the globe without leaving Texas. Assembled by the Crow Family, this world-class museum houses an internationally recognized collection of Chinese jades, intricate sandstone carvings of Southeast Asia, and elegantly simple ceramics from Japan plus other Asian artistic traditions. Spread throughout a tranquil multi-level gallery fused with zen minimalism, rotating exhibits curated by region explore diverse Asian cultures. The museum’s serene sculpture garden provides further escapism with gently trickling fountains surrounded by ornamental trees and flowers. For Asian art and design at its finest, the Crow Collection is an oasis of serenity amidst occasionally chaotic Dallas.
The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary
Name and Location: The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary is located south of Dallas in McKinney, Texas.
History and Significance: Established in 1967 by Bessie Heard, the museum began as her private collection of specimens and grew into a renowned museum and sanctuary that promotes conservation through education.
What to Expect: Visitors explore wildlife dioramas and habitats with over 150 animal species. Outdoor trails, gardens and a dinosaur exhibit showcase Texas’ natural heritage. Frequent events include lectures, summer camps and member nights.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm year round except Thanksgiving week, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve/Day. Adults $12, seniors/college students with ID $10, youths $8.
Dedicated to the conservation of North Texas habitats, the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary immerses visitors into nearly 300 acres of living nature just minutes north of downtown. Outdoor trails snake through prairies, wetlands and forests populated with bison, longhorn cattle and over 400 species of native wildlife. Indoor interactive galleries feature the Heard’s permanent dinosaur fossil collection plus rotating exhibits highlighting regional animals and ecosystems. Make sure to experience the Heard’s education animals including owls, hawks, snakes and opossums up close. With its habitats showcasing prairie, swamp and woodlands plus onsite wildlife rehabilitation efforts, the Heard provides a window into North Texas’ rich biodiversity.