The Dallas-Fort Worth area is full of rich, Texas history, along with a lot of new sites for anyone willing to venture out and discover. I decided to put together a list of my top 10 things to do if you find yourself on this side of Texas.
THE FORT WORTH STOCKYARDS
A national historic district, the stockyards are what remains of the cattle trails that used to pass through this area. The history runs deep in this area, with the original wooden walkways, the cattle drive (twice daily), and the gun shows. If you're looking for a fun take on authentic Texas western wear, look no further than the shops located all around the stockyards. You can stay in the stockyards at the hotels or bed & breakfasts located onsite. This is a wonderful place to take the family, or just hang out with friends at a local saloon. Either way, you're going to want to see it for yourself. Visit the Fort Worth Stockyards website to learn more.
THE DALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDENS
This was one of my favorite spots in Dallas. Located by White Rock Lake, this 66-acre botanical garden is purely beauty. They grow so many herbs and plants, the whole place smells amazing. All the water features are well thought out, with waterfalls you can walk behind or pools that (at the right angle) make it look like they extend ink the lake. Some areas even felt reminiscent of Marie Antoinette's gardens in Versailles! The Dallas Arboretum has events for the holidays, including Autumn at the Arboretum (pictured above) and a Christmas Village. I would recommend this be a stop on everyone's list. Read more about the arboretum on the official website.
THE CHAPEL OF THANKS-GIVING
Located in Thanks Giving square downtown, the Chapel of Thanks-Giving is a "winding white structure symbolizing the ancient spiral of life and the infinite upward reach of the human spirit." The outside is surrounded by waterfalls and other water features, meant to drown out the city noise from all around. It is hard not to feel instantly at peace once you walk inside the building. Straight up is a spiral of stained glass, referred to as the "Glory Window." The chapel hall is open for visitors or events; learn more about it here.
THE DALLAS FARMERS MARKET
As long as you're in downtown Dallas, you have to make a stop at the Dallas Farmer's Market. Located inside a warehouse building, there are two long halls filled with local vendors. The vendors sell everything from clothes to small home goods, and food to coffee and desserts. There are specialty shops for cheeses or luxury soaps, and even a shop that sells goods you could find from street vendors in Mexico. It is a fun place to take a break and grab a bite to eat while shopping out of the heat. Honorable mention goes to Ginzaro Sushi - treat yourself to some good sushi that you can take right across the hall to eat at The 2nd Tap while you enjoy a beer. Explore the shopping and food directory on the website.
THE AT&T DISTRICT
I am partial to this place since I stayed at the Magnolia Dallas Hotel right across the street. Nonetheless, the AT&T district is something you have to experience at least once. It is always busy with people and families enjoying the food and the green. The giant screen plays relaxing naturescapes, Saturday morning cartoons, and even the Cowboys games. Surrounded by good food from the Exchange Hall, there is always something new to try! It is also right across the street from the Adolphus Hotel, which is worth walking in to for all its splendor. Also a great place for afternoon tea (read more about that here). Explore what the AT&T District is all about at their website.
THE BISHOP ARTS DISTRICT
Amazing food, even better shopping, and a feel-good vibe from all the local art - what's not to love?! The Bishop Arts District has it all and is not out to disappoint! I can't recommend this area enough to locals and visitors alike. There is no shortage of murals to take your picture in front of. If shopping is your deal, the local vendors are a great representation of the community, offering goods you won't find anywhere else. A foodie? Consider yourself covered with everything from gourmet donuts to barbecue. Just want to marvel at the art over a good cup of coffee? There's multiple places for that as well! Read more about the shops in my article, The Ultimate Guide to the Bishop Arts District, and learn more about the area on the district's website.
KLYDE WARREN PARK
This out-of-the-box park is situated above the busy Woodall Rodgers Freeway. This unique park offers daily happenings, including yoga, lecture series, and outdoor concerts. The park is also surrounded by great food, one of my favorite restaurants being Yard Bird that has amazing chicken and waffles! Find out more about the park and their regular activities here.
PEROT MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science has been open for 10 years (as of 2022) and is located near the Arts District in Dallas. The 11 permanent exhibits, broken out in to what the museum refers to as "halls", include the Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall and the Life Then and Now Hall (both pictured above), as well as the Expanding Universe and Discovering Life Hall. There is also a children's museum, although I found the entirety of the museum to be family friendly due to all the interactive stations within each exhibit. This museum definitely lives up to the hype! Learn more about the exhibits here and plan your visit to the museum here.
DEEP ELLUM
Deep Ellum is mostly known for it's night life! There are a lot of options for drinks and food in Deep Ellum, which makes it a fun, albeit crowded, nightlife must visit. Punch Bowl Social, Anvil Pub, and Deep Ellum Brewing Company were all places I was recommended to visit. Pecan Lodge is a popular BBQ restaurant, often with a long line to enter. Great food and drinks aren't the only calling to Deep Ellum though - the neighborhood is also known for it's live music, art, and shopping. See more about the locations in this neighborhood at the Visit Dallas website here.
TRUCK YARD: THE COLONY LOCATION
Known for its trucks buried in the ground, Truck Yard is a must see no matter where you are visiting. While there is a second location in Dallas, I enjoyed the Truck Yard location in The Colony a lot more. A bit of a drive from Dallas, it offers another option to people visiting further north of the city. Truck Yard's vibe is already fun and eclectic with its eccentric seating options, amazing food trucks, and great alcohol. The Colony location, however, is in an open area and offers an unobstructed view of the sunset at dusk. It is also a lot roomier and therefore, a lot less packed. The vibe is also more lowkey than the one in Dallas, so you can go solo and read a book, meet new people, or head out with a group of friends. Live music and yard games add to the fun and definitely make you want to stick around. And bonus! It is located next to Beard Science Sour House, a brewery specializing in sours with a an array of drink options and an outdoor area with games, in case you're looking to shake it up a bit. See more about this Truck Yard location here and learn more about the brewery here.
So that's it - my top 10 recommendations of places to visit in Dallas-Fort Worth! Do you have a favorite spot in DFW you always recommend? Leave it in the comments below! And remember to pin this article for later!
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