Head to North Texas for a weekend getaway, Dallas, or as Texans call it Big D, offers lots of family fun. Find museums of all types, parks, historical sites, amusument parks along with zoos and aquariums. Find several outdoor play areas along with outdoor dining in Dallas for an easy break with kids. Sharing the best things to do in Dallas with kids for your next getaway.
30-Plus Things to do in Dallas with Kids
African American Museum
See one of the largest collections of African American folk art in the country. The “Facing the Rising Sun” collection features historical documents, photos and found objects from the North Dallas community called Freedman’s Town.
Located at 3536 Grand Avenue in Historic Fair Park. Open Tuesdays to Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $10 and kids 4 to 12 are $5 with kids 3 and under free.
American Airlines CR Smith Museum
Did you know that airline’s operate museums? Yes, add American Airlines CR Smith Museum to your trip if you’re an aviator or aviation buff. Walk through a 1940 Douglas DC-3, the first airliner American Airlines used for passenger travel. See all the flight attendant uniforms from the beginning. And the cockpit simulator is another must.
Located at 4601 Texas Highway 360. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $9 and kids 2 to 17 $6.
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Belo Garden
This downtown garden marries native plants with Texas granite. And an interactive water feature will be a win for the kids.
Located at 1014 Main St., a few blocks north of Pioneer Plaza. Open year round. Free
Bishop Arts District
Find a collection of boutiques, restaurants and galleries in an eclectic neighborhood. And the nearbyTexas Theatre is the place to introduce your older kids to a classic movie.
Located southwest of downtown Dallas in the North Oak Cliff area. Free
Crow Collection of Asian Art
See collections from China, Japan, Vietnam and India among other countries. Find ancient works to contemporary along with screens, lacquerware and samurai items among its permanent exhibits.
Located at 2010 Flora St. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free general admission though donations accepted.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Along the shores of White Rock Lake, explore a 66-acre garden with rainbow-colored blooms throughout the seasons. Each garden feels like a unique room that flows into another. The Sunken Garden is a favorite. And the Crape Myrtle Allée is a sight in full summertime bloom.
For fall foliage, the Maple Garden offers 80 varieties of Japanese maples. And the Pecan Grove is home to the Pumpkin Houses, fanciful gourd getaways.
Located at 8525 Garland Road. Open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $17 and kids 2 to 12 are $12. Parking additional.
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Dallas Farmers Market
Stroll among the stalls at the Farmers Market at the Shed every weekend. It’s an outdoor covered pavilion lined with local produce growers and artisanal craftsmen.
Located at 920 S. Harwood St. Open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free yet shopping is extra.
Dallas World Aquarium
Head to the West End Historic District, the Dallas World Aquarium offers more than marine animals. As a part of its conservation efforts, find endangered land animals, like the Orinoco crocodiles. During your visit see the kid-favorite, two-toed sloths. Of course, find jellyfish, sharks, crabs and fish at the Dallas World Aquarium.
Located at 1801 North Griffin St. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $26.95, kids 3 to 12 are $18.95 and free for 2 and younger. Parking additional.
Deep Ellum Murals
East of downtown Deep Ellum offers a vibrant arts and entertainment community. Stroll the streets and find murals for selfies.
In a curated urban art exhibit, the murals range in style though Dallas and particularly Deep Ellum are a theme.
Find several murals on Elm Street or Main St. Free
Dallas Firefighters Museum
Kids can learn about what firefighting was like over 100 years ago in an original 1907 fire house. Since horses were used, this is the location of the first horse hospital in Dallas.
Located at 3801 Parry Avenue. Open from Wednesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $6 and kids is $4. Call ahead.
Dallas Museum of Art
Walk a gallery or walk a floor, theDMAoffers an extensivepermanent collection. And check out the special exhibitions for more to see. Best of all, it’s part of the Dallas arts districtswith severalart museumswithin walking distance.
If the kids need a break, head to the Center of Creative Connections for a space just for families. The Sculpture Garden offers another space to explore outdoors. Find restaurants for dining inside of the museum.
Located at 1717 North Harwood. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free for collections, special exhibitions are extra.
Dallas Zoo
Opening in 1888, the Dallas Zoo is the oldest and largest zoo in Texas. With 106 acres, find over 2,000 animals from 406 species. See lions, elephants, gorillas and hippos along with a lot more.
Located at 650 S R L Thornton Freeway. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $17, kids 3 to 11 are $14 and kids 2 and under free.
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Tour the U.S. regional bank and walk through the Economy in Action exhibit to learn about the other Federal Reserve Banks across the U.S.
Located at 2200 N. Pearl St. Open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free
Frontiers of Flight Museum
Find a Southwest 737 sticking out of the building to grab the kid’s attention. This museum features aircraft hanging from the rafters and parked outside.
As a bonus head around back to see the Southwest jets take off and land at Love Field, one of its hubs. And don’t forget to walk through the Southwest jet that sticks outside of the building.
Located at 6911 Lemmon Avenue, at the Dallas Love Field Airport. Open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $10 and kids 3 to 17 $7.
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George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Visit a presidential library to learn more about recent history. Walk through the Nation under Attack exhibit to learn more about 9/11. Then walk through a replica of the Oval Office where kids can take a picture behind the president’s desk.
Located on the Southern Methodist University Campus at 2943 SMU Boulevard. Open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $21, kids 13 to 17 $19 and kids 5 to 12 $15. Or use your Dallas CityPass.
Giant Eyeball
Everything is bigger inTexas, even the eyeballs. It’s a 30-foot tall fiberglass eyeball, designed by Tony Tasset.
Located at 1601 Main Street. The eyeball sits on private property though see it from the sidewalk.
Klyde Warren Park
Downtown parks are an oasis for families. Bridging Uptown and Downtown Dallas, the Klyde Warren Park offers five acres to roam. Perched above the Woodall Rogers Freeway, find a green spacewithlive music and lawn games.
FInd food trucks on the side so grab a bite. Then head to one of shaded green bistro tables.
Find a multi-dimensional playground in the Children’s Park. And the Imagination Playground features kid-sized foam blocks.
Located at 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway. Open dawn to dusk. Free
Lakeland Hills Park Skatepark
Head to this eight-acre park if you have a skater in the car. It’s located in a neighborhood south of White Rock Lake.
Located at 2600 St. Francis Ave. Open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free
Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge
You’ve seen it, you just didn’t know the name of it. The Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge transformed the Dallas Skyline when it opened in 2012. Spanning the Trinity River, the cable stayed bridge offers a sculptural element to downtown Dallas.
Located next to the Trinity Groves, a 15-acre restaurant and entertainment district southwest of Downtown Dallas. Open 24-hours a day. Free
Mary Kay Museum
Here’s one for the YouTube make-up mavens. Learn about Mary Kay, the original make-up maven who showed a generation how-to apply lip liner. Stroll through the Mary Kay Museum at the Mary Kay Headquarters to learn about her legacy.
Located at 16251 Dallas Parkway, Addison. Open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free
McKinney Avenue Trolley
Take the vintage street car, the McKinney Avenue Trolley travels in-between popular Dallas destinations, like Klyde Warren Parkand the Dallas Museum of Art. The vintage cars are air-conditioned and heated for comfort year-round.
Find a stop designated by a maroon sign labeled with M-line Trolley. Free
Meadows Museum
Find Spanish artists like Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro and Diego Velazquez in its permanent collection.
Located at 5900 Bishop Blvd on the Southern Methodist University campus. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 9 p.m. on Thursday, and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $12 and kids 12 and under are free.
Museum of Geometric and MADI Art
What’s MADI? It’s non-representational, hard-edged art bursting out of the frame. And kids understand this medium better than adults, like Mind Craft loving kids who build kingdoms of blocks.
Located at 3109 Carlisle Street, north ofDowntown Dallas. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free
Nasher Sculpture Center
FInd an indoor and outdoor space, with contemporary and modern sculpture. See Giacometti, Matisse and Picasso among others. Nasher offers student tours and family programs to introduce kids to sculpture.
Located at 2001 Flora Street. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $10 and kids 12 and under are free.
Old Red Museum of Dallas County History and Culture
In a restored courthouse from 1892, find exhibits that start with prehistoric times through the boom days when railroads arrived in 1872 and 1873. Get some details on colorful Dallas residents too.
Located next to Dealey Plaza at 100 S. Houston St. Open from Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $10 and kids 3 to 16 are $7.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
If you only have time for one museum, the Perot is it. Stroll the exhibits covering energy, the earth, dinosaurs and minerals. Includes a movie theater and lots of hands-on activities for kids and their adults.
Find the Moody Family Children’s Museum though this facility is geared for younger kids.
Located at 2201 N. Field St. Open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults admission is $20 and kids 3 to 11 is $13 with kids 2 and under free. Or use your Dallas CityPass.
Pioneer Plaza
Dallas was a rough and tumble place with awesternflavor 150 years ago. Relive its cattle driving past with a larger-than-life bronze sculpture depicting the Shawnee Trail. Kids marvel at the longhorns and their massive horns.
Located at 1428 Young St., next to the Dallas Convention Center. Open year round from dawn to dusk. Free
Reunion Tower
With 360-degree views of Dallas and Forth Worth, it offers a bird’s eye view, up 470 feet. Find an indoor and outdoor space.
Located at 300 Reunion Blvd. Open Sunday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Adult admission is $17 and kids 4 to 12 are $8.
Self Guided Walking Tour of Downtown
Download the Pegasus Urban Trails, a free app, for seven free DIY walking tours. It covers all the downtown districts and you can go at your own pace.
Explore the Dallas Arts District for all the top museums. Or learn some Dallas history with the West End Historic District trail. Then head to Deep Ellum, the entertainment district for a walking tour of its murals.
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Learn more about the assignation of President John F. Kennedy by Lee Harvey Oswald from the sixth floor of the former book depository. It starts with events leading up toJFK’s visit toTexasand the morning of the assignation.
Located at 411 Elm St. Open Monday from noon to 6 p.m. and Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult admission is $18, kids 6 to 18 $14 and kids 5 and under are free. Or use your Dallas CityPass.
Due to the mature nature of this subject best suited for tweens and teens.
Six Flags Over Texas
Head to Arlington, in-between Dallas and Ft. Worth, for 45 amusement park rides including El Diablo, the world’s largest loop coaster. Find rides for everyone along with live shows.
Located at 2201 E Road to Six Flag St. Seasonal hours and days of operation. Admission varies.
Trinity River Audubon Center
What started as an illegal dump site is now 130-acre site. Stroll among through the bottomland hardwood forest or the wetland prairie habitat and see how the animals have returned to the area.
Located at 6500 Great Trinity Forest Way. Open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $6 and kids 3 to 12 are $3.
White Rock Lake
Enjoy the day exploring White Rock Lake or pack a picnic for a mid-day escape. Built in 1911, find a 9.9-mile walking path along with lots of green space.
Located at 8300 East Lawther Dr. Open from dawn to dusk. Rental boats available for a fee. Free
Where to Stay
Stay in an Art Centric Boutique Hotel just south of the Dallas Convention Center featuring 600 original works of art. The Lorenzo Hotel offers 237 rooms with dining, valet parking and a pool with a bar. Located at 1011 S. Akard St.
Where to Eat
Kids love burgers so head to Burger House for solid burgers and seasoned fries. Located at 6248 E. Mockingbird Lane.
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