With a population of over 1.2 million, Dallas is the third largest in Texas and the ninth largest city in the USA.
This massive area is not only near and dear to locals, but it is also a solid part of pop culture.
There’s a TV show named after the city, a president was assassinated here, and what many refer to as America’s team calls Dallas home.
Notoriety like that comes with tourism.
Of course, it also comes with a regular influx of people relocating.
In order to keep new residents and guests from out of town busy, the city has made sure to keep the city busy with things to do.
If you’re wondering what would be appropriate for kids, stay tuned!
We’ve got a list of our favorite must-see places for kids below.
10 Things to Do in Dallas With Kids
1. Six Flags Over Texas
While it’s hard to imagine spending a day out in the blazing sun and enjoying it, Six Flags Over Texas is open much of the year.
After summer there is Fright Fest in October, followed by Holiday in the Park.
So, there’s no reason to miss the fun because of the unrelenting summer heat.
If you plan to be in the DFW area more often, you can even sign up for an annual pass that is a monthly payment, as opposed to shelling out money in advance.
In addition to thrilling rides like roller coasters, there are other rides to give you pure enjoyment.
There’s Gunslinger where you get to swing out over the park.
Want something closer to the ground?
La Fiesta de las Tazas are teacups that you can spin at your own will.
Got tiny tots in the group?
Check out Bugs Bunny Boomtown!
Fun is available for every interest at every preferred temperature.
2. Children’s Aquarium Dallas at Fair Park
If you’ve been to the State Fair of Texas, you were right where the Children’s Aquarium is.
Opened for the better part of the last century, it became the first public aquarium in Texas.
The six tanks and exhibits got a massive facelift just over a decade ago that was almost $10 million of renovations.
Now, not only are there amazing aquatic creatures to gawk at, the kids are invited to join in the fun.
There are high-tech exhibits, the ability to get wet, and hands-on fun.
It’s just as interesting to kids as it is to adults.
3. Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Former presidential candidate, Ross Perot, and his wife made a $50 million gift to the Victory Park Museum in Dallas.
Well, it was made by the children in their honor in 2008.
That was a major boost for the museum and what it could offer those who stop by.
Have your kids ever wanted to race a dinosaur?
How about experiencing an earthquake simulation?
Or maybe even soar through the universe!
All of these and more are things you can experience at the Perot Museum.
4. Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden
The Dallas Arboretum is a beautiful place to get lost in, as long as you don’t have a lot of allergies.
More on the arboretum later.
First, let’s talk about the place inside designed for kids.
Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden is a mouthful as much as it is a sanctuary of imagination.
It’s like a storybook come to life, sort of what you’d picture as a kid thinking about a secret garden of wonders.
There are lifesize spiders, enormous trees with comically large leaves, water spouts, and plenty of opportunities to play.
5. Texas Discovery Gardens
Butterflies are often considered one of the favorites when it comes to nature.
From their color varieties to sizes, butterflies are fun.
The butterfly house is one of the aspects of Texas Discovery Gardens that attracts visitors like a moth to a flame.
In addition to housing nature’s frequent fliers, the staff aims to teach kids and adults alike how to be better at conservation.
Throughout the year there are events you can attend in the gardens that are lively and informative.
6. Crayola Experience
Got young children that like drawing or just get out the crayons and run them across the paper?
This is the to-do for you!
The Crayola Experience allows kids to come in and get their creative juices flowing.
They can paint, mold clay, bring doodles to life, get rained on with color, take hilarious selfies, and dance with giant crayons.
Let’s not forget Cafe Crayola for colorful desserts or Toddler Town for the tinier color fans.
7. Frontiers of Flight Museum
If you have at least two hours to spare, this might be a great activity for the future pilot in your home.
To think, those planes that are so high in the sky are being shown off right here on the ground in this museum.
Frontiers of Flight takes visitors through the history of flying into the future of what’s to come.
Not only is it about planes, but spacecraft, missiles, and powerplants are included.
This is the ultimate learning experience for anyone interested in flight.
8. Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Welcome to 66 acres of blooming plants in the heart of Dallas.
In total, there are almost a million and a half plants to gaze upon.
The award-winning gardens are almost like a glimpse of heaven, the architecture is that top-notch.
To keep the masses coming back regularly, there are all kinds of scheduled events throughout the year, including a concert series and memory garden for Alzheimer’s patients.
9. Pioneer Plaza
If you want a glimpse of Texas history, come see the 49 Steers and a few Cowboys immortalized in bronze.
Lifelike takes on a whole new meaning when you realize each steer is six feet tall.
In fact, this is the largest bronze monument in the world.
Created by a Texas artist, this scene was meant to depict the cattle that settlers brought into the city.
Along with the statues are cliffs, gardens, and a waterfall.
10. Giant Eyeball
Imagine you’ve just had a nice lunch and you’ve decided to take a walk to get the kids to release some of that pent-up energy.
You turn the corner and are instantly being stared down by a giant eye.
Not only does that take you aback, but it’s something the kids will either scream at or find insanely interesting.
It’s not really an activity, but you might be hard-pressed to find a kid who isn’t at least intrigued by a giant eyeball just sitting there.
After all, how often do you come across a 30ft eyeball?
You might even want to bring a picnic and eat on the lawn in front of it and stare at it while you come up with a number of stories about it.
If that’s not fun, what is?
Dallas Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Dallas Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dallas a good place for a family vacation?
Absolutely.
Because of the regular influx of people adding to the population, it’s imperative that there are enough spots of entertainment to go around.
That means there needs to be fun for all ages.
Depending on what your child is interested in, there is something to capture the imagination or to get all the energy out.
What really matters most when it comes to a family vacation is understanding what everyone likes to do.
If your kids have a lot of energy, taking them to a quiet art museum might bore them.
On the other hand, going to Six Flags when your kid doesn’t ride rides would also be a waste.
Take the time to really research what’s available and find spots like the aquarium or Discovery Gardens, where young and old alike can be amused.
When is the best time to visit Dallas?
For starters, if possible, avoid going in the summer.
Not because the city is run over by tourists, but because the heat is difficult to get used to and can be even more uncomfortable for children.
The best time to really enjoy Dallas would be April or October.
Weather is at its most mild during those two months, although prepare for strong wind in April.
Fun fact, Dallas is windier than the Windy City aka Chicago.
To be fair, Chicago wasn’t named that because of the weather, but that’s another story.
Will I need a rental car in Dallas?
Honestly, it would likely be the easiest way to make the most of your trip.
Unless you’re not planning to go too far from the hotel, otherwise, it is the most logical move.
If renting a car seems like too much of a hassle, try to book a hotel that is in the middle of all the places you intend to go.
Bonus points if you can find one in close proximity to public transportation.
Of course, rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are quite popular in Dallas, which means finding a ride at almost any time of day or night will be accessible from your smartphone.
If you do plan to venture outside of Dallas, taking the TRE will get you to Fort Worth, but you’d have to make sure to plan out the route before making any moves.
No one wants to be stuck in an unfamiliar city.
How many days should be dedicated to a Dallas trip?
This is tough to answer without specifics in regards to trip goals, size, and age of the group, as well as the interests of everyone.
However, a rough estimate would be four or five days.
Unlike places like Orlando, Dallas doesn’t have a slew of amusement parks that will keep you busy for several days each.
Dallas has a bunch of unique places that can be gone through in an afternoon.
The great thing about that is you can see a lot more at a more budget-friendly expenditure and can fit more activities in.
If you have more time to kill, take a short drive outside of Dallas to the other side of the DFW metroplex.
In Fort Worth, you can have a completely unique experience, as if you were in a whole other state.
Either way, spending a vacation in Dallas would be quite fulfilling.
