Visiting Dallas with Kids

Stephanie W. said:  White Rock Lake is a Dallas must! There is a 9 mile running and biking trail around the lake, as well as several playgrounds, picnic areas, bird-watching areas, and kayaks available for rent. Added features include the Dallas Arboretum which sits on the lake. You'll also find the Bath House Cultural Center, which houses the White Rock Lake Museum and provides a history of the lake, art galleries, and a 116-seat theater. Kids will get a kick out of the stories of the Lady of the Lake, an urban legend of the ghost of a girl in a white dress who haunts the lake!

Cost: Free park entry

Stephanie W. said:  The Dallas Arboretum is a very popular and beautiful way to spend a day outdoors in any season. It is located on the shores of White Rock Lake, which provides beautiful views as you stroll through beautiful flowers, trees, gardens and art installations. The Rory Meyers Children Adventure Garden has over 150 children's activities to help children explore and experience nature. With seasonal events like the 12 Days of Christmas, and the Pumpkin Patch, you'll have exciting options to explore morning noon and night throughout the year!

Stephanie W. said:  Dallas is lucky enough to host the State Fair of Texas every fall- and Texans from all over the state travel each year to experience it! Come enjoy concerts on the Chevrolet Main Stage, activities like pig races and magic shows, carnival rides at the Midway, and of course, delicious fair food like the award-winning tamale donut and funnel cake burger, that will keep your bellies full all day. It's worth the journey to Dallas to see Big Tex at the country's largest state fair!

Cost: $16.50/48"+, $12.50/Under 48"

Late September - Late October

Stephanie W. said:  Not every city can boast being the hometown of one of our Presidents! The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum has exhibits about what it's like to live in the White House, has an exact replica of the Oval Office, and includes the 15-acre National Texas Park which is open to the public daily. You'll also see exhibits about 9/11, gifts from foreign Heads of State to President Bush, and so much more. Your kids will love seeing what it's like to be President, and hopefully they'll learn a lot, too!

Stephanie W. said:  BBQ is a Texas staple, and Dallas is lucky enough to have the Pecan Lodge, located in its Deep Ellum neighborhood. Order mouth-watering pulled pork and melt-in-your-mouth brisket at the counter, plus Southern sides like fried okra and collard greens. They're open only 4 hours a day five days a week (open later on Fridays and Saturdays), but often close early if they've run out of meat. The line is typically out the door and around the block - yes, it's that good! - so come early and be prepared to have some worth-the-wait barbecue!

Serving lunch & dinner: select days & hours

Stephanie W. said:  The McKinney Avenue Trolley is a fun, historic way to travel around Dallas for free! These vintage trolley cars were all built between 1909 and 1926 and were all in service through the 1950s. The lines reopened in 1989 as a tribute to the old transit system, and they are now in service 365 days a year throughout Uptown! Your family can even book a trolley for a special occasion if you'd like to have a car all to yourselves.

Cost: Free

Stephanie W. said:  Klyde Warren Park is Dallas's downtown park, complete with cafes, water features, and lush green space! There are always plenty of fun events going on, like yoga classes, live music in spring, summer and fall, a putting green, plus ping pong tables and croquet. All events and activities are free! Be sure to check out the Children's Park, which has a child-size amphitheatre and a story time tree. On hot summer days, your little ones will love the park's caterpillar water fountain with jets that spray outward to turn this caterpillar in to a beautiful butterfly!

Cost: Free

Stephanie W. said:  Exhibits at the Dallas World Aquarium are divided by geographical location, and are not just limited to fish. You and your kids will get to experience birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and sea creatures from all over the world!

christadiserio said:  The Perot Museum of Nature and Science takes the word "interactive" to a whole other level. This museum boasts 11 exhibit halls, which will appeal to dinosaur lovers, universe fanatics, engineering enthusiasts and literally everyone else. The museum also has its very own children's museum for the little ones 5 and under. Parents are guaranteed to enjoy this museum as much as the kids.

Closed Tuesdays

Stephanie W. said:  The Katy Trail is 3.5 mile long walking and biking trail that runs throughout Dallas on what used to be railroad lines through the city! It is well-known to Dallasites as the perfect way to spend a day outdoors. Open year-round, the trail has beautiful, lush scenery and parks, plus restaurants and residences that line its pathways. It is visited by a million people each year, and is a wonderful way to make your way through the city!

Cost: Free

Stephanie W. said:  The Sixth Floor Museum is an amazing museum about John F. Kennedy and is a fantastic option for older kids who are interested in U.S. and Dallas history. The museum honors the life, assassination, and legacy of President Kennedy in the context of 1960s America. It is a fascinating way for children to learn about this important event in our country's history!

Closed Mondays & Tuesdays

Stephanie W. said:  Reunion Tower might be the most notable part of the Dallas skyline- there's nowhere else like it! It's a rotating observation deck (the GeO-Deck) and restaurant (Wolfgang Puck's Five Sixty). Take a 68 second elevator ride up 470 feet in the air to experience incredible 360-degree views of the city, and enjoy an delicious meal as the sun sets over Dallas. Your kids will absolutely love this sky-high Dallas experience!

Stephanie W. said:  Texas' largest and oldest zoo is as fun as a barrel of monkeys! They are home to several different habitats, animal feedings, wildlife shows, and animal encounters! The possibilities seem truly endless for entertainment, education and exploration at the Dallas Zoo!

Stephanie W. said:  Trinity Groves is a unique collection of restaurants, all in one large building! The venue has almost a boardwalk-type feel, and you can stroll through the large outdoor seating area as you browse different restaurants ranging from tapas to sushi to barbecue. There are enough options to find something the whole family will love! Stop by Kate Weiser Chocolate for some artsy designer truffles or Cake Bar for a scrumptious piece of cake after you've eaten your meal. Enjoy the dozens of lit up trees surrounding the venue and take in the breathtaking Dallas skyline as you savor your dessert!

Stephanie W. said:  The Bishop Arts District, located in North Oak Cliff, is a neighborhood like none other in Dallas. It boasts over 60 boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, and art galleries. It is home to the original and delicious Emporium Pies, and tasty food like Eno's Pizza. Each year on Bastille Day (France's Independence Day), this neighborhood hosts Bastille on Bishop, a huge free festival where the streets are packed with people and street vendors. It is a great place to spend a day exploring!