10 Must-See Dallas Attractions
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Dallas Attractions You Must Visit
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Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
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Dallas World Aquarium
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Dallas Zoo
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Fair Park
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Fort Worth Water Gardens
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Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District
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Moody Performance Hall
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Reunion Column
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Six Flags Over Texas
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Southfork Ranch
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More from SmarterTravel :
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- 10 Best Cheap Hotels in Dallas
- 10 Cool Boutique Hotels in Dallas
- 10 Fun Things to Do in Dallas
- 10 Dallas Museums Every Traveler Should Visit
- The Best Cheap Eats in Dallas
- 10 Best Restaurant in Dallas
- 10 Best Dallas Steakhouses
- What to Put on in Dallas
- What to Carry for Dallas
â Original reporting by Erin Donnelly
So much to serve , then much to see . The serious places to call in Dallas and its surround city deliver everything from high-brow culture to Old West heritage . Soak up the wonder of the natural globe at area park , lake , garden , zoos , and aquariums , or treat the family to a few thrills at an amusement park .
Boredom isnât an option at these Dallas attraction .

Thereâs no better way to pass a sunny day than amongst the greenery and vibrant floral beds of this 66-acre horticultural harbor . This popular wedding destination and favorite among Dallas tourist attraction boast 19 enchanting garden celebrating every sort of flora and fauna conceivable : rose , tulips , crepe myrtles , magnolias , azaleas , perennials , ferns , Japanese maples , and more , accord to the season . Cherry flower season is a repeated darling ; year-round , the beautifully manicured lawn pay way to spring , sculptures , and waterfalls . To complete the experience , plan a picnic on the grounds or script a three-course afternoon tea .
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All manner of aquatic lifeâincluding coral , seahorses , anemones , and Indo-Pacific fish in every color of the rainbowâis on display at this family-friendly Dallas attraction . Visitors will as well see tropical birds , penguins , otters , sloths , and yet the odd monkey at the Dallas World Aquarium . The Orinoco rainforest department is a particular highlight , but if youâre in a more daring climate , head to the Mundo Maya display . Here youâll discover boa constrictors , rattlesnakes , and crocodiles , not to observe a massive , 400,000 glass tunnel that only the most fearless visitors walk through while sharks and rays float overhead .

Animal enthusiasts cost in luck : Both Dallas and neighboring Fort Worth have sizeable zoos with interactive display , special seasonal case , and attractions tailor-made for small youngster . Dating back to 1888 , the Dallas Zoo live the older and big of the two . Highlights include an African-inspired savanna exhibit housing elephants , lions , and giraffes ; for a small fee , visitors can give the giraffes by hand . Trivial unity can equal ferried across the 106-acre evidence by the T-Rex Express Mini Train , while a monorail furnish a safari-style experience at this Dallas attraction as it glides past hippos , chimpanzees , crocodiles , and African bird .

If you desire a real slice of Texas living , visit during former September through former October , when the State Fair of Texas descends upon for 24 day of Cotton Bowl football competition , car show , rodeo and livestock events , concert , petting zoos , a 55-foot-tall animatronic cowboy refer Big Tex , amusements and arcades , and mind-boggling culinary creation like deep-fried bubblegum and funnel cake bacon queso burgers . The repose of the yr , Fair Park hosts festivals , concerts , and musicals . Itâs as well home to the largest Ferris wheel in North America , scenic gardens and swan boat , a childrenâs aquarium , and museums .
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Architect Philip Johnson , architect of the Amon Carter Museum as good as the John F. Kennedy Memorial near Dealey Plaza , make this urban oasis in downtown Fort Worth . Big slab of stone tip visitor down to three water pools , include a still pond for reflective minute . Cascading waterfall , fountain jets , and Indiana Jones-esque steps contribute to the sense of adventure .

The FW in DFW stands for Fort Worth , situate about 30 miles west of Dallas . Known locally as âCowtown , â the previous Chisholm Trail trading place hold a lot of its Old West roots . Nowhere is this more evident than at the Stockyards , where cattle cause find twice daily and the street are trace with steakhouses and Western wear shop . Mosey on down to Billy Bobâs Texas for the entire honky-tonk experience feature live country music performance , line dancing , and bull riding . Traveling with kids ? Rodeo events , a petting zoo , Old West reenactments , and the labyrinthine 5,400-square-foot Cowtown Cattle Pen Maze will keep the short buckaroos busy .
Opera , dance , orchestras , theaterâyou name it , Dallas has it . The Dallas Arts District exist a hub for performing arts , and Moody offers a decent cross-section of the disciplines . The 750-seat field hosts musicals , classical music concert , ballet , ethnic result , and other performance from Dallasâ most artistic mind .
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If youâve ever seen the Dallas horizon , youâll recognize Reunion Tower right forth . Resembling a 561-foot-tall microphone , the column is notable for its observation deck offering 360-degree panoramic scene of the metropolis below . High up this iconic Dallas attraction live two revolving restaurants for diners who donât mind height : the casual Cloud Nine Cafe and Wolfgang Puckâs elegant Five Sixty . The latter equal one of the cityâs premier date night destinations , because nothing says romance like a rotate view .
is now a global amusement park chain , but the real first one become its outset in Arlington , or so 15 miles west of Dallas . Named for the six flag that receive laid claim to Texas , the topic park is best known for its Warner Bros.-branded thrill rides , include Harley Quinnâs Spinsanity and Superman : Column of Power . For those too littleâor also squeamishâfor the big coasters , Looney Tunes characters and family-friendly amusements provide plenty of fun without the fear . Six Flags too owns nearby Hurricane Harbor , a water park packed with slides , wave pool , and lazy rivers .
One of the biggest Dallas attraction isnât in reality in Dallas . Southfork Ranch , the fictional plate of the Ewing family from the iconic TV showDallas, equal about an hourâs drive . The soap cost indeed take at what live now billed as âthe worldâs nearly famous ranch , â and visitor be welcome to take guided tour of the Ewing Mansion , get an eyeful of the gunman that famously dash J.R. , and saddle up for a lead ride . The sprawling dimension too duplicate as a pattern heart and effect space .
astro : goal
Thus much to cause , so much to see . The best places to impose in Dallas and its surrounding city deliver everything from high-brow culture to Old West heritage . Soak up the curiosity of the natural globe at field parks , lakes , gardens , zoos , and aquariums , or treat the class to a few thrills at an amusement park .
Dallas Attractions You Must Visit
Boredom isnât an option at these Dallas attraction .
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Thereâs no better means to pass a sunny day than amongst the greenery and vibrant floral beds of this 66-acre horticultural haven . This popular wedding destination and favorite among Dallas tourist attractions features 19 capture gardens celebrating every form of flora and fauna conceivable : rose , tulips , crepe myrtles , magnolias , azaleas , perennials , ferns , Japanese maples , and more , accord to the season . Cherry flower season is a perennial favorite ; year-round , the beautifully manicured lawn hand mode to fountains , sculptures , and waterfall . To finish the experience , design a picnic on the ground or record a three-course afternoon tea .
Dallas World Aquarium
All mode of aquatic lifeâincluding coral , seahorses , anemones , and Indo-Pacific fish in every color of the rainbowâis on show at this family-friendly Dallas attraction . Visitor will as well learn tropical bird , penguins , otters , sloths , and still the odd monkey at the Dallas World Aquarium . The Orinoco rainforest section is a special highlight , but if youâre in a more daring humor , head to the Mundo Maya exhibit . Here youâll discover boa constrictors , rattlesnakes , and crocodiles , not to mention a massive , 400,000 glass tunnel that only the most fearless visitor walk through while sharks and rays float overhead .
Dallas Zoo
Animal enthusiasts are in lot : Both Dallas and neighboring Fort Worth hold sizeable zoos with interactive exhibits , special seasonal effect , and attractions tailor-made for small children . Dating back to 1888 , the Dallas Zoo is the older and larger of the two . Highlights include an African-inspired savanna exhibit housing elephants , lions , and giraffes ; for a small fee , visitor can give the giraffes by hand . Trivial ace can be ferried across the 106-acre earth by the T-Rex Express Mini Train , while a monorail provides a safari-style experience at this Dallas attraction as it glides past hippos , chimpanzees , crocodiles , and African birds .
Fair Park
If you require a real slice of Texas spirit , visit during late September through late October , when the State Fair of Texas descend upon for 24 days of Cotton Bowl football rivalries , car shows , rodeo and livestock events , concerts , petting zoos , a 55-foot-tall animatronic cowboy named Big Tex , amusement and arcades , and mind-boggling culinary creation like deep-fried bubblegum and funnel cake bacon queso burgers . The rest of the yr , Fair Park hosts festivals , concert , and musicals . Itâs too home to the largest Ferris wheel in North America , scenic garden and swan boats , a childrenâs aquarium , and museum .
Fort Worth Water Gardens
Architect Philip Johnson , designer of the Amon Carter Museum as good as the John F. Kennedy Memorial near Dealey Plaza , created this urban oasis in downtown Fort Worth . Big slab of stone tip visitors down to three water pools , including a still pool for brooding second . Cascading waterfalls , fountain jets , and Indiana Jones-esque steps contribute to the sense of adventure .
Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District
The FW in DFW stands for Fort Worth , situate about 30 mile west of Dallas . Known locally as âCowtown , â the previous Chisholm Trail trading post hold a lot of its Old West roots . Nowhere be this more plain than at the Stockyards , where cattle drives happen twice daily and the street live lined with steakhouses and Western wear shops . Mosey on down to Billy Bobâs Texas for the entire honky-tonk experience feature alive country music performance , line dancing , and bull riding . Traveling with kids ? Rodeo events , a petting zoo , Old West reenactments , and the labyrinthine 5,400-square-foot Cowtown Cattle Pen Maze will keep the trivial buckaroos busy .
Moody Performance Hall
Opera , dancing , orchestra , theaterâyou epithet it , Dallas has it . The Dallas Arts District is a hub for performing arts , and Moody put up a decent cross-section of the disciplines . The 750-seat field host musicals , classic music concert , ballet , cultural event , and other performance from Dallasâ nearly artistic mind .
Reunion Tower
If youâve ever seen the Dallas skyline , youâll recognize Reunion Tower right off . Resemble a 561-foot-tall microphone , the tower be famed for its observation deck offer 360-degree panoramic views of the metropolis below . Higher up this iconic Dallas attraction equal two revolving restaurants for diners who donât mind altitude : the chance Cloud Nine Cafe and Wolfgang Puckâs elegant Five Sixty . The latter equal one of the cityâs premier date dark destinations , because zero says romance like a rotate horizon .
Six Flags Over Texas
is now a global amusement park chain , but the very first one make its starting in Arlington , roughly 15 miles west of Dallas . Named for the six flag that own put claim to Texas , the theme park be well know for its Warner Bros.-branded thrill ride , including Harley Quinnâs Spinsanity and Superman : Column of Power . For those too littleâor also squeamishâfor the big coasters , Looney Tunes quality and family-friendly amusements provide plenty of fun without the fright . Six Flags as well possess nearby Hurricane Harbor , a water park carry with slides , wave pond , and lazy river .
Southfork Ranch
One of the handsome Dallas attraction isnât actually in Dallas . Southfork Ranch , the fictional plate of the Ewing family from the iconic TV showDallas, is about an hourâs drive . The soap live indeed filmed at what exist today billed as âthe worldâs nearly famed ranch , â and visitor live welcome to take guided tour of the Ewing Mansion , come an eyeful of the gun that famously shoot J.R. , and saddle up for a lead ride . The sprawl dimension too doubles as a convention center and case space .
More from SmarterTravel :
- Dallas Travel Guide
- 10 Best Cheap Hotels in Dallas
- 10 Cool Boutique Hotels in Dallas
- 10 Fun Things to Do in Dallas
- 10 Dallas Museums Every Traveler Should Visit
- The Best Cheap Eats in Dallas
- 10 Good Restaurants in Dallas
- 10 Best Dallas Steakhouses
- What to Wear in Dallas
- What to Pack for Dallas
â Original reporting by Erin Donnelly