Location: Dallas
Top Things to do in Dallas
Top 5 Nature & Wildlife Areas in Dallas, Texas (TX)
You may have all heard that everything is bigger in Texas. Well, Dallas does its best to fulfill that promise. You'll find several museums with vast art collections and fascinating specialty museums like The Sixth Floor Museum/Texas School Book Depository, which, though small in size, offers an immense amount of information about the assassination of John F. Kennedy. And of course, visit a local steakhouse for a terrific (and enormous) meal.
Restaurants in Dallas
1. Cedar Ridge Preserve managed by Audubon Dallas.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Nature reserve that covers 633 acres with 10 miles of scenic hiking trails.
Reviewed By famonthego6 - Dallas, United States
From the moment we began researching the Preserve’s website, we were impressed. Posting the trails’ elevation changes and descriptions helped us decide which trails to hit with our 4 kids, aged 6-14. Some rigorous climbs were a bit tough on our 2 Littles, but those were at the start of the hike so it was pretty smooth sailing for the second half. We chose Cattail Pond with the Fossil Trail added on. The trails were cleared well and even though they were covered up with our increasingly outdoor-healthy Dallasites, people were patient, kind, and full of sweaty smiles. My kids are begging to return—spectacular views and great family bonding.
2. Trinity River Audubon Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
At 6,000 acres, the Great Trinity Forest is the largest urban hardwood forest in the United States. The Great Trinity Forest supports a diverse community of plant and animal species and contains a unique mixture of bottomland hardwoods, aquatic and wetland systems and grasslands. The Trinity River Audubon Center, opened October 2008, and serves as the gateway to explore these amazing resources. Visitors have the opportunity to explore hands-on exhibits; miles of nature viewing trails; the Children’s Discovery Garden; and sustainable building features including a vegetated roof, rainwater collection system, energy efficient systems, and recycled materials.
Reviewed By T1004VDstephanieg
Went on a Saturday morning and hiked all the trails at the center. The staff is welcoming and helpful. During covid, the center is limiting the number of people by assigning timed reservations which ensures you can hike without crowds. The bathrooms are open and clean. It had rained the day before which meant all the ponds were full but the trail was not muddy. The trails are generally flat and easy for most skill levels. It was a great way to spend a Saturday morning in October.
3. Lake Highlands North Recreation Center
4. Texas Discovery Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 96 reviews
Texas Discovery Gardens is a 7.5-acre organic urban oasis filled with natural wonders for all ages. An indoor tropical butterfly house, the Rosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House and Insectarium, features hundreds of free-flying butterflies from around the world. Learn all about Snake of Texas in the Natural Learning Center. Garden areas include a wildlife pond, Shakespeare Garden, Native Butterfly Habitat, and the scenic Grand Allee du Meadows. Picnics are welcome outside. Open daily, 10 am to 5 pm.
Reviewed By MR_Travels1920 - Woking, United Kingdom
We visited the Discovery Gardens on a very rainy, and thus very quiet Tuesday. Much to our luck Tuesday is 'pay-what-you-wish' entry so you can enter for whatever amount you see fit. Although it is not a big attraction, there were more than just butterflies like the snake house at the back of the gardens which was awesome. The butterfly exhibit is the main attraction and it is certainly great for a cold and rainy day as the enclosure is very warm and pleasant to walk around. There are some other cool exhibits to explore beyond those two things as well. We must also credit the brilliant customer service; I apologise as I forgot the ladies name, but the woman on the front desk when we visited (Tuesday 11th February 2020) was so friendly, she went above and beyond to inform us about exhibits and also virtually give us a private tour of the attraction! Overall I would definitely recommend visiting this place if you are in Dallas, especially if you have children as they'd love it!
5. Old Fish Hatchery Nature Area
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 2 reviews
A top birding observation site located in downtown Dallas.
