Location: Dallas
Top Things to do in Dallas
- 1. Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
- 2. Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
- 3. The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
- 4. Winspear Opera House
- 5. White Rock Lake Park
- 6. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
- 7. Dallas Museum of Art
- 8. Klyde Warren Park
- 9. Dallas Arts District
- 10. Dallas Cattle Drive Sculptures
What to do and see in Dallas, United States: The Best Places and Tips
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. Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 621 reviews
Symphony center in Dallas.
Reviewed By jbwhitehouse - Dallas, Texas
Once a year SMU Meadows Symphony performs at the Meyerson Symphony Center. The performance is a fundraiser, though actual ticket prices are inexpensive for excellent seats. After spotlighting an honoree, the Meadows Symphony led by the amazing and wonderful conductor Paul Philipps performed two Samuel Barber pieces and Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1. A beautiful evening in a beautiful setting. The acoustics are excellent for the audience, but I understand that they are not as good for the musicians themselves. Normal performance Tickets and Will Call are on the lower level. Tickets for this SMU performance are through SMU symphony ticket office.
As an aside, the SMU performing arts program is exceptional. All other symphony, dance, opera, and theatre performances are on the SMU campus during the academic year. I am in no way affiliated with SMU, but I do go to their performances; they are professional and very inexpensive.
2. Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
A nationally acclaimed 66 acre display garden features breathtaking floral displays all year long. Nestled on the shores of White Rock Lake, the Dallas Arboretum was named "One of the Most Breathtaking Gardens in the World" by Architectural Digest. Dallas Blooms festival boasts of over 500,000 spring blooming bulbs, 3,000 azaleas and hundreds of Cherry Blooms-February-April. Summer in the garden includes an outdoor concert series on Thursday evenings and numerous water features with breathtaking floral displays. Autumn at the Arboretum-September-November features a nationally acclaimed Pumpkin Village featuring over 90,000 pumpkins/gourds/squash and named one of America's Best Pumpkin festivals by Fodor's Travel. The 8 acre Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden was designed to connect children with nature. Education is a central focus the gardens mission, which teach life and Earth science with 17 indoor/outdoor galleries and 150 interactive activities - Where science and fun become one. Open seven days a week and Wednesday nights until 8pm from March-October. Seasonal weekday discounts are available. The garden is closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Reviewed By AllanJGJ - Wellington, New Zealand
You would be hard-pressed to find a more manicured, pristine botanical gardens anywhere in the world. On our visit the plantings were invariably immaculate and healthy and with numerous flower in bloom. It's a very heavily engineered garden in terms of infrastructure (pools, paths, physical structures, etc) and really much more of a garden than an arboretum but it's well worth the short drive from downtown Dallas. You should set aside at least half a day and also try to go into the de Golyer house in the heart of the garden (there are free tours every half hour). This was the house of the couple that donated most of the land and is decorated as when they were there. Excellent docents tell you all about it. A nice lunch can also be had in the de Golyer restaurant next to the house. All in all a great experience on a sunny day.
3. The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Get an in-depth, interactive look at eight years of presidential history at America's 13th presidential library and museum. Explore important issues and events of the administration of President George W. Bush as framed by four themes: freedom, opportunity, compassion and responsibility. NEW FOR 2016: Step into the candidates' shoes in "PATH TO THE PRESIDENCY," a special exhibit on the history of campaigns and elections in the United States. Extend your visit with a stroll through the 15-acre Native Texas Park, enjoy a meal at Café 43, and take home a piece of the presidency from the Museum Store.
Reviewed By SneakinDeacon - Southwest Virginia
I really love presidential history and have visited several of the Presidential Libraries and Museums. Eisenhower and Truman's were my favorites until I visited this this Museum. The staff is exceptional, from the security staff to the volunteers and docents, everyone wants to make sure you enjoy you visit and are more than willing to assist your. This museum like most Presidential Museums has a replica of the Oval Office. What sets this one apart is that visitors can actually go into the office and take photos. A museum volunteer will take your picture sitting at the presidents desk in the oval office, but unlike The President George H. W. Bush museum, these photos are available for purchase in the gift shop. The events of 9-11 defined Presidents Bush's time in office and there are a number of exhibits and artifacts on display. The is limited parking in the surface lot on the north side of SMU Blvd, across from the Museum. There is also parking available in a parking garage that is in easy walking distance. There is a fee for parking in both lots. I enjoyed my visit and would highly recommend it to anyone who is in the Dallas Area.
4. Winspear Opera House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 239 reviews
Reviewed By jbwhitehouse - Dallas, Texas
We saw the last performance of the "King and I" yesterday at Winspear Opera House in Dallas. What a joy! Fabulous singing, choreography, acting, stage-set. A performance to remember. No announcement about the chandelier rising, which I thought I remembered from prior visits. Long lines at intermission for restrooms, but they moved fairly quickly.
5. White Rock Lake Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 561 reviews
Surrounding the jewel of Dallas, 1,015-acre White Rock Lake, the park is a prime spot for running, hiking, birdwatching, fishing and people-watching.
Reviewed By Amonfrank
A fun place to walk run or bike around the lake. Great views of downtown Dallas. The giant mansions from the 1920’s and the sail boats add to the charm. Pick up some to go food and have a picnic, and put your feet in the lake
6. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
One of Texas’ most visited historic sites, The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza chronicles the life, death and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. The Museum is in the former Texas School Book Depository building, where evidence of a sniper was found after the assassination of President Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Much of the exhibit space looks as it appeared in the 1960s. Highlights include a sniper’s perch, the FBI model used by the Warren Commission, an original teletype machine that first transmitted news of the president’s death, Oswald’s wedding ring, historic films, photos and more. An interactive display overlooks Dealey Plaza. Admission includes an audio guide, available in eight languages including ASL. The museum is open daily in 2018 except Christmas. Timed tickets can be purchased in advance at jfk.org.
Reviewed By Alta M
Thank God I had already visited the museum; had today been my first visit, I wouldn't have learned very much. Nothing has changed since we came in January 2016. It was incredibly busy, so busy that I just skipped some of the sections because it was like some people had never visited a museum before and didn't have any manners. I think it's a good idea to have such an open concept, but maybe allow only so many people in at one time. It was extremely aggravating and hot in the museum. It's a bit too expensive to get so aggravated. I do not recommend if you too suffer from social anxiety.
7. Dallas Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Established in 1903, this prestigious art venue features a wide selection of art exhibits, from Ancient Mediterranean to Contemporary Art and Design.
Reviewed By curioustravelor2010 - Becker, Minnesota
We've been to a couple of other art museums and this was the best. My wife and I like paintings and DMA has them galore. Admission is free. Separate areas display from different cultures such as American, African, and Asian. The quality of the art we saw was phenomenal. The bathrooms were clean.
8. Klyde Warren Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By smilerkevin61 - Newcastle, England
A lovely small park in which to relax amidst all the skyscrapers. Lots of street food stalls along the perimeter. Ideal for picnic when visiting the superb Museum of Art. One of the few places in Dallas away from cars !
9. Dallas Arts District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 170 reviews
The country's largest urban arts district.
Reviewed By nowpacking - Dallas, Texas
Pick a venue to experience great art - music, history, visual arts, theater - Dallas is blessed with some of the best! The Meyerson, Wyly, DMA and Nasher are some of my favorites - but don't overlook the others for they all have their own special qualities! About how spread out they are - only in Texas would you hear that!
10. Dallas Cattle Drive Sculptures
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 795 reviews
Reviewed By jbwhitehouse - Dallas, Texas
This is a place to go irrespective if you are a local or tourist. Located by the Convention Center, there is usually limited, but adequate parking. This is a place to experience the cattle drive through expressive sculptures of cattlemen and cattle. Look closely at the detail, but please do not climb on them. I want these to show my grandchildren.
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