Things To Do in Dallas
The Adolphus is at the center of Dallas’ rich cultural scene. From a family outing to the Dallas Aquarium to a sophisticated afternoon spent strolling through the Perot Museum, there’s an activity for everyone just outside our doors.
Conveniently located across the street from The Adolphus, The AT&T Discovery District is a new downtown destination where tech, culture, and entertainment combine to create unique experiences. Enjoy The Exchange, a two multilevel dining destination complete with 16 restaurant attractions and two bars. Experience year-round pop-ups including scenes from Friends, Space Jam, and more!
The flagship Neiman Marcus store is just steps away and for you to peruse. The historic building was built in 1914 and still stands tall to this day while offering the best in shopping.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Spread across 66 sprawling acres, this arboretum and botanical garden allows you to walk through blooming gardens and get up close to pecan trees, magnolias, crape myrtles, cherry trees and azaleas. Here you’ll find a multitude of different gardens, each with their own distinct appeal. A Woman’s Garden features a reflective infinity pool and outdoor art installations, while the Margaret Elizabeth Jonsson Color Garden shows off vibrant blooms, and the Nancy Rutchik Red Maple Rill is home to over 90 varieties of Japanese Maple. The Arboretum also includes multiple cafes and picnic areas, in addition to a grilled cheese kiosk. Visit their website for a full list of gardens and pavilions, as well as a calendar of special events like an autumn festival and concert series.
As it has grown over the years, The Dallas World Aquarium has expanded to include numerous thrilling tropical and underwater exhibits that offer something for both kids and adults. Visit Mundo Maya for a glimpse of flamingos, ocelots, and tree frogs, go under the sea in the aquarium to witness creatues likes jellyfish and electric eels in their natural habitat, and trek through a recreation of a Cloud Forest, including everyone’s favorite sleepy sloths. Three restaurants make it easy to grab lunch during a full day of exploring.
One of the ten largest art museums in the country, DMA holds more than 24,000 works from a 5,000-year span. Founded in 1903, the museum has long been a Dallas cultural icon. One inside, you can expect to see a diverse international array from their permanent collection, with pieces from every corner of the world and many time periods, like early American art, a collection of Islamic art and artifacts, and pieces from the Pacific Islands. Recent special exhibitions have included a show of Jean-Michel Basquiat and a textile exhibit titled Moth to Cloth: Silk in Africa, along with shows and events dedicated specifically to Texas art. There’s too much to see in one day, so you might find yourself returning again and again.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
If you have science-obsessed kids on your hands, the Perot Museum is sure to be a hit. Obvious favorites include the massive dino skeletons in the Life Then and Now exhibit and sparkly stuff at the Gems and Minerals Hall, but the space also includes a sports section, engineering wing, and children’s area with a built-in scavenger hunt for little ones to explore. If you’re in town for a while, take note of special events like a Night at the Museum, kid camps, and movie screenings.
Experience a beautiful oasis park in the center of Dallas, bridging Uptown and Downtown. A 5.2-acre public park in Downtown Dallas, the park is just a few blocks away and has daily, and yearly events. Enjoy food trucks, a children’s play area, and daily free programming for the public ranging from yoga to lecture series to outdoor concerts and films.
Nestled among the skyscrapers and the hustle of the city is a place where farmers become friends. In the middle of everything but away from it all, since 1941, the Dallas Farmers Market has been filled with wholesome produce and the collective fruits of our labor. Once a humble horse-and-wagon wholesale business, the market has grown with the city and turned into a hub for farm-fresh vegetables, dairy, and more.
The American Airlines Center is the Dallas area’s premier sports and entertainment arena and home to the NHL’s Dallas Stars and NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. You may also watch your favorite concert or simply enjoy the arena.
For live music, you just have to head a mile up the road from The Adolphus to reach House of Blues Dallas. Known for its varied concerts — blues, rock, soul, hip-hop, country, pop — you can catch shows nearly every day of the week, 365 days a year, ranging from small acts to big names. The venue also is home to a restaurant and bar that hosts its own live shows, member perks, and more.
