Dallas is huge and there is so much to do there that we can’t possibly tell you about it all. Dallas is definitely a multi-visit kind of place and has so much to do that you won’t be bored, whether there for a few days or a whole week.
Dallas Galleria
I hate to shop. Nothing makes me cringe more than when someone says, “Want to go to the mall?” That’s what the internet is for. But, the famous Galleria in Dallas is a different story and certainly offers more than just shopping. The four-story mall is built around a huge indoor ice skating rink. During the holidays the center of the rink is home to the nation’s largest indoor Christmas tree. The mall itself has hundreds of stores including the American Girl Boutique and the American Girl Bistro along with several other restaurants.
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Dallas has a bunch of museums to pick from depending on your preference. A few of them are the Museum Frontiers of Flight, the Museum of the American Railroad, the Cavanaugh Flight Museum, the Dallas Firefighters Museum, the Texas Museum of Automotive History, the Dallas Museum of Natural History, the Dallas Children’s Museum, the Science Place and the list goes on. The museum we were most interested in visiting was The Perot Museum of Nature and Science.
Pioneer Plaza
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a combination of the museum of natural history, the children’s museum, and the Science Place. (tip: buy your tickets online ahead of time and have them on your phone and you can bypass some pretty long lines). Some of the exhibits that are the most intriguing are the earthquake simulator, using your body to simulate the flight of an eagle, the minerals exhibit, the tornado exhibit, and of course animals and dinosaurs. You will need at least 3 hours for the museum and more if you want to catch an IMAX film and play on the outdoor playground.
Looking for an adventure? Dallas has several amusement parks for the whole family. Six Flags Over Dallas is probably your best bet to satisfy kids of all ages. Trinity Forest Aerial Adventure Park offers zip lining for ages 6 and up and the Zero Gravity Amusement Park would be fun if you have some thrill seeking teenagers who want to bungee jump and do other stunts. There are also a hand full of water parks in Dallas for those hot Texas summers.
If you are downtown, stop by and visit Pioneer Plaza where you can see a large bronze monument display in honor of Texas history. Cowboys and a maze of longhorns display a permanent cattle drive right there in downtown. Other features of Pioneer Plaza include a waterfall, man-made cliffs, native plant life and the small historic details on the sculptures. It’s a fun place to take pictures and just relax.
Animals your thing? They’re my thing so you have a couple of options. There are the Dallas World Aquarium and the Dallas Zoo, but also a few other options as well.
Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch
Another option is the Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge. This 140 acre preserve is home to about 35 big cats and the habitats are quite nice. The other is the Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch. Sharkarosa allows you to get up close and personal with zebras, horses, camels, monkeys and sloth, kangaroos, and more! Sharkarosan offers tours, a tram, and hourly shows.
Have you been to Dallas? We’d love to hear more suggestions on things to do there with kids!