The Best 5 Things to do in Dallas

Dallas is the third largest city in Texas, known for its world-class attractions, rich history, and thriving arts and culture scenes. The city has some of the best indoor and outdoor activities, ranging from sporting events to museums. Whether you’re a local or an international tourist looking for things to do in Dallas, Texas, this vibrant and dynamic city has more than you can take. 

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Dallas with your whole family, this post will give you five of the best. While there are many destinations to visit in the city, these five places have been carefully selected because they provide the most fun for families with kids. They also have multiple activities to do, ensuring you make the best use of your time in the city. Here are the best things to do in Dallas to create excellent family memories. 

1. Visit the Dallas Zoo

If you’re looking for a fun and unique attraction to visit in the Dallas area, you’ll find the Dallas Zoo to be an enjoyable experience. It’s a great place to spend quality time with friends and family. 

Located three miles south of downtown Dallas, the Dallas Zoo is the oldest in Texas, dating back to 1888. It occupies a land size of 106 acres (43 ha), making it the largest zoo in Texas. Taking into account its massive size, come prepared to spend most of your time walking. If you need refreshment, you can find plenty of food and beverage options throughout the park to give you energy for the adventures. 

The Dallas Zoo is home to over 2,000 animals from 400 species. Families with young children can have a great time at the zoo, as there are many interactive exhibits and activities designed to be fun and educational for kids. 

Below are some of the things you can do at Dallas Zoo. 

Explore Animal Exhibits 

The Dallas Zoo has many animal exhibits, including the popular “Giants of the Savanna” exhibit. This exhibit transports you to the heart of the African continent, showing you animals like gorillas, chimpanzees, hippos, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, lions, and zebras. The exhibit is designed to mimic the natural environments of these animals, with waterfalls, lush vegetation, and rocky outcroppings. 

You’ll also see a wide variety of birds from around the world, including penguins, eagles, flamingos, vultures, hornbills, owls, pigeons, storks, and more. Also, you may get a chance to feed, pet, and interact with animals like goats and giraffes. 

Ride the Monorail 

The Monorail at the Dallas Zoo offers visitors a bird’s-eye view of the animals and their habitats. It travels on a 1.5-mile loop around the zoo, passing over several animal habitats, including the African savanna, the Wilds of Africa exhibit, and the Primate Place. The ride lasts about 20 minutes and is included in the price of general admission to the Dallas Zoo. 

You can ride the monorail for a bird’s-eye view of the zoo, watch animal shows and feedings, and even have a close-up encounter with some animals. The zoo also offers a variety of educational programs and events, including summer camps, animal encounters, and classes for all ages. 

2. Enjoy Water Slides at Hawaiian Falls Water Park

Want to do something more active to give you an adrenaline rush? Hawaiian Falls Water Park is the place to go. Located 20 miles northeast of downtown Dallas, the Hawaiian Falls in Garland is the first of a chain of water parks by the company in Texas. 

The park offers a variety of water attractions that cater to different age groups and interests, from thrilling water slides to more relaxing lazy rivers and wave pools. That makes the park an excellent spot for families with children of different ages because each one can find something to enjoy. 

While the park may have some shaded areas and seating options to relieve you from the heat, most attractions are outdoors and exposed to the elements. That means the best time to visit the water park is during summer and other sunny days. 

Here are some things you can do at Hawaiian Falls Water Park. 

Enjoy the Water Slides 

One of the main attractions at Hawaiian Falls Water Park is the water slides, known for being thrilling and fun for all ages. The park offers a variety of slides, from gentle slopes for younger children to more extreme drops and twists for older kids and adults. Some of the water slides you’ll find in this park include: 

• The Pineapple Express: it’s a high-speed, fully enclosed slide that will send you through a series of twists and turns before dropping you into a pool. 
• The Flyin’ Hawaiian: it’s a high-speed open slide that sends you down a steep drop and then up a ramp, creating a sensation of weightlessness before dropping you into a pool. 
• The Waikiki Wipeout: it’s a multi-lane racing slide that allows you to compete with others in a thrilling race to the finish line. 

The Hawaiian Falls Water Park also has a dedicated kid’s area featuring smaller slides and water features perfect for young children. 

Relax in the Lazy River or the Cabana 

If you want a more laid-back experience, you can take a relaxing ride in the park’s lazy river. The park has tubes that help you float down the lazy river, enjoying the beautiful scenery. If you want a shaded place to relax between rides, you can rent a private cabana. It has lounge chairs, a mini-fridge, and a ceiling fan to cool you from the hot sun. 

Play in the Wave Pool 

You can experience the fun of the ocean without leaving Dallas at the wave pool. This pool allows you to swim and cool off from the sun’s heat. As the waves roll in, you can ride them on your stomach like a surfboard, feeling the rush of the water beneath you. Or you can just relax and float on an inner tube, letting the waves gently carry you back and forth. 

During summer, the park hosts dive-in movies, where you can watch a movie while floating in the wave pool. If you want to attend this event, it’s best to confirm the day and the time the movies will be showing. 

3. Enjoy Thrilling Rides at Six Flags Over Texas Amusement Park

If you like water slides, you might also enjoy riding roller coasters at an amusement park. Six Flags Over Texas takes the thrilling experience of water sides to a whole new level. Located in Arlington, halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth, this amusement park is the best place to get your adrenaline running. 

As the roller coasters take you through sudden drops, twists, turns, and inversions, they’ll give you an exhilarating experience and disorient your mind. If you fear heights, you might find yourself screaming a couple of times. You’ll also feel weightless at zero gravity and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding park with some of the tallest roller Coasters. 

For safety reasons, the park has set limits on who can ride some of the roller coasters. Kids won't be disappointed, however, as the facility boasts impressive, kid-friendly roller coasters. 

Each roller coaster at the park provides a unique experience, such as splashing through water, riding upside down, moving up and down, making rotational movements, or combining several motions. Here are some of them. 

• Titan: This roller coaster has a 255-foot drop and reaches speeds of up to 85 miles per hour. The ride lasts approximately three minutes, during which it subjects you to high speeds, g-forces, and sudden drops. 
• Texas Giant: The Texas Giant roller coaster features 16 airtime hills and a maximum speed of 65 miles per hour, which is sure to give you a thrilling and exciting experience. The ride lasts approximately two and a half minutes. 
• Mr. Freeze: this roller coaster features a 150-foot-tall spike and lasts approximately two minutes. It’s known for its intense speed that takes you from 0 to 70 miles per hour in just a few seconds. 

• Batman: this roller coaster is based on the popular DC Comics superhero. It reaches up to 50 miles per hour and lasts approximately two minutes. The ride begins with a steep climb up to a 114-foot-tall hill, providing a stunning view of the park. Once at the top, you experience weightlessness before suddenly dropping into a series of twists, turns, and inversions. 
• Shock Wave: it’s a looping roller coaster that reaches a top speed of 60 miles per hour and features two vertical loops. 
• Runaway Mine Train: it’s a family-friendly roller coaster that takes you on a scenic journey through an old mining town. 

4. Explore the Texas State Fair

One of the best things to do in Dallas, Texas, is visit Fair Park. Located east of downtown Dallas, the 277-acre complex has much to offer besides the annual trade fair events. It has museums, historic art deco buildings, and other cultural attractions. But it’s best to visit it during the Texas State Fair events to get the most out of it. 

The state fair runs from late September to mid-October and remains open for three weeks. Millions of visitors attend each year, making it one of the largest and most iconic events in the country. If you plan to explore Dallas during that time, consider attending the event. Below are suggestions of things you can do at the state fair. 

Visit the Midway 

The Midway is the heart of the Texas State Fair, and it’s full of carnival games, rides, and attractions that kids will love. They can enjoy games like classic ring toss, balloon darts, basketball toss, and water gun races. Kids can also win prizes like stuffed animals, toys, and other souvenirs. 

Additionally, the Midway has a huge selection of rides, including classic carnival rides like the Ferris wheel, bumper cars, and Tilt-A-Whirl, as well as more thrilling rides like roller coasters and giant swings. 

Watch the Parades 

The Texas State Fair opens with a parade performance on the first day and closes with one on the last day. In addition, it has several parades throughout the day, including a daily parade with marching bands, floats, and performers. Kids will love watching the colorful floats and catching candy and other goodies thrown to the crowd. 

Attend a Show 

The fair has several live shows and performances throughout the day, including live music, Circus and Acrobatics, magic shows, and animal shows. Check the schedule to see what’s on and plan to attend one with your kids. 

See the Animals 

The fair has a large livestock area where kids can see various farm animals, including cows, pigs, horses, and chickens. There are also special animal exhibits where kids can learn about exotic animals from around the world. 

5. Shop, Eat, and Entertain Yourself at Grapevine Mills Mall

Shopping malls have much to offer, making them some of the best places to visit with your family. With over 180 stores sitting on a space of 1.6 million square feet, the Grapevine Mills Mall provides plenty of things to do in Dallas. It’s a perfect place for family outings as each person can find something they love at the mall. 

The mall is conveniently located near several popular tourist attractions, including the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Great Wolf Lodge, and the historic downtown Grapevine area. So if you happen to be visiting any of those places, be sure to check out the Mills Mall. Let’s discuss some of the best things to do within the Grapevine Mills Mall. 

Watch a Movie at AMC Dine-In Movie 

The AMC Dine-in Movie is a perfect place to watch a movie with your family while having a meal. They have a full menu of food and drinks you can order from your seat. You can choose different seating options, including traditional seats and recliners with footrests. Some of the auditoriums also have reserved seating. In addition, the theater offers a range of amenities, such as a bar, a concession stand, and a lounge area. 

Explore Ocean Wonders at the SEA LIFE Aquarium 

One of the major attractions at the Grapevine Mills Mall is the SEA LIFE Aquarium. It’s a great place to take young kids and marine life enthusiasts of all ages. The aquarium has various exhibits, including sea turtles, stingrays, jellies, rainforests, and different types of fish, amphibians, and reptiles. You’ll enjoy walking through the 360 degrees tunnel, where you’ll see large and small marine life, including sharks. You’ll also interact with some of the creatures at interactive rockpools and learn much about sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation. 

LEGOLAND Discovery Center 

If you want to keep your kids busy and well-entertained, take them to LEGOLAND Discovery Center. While the center is open to visitors of all ages, it is designed primarily for children between ages 3 and 10. It has features like a LEGO DUPLO Farm, 4D movies, LEGO Racers: Build & Test, and a LEGO Ninjago Training Camp. These activities allow children to engage in imaginative play, build with LEGO bricks, and learn about engineering and design. 

The Peppa Pig World of Play 

Do you have young kids between ages 3 and 6? They’ll have much fun at the Peppa Pig World of Play. The playground features different areas that mimic settings from the popular show, such as Peppa’s house, a supermarket, a park, and more. 

These are the best activities for your kids at the Grapevine Mills Mall. But there’s still much to do there, including shopping, dining at restaurants, and playing games at the arcade. 

Enjoy Plenty of Things to Do in Dallas, Texas 

Dallas, Texas, has plenty of things to do for tourists visiting the city. If you’re traveling with kids, they’ll have much fun in places like Dallas Zoo, Hawaiian Falls water park, Six Flags Over Texas, and Texas State Fair. Your specific destination might depend on the age of your kids. 

For kids between 3 and 12, visiting the Grapevine Mills Mall will be one of the best things to do in Dallas. They can explore the SEA LIFE Aquarium, play at the Peppa Pig World of Play, and exploit their creativity at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Best of all, you can buy one ticket for these three places at a discounted price. Visit the tickets page at SEA LIFE Aquarium to book your place now.