If you only have a weekend in Dallas, see how you can still include the city’s best sights and adventures in your itinerary. This guide will show you fun ideas for spending 2 or 3 days in Dallas. How to spend a weekend in Dallas?
How to spend a weekend in Dallas?
Friday Evening
When you arrive on Friday, you will have 72 hours in Dallas. Check into a hotel near the central business district, the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek is an excellent choice, then head downtown for dinner. Dallas has a variety of cuisine options throughout the city, ranging from upscale ethnic dining to cheap and quick meals. Clover Club offers traditional cuisine with live jazz, while Imoto’s is great for modern Asian fusion.
After dinner, you will have endless options for awe-inspiring nightlife. You can barhop through the Dallas neighborhood to experience a bit of the culture. Start at the bar lines on McKinney Avenue to enjoy cocktails on the patio or dance in the upbeat clubs before moving on to the live music of the breweries and Deep Alum. One of the most popular spots is Trees, which has a great location in Deep Ellum. If you prefer a more relaxed bar experience, Lower Greenville is a great place for dive bars and outdoor seating.
You will also find many evening and late-night shows in Dallas. You can watch comedy shows at the Dallas Comedy House, musical performances at the Starplex Pavilion, or see emerging artists at intimate venues like House of Blues. If you have kids with you, you can head to the Alamo Drafthouse to watch a movie, and adults can enjoy a spiked milkshake.
Saturday Morning
On Saturday mornings, start your remaining 48 hours in Dallas with coffee and breakfast with brunch at a coffee shop or local restaurant.
One of the highlights of a visit to Dallas is the sixth-floor museum at Daly Plaza, which houses the John F. Kennedy assassination site and exhibits related to the event, and the neighboring John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza. You can also visit the nearby Dallas World Aquarium, which houses exotic animals in replica natural habitats. Be sure to grab a quick lunch before heading back to the hotel to prepare for the night out.
Saturday Afternoon and Evening
After lunch is a great time to slow it down and enjoy some of the city’s more casual settings. The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a must-see attraction and the perfect place to visit. The lakeside botanical gardens feature beautiful flower displays, greenery, and water features to view on tranquil trails. You can also spend some time at White Rock Lake, a large reservoir with a nearby park.
On Saturday nights in Dallas, you can start your evening with dinner at the bustling Asian-inspired restaurant in Reunion Tower. This massive tower is a rotating ball of lights that draws the attention of the city to the ground, but it also has a beautiful observation area that offers great views of the cityscape.
If you prefer the outdoors, the Trinity River Audubon Center has night hikes for nighttime viewing of animals and calling and finding owls. Finally, you can relax by the campfire and enjoy some s’mores.
Dallas also has a myriad of top-notch museums, many of which have late-night events. The Dallas Museum of Art hosts live performances, unique shows, and late-stage speakers, and the Perot Museum features an adults-only series with cocktails and hands-on science exhibitions. The Nasher Sculpture Center and Dallas Zoo also host evening events, with movie screenings, food trucks, cocktails, and live concerts.
Sunday Morning
On a Sunday morning in Dallas, you will begin your last 24 hours in the city. Start with breakfast at a local restaurant or cafe, and then head into town for sightseeing.
Be sure to visit Pioneer Plaza to experience some of Texas’ unique history. This sprawling park features large cowboy and cattle statues that celebrate animal husbandry and pioneer history, as well as many green spaces for outdoor activities. You can also visit Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, a beautiful area with plenty of hiking and biking trails.
If you prefer more adventure with kids, you can visit the Zero Gravity Thrills Amusement Park, which has bungee jumping and extreme rides, or the Legoland Discovery Center, an entertainment center inspired by popular Lego toys. Kids will also love the Children’s Museum in Fair Park, an aquatic center with lively marine life displays.
Stop by at a local restaurant to enjoy lunch in between your sightseeing tour.
Sunday Afternoon and Evening
If you have kids with you, the Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark is a great place to cool off and relax after lunch while the kids play in the pool. You can also spend some time at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, an aviation history museum with unique displays of aircraft and memorabilia, or the Cavanaugh Flight Museum, a warplane museum with vintage aircraft and sky tours.
Sunday nights in Dallas are a great time to experience everything you missed during the weekend.
Before leaving, you should experience an opera or ballet at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center or the Winspire Opera House. You can also see theatrical or musical performances at venues such as the Dee and Charles Wylie Theater or the Music Hall in Fair Park.
You can participate in the city’s vibrant artistic and literary community by taking part in readings or gallery showcases at independent bookstores. The Design District and Deep Alum are known for having regular events as well as great art galleries.
Ready for the perfect weekend getaway?
Dallas is a popular destination with lots of fun attractions and sightseeing, but you can still experience the best that the city has to offer on a weekend trip. If you are planning a trip to Dallas.
Similar Articles
