Day Trips and Weekend Getaways from Dallas, Texas
Living in Dallas, Texas you get access to amazing museums and parks. In addition, just a short day trip from the city, you can find even more to enjoy. Here are my favorite ways to get away (organized by approximate distance from downtown Dallas), and I hope you love them too.
Irving - 20 minutes from Dallas
Want an underrated gem for your day trip in North Texas? Irving is a standout!
I recommend heading to Irving's Las Colinas area. I think it's absolutely the coolest part of town. You get these modern skyline and waterfront views that are unlike anywhere else in Texas. At the center of it all, is Gondola Adventures. It's like getting teleported straight to Venice, Italy. When we first moved to Texas, I wasn’t expecting to find gondolas here, (real ones!). Trust me, as soon as you step aboard, you'll be hooked!
When I get hungry, I can never resist stopping at Bread Zeppelin. I love their fresh salads and European-style baguettes. If you are like me, you'll feel like you’ve stumbled onto one of the coolest foodie secrets in our state!
Local tip: I have to warn you that parking can be challenging on weekends. Getting there earlier in the day helps.
Plano - 30 minutes from Dallas
For a fun day trip of surrounded by nature and a lovely downtown, head to Plano (Google Maps Pin). A quick 25–30 minute drive north from Dallas brought us into Downtown Plano Arts District.
There’s plenty to do here. Stroll through Historic Downtown Plano, then go for a hike at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve. We had tons of fun bowling at Pinstack so don't underestimate this place for some family fun on your road trip! There's also the Courtyard Theater for a night out.
Dinner was at Urban Crust, a wood-fired pizzeria in a historic building. Snag a rooftop spot at sunset. The warm setting that made us feel right at home.
Or make a reservation at Seasons 52 with its seasonally inspired menu and impressive wine list.
Arlington - 30 minutes from Dallas
The area between Dallas Fort Worth is an unexpectedly cool area to explore. Most people probably know Arlington's AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field because the atmosphere here is so fun for sports fans.
For family thrills, Six Flags Over Texas is always a cool option too. You can go riding roller coasters as I did with my son.
One of my favorite hidden treasures in Arlington is dining at Mariano’s Hacienda. This is actually an iconic spot where the frozen margarita machine was actually invented! We ordered spicy pulled chicken enchiladas ($16) and other tasty eats.
Frisco - 30 minutes from Dallas
Visiting the Texas Sculpture Garden within HALL Park is a super fun day trip in Frisco. You'll be surrounded by unique art but also walking trails, lush landscaping, lakes and fountains. A free audio tour is available that you can get on your phone.
We also stopped by the local farmers market and picked up affordable snacks. Look for it at the intersection of Main Street and Frisco Street (open on weekends only).
In the afternoon, a favorite highlight of mine was strolling through the Frisco Heritage Center. By seeing historic buildings, you can see what small-town Texas life was like over a century ago.
What I loved best:
Our last stop was Stonebriar Centre, with its fun dining, entertainment. KidZania is great for a family day trip from Dallas, Texas.
Fort Worth - 30 minutes from Dallas
A large city with a population of approximately a million people, Fort Worth is a fun day trip destination from Dallas if you are in the mood for exploring.
We learned that Fort Worth is nicknamed the place “where the West begins” because of its cool cowboy culture that you get to enjoy all over the place.
Start your visit in the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards. You can witness a real-life cattle drive which our son found very fascinating. There there are Western boutiques and even the world’s largest honky-tonk: Billy Bob’s Texas.
Another spot we really enjoy is Sundance Square because there's often live music.
Art lovers can head to the Cultural District, home to the Kimbell Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. Although these are walking distance of each other, I recommend a few hours in each. You can also join one of the organized tours on offer to cover more ground if you prefer.
What I loved best:
For me, Fort Worth is one of the best day trips from Dallas because it offers something for everyone.
In the evening, treat yourself to an elegant dinner at Grace steakhouse downtown. Or, have a more relaxed meal at the legendary Heim Barbecue (yes, you have to wait a bit, but it was so worth it!).
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
