How to Spend a Weekend in Dallas

If you only have a weekend in Dallas, see how your itinerary can still include the best sights and adventures in the city. This guide will show you fun ideas for spending 2 or 3 days in Dallas.

Friday Evening

When you arrive on Friday, you’ll 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 into the city for dinner. Dallas has an array of cuisine options throughout the city, ranging from upscale ethnic dining to cheap and quick food. The Clover Club provides traditional cuisine paired with live jazz, while Imoto is great for modern Asian fusion.

After dinner, you’ll have endless options for awe-inspiring nightlife. You can barhop through Dallas neighborhoods to experience a little bit of the culture. Start with the bar lines on McKinney Avenue to enjoy cocktails on patios or dancing at upbeat clubs before moving on to the breweries and live music of Deep Ellum. One of the most popular venues is Trees, a great spot in Deep Ellum. If you prefer a more laid-back bar experience, Lower Greenville is a great spot for dive bars and outdoor seating.

You’ll also find many evening and late-night shows in Dallas. You can see comedy shows at the Dallas Comedy House, music performances at the Starplex Pavilion, or up-and-coming artists at intimate venues like the House of Blues. If you have the kids with you, you can visit the Alamo Drafthouse to catch a film, and adults can enjoy spiked milkshakes.

Saturday Morning

On Saturday morning, start your remaining 48 hours in Dallas with coffee and breakfast at a coffee shop or brunch at a local restaurant.

One of the highlights of a trip to Dallas is the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which has the assassination site of John F. Kennedy and exhibits related to the incident, and the neighboring John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza. You could also visit the nearby Dallas World Aquarium, which has exotic animals in replica naturalistic 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 good time to take it slow and enjoy some of the city’s more relaxed settings. The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is must-see attraction and the perfect spot to wind down. The lakeside botanical garden has an array of beautiful floral displays, greenery, and water features to see on tranquil pathways. You could also spend some time at White Rock Lake, a large reservoir with a nearby park.

On Saturday night in Dallas, you can start your evening with dinner at the rotating Asian-inspired restaurant in the Reunion Tower. This massive tower is a rotating ball of lights that catch the attention of the city on the ground, but it also has a lovely observation area that offers stunning views of the cityscape.

If you like the outdoors, the Trinity River Audubon Center has night hikes to see nocturnal animals and to call and search for owls. At the end, you can relax by a 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 speakers late, and the Perot Museum has an adults-only series with cocktails and hands-on science exhibitions. The Nasher Sculpture Center and the Dallas Zoo also host evening events with movie screenings, food trucks, cocktails, and live concerts.

Sunday Morning

On Sunday morning in Dallas, you’ll begin your last 24 hours in the city. Start with breakfast at a local restaurant or café, and then head into the city for sightseeing.

Pioneer Plaza is a must-see to experience some of Texas’ unique history. This sprawling park has large cowboy and cattle statues that celebrate the ranching and pioneering history, as well as many green spaces for outdoor activities. You could also visit Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, a scenic area with hiking and biking trails.

If you prefer more thrills with the kids, you could visit the Zero Gravity Thrill Amusement Park, which has bungee jumping and extreme rides, or LEGOLAND Discovery Center, an amusement center inspired by the popular Lego toys. Kids will also like the Children’s Museum at Fair Park, an aquatic center with vibrant sea life exhibits.

Stop in a local restaurant to enjoy lunch in between your sightseeing excursions.

Sunday Afternoon and Evening

If you have the kids with you, Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark is a great place to cool off and relax after lunch while the kids play in the pools. You could also spend some time at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, an aviation history museum with unique exhibits of aircraft and memorabilia, or the Cavanaugh Flight Museum, a warplane museum with vintage aircraft and sky tours.

Sunday night in Dallas is a great time to experience anything you’ve missed during the weekend.

Before you leave, you should experience the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center or an opera or ballet at the Winspear Opera House. You could also see theatrical or musical performances at venues like Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre or Music Hall at Fair Park.

You could take part in the vibrant artistic and literary community in the city by attending readings or gallery showcases at independent bookstores. The Design District and Deep Ellum are known for great art galleries with regular events as well.

Ready for the perfect weekend getaway?

Dallas is a popular destination with a lot of fun attractions and sights, but you can still experience the best the city has to offer over a weekend trip. If you’re planning a trip to Dallas, visit Expedia to check out Dallas hotels and get ready for a memorable weekend.