Published 10th Apr. 2024
Reading time
Everything’s bigger in Texas, but it's got to be seen to be believed – and Dallas, the third most populous city in Texas, is the perfect place to start. While visitors flock here on US holidays for the must-see cowboy culture and thriving arts scene, there are things to do in Dallas that go beyond the typical. Think wide green spaces filled with thousands of flowers and museums jampacked with historical artefacts and spellbinding works of art. Plus the state will be getting its global spotlight in 2026 when the World Cup graces its iconic AT&T Stadium. So, buck the future trend and head there now. Read on to discover our seven favourite things to do in Dallas.
If you’re craving a fresh air fix in the heart of the city, you’ll find it at Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. In the 66-acre technicolour display, you’ll discover 11 gardens exploding in a floral fiesta throughout the year. However, spring is when Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden really show off and become host to Dallas Blooms, where 500,000 spring blooming bulbs are planted and transform the gardens into a mixing pot of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, azaleas and cherry blossoms.
One of the most Texan things to do in Dallas is lace up your boots, embrace the iconic cowboy culture and head to a rodeo. Over in Fort Worth, the city attached to Dallas’ western hip, the Cowtown Coliseum is the perfect place to practice your ‘yeehaws’. Witness two hours of bull riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping and more at the Stockyards Championship, the world’s only year-round rodeo. After the action, check out the Hall of Fame to learn about the best cowboys and cowgirls ever to grace the bull-riding scene.
Seen enough of modern-day Dallas? Then travel back in time to 1963 and learn about one of Dallas’ most famous historical events: the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Visit the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, the site where Lee Harvey Oswald fired his fatal shot, and discover all about the life, death and legacy of the 35th president of the United States. Whether a history buff or simply curious about America’s past, the interactive map, film footage, interviews and recreation of a ‘sniper’s perch’ are enough to keep anyone transfixed.
From the past to the present and now the future... Dallas is hosting the 2026 World Cup. Having hosted just one global showdown in 1994, the USA will welcome teams into 16 national stadiums, with nine matches being played at Dallas Stadium. While tickets are still yet to drop, it’s never too early to start thinking about how to incorporate the June and July matches into your summer fling with Dallas.
Covering centuries, continents and canvases, the Dallas Museum of Art has it all. Its 25,000-artefact-strong collection will take you across the globe, with archaeological delights including a pre-Columbian Peruvian gold mask and a Mayan flint knife shaped like a crocodile canoe. More recent collections include works by Van Gogh, Picasso and Monet, and there’s even a recreation of Coco Chanel’s ‘Villa La Pausa’, housing Winston Churchill’s paintings.
Expand your mind at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, where a blend of entertainment and education awaits all ages. Touch a tornado in a simulator, gaze up at towering dinosaur skeletons, dig for fossils in the Dino Dig pit and explore the secrets of space at the Expanding Universe Hall. It’s not just what’s inside the museum that draws in visitors – the building itself is an architectural marvel, designed by Thom Mayne and decreed ‘the boldest piece of modern architecture to hit Dallas’.
Sports are a big deal in Dallas. Of the seven professional teams in the city, the Dallas Cowboys capture fans' hearts like no other. Why? Because to skip the sporty lingo, they’re pretty good. And, (most importantly), fun to watch. So, if you’re lucky enough to visit during the NFL season, one of the most exciting things to do in Dallas is catch a game at the AT&T Stadium. If not, don’t fret, as plenty of other sports games are held yearly. Whether you’re a fan of American football, baseball, basketball or just enjoy the energy of a passionate crowd, Dallas has your sporting needs covered.
Written by Evie Buller.
From New York to California and all the states in between, our team knows the USA's hotspots incredibly well. What we really excel at, though, is the under-the-radar regions, thanks to our in-depth experience and the hand-picked guides we work with on the ground. Whether you’re travelling as a family or à deux, road trips are the ultimate way to explore the USA, and we're brimming with suggestions to improve journeys, from scenic route options to photogenic stop-off points (all based on our own experiences, of course). And if that's not enough, you'll have our in-country Concierge team on hand at all times for extra help and advice.
ENQUIRE NOWPractical advice and inspiration for your next trip
Wondering what to see in San Francisco? Wonder no more. This is your invitation to discover the city beyond postcards and social media posts (though we’ll admit, it’s a very photogenic place). We’ll delve into its history, highlight some of the most walkable neighbourhoods and lead you to green spaces for a breath of fresh air. Explore the fantastic food scene and find the best spots to enjoy unforgettable views.
18th February 2026 - USA Travel Inspiration
Spring in the City of Angels has had some rather downbeat descriptions over the years, with Angelinos annually bemoaning May Gray and June Gloom. April, however, retains a glowing reputation – and not just because it’s a harder rhyme. Always an exciting time, April is marked by desert-dwelling festivals, migrating marine mammals and a (slight) decline in crowds. For the lowdown on all the exciting events popping up in and around the city, read our roundup of reasons to visit Los Angeles in April.
16th February 2026 - USA Travel Inspiration
Love it or hate it, winter rolls around every year. So, why not spend this polarizing time on a polarized continent? From skating on the frozen lakes of the Canadian Rockies and crunching through the snow-blanketed plains of Alaska to sampling internationally renowned wines in the vineyards of Northern California and cruising between the laid-back microcosms of The Florida Keys, North America has something for everyone during winter.
24th December 2025 - USA Travel Inspiration
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
