Dallas holidays

Dallas has its fair share of cowboy culture and smokey barbeques. But a holiday to Dallas will reveal there’s so much more to this modern metropolis than meets the eye. Discover a thriving international food scene, award-winning museums and art galleries, and one of the most beautiful botanical gardens you’ll ever see.

Dallas holiday highlights

Dallas
jamie Hudson

Historic moments

For a city less than 200 years old, Dallas packs in a lot of history. Dealey Plaza in Downtown was the site of President John F Kennedy Jr’s assassination. Learn more about this event at The Sixth Floor Museum, housed in the former School Book Depository. Then walk through the revitalised West End Historic District. Make your way to Old City Park to see what colonial life was like.

Nature break

Get outside during a holiday to Dallas. Enjoy a stroll or bike ride along Katy Trail. Rent kayaks to paddle across White Rock Lake, or visit the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. You’ll also find miles of hiking and biking trails just outside the city at Cedar Ridge Preserve. Or get among nature without leaving the city with city parks like Klyde Warren Park.

BBQ and tacos

Cut into a steak in Uptown, or join the debate on who has the best ribs in Dallas with a stop at spots like Smokey John’s Bar-B-Que. Sample the city’s international cuisine at French, Vietnamese and Korean restaurants. If you're looking for options for cheap holidays in Dallas, order wallet-friendly eats like shaved ice or tacos from food trucks and street vendors in Southeast Dallas.

Join the global celebration

Everything feels bigger in Texas, including Arlington’s stadium. Home to the NFL Cowboys, the massive silver dome will host the world’s biggest football tournament. On match days, the air grows hazy with barbecue smoke, and fans file into Texas Live!, the restaurant and entertainment complex that anchors the area.

Closest airport: Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport (25 kilometres)

Public transport: Arlington has limited public transit. Use rideshares or shuttles from nearby CentrePort/DFW Airport Station.

Dallas: Know before you go

Language

English

Currency

United States dollar ($)

Time zone

UTC-6 (CST) and UTC-5 (CDT)

High season

June – August

Low season

January – February

Find the best time to go to Dallas

Weather in Dallas

March – May: Spring is T-shirt weather in Dallas, with highs approaching 30°C and occasional rain. This makes it the most comfortable season to walk the city’s sculpture trails or dine al fresco.

June – August: Peak summer heat can hit the high 30s°C, so head for air-conditioned spaces like the Angelika Film Center or the National Videogame Museum. Hurricane season can bring tropical storms through to November.

September – November: September stays hot and humid, but from October temperatures start to dip steadily. Layer up if you’re heading outdoors.

December – February: Pack warm clothes for winter temperatures, which can drop to around freezing in January. You’ll still be able to enjoy holiday activities in the parks if you’re bundled up.

Events in Dallas

Martin Luther King Jr Day (January): The city hosts one of the largest annual celebrations of the civil rights activist, with two weeks of events ending in a joyful community street parade.

Dallas Arts Month (April): From music and dance to theatre and book nights, you’ll find hundreds of cultural events on the calendar. Carve out extra time to visit the Dallas Art Fair and the Dallas International Film Festival.

State Fair of Texas (September to October): Cattle beauty parades meet live gigs and theme park thrills at this 140-year-old autumn tradition. The party lasts for 24 days — longer than any other state fair. Get ready to be greeted at the entrance by Big Tex, the fair’s famous 17-metre-tall cowboy.

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The best neighbourhoods in Dallas

Uptown

Energetic Uptown has it all — this is the best neighbourhood to stay in Dallas for shopping, dining and nightlife. Wander through the shops of West Village for a healthy mix of boutiques and brand names. Grab lunch at one of Uptown’s restaurants — choose a different international cuisine every day. At night, catch a play at the Kalita Humphreys Theater, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Good for: Shopping, dining, nightlife

Downtown

If you’re looking for a mix of history and art, Downtown is the best area to stay in Dallas for you. Here is where you’ll find the city’s celebrated Arts District, home to world-class museums, galleries and performance venues. Sports enthusiasts won’t be left wanting either. At night, visit the American Airlines Center to watch the Dallas Mavericks play basketball.

Good for: History, art, professional sports

East Dallas

East Dallas is the place to be for peace and quiet in the great outdoors. Walk or cycle the trails at spots like White Rock Lake and Lake Highlands Park. Have a picnic, enjoy the seasonal displays or let kids loose for hands-on fun in the Children’s Adventure Garden at The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. But don’t worry — there are still enough restaurants and live music events to stop things getting too sleepy.

Good for: Outdoor activities, gardens, city escapes

Things to do in Dallas

Dallas
Jamie Hudson

Family friendly things to do

The Dallas Zoo is the top thing to do with family in Dallas. Feed giraffes and see elephants and lions before enjoying pizza or burgers at the onsite restaurants. Get hands-on in the interactive exhibits of Perot Museum of Nature and Science. At Klyde Warren Park, spend the day having fun at the playground, splash pad and sports fields.

Shopping

Whether you prefer your retail therapy in high-end malls, retail streets or local markets, Dallas has it all. Find luxury brands at Highland Park Village and more than 200 stores at NorthPark Center. For street shopping, try on trendy designs in West Village. Then visit Stanley Korshak for jewellery and luxury goods. The Dallas Farmers Market is the place for fresh food and handmade crafts.

Take in the culture

Discover art, history and culture at the museums in Dallas. Explore Spanish art at the unique Meadows Museum, and see famous works by Picasso and Monet at the Dallas Museum of Art. View exhibits about US presidents at the George W Bush Presidential Center, and learn about Black culture in the US at the African American Museum.

Nightlife

Find dancing, rock bands and craft beers as you explore the nightlife in Dallas. Head to the bars in Deep Ellum for live music, or go downtown for craft cocktails in speakeasies. Grab your cowboy boots and try line-dancing at Cowboys Red River Dancehall & Saloon. Or go to brewery-side tap rooms to try IPAs, ales or ciders.

Places to eat

Gorge yourself on Tex-Mex classics like tacos, burritos and nachos. Or check out one of the city’s steakhouses or barbeque joints. The Margarita Mile takes you on a self-guided tour of the best margaritas in Dallas, home of the frozen margarita (just remember to drink responsibly). Dallas is an international city, so if you’re craving Japanese cuisine or spicy Indian dishes, you’ll doubtless find somewhere that satisfies.

Beaches

Take a refreshing dip or relax in the sun at the lakeside beaches in Dallas. Swim in White Rock Lake, where you can also rent paddle boards and kayaks. Find sandy shores and freshwater swimming about 30 minutes outside the city on Grapevine Lake. And try Lavon Lake’s many beaches, including Tickey Creek Park and Pebble Beach Park.

Plan your holiday to Dallas

Budget

The city may be a living monument to oil wealth, but it’s still possible to have a cheap holiday in Dallas. You can find an inexpensive meal for around 20 US dollars ($) — a generous Tex-Mex breakfast is great value. A cold beer will set you back about $6. The city’s public transport is a cheap way to get around, but a short taxi ride is just under $12.

Day trips from Dallas

From stockyards to cattle drives, immerse yourself in cowboy life at Fort Worth, an hour’s train ride west. You’ll also find high art in its museums and galleries. Check out the lively music scene in the college town of Denton, 45 minutes north. Or explore east Texas’ vineyards when you head to the Piney Woods Wine Trail, about 90 minutes outside the city.

Getting around Dallas

Navigate the city on the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) network, which operates buses, streetcars, light rail and commuter rail. Buy a GoPass card at convenience stores in the city to pay for your rides. And consider hiring a car if you plan to travel outside the city to beaches or hiking trails.

FAQs about Dallas holidays

Dallas has a lower crime rate than many large US cities. Take common sense precautions, like staying in crowded areas after dark. Be aware of dangerous heat on summer days — stay hydrated and spend time in air conditioning to avoid heatstroke.
English is the language you'll hear most while on a city break in Dallas.
A short break in Dallas of two days is long enough to sample the cuisine and visit museums. Set aside four days if you plan to attend concerts or sports events or try outdoor activities.
The cost of your city break in Dallas will differ depending on factors like your departure point, when you plan to go, and your chosen hotel. Dallas flights and hotels usually cost more during peak periods, but you can save by booking in the off-season.
January brings the coolest conditions. Take your Dallas trip then and you can anticipate lows of 1ºC (34ºF).
The United States dollar (USD) is the currency you'll use for everyday expenses and outings during your trip to Dallas.
The warmest month in Dallas is August, when temperatures reach a maximum of 41ºC (106ºF).
The best times to visit Dallas are in spring and autumn, when the weather is mild and pleasant. You may find cheap holidays to Dallas in the summer, but be aware that the daytime temperature may reach 40°C from June through August.
The wettest month is May, which receives an average rainfall of 18 cm. But don't let that take the shine off your Dallas trip — there's still plenty to do indoors like indulging in retail therapy, visiting an art gallery, or relaxing in cosy cafes.
You'll have a hard time running out of things to do in Dallas. From Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens to Perot Museum of Nature and Science and more, this city has all the makings of a great escape.

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