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Wishlists

12 Best Places For A Fun Family Day In Dallas

Perot Museum | © Rodney/Flickr
Perot Museum | © Rodney/Flickr
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and when it comes to family fun, there’s no exception. From outdoor thrill parks to indoor discovery centers, Dallas is the perfect city for a family adventure. Whether you’re visiting in the blistering summer or during the crisp fall, the third largest city in the Lone Star State is sure to have something for you. Check out these top 12 places and discover why Dallas is anything but ordinary.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

Located in the heart of Dallas inside an 11th-century-style castle, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament is definitely one not to be missed. From preschoolers to senior citizens, everyone will marvel at the two-hour live jousting tournament featuring six heroic knights on beautiful spirited horses with electrifying swordplay. Sitting ringside, prepare to be crowned as you cheer your personal knight to victory all while eating a ‘utensil free’ four-course meal fit for royalty. Be sure to check out their website for specials, as tickets can be pricey, but they’re definitely worth it.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, 2021 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX, USA +1 866 543 9637

Zero Gravity Amusement Park

Amusement Park, Park
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Known as the world’s only ‘Thrill Amusement Park’, Zero Gravity features five intense attractions that all give an adrenaline rush as big as Texas. Bungee Jump off a 7-story drop, glide over 100 feet in the air on Skycoaster, rocket straight up at 70 mph on the Texas Blastoff, free fall 16-stories on Nothin’ but Net or better yet, get strapped into a 165-foot propeller and experience more speed than a space shuttle takeoff on the Skyscraper. With no age restrictions (except those under 16 need parent’s permission), Zero Gravity Amusement Park is not for the faint of heart.
More Info
Open In Google Maps
Sun:
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Mon:
2:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Tue:
2:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Wed:
2:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Thu:
2:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Fri:
2:00 pm - 12:00 am
Sat:
12:00 pm - 12:00 am

Topgolf

Even for a non-golfer, Topgolf is a great way to spend the day with family. Unlike regular golf that’s slow-paced and outdoors, Topgolf is fast-paced and similar to an upscale driving range with targets to aim at. This digital driving range has several different games to choose from for both first timers and avid golfers. Complete with the amenities of a sports bar, Topgolf also offers a 54-hole mini golf course and batting cages. Whether you’re in the mood to relax inside one of the lounges or outside on the patio, Topgolf has something for everyone.

Topgolf Dallas, 8787 Park Lane, Dallas, TX, USA +1 214 341 9600

Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Located in Victory Park near Downtown Dallas, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science offers families a wide variety of exhibits and activities, including hands-on experiments with the actual scientists who work there. Opened in 2012, this gorgeous science center features interactive kiosks, an IMAX theater, an outdoor plaza and a one-acre science park with water features, giant leap frogs and musical instruments. Highlights include digging for dinosaurs, experiencing an actual earthquake, building robots and creating digital music, just to name a few. This 180,000-square-feet museum with five levels of state-of-the art interactive and multimedia exhibits and educational programs is sure to fascinate visitors of any age.

Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 North Field Street, Dallas, TX, USA +1 214 428 5555

Dallas World Aquarium

Aquarium
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Dallas World Aquarium | © Jay R Simonson/WikiCommons
Dallas World Aquarium | © Jay R Simonson / WikiCommons
More like walking through a rainforest, the Dallas World Aquarium is more than just about fish. There are tons of different animals to see such as monkeys, sloths, birds, penguins, frogs and turtles. Plan to spend several hours admiring the wonderful animal exhibits, using the interactive touchscreens, listening to the lectures, or even catching a crocodile or shark feeding. Then top the visit off by grabbing a bite to eat at one of three cafés. Long after the visit, families can stay engaged by logging on to the Dallas World Aquariums website to view the shark or manatee water web cam.
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Open In Google Maps
Sun - Sat:
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Accessibility & Audience:

Kid Friendly, Family Friendly

Atmosphere:

Indoors, Touristy

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden
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Dallas Blooms is a yearly festival of blooms at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens during the spring bloom | © Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens features 66 acres of gardens, from the ornamental to the sunken and colorful. This beautiful serene place is a year-round attraction that’s fun for all ages. Children are sure to enjoy over 150 activities in the 8-acre Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden that features The Texas Skywalk, The Moody Oasis, a Walk in the Clouds, and much more. Grab lunch to-go from one of the many restaurants and have a picnic on the lawn while soaking in the sun, or sit back and relax at a summer evening concert. With plenty of family activities including indoor and outdoor learning galleries, a scavenger hunt, and tons of interactive exhibits, find out why the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is one of the best family-friendly attractions in Dallas. Don’t forget the camera as there are plenty of photo ops.
More Info
Open In Google Maps
Sun - Sat:
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Accessibility & Audience:

Accessible (Wheelchair), Family Friendly

Atmosphere:

Outdoors, Peaceful

Dallas Zoo

Park, Zoo
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Dallas Zoo | © _somaholiday/Flickr
The Dallas Zoo is the oldest and largest zoological park in Texas with over 2000 animals representing 406 species. Filled with your typical monkeys, lions, tigers and bears, the Dallas Zoo is also one of the only ten zoos in the country to house a koala exhibit. Children of all ages can explore their wild side at the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo that features plenty of activities including crawling eye-level with bugs and rodents and a petting zoo full of gentle, friendly goats. Catch a show of soaring birds, hop on a hump back for a camel ride, or get up close and personal to feed a giraffe lettuce. Make sure you have on your walking shoes because this 100+ acre park is the perfect place to spend an afternoon.
More Info
Open In Google Maps
Mon - Sun:
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Accessibility & Audience:

Accessible (Wheelchair), Kid Friendly

Atmosphere:

Outdoors, Touristy

iFly Indoor Skydiving

Ever dream of flying? Worth the 30-minute drive to the suburbs of Frisco, iFly Indoor Skydiving makes the dream of flight a reality for ages 3 to 103. With the newest and most advanced wind tunnels in the world, iFly gives the excitement and feel of skydiving without having to jump out an airplane. Get ready to be blown away, literally, for 1.5 hours as you float, parachute free, on a smooth cushion of air.

iFly Indoor Skydiving, 8380 State Highway 121, Frisco, TX, USA +1 214 618 4359

Six Flags Over Texas

Amusement Park
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Six Flags Over Texas
The Batman ride offers various twists and turns at Six Flags Over Texas | © Six Flags Over Texas
A classic theme park, but an ultimate goody. Located in Arlington, about 15 miles outside of Dallas, Six Flags Over Texas offers thrilling roller coasters, great entertainment shows, carnival-style games and plenty of restaurants. From rides like the Titan and the Texas Giant for teens and adults to softer rides like Daffy Duck Bucket Blasters and Bugs Bunny Boomtown for toddlers and small children, there truly is something for everyone. With over 45 rides, including five water rides, be sure to grab an all-access fast pass to enjoy all Six Flags Over Texas has to offer.
More Info
Open In Google Maps

Accessibility & Audience:

Accessible (Wheelchair), Kid Friendly

Atmosphere:

Outdoors, Touristy

Dallas Cowboy Stadium

Shop, Stadium
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AT&T Stadium is home to the Dallas Cowboys
AT&T Stadium is home to the Dallas Cowboys | © Dopefish / WikiCommons
Don’t have to be a Cowboys fan to tour the Dallas Cowboy Stadium. The AT&T Stadium is full of endless fun and facts as the world’s largest domed structure. Tour the locker rooms, walk through the tunnel or simply admire its contemporary art. Guests have the option of choosing from four daily tours: Self-Guided, VIP-Guided, Art Tour or an Educational Tour. Enjoy a quick bite at the café, shop the Official Dallas Cowboys Gift Shop, or toss the football around (bring your own) on the actual field for as long as you want. The AT&T Stadium located in Arlington is an experience sure to appeal to everyone.
More Info
Open In Google Maps

Accessibility & Audience:

Accessible (Wheelchair), Family Friendly

Atmosphere:

Touristy, Loud

Grapevine Mills Mall

Grapevine Mills Mall is the ultimate family experience and only 30 minutes from Dallas. From LEGOLAND Discovery Center to Sea Life Grapevine Aquarium to the Rainforest Café to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, these are many fun activities for kids. Parents can also take advantage of the great shopping discounts offered from factory stores like Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Disney and Nike. Grapevine Mills Malls offers so much more, so families might have to make it a two-day trip.

Grapevine Mills Mall, 3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine, TX, USA +1 972 724 4910

Great Wolf Lodge

Stay, swim and play at the Great Wolf Lodge of Grapevine. Choose your cabin-style suite that’s an experience in itself, filled with either single beds or log style bunkbeds, a refrigerator and a flat screen TV. Then head over to the outdoor/indoor 84 degrees waterpark featuring nine water slides, six pools, a giant water fort bucket, a lazy river, an obstacle course and basketball hoops. With so many attractions, activities, and interactive games, your children will be begging to stay an extra day. Nightly rates can change during peak season, so be sure to check out their specials.

Great Wolf Lodge, 100 Great Wolf Drive, Grapevine, TX, USA +1 800 693 9653

By Nicole Overton