8 Things To Do In South Dallas

South Dallas may not have the best reputation in Dallas, but that might be a blessing in disguise. Leave the crowds of Uptown or Deep Ellum and explore this culturally-rich neighborhood of Dallas. Here are eight things to do in South Dallas – see you there!

Have a Fletcher’s Corny Dog at the State Fair of Texas

The State Fair of Texas is a Texas-sized event that just so happens to be located in South Dallas’ Fair Park. From September to October, over two million visitors from all over the world visit the Texas State Fair to say hello to Big Tex, ride the carnival rides in Midway, and participate in other traditional fair activities. On your visit to the Texas State Fair, be sure to try a Fletcher’s Corny Dog – reportedly the first corny dog invented – as well as other Texas fair foods, explore the agriculture section, catch a concert, and have a blast in true Texas fashion.

Fletcher’s Corny Dogs is a fan favorite at the State Fair of Texas

Sip on drinks in Expo Park

Catch a concert at the Dos Equis Pavilion

They’ve had many names over the years, but the Dos Equis Pavilion is a fantastic concert venue in South Dallas that brings in big names in music, comedy, and entertainment throughout the year. It can hold 20,000 people, with 7,500 seats in a reserved seating area and first-come, first-served on an expansive lawn. Visitors can grab food, drinks (alcohol too), and lawn chairs for rent at the Dos Equis Pavilion and catch shows by stars like Jason Aldean, Five Finger Death Punch, Wiz Khalifa, Miranda Lambert, Amy Schumer, and much more.

Frolick among butterflies at Texas Discovery Gardens

Enjoy the outdoors in South Dallas at Texas Discovery Gardens, a 7.5-acre (3.03-hectare) garden of native and adopted plants in Fair Park. They are the first 100% organic garden in Texas and are known for their Butterfly House and Insectarium, as well as their display of 20 venomous snakes. Texas Discovery Gardens is open year-round (except on certain holidays) with a small entrance fee and is a great outing for people of all ages.

Texas Discovery Gardens are known for their amazing Butterfly House

See the Lion King and Hamilton on stage

Dallas Summer Musicals is a non-profit that brings year-round musical theater performances to North Texas at Music Hall in Fair Park. They launched the non-profit in 1941 and haven’t stopped since. Who needs to travel all the way to Broadway when you can see The Lion King, Anastasia, Elf, Hamilton, The Phantom of the Opera, and Aladdin all in South Dallas?

Visit an array of museums

The museums in South Dallas are often outshined by those in the Dallas Arts District, and yet, they are a fantastic bunch to visit. The African American Museum is the only museum dedicated to African American history and art in the Southwestern region of the United States and is completely free. The Dallas Firefighters Museum showcases Dallas firefighter history in a fire station from 1907. Visit the Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park to witness 256 species in 55 exhibits for a small fee. They also have feeding demos and opportunities to pet stingrays.

The Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park is a great family-friendly activity in South Dallas

Eat your heart out in South Dallas

South Dallas’ food is two things: hearty and delicious. Elaine’s Kitchen is a hopping Jamaican spot serving jerk chicken and oxtail with lines that wrap out the door at lunch. You won’t find better catfish in a hole-in-the-wall setting than at Ronnie’s Catfish & More. If you’re not feeling fried catfish, Aunt Irene’s Kitchen serves up large plates of Cajun-style seafood. Craving pizza – head to Pizza Lounge and get your barbecue fix at Two Podners Bar-B-Que & Seafood. There’s plenty of good food in South Dallas just waiting for you to chow down.

Watch the Red River Showdown at the historic Cotton Bowl

Football is a Texas pastime and there’s no better place to watch one of the most historic football games of the state than in South Dallas’ Cotton Bowl during the Red River Showdown. Played between the University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Oklahoma Sooners, this game is held every October and is one of the biggest rivalries in the nation. If you can’t get tickets, head to the Cotton Bowl for tailgating fun.

The Red River Showdown is a State Fair of Texas tradition

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.