You’re here reading this blog because you are either planning a trip to DFW or are already here and are on a speedy hunt for things to do while you’re visiting. Well, you’ve found the right place, as I have laid out an entire itinerary with 72 hours worth of fun things to do in Dallas. Let’s get right into it!
Friday
It’s Friday, and you just touched down in DFW, what do you do? If you’re one of those people that like to wind down from traveling and don’t consider your arrival the first day of your trip, then you would go check into your hotel or Airbnb and take a nap. If not, you head right into the AT&T Discovery District. It is a new addition to downtown, and it really brings the community together as a cool place to hang out. With the large screens and food halls, the AT&T Discovery District is a good place to hang out with friends and family.
With it being located in downtown Dallas, it is a great tourist attraction but you will also find many locals there regularly, as the district has only been around for about three years. Depending on what time you arrive, you can spend the day downtown shopping and sightseeing, or you can grab a bite to eat for lunch or dinner. If you’re looking for a bit more to do, you can visit Uptown to get food and drinks. Or you can have a savory dinner at Chimalma Taco Bar for tacos and margaritas at the Historic West End. It's a calm but explorative start to your trip so that you can set your weekend off to a great start.
saturday
You are in Dallas and there really is no escaping the hot weather, so might as well enjoy your time outdoors. You can start your day soaking in the sun at Klyde Warren Park or White Rock Lake. At Klyde Warren Park, you can enjoy a variety of engaging experiences. From picnics and food trucks to fitness classes and live performances, there's something for everyone. The park also offers games and peaceful spots for relaxing. On the other hand, White Rock Lake provides a more scenic haven with its biking and jogging trails, boating and fishing opportunities, and bird-watching areas. You can even explore the lake by sailing or just capture the vibes for your Instagram story. Depending on what your preferred vibe is, both Klyde Warren Park and White Rock Lake offer great options for enjoying the outdoors in Dallas.
After your relaxing day out in the sun, you can go and explore the museums that Dallas has to offer. The Dallas Museum of Art exhibits artwork from numerous societies, ages, and media. Additionally, the museum offers tours, gallery talks, special exhibitions, educational activities, and gallery presentations. Day passes are about $15 per person, but you can also enter for free and interact with four floors of artwork. Another option is the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. The museum presents an interactive experience that makes science exciting. There are five floors of interactive exhibits on subjects including geology, energy, engineering, animal life, and more. They also have a 3D cinema and an outdoor plaza with interactive displays. The Perot Museum and the Dallas Museum of Art both provide remarkable experiences for visitors of all ages, whether they are into art or science.
Okay, so now you’re hungry. You can always grab something nearby and head back to where you’re staying for the weekend. However, at the peak of your trip, it’s a must that you go out for dinner and have some fun! Make reservations at Wabi House to enjoy some Asian cuisine. Pair your meal (and there are a variety of meals to choose from) with a cocktail or your favorite drink for a complete dining experience. After dinner, or if dinner wasn’t really your scene, enjoy a night on the town and head to Casablanca. Visiting this bar and lounge is the perfect opportunity to get cute and have a fun and exciting night out.
sunday
After the full day and late night you had on Saturday, you might end up sleeping in on Sunday morning. That works perfectly because instead of breakfast, you can have Sunday brunch! Visit Ellen’s, in the West End Historic District, as your first stop of the day and enjoy some brunch.
From there you can either spend the day at the Dallas World Aquarium or the Dallas Zoo. Enjoy the scenery and see some cool animals at either of these locations. These two locations serve as a great place that can be for plenty of purposes. You can go with your family, with your kids, or enjoy it as a date.
The next stop is the Bishop Arts District where you can explore from over 60 independent restaurants, bars, art galleries and boutiques. Shop around for unique merchandise and take in the beautiful pieces of art that you see at the art galleries.
Lastly, you want to end your 72 hours with a chill and comfy vibe at Eno’s Pizza Tavern located in Bishop Arts District as well. Enjoy your family or friends and talk about your favorite parts about visiting DFW.
Here are a few extra activities that you can add to your itinerary if you have time or if you want to swap out activities to your liking:
Extra Activities
Deep Ellum is a very artsy location where you can shop, dine, view art, attend fun events, and more.
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a vibe from the scenery down to the summer night events.
Lower Greenville is also a fun place to attend events, eat, drink and shop. Be sure to visit the store called “Bullzerk” and grab yourself a funny t-shirt with slogans about DFW.
The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum is an activity to soak in some history and discover events you may have never heard before or through a different lens.
Dealy Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum Tour
Scenic Downtown Dallas Views at the Margaret Hunt Bridge
More eats and things to do at Trinity Groves
I hope you found this 72 hour guide useful and that you enjoyed your time in DFW! Of course, there’s so much more to do in Dallas, but this list should at least get you started on exploring some of the exciting things the city has to offer. If you don’t get to it all, you can always visit again, and again!
Content Provided by Vanessa Luna | Written by Malia Boyd