updated: March 2026
I love to show people what makes my city unique. Dallas is rich with interesting things to do: restaurants, clubs, historic sites, and neighborhoods to explore…if you know where to look. That’s where I come in. I’ve lived in Dallas for over 30 years, and while the city has changed a lot, some of the best things, and some of the best stories, have stayed the same.
Here are my top picks for the best attractions in Dallas: old, new, and hiding in plain sight, whether you’re a first-time visitor or coming back for another look.
The 6th Floor Museum Book Depository
This is the number one place I always take visitors. Through film, video, photographs, and other artifacts, the museum presents the facts of this tragic and tumultuous time in American history. If you want a guided tour of the museum plus other sites related to the Kennedy assassination, check out this comprehensive JFK tour. There are a wide variety of tours covering some aspect of the JFK assassination via Get Your Guide.
If you prefer to do it on your own be sure to book your ticket in advance for a timed admission. You can read my full review of the museum and self-guided tour here.
After the museum spend some time outside exploring Dealey Plaza, the grassy knoll, the white picket fence, and other sites related to Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. Less than a block away is the John F. Kennedy Memorial… don’t miss that.
Get Your Guide has a wide variety of tours covering some aspect of the JFK assassination.
More history than meets the eye
Most visitors focus on the 6th Floor Museum and Dealey Plaza, and rightly so. But linger a little longer and you’ll find that this small patch of downtown Dallas holds far more history than most people realize, some of it buried for over a century. Just behind the Old Red Courthouse is a replica of a log cabin that was the former home of John Neely Bryan, the eccentric founder of Dallas. His story is really interesting and a bit sad. I learned about Bryan on a walking tour so I won’t spoil it in case you take the tour.
exterior Old Red Courthouse, Dallas
The Old Red Courthouse
The Old Red Courthouse, currently transitioning to become the new home of the Texas Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, has its own dark chapter in Dallas history, one that went unacknowledged for 111 years. A historical marker was finally placed in 2021.
Local tip: Outside the museum you will see conspiracy theorists who love to share their thoughts about who really killed JFK. There were several investigations into his assassination, but many people are not satisfied with the final conclusion of the Warren Commission. Was it truly Lee Harvey Oswald? Did he act alone? Was it LBJ? Visit the museum, then chat with some locals, and decide for yourself.
Time to visit: Take your time here, there’s a lot to unpack. I’d allow a minimum of two hours only for the museum part of this. If you really explore the area I’d allow a half day.
Aerial view of the 6th floor book depository and the parade route of President Kennedy’s car. Taken from the Reunion Tower.
Deadly Dallas Ghost Tour
Learn why Dallas’ nickname is “City of Hate,” by taking the Dallas Terrors Deadly Dallas Ghost Tour: Blood, Bones, and Burials. I went on this tour not knowing what to expect and loved it.
While there are some classic haunted tour stops, and things that go bump in the night, this tour offers real substance: The founders call it “a remorseless and unflinching look deep into the abyss of D-town’s nightmarish past.” After living in Dallas for over 40 years, I still learned a lot.
The history uncovered on this tour is sobering. You’ll learn about real people and events that shaped this city in ways the history books have been slow to acknowledge. The tour covers the same area as the 6th Floor Museum, so you could do both the same day, though the tour is usually at dusk, so time it accordingly. Go with an open mind. You’ll be left with a lot to think about.
Reunion Tower
Just a short walk from the museum is the Hyatt Regency Reunion Tower, with its iconic golf ball-shaped tower. You have probably seen it in the credits for the TV series Dallas, or maybe you saw it on The Amazing Race finale a few seasons past when the finalists rapelled down the tower! Yikes!
The iconic Reunion Tower at the Hyatt Hotel, Dallas
Take the elevator to the observation deck (also called the Geo Deck) for 360-degree views of the Dallas-Ft.Worth area also referred to as the DFW Metroplex. I recommend going to Crown restaurant for the same view but from a higher vantage point.
Time to visit: This depends if you’re going to stay and go to the restaurant. I’d say an hour for the observation deck only because you have to allow for parking and the possibility of a wait to enter the elevator.
You can book your stay at the Hyatt Reunion Tower on TripAdvisor . Compare rates at Expedia and Hotels.com
Fun fact: I worked with Phil Keoghan on the episode of the Amazing Race filmed at Reunion Tower.
Pegasus
From the Hyatt Reunion, walk to the Omni Hotel to see another iconic piece of Dallas history: a neon flying Pegasus sculpture, perched atop an oil well. This is the original sculpture created in 1934, now restored. Do not be confused by the copy flying atop the Magnolia Hotel a few blocks away.
The Magnolia Hotel was the home of this original sculpture until 1999 when it was removed and replaced with the copy you see there now. Some years later, the original was discovered in a city-owned storage building and relocated to its new home at the Omni Hotel.
Local tip: Go at night to see the Pegasus and the Omni Hotel illuminated.
Dallas Arts District
The Dallas Arts District is another of my favorite places to recommend to visitors. There are three museums all within two blocks: the Dallas Museum of Art, The Nasher Sculpture Center, and the Crow Museum of Asian Art. Pick one, or visit all three. It’s possible to see them all in one day since The Nasher and The Crow are small museums.
If you’re in town on a Friday night, you can enjoy Late Night at the DMA, when the museum is open until midnight. There are food trucks, live music, events for kids, literary readings, and more.
For music lovers, the Meyerson Symphony Center, featuring the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, is just two short blocks from the DMA. Adjacent to the Meyerson is the Winspear Opera House, a great space to catch various live music and theater performances. Across the street is the Dee and Charles Wyly Theater, featuring classics such as A Christmas Carol and more avant garde productions. The Dallas Arts District truly encompasses all of the arts.
Time to visit: Allow at least two hours for one museum. If you decide to go to all three you’ll spend the day there. The DMA has a great cafe so why not have lunch and make it a trifecta.
Winspear Opera House
Klyde Warren Park
Just across the street from the Dallas Museum of Art is Klyde Warren Park, a five-acre green space built on top of the Woodall Rogers Freeway. The park connects the Dallas Arts District with downtown and uptown neighborhoods.
The park hosts live events like the KXT summer music series (a local station), and yoga and food truck Fridays. Relax with a popsicle on a hot summer day, or dine parkside and observe all the goings-on through the glass walls. Check the Klyde Warren Park website for the full schedule.
Time to visit: Allow at least an hour if you’re visiting the park but not attending any special events.
An amazing feet of engineering, Klyde Warren Park is built on top of the Woodall Rogers Freeway!
Listen to live music
Austin calls itself the music capital of the world but I think Dallas has nearly as many music events on a daily basis. There’s a thriving jazz scene, too, if you know where to look. One of my favorite spots is Reveler’s Hall in the Bishop Arts District. They have a house band but also book guests. It’s a fun venue that reminds me a little of New Orleans.
Time to visit: Until the music stops.
Visit Southfork Ranch
Taking a break with J.R. Ewing
Fans of the hit television series Dallas will want to visit Southfork Ranch, where the original series was set. It’s about a 40-minute drive north of downtown Dallas. You’ll need a car or rideshare for this one, but it’s worth it. I have worked with a film crew at the ranch and can confirm the grounds are really lovely—plus you can tour the home of the infamous Ewing family and see the room where JR was shot. All the sets and furnishings date back to the original series so it’s quite a nostalgic experience.
Time to visit: It’s a bit of a drive to go to Southfork so plan to make the most of it. If you book a tour with Get your Guide you’ll find most are combo tours such as Dallas and Southfork Tour, not a bad thing. If you go on your own, plan to spend at least two hours there plus about forty-five minutes each way to drive there. You can book a tour on the Southfork website, too.
Where to stay in Dallas
Omni Dallas Hotel
The Omni Dallas Hotel is well located to walk to many of the attractions I’ve recommended. Personally I love the vibe here and there are good food and beverage options. The Omni connects to the Dallas Convention Center so you’ll meet both business and leisure travelers who come to see what the Big D is all about.
Insider tip: Even the smaller rooms are spacious, well-appointed, and most have good views.
You can check rates for the Omni on Expedia
Booking.com and Hotels.com
Hall Arts Hotel
The Hall Arts Hotel is a luxury hotel owned by the same group that started Hall Wines in Napa Valley. As you may expect from the name, the hotel is a mini museum. It’s perfectly located for people who want to indulge in Dallas’ culture scene. The Meyerson Symphony Center, ATT Performing Arts Center and Wyley Theater are all basically across the street. Cool bars and restaurants are within walking distance, and the hotel restaurant is an excellent option. This is the hotel for those who want live the cultured life. You can check those rates Booking.com and also on TripAdvisor.
Insider tip: The same artful details you see in the hotel public areas are brought to the guest rooms. You’ll also have access to the latest convenience in technology such as remote curtains, lights, an iPad menu.
Transportation around Dallas
In the past, you’d definitely have to rent a car but just as in most major cities, you can use a rideshare, UBER and Lfyt both operate out of DFW—or hail a taxi. There are specific zones for rideshare so be sure to make note of that and which door you’re closest to when you exit the airport.
There’s also the DART rail, which will take you downtown. If you decide to forgo a car and use the DART, be sure to check the schedule the service is a bit limited, especially on holidays. Also, if you arrive in the international terminal you’ll have to get to terminal A via the airport rail.
