Top 5 Things to Do in Dallas, Texas | Must-See Attractions

Today, we'll discover the best things to do in Dallas, Texas. This Dallas travel guide covers the top 5 must-see attractions that are perfect for first time visitors, weekend trips and sightseeing vacations. I’ll share what to do in Dallas, highlighting iconic spots like the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and the Dallas Museum of Art. I’ll also cover the upscale neighborhood of Highland Park, along with local favorites such as the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and White Rock Lake. Hi, I'm Michael, and I've lived in Dallas for a few years now, so I put together this list based on my own experience exploring the city. Whether you are planning a weekend getaway, visiting for the first time, or putting together a Dallas itinerary, these are my favorite things to do in Dallas that I'd highly recommend. 00:00 Intro 00:06 Downtown Dallas 00:25 JFK Museum 01:09 Dallas Museum of Art 02:06 Katy Trail 02:37 Dallas Arboretum 03:24 Highland Park 04:25 White Rock Lake 1. Downtown Dallas This urban landscape offers plenty of things to do. Places like the Sixth Floor Museum and Dallas Museum of Art are great places to checkout. The Sixth Floor Museum dives deep into the assassination of JFK giving a chronological timeline of events from that day. The Dallas Museum of Art is a free museum where you can check out massive paintings and sculptures from all over the world. My favorite room was the European art section. Other popular locations near downtown include Klyde Warren Park and Reunion Tower where you can get a panoramic view of the Dallas skyline. Also, don't forget to drive or stop by the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge for an even better view of the city skyline. 2. Katy Trail The Katy Trail is one of my favorite places to get some exercise. You are almost guaranteed to meet someone new here. The trail isn't usually too crowded, but it can get busy. I love taking walks here and getting some fresh air. The Katy Trail is a total of 3.5 miles long and goes all the way from downtown Dallas to the upscale neighborhood of Highland Park. The crowd here is all ages, but you'll most likely see SMU students and young professionals enjoying on this trail. 3. Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden The Dallas Arboretum is a great place for either a picnic or just relaxing and taking in nature. I really enjoyed my time here; however, parking plus tickets and cost you over $40 which in my opinion is a bit steep for a botanical garden. What is really cool about the garden is that they have events year round so no matter the season it is a fun time to visit. Yearly memberships start at $115 for individuals which can get you into exclusive membership events. Of all the places in the botanical garden I really enjoyed the tunnel of trees with its beautiful canopy that overlaps the walking paths. 4. Highland Park Highland Park, just outside downtown Dallas, is one of the wealthiest towns in Texas. It offers many fun things to do and is home to some of the area’s best shopping and restaurants. Often referred to as the richest neighborhood in Dallas, it’s actually an independent town with its own police force, fire department, and parks department. What I really like about it is how safe it feels. The parks are always clean and there's no trash to see almost anywhere. Shopping at Highland Park Village is a cool experience and even better for spotting cool cars. Parks like Turtle Creek span the entire area with fountains, and shady trees to relax under. If you ever drive through Highland Park, it’s hard not to notice the massive mansions and insane architecture. A lot of these houses cost millions of dollars, and with average home prices sitting somewhere between $2.5 and $3.5 million, it’s definitely not an area most people can afford to live in. There’s also a country club in the area that’s known for catering to the wealthiest people in Dallas. If you think you can just walk in and become a member, that’s not how it works. Membership is invitation-only, and no amount of money guarantees you a spot. Plenty of people have been turned away, and only a small number ever get accepted. Even then, the initiation fee is rumored to be around $150K. 5. White Rock Lake White Rock Lake is one of the best places to explore in Dallas, Texas if you’re looking for an easy escape into nature without leaving the city. It’s a great spot to get your steps in, enjoy scenic views, or even take a sailboat ride—yes, sailing lessons are available, and Dallas is no stranger to windy days. The White Rock Lake loop trail stretches an impressive 9.5 miles, making it one of the longest and most popular trails in the city. Whether you’re visiting Dallas for the first time, planning a weekend in Dallas, or building out your itinerary, White Rock Lake is a must-see attraction. That's it for this Dallas travel guide. Stay tuned for more videos and thanks for watching!