8 Best Day Trips From Dallas, Texas - Updated 2024

best day trips from dallas tx
Jeffrey
Jeffrey 
Updated
| 4 min read

Dallas, Texas, beckons tourists with a rich tapestry of culture and history. The cityscape is punctuated by iconic landmarks like Dealey Plaza, forever etched in history as the site of President Kennedy’s assassination. Beyond its historic significance, Dallas boasts a vibrant arts scene, showcased in the Dallas Museum of Art and the Nasher Sculpture Center. For those seeking a unique stay, historic hotels, such as The Adolphus, offer a glimpse into the city’s storied past, combining elegance with nostalgia. On the other hand, themed hotels, such as The Joule, provide a contemporary twist with their innovative designs and curated experiences. Dallas, a city that seamlessly blends its heritage with modern allure, promises an enriching experience for every traveler. Additionally, tourists can venture out on excursions that promise diverse experiences beyond the city limits. Check out our list of the best day trips from Dallas, Texas!

1. Arbuckle Mountains, Oklahoma

Turner Falls - Arbuckle Mts., OK, USA - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user MARELBU used under CC BY 3.0

The Arbuckle Mountains, nestled in southern Oklahoma, is an excellent day trip destination from Dallas for families. This ancient range offers a picturesque landscape of rolling hills, dense forests, and serene lakes. Adventure seekers can explore Turner Falls Park, known for the mesmerizing 77-foot (23.47 meter) waterfall and natural swimming pools. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area offers hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing opportunities.

History buffs can visit the Chickasaw Cultural Center to learn about the Native American heritage of the region. The Arbuckle Mountains promise a refreshing break from city life, with natural beauty and recreational activities galore, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Dallas.

Turner Falls Park

Address: I-35 &, US-77, Davis, OK 73030, United States

Website: Turner Falls Park

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 8am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 7am - 10pm

Price: from 16 USD in summer and 9 USD in winter (adults)

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2. Granbury, Texas

Granbury June 2018 35 (Hood County Courthouse)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Michael Barera used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Granbury, a Texan city exuding old-world charm, is perfect for a romantic day trip from Dallas. Nestled on the shores of Lake Granbury, this historic city is known for its well-preserved downtown square and Victorian houses. Visitors can explore boutiques, dine in delightful eateries, and catch a show at the historic Granbury Opera House.

Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy water activities on the lake or hike on the scenic trails in nearby parks. Don’t miss the captivating Hood County Jail with a museum. Granbury offers a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration, making it a delightful day trip from Dallas for couples.

Hood County Jail Museum

Address: 208 N Crockett St, Granbury, TX 76048, United States

Website: Hood County Jail Museum

Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 1pm - 4pm

Price: 5 USD (adults), 2.50 USD (kids below 12), free entry for kids below 6

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3. Fort Worth Stock Yards

Are you attending RFD-TV's The American Semi-Finals at Cowtown Coliseum next week? The cattle drive will still occur daily at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Come out and see us!

Posted by Fort Worth Herd on Thursday, 9 February 2017

In Texas, the West begins at the Fort Worth Stock Yards. The original Union Stockyards were built in 1887, by the city of Forth Worth, as a market for the thousands of heads of cattle being driven through the area, every day, from the Indian territory, further west. Now, this area serves as a reminder of Texas’s cattle history.

You can witness history twice daily, as cowboys on horseback drive a herd of cattle through the stockyards and into holding pens. There, you can see (and smell) what life might have been like, 125 years ago, when this same process took place dozens of times throughout the day.

Fort Worth Stock Yards

Address: 130 East Exchange Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76164

Website: Fort Worth Stock Yards

The Herd Cattle Drive: Daily at 11:30 am and 4 pm

Address: 130 East Exchange Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76164

Website: Fort Worth Herd Cattle Drive

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4. Dr. Pepper Museum

Posted by Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute on Wednesday, 30 November 2016

America is the home of soda, and in Texas, nothing says soda like an ice cold Dr. Pepper. The oldest of America’s carbonated, syrupy flavored soft drinks, Dr. Pepper was created in 1885, at Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store, right in Waco, Texas. Charles Alderton, a pharmacist, developed the combination of syrups that became the distinctive soda, and together he and Morrison began to manufacture and sell the drink.

At the Dr. Pepper museum, located steps from the Brazos River in Waco, you can walk through the original Old Corner Drug Store and sit at the counter where it all started. Early bottling equipment, along with samples of early bottles are everywhere. And for the kids, test your own mix of syrups in their Liquid Laboratory. Can you invent the next great soda? The museum is open daily, until 5:30 pm.

Dr. Pepper Museum

Address: 300 South 5th Street, Waco, TX 76701

Website: Dr. Pepper Museum

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5. Lake Park on Lewisville Lake

USACE Lewisville Lake and Dam
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user U.S. Army Corps o... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

North Texas is far from any beach, but Lewisville Lake offers visitors the next best thing, only a short drive from Dallas. Lake Park, on the southern shoreline, is a huge recreation area - over 650 acres (263 hectares). Operated by the city of Lewisville, the park offers something for the whole family, from golfing and disc golf to boating, fishing, tenting, and RV camping.

Soccer and baseball fields are lit for play, well into the night. The highlight of the park is swimming from the shoreline beach. It doesn’t have much sand but it does have several picnic tables and shallow water for safe swimming. If you’re looking to enjoy a dog-friendly day trip from Dallas, Lake Park on Lewisville Lake is the place to go.

Lake Park on Lewisville Lake

Address: 600 Sandy Beach Road, Lewisville, TX 75057

Website: Lake Park on Lewisville Lake

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6. Terrel, Texas

Posted by Number 1 British Flying Training School - No. 1 BFTS on Tuesday, 10 January 2017

Northeast of Dallas, in the small town of Terrell, Texas, lies a surprising remnant of World War II. In June 1941, the British descended upon this small Texas town and established the British Flying Training Program, designed to instruct British Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots. Terrell was the first, and largest, of the schools, which were located across the southern United States.

More than 2,000 Royal Air Force and American Air Force pilots earned their wings here, flying over the skies of North Texas, before they tested their mettle in the European theater. The No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum, located at Terrell Municipal Airport, highlights this little-known chapter in World War II history, with log books, training materials, uniforms, and other memorabilia. Take a step back in time with a visit to this unique small Texas town.

No. 1 British Flying Training Program

Address: 119 Silent Wings Blvd, Terrell, TX 75160

Website: No. 1 British Flying Training Program

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7. Jefferson, Texas

Jefferson Theater
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Regrothenberger used under CC BY 3.0

Jefferson, Texas, located 2.5 hours east of Dallas, is a city almost as old as the state itself. Founded in 1841, on land ceded from the Caddo Indians, Jefferson became a booming town in its first 25 years. A log jam called the Great Raft raised the level of Caddo Lake and the Red River allowing the water to be navigable by boat. By 1870, this was the fourth largest town in Texas. But in 1872, the Army Corps of Engineers blew up the raft, allowing the river to flow freely. Water in the river and the lake became too shallow to navigate by boat and Jefferson’s time as a commercial district dried up. Still, it is one of the most historic towns in the state, where almost every commercial structure on the main road through town, has a historic marker, from the courthouse to the Jefferson Theater.

Come in February for Mardi Gras Upriver. In May the local historical society presents the Diamond Bessie Murder Trial, a play commemorating one of Jefferson’s most infamous murders. For a trip to find out what Texas history is really about, Jefferson is a town not to be missed.

Jefferson

Website: Jefferson

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8. Winstar World Resort and Casino (from USD 47.0)

Posted by WinStar World Casino and Resort on Sunday, 12 July 2015

About an hour north of Dallas, just over the Oklahoma border, lies a gaming experience like no other. From Casino 360˚, where every winner is a star, to the more than 88 tables, offering blackjack, poker, baccarat, and others, Winstar World Resort and Casino has something to appeal to everyone. And if you’re up for a bigger challenge, high limit tables are available, seven days a week.

Winstar World Resort and Casino

Address: 777 Casino Ave., Thackerville, OK 73459

Website: Winstar World Resort and Casino

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WinStar World Casino Shuttle Ride from Dallas or Forth Worth

Duration: 9 to 10 hours

3 reviews

Cultural hub

In conclusion, the diverse array of fun day trips from Dallas, Texas, offers something for every traveler. Whether seeking natural wonders, cultural experiences, or historic sites, these excursions promise unforgettable adventures just a short drive away.

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Frequently asked questions about day trips from Dallas, Texas

1. Which day trips from Dallas are ideal for weekend getaways?

Embark on memorable weekend getaways from Dallas to the Arbuckle Mountains for scenic beauty, Fort Worth for cowboy culture, Lewisville Lake for water activities, and Granbury for small-town charm and historic sites.

2. Which are some of the best towns to visit around Dallas?

Discover Granbury, Jefferson, Terrell, and Weatherford for a taste of small-town charm just a few hours away from Dallas, Texas. Each offers its own unique attractions and a relaxed atmosphere.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Jeffrey Smith loves travel adventures. From drinking buffalo milk in a grass hut in Ethiopia to diving off a Kettuvallam into Kerala’s pristine backwater, he finds adventures everywhere he goes....Read more

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