Downtown Dallas is a vibrant and bustling area with lots of skyscraper buildings, upscale establishments, and tourist attractions. It is also known as the business hub of the city. While in Downtown, you might want to check out the fascinating and thrilling Holocaust Museum or bring the family to the Dallas Aquarium for a day of fun and excitement. You can not leave the city without marveling at the beauty of the city at the top of Reunion Tower. You can also witness the art of 49 bronze longhorn cattle sculptures in Pioneer Plaza. For a more in-depth guide on what to expect and the things that you can do while in Downtown Dallas, here is a compiled list of things to do in Downtown Dallas, Texas for you. Feel free to browse below.
1. Browse through modern and contemporary sculptures in Nasher Sculpture Center
If you like to immerse yourself in the city’s art scene, you should definitely check out the fascinating Nasher Sculpture Center in Flora Street. You will be able to marvel at majestic contemporary art pieces, exhibits, galleries, sculptures, and marvelous art installations by the artist Sheila Hicks and other talents. To top it all off, the art center exudes an elegant modern interior design with lots of natural light and a majestic outside open space with vast lawns and some trees.
Nasher Sculpture Center
Address: 2001 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201, USA
Website: Nasher Sculpture Center
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 11am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 2 USD
2. Marvel at the view from Reunion Tower
You can not leave Downtown Dallas without experiencing the climb to the top of the iconic Reunion Tower. It is located in the heart of the city and it’s a very good vantage point to marvel at the beauty of the panoramic Downtown Dallas cityscape and skyline. There are also excellent dining options and cocktail bars in the tower that you should try, for a complete experience. Plus, there are activities that are ideal for the whole family. Visit Reunion Tower, enjoy, and make lasting memories.
Reunion Tower
Address: 300 Reunion Blvd E, Dallas, TX 75207, USA
Website: Reunion Tower
Opening hours: 10am - 9:30pm (daily)
Price: From 8 USD
3. Explore marine life at the Dallas World Aquarium
Done with all the sights that Downtown Dallas has to offer? If you have zero ideas on where to bring your family, especially the kids, on a boring weekend, amp up the excitement and take them to the fascinating Dallas World Aquarium in N Griffin Street. Watch them marvel at numerous aquariums with a large number of water animal species from different countries. Let them learn and enjoy as they roam around the place and absorb interesting facts about marine life.
Dallas World Aquarium
Address: 1801 N Griffin St, Dallas, TX 75202, USA
Website: Dallas World Aquarium
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: From 14.95 USD
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4. Travel back in time in the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Established way back in 1935, Dealey Plaza is a vast special-use park in Downtown Dallas. It is home to a lot of recreational areas and establishments, but most especially, to the fascinating Sixth Floor Museum. The Sixth Floor Museum is one of the most visited historic sites in the city. It nests on the sixth floor of the Dallas County Administration Building. It is a museum that showcases historical artifacts, photographs, and exhibits which center on the assassination of the late president JFK.
Dealey Plaza
Address: 411 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75202, USA
Website: Dealey Plaza
Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)
Price: From 14 USD
5. Go for a relaxing walk around Pioneer Plaza
If you want some peace and quiet, why don’t you take a relaxing walk in the beautiful and serene Pioneer Plaza? It is of great historical significance to the city of Dallas. It boasts majestic and perfectly manicured landscapes, some bronze statues, and a flowing stream. This plaza is a wonderful place to breathe fresh air and clear your mind for a while. Pioneer Plaza is open to everyone from morning till sundown.
Pioneer Plaza
Address: 1428 Young St, Dallas, TX 75202, USA
Website: Pioneer Plaza
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
6. Interact with the locals at Thanks-Giving Square
People say when you visit cities you’ve never been to before, that you should act like a local. To better understand their culture, the best way to do this is to interact with the locals and listen to their stories. You can also get tips from them about the hidden gems of the city unknown to others. If you like the idea, go to Thanks-Giving Square and make friends with the warm and hospitable locals. To top it all off, Thanks-Giving square showcases majestic architecture, has marvelous art pieces, educational programs and fascinating activities that you might be interested in.
Thanks-Giving Square
Address: 1627 Pacific Ave, Dallas, TX 75201, USA
Website: Thanks-Giving Square
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free admission
7. Check out the exhibits in Old Red Museum of Dallas County History & Culture
Downtown Dallas has a lot of fascinating attractions and interesting museums. One of them is the Old Red Museum of Dallas County History & Culture. If you are interested in the culture and heritage of the cities you visit or you’re just a regular Tom who has lots of free time, you might want to check out this lovely Museum. You will get to see exhibits, artifacts, galleries, and other significant objects that help tell the story of the city from its humble beginnings to the bustling metropolis that it is today.
Old Red Museum of Dallas County History & Culture
Address: 100 S Houston St, Dallas, TX 75202, USA
Website: Old Red Museum of Dallas County History & Culture
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: From 25 USD
8. Take a morning jog in Main Street Garden Park
Found in the heart of Downtown Dallas, Main Street Garden Park is a vast public park that is heavily funded by the government. It is beautiful, modern, and has lots of excellent nearby restaurants, retail shops, and other business. Because of its size, it is also a fantastic place to do your morning routine jog. If you just want to stop and chill for a while, Main Street Garden Park is also a lovely venue as you watch and observe the hustle and bustle of the city.
Main Street Garden Park
Address: 1902 Main St, Dallas, TX 75201, USA
Website: Main Street Garden Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: No admission fee
9. Visit the historic Grassy Knoll where John F. Kennedy was shot
Dallas is a beautiful and vibrant city with lots of fascinating attractions and rich heritage, but it also holds a tragic story that is a major part of the history of America. On the afternoon of November 22 in 1963, John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, was shot to his death in this city, specifically in grassy knoll that is now preserved with a memorial for the late president. If you happen to be in Dallas, be sure to drop by the Grassy Knoll where John F. Kennedy was shot, and pay respect.
Grassy Knoll
Address: Dallas, TX 75202, USA
Opening hours: Open 24hrs (daily)
Price: No admission fee
10. Explore the rich culture and heritage preserved in Crow Museum of Asian Art
Nesting in the University of Texas in Dallas, Crow Museum of Asian Art is a fascinating museum that houses a vast collection of artistic masterpieces donated by the Trammell and Margaret Crow family. It showcases the beauty, diversity, and intricacy of Asian art with thousands of pieces coming from Vietnam, Pakistan, Myanmar, Tibet, Korea, Japan, India, Cambodia, Nepal, Thailand, and others. It also has a library, journals, and catalogs available for usage.
Crow Museum of Asian Art
Address: 2010 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201, USA
Website: Crow Museum of Asian Art
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 11am - 5pm; (Closed on Mon)
Price: No admission fee
11. Read heartbreaking stories at the Dallas Holocaust Museum
If you like tragic stories, Dallas has a fascinating Holocaust Museum that you might want to check out. It was originally called the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. It aims to pass on stories of the tragedy of the Holocaust in human history and in return, push humanity to a better world with no injustice, inequality, hatred, and prejudice. It showcases three separate wings in the museum, namely, the Holocaust Wing, the Human Rights Wing, and Pivot to America Wing. All these three have high educational value to their guests.
Dallas Holocaust Museum
Address: 211 N Record St #100, Dallas, TX 75202, USA
Website: Dallas Holocaust Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9:30am - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 5pm
Price: From 8 USD
12. Reignite your love for art at the Dallas Museum Of Art
If you are finished touring the city, exploring its sights, sounds, and eats, you might want to dip into its art scene. If you have spare time, why don’t you check out the fascinating Dallas Museum of Art in N Harwood Street? The Dallas Museum of Art houses a vast collection of up to 5000 art pieces that stretch back from 5000 years of human history. It is one of the biggest museums in the city. Plus, they also hold events that might interest the inner artist in you.
Dallas Museum Of Art
Address: 1717 N Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201, USA
Website: Dallas Museum Of Art
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 11am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: No admission fee
13. Take memorable photos at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza
One of the most marvelous and historical landmarks in Downtown Dallas is the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza in Main Street. It holds a vital role in the landscape of the city, and since its establishment, people visit this site to honor the 35th president of the united states. This structure was originally designed by the great Philip Johnson. It aims to project an image of an open tomb that for them, represents the freedom of the spirit of John F. Kennedy.
John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza
Address: 646 Main St, Dallas, TX 75202, USA
Website: John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza
Opening hours: Open 24hrs (daily)
Price: From 3 USD
14. Satisfy your shopaholic soul at the Wild Bill's Western Store
Wild Bill’s Western Store is a charming store located in N Market Street dedicated to everything Western, from clothes to footwear and accessories, to corporate Western Events. They offer products for all ages. If you have outfit needs or costumes and souvenirs, visit Wild Bill’s Western Store because they surely have everything in store for you, literally.
Wild Bill's Western Store
Address: 311 N Market St #101, Dallas, TX 75202, USA
Website: Wild Bill’s Western Store
Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 10am - 7pm; Wed - Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 12pm - 6pm
15. Create countless memories at the Giant Eyeball
If you are looking for a fantastic place to bring your family, why don’t you take them to the fascinating Giant Eyeball on Main Street? It is a unique landmark in the city that features a literal giant eyeball in a vast perfectly manicured park. You can relax a little, enjoy your picnic snacks, and take amazing pictures for your Instagram. Also, its location is surrounded by excellent restaurants and retail shops so you can easily dine and shop at any time you want.
Giant Eyeball
Address: 1601 Main St, Dallas, TX 75201, USA
Opening hours: Open 24hrs (daily)
16. Pamper your taste buds at Texas Spice
If you need a quick break and energy refill from touring the beautiful Downtown Dallas, you might want to stop for a while and try the delightful Texan food at Texas Spice. It showcases a breathtaking rustic interior design with a relaxing ambiance and cozy table and seating arrangement. They have everything you might like from breakfast food to lunch and dinner. While in Texas Spice, be sure to try some of their best-sellers such as The Texas Spice Smash Burger, Triple Decker Turkey Club, Deep Ellum Goat Cheese Hushpuppy, and others.
Texas Spice
Address: 555 S Lamar St, Dallas, TX 75202, USA
Website: Texas Spice
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
17. Enjoy karaoke nights at Harwood Tavern - Sports Bar
Whether you are in the vibrant city of Downtown Dallas for business or pleasure, it won’t hurt to play a little and enjoy a great time. If you are looking for the right place to unwind, Hardwood Tavern - Sports Bar is an ideal place for you. Delicious food, premium drinks, relaxing ambiance, warm and hospitable staff, these are what make the sports bar a charming place that you might want to go back to every now and then. They also hold fun events occasionally from karaoke nights to open mics.
Harwood Tavern - Sports Bar
Address: 333 S Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201, USA
Website: Harwood Tavern - Sports Bar
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 12am; Fri: 11am - 2am; Sat: 10am - 2am; Sun: 10am - 12am
Visit the vibrant Downtown Dallas
Downtown Dallas is a thriving and booming business hub in Texas. It is characterized by its sky-scrapers, high-end shops, and distinct urban lifestyle. If you like everything modern, updated, and luxurious, Downtown Dallas is a perfect vacation spot for you. If you are planning a trip to this area of Texas any time soon, use this list of the things to do in Downtown as your guide to organizing an itinerary. May you have a fantastic vacation ahead.
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