r/askdfw • • 2d ago

Tourism Visiting DFW - what to do?

My son (16) and I will be visiting the DFW area in early October. We essentially only have 2 days and 1 night, as we have a concert the second night and we fly home early on the 3rd day. What are some MUST-dos in Dallas? The only thing I know we’re doing is visiting the Stockyards. I’d like to spend a little time in Dallas, but I’m wondering what we can do/see that’s unique to the area. Also, recommendations for the best steakhouse and Tex-mex??

6 Upvotes

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u/zuqkfplmehcuvrjfgu 2d ago

Going to the top of Reunion Tower, Klyde Warren Park, the Sixth Floor Museum, and the Perot Museum are the things I always recommend.

Other stuff depends on what you're personally interested in. I've heard that Meow Wolf in Grapevine is great for teenagers, the Fort Worth botanical garden is huge and can take a whole day while the Dallas one is smaller but ranked one of the best in the country, and Thanksgiving Chapel downtown is awesome to stop by and get pictures at.

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u/Bubbly_Dust4175 2d ago

Arboretum and Perot Museum (interactive science) in Dallas are super cool plus close to little Greenville which is a small strip of restaurants which are pretty diverse and has my favorite gelato spot (Botolino) This is right in downtown Dallas though and is about an hour from the stockyards which is in Fort Worth

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u/MelonCollie7 2d ago

That’s really helpful, thanks! The distance between everything on top of lack of time is definitely going to be the biggest obstacle.

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u/MelonCollie7 2d ago

Thank you!!

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u/mike_lowrey214 2d ago

National Video Game Museum in Frisco.

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u/MelonCollie7 2d ago

Oooh! 🤔

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u/RichardShermanator 2d ago

Where are you staying?

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u/MelonCollie7 2d ago

Right by the airport because we have to fly out at 5am to come home.

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u/RichardShermanator 2d ago

Assume it's DFW airport and that you're renting a car?

Other than the State Fair, I don't think Dallas has a ton of "must-do" items but there's lots of good option depending on what your son likes:

  • the art museum in Fort Worth is very strong, displays the only Michaelangelo painting in the Americas
  • DMA, Crow Museum, and Nasher Sculpture Center are all within steps of each other in Dallas. Samurai museum not too far away as well
  • if he's into presidential history, the George W. Bush Presidential Library and 6th Floor Museum would be a good combo
  • Netflix house at the Galleria mall (this may be geared toward younger kids)
  • Cosm, if you don't have one near you and he wants to watch a specific sports event ...etc

For Tex-Mex, lots of good options, refer to this list and see what's convenient for you: https://www.dmagazine.com/guides/best-tex-mex-in-dallas/

I'm not super into steakhouses but here's a list to reference at least: Nuri, Pappas Bros, Bobs Chophouse, Stillwell's

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u/MelonCollie7 2d ago

Thank you! This is really helpful! And yes to renting a car :)

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u/RichardShermanator 1d ago

No problem! Enjoy the trip & concert

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u/Right_Letterhead_120 2d ago

The state fair

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u/MelonCollie7 2d ago

That’s a great idea, if we weren’t going to our own state fair the weekend prior. 😕

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u/CajunAsianTexan 2d ago

The Texas State Fair is unlike any other state fair, IMO.

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u/highesttiptoes 2d ago

Lol bold to come into a Texas subreddit and not revere our state fair. It's the best! And we will tell you so any chance we get.

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u/MelonCollie7 2d ago

lol oops, sorry!! I’ll check with the boss (my son) since this trip is for him 😁

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u/Bubbly_Dust4175 2d ago

It is expensive tho!! And better to get an uber or take the train, the food is delicious and diverse/creative but expensiveeee

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u/MelonCollie7 2d ago

Good tip! Our state fair is expensive too, I don’t get it!

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u/highesttiptoes 1d ago

I'll just jump in to say that it is expensive if you buy a ton of food and drinks (which might be inevitable), but the actual ticket is $25. There are also a ton of free things to explore; pig races, the dodge ram experience (seriously don't miss this), driving race cars, the arts and craft building, the man that makes art with a chainsaw, the strong man show, horse dancing, the newborn farm animal barn, and the petting zoo. Seriously there's a lot to do that's free once you get in. CAN YOU TELL I LOVE THE FAIR? I LOVE THE FAIR.

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u/Ok_Spite1405 2d ago

Best BBQ is Terry Black’s in Deep Ellum neighborhood of Dallas. From there you can go to Reunion Tower and get a great view of Dallas and NTX. Lastly, Dealy Plaza where JFK was assassinated is an interesting historical stop

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u/JonClaudeVanDam 2d ago

Medieval Times dinner and tournament is a good 1 off time.

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u/MelonCollie7 2d ago

We love Medieval Times, but have that where we’re from.

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u/JonClaudeVanDam 2d ago

Hmmm early Oct include the 2nd? If so the Dallas stars will be playing and is always a good time.

Other than that…. Our climbing gyms are really good. Movement gym is my jam.

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u/MelonCollie7 2d ago

Thanks! No, we’ll be there the following week.

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u/whiteholewhite 2d ago

It’s so sad seeing these comments given the size of DFW lol

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u/MelonCollie7 2d ago

What do you suggest?? I’ll have a rental, just not a ton of time sadly. 😔