We spent a fun-filled girl’s weekend in Dallas celebrating my sister’s birthday. She lives in a suburb of Dallas and knew all the best places and things to do in Dallas.
I fell hard for that city and this trip was one of my all-time favorite girls weekends! I’m excited to share all of our favorite things to do in Dallas, I have a feeling you will fall in love with the city too!
9 Fun Things to Do in Dallas on a Girls Weekend
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1. Get Lost in Deep Ellum
Deep Ellum is by far my favorite neighborhood in Dallas. It has a fascinating history that dates back to the 19th century.
It was originally called “Deep Elm” and was settled by freed slaves after the Civil War. The residents pronounced it “Deep Ellum” and the name stuck.
The streets are lined with historic buildings that make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time.
Today it is an eclectic mix of local dives and trendy upscale hot spots.
I would highly recommend taking a Deep Ellum Taste of Texas Tour where you can eat your way through Deep Ellum while discovering the coolest spots and learning the fascinating history of the area!
During the day you’ll find cute shops selling unique and original gifts, outdoor cafes, and vibrant wall murals.
At night you’ll find neon lights lit up, live music and laughter spilling into the streets from nightclubs, lights strung across the streets, and dimly lit restaurant booths illuminated by candlelight.
I would highly recommend visiting Deep Ellum during both the day and night so that you can get the full experience, it really was one of our favorite things to do in Dallas!
Here are a few of our favorite spots to visit at Deep Ellum:
Jade and Clover
is THE cutest plant shop. Our favorite is the plant bar with a wide variety of plants and pots.
The Paddywax Candle Bar
This is also a fun stop on a girl’s weekend.
Take a candle-making class where you’ll pick out your jar and fragrance then learn how to create and pour your own candle.
Emporium Pies
This Deep Ellum favorite serves up rich decadent slices of pie.
Perfect for that mid-afternoon snack. You’ll find seasonal favorites with fun names like “Drop Dead Gourdgeous” and “Lord of the Pies”.
The Original Deep Ellum Candy Company
This faux candy store leads to a secret speakeasy called Truth and Alibi. Yeah, it’s a little cheesy but it is one of our favorite things to do in Dallas on a girl’s weekend!
It is only open at night and you can find the secret code word to enter the speakeasy on their Facebook page.
When we went it was “Curtis Fruit Drop”. Like I said, a little cheesy, but made for plenty of giggles and a memorable night!
Another fun speakeasy is Bodega West 7th in Fort Worth!
Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop
This is the place to go for novelty candy and treats. I mean, where else can you buy Ranch Dressing flavored soda and bacon-flavored saltwater taffy?
We loved picking up some unique treats to bring home to our kids!
1890 Marketplace
Here you’ll find a wide variety of olive oils, balsamic vinegar, spices, herbs, and honey in unique flavors.
You can even sample any of the products. The House Blend balsamic and Salted Honey were our favorites!
Just wander the streets, pop into a boutique shop, or grab a bite at a hipster cafe. There is so much soul and character in this neighborhood, you’re bound to find some place new each time you visit!
2. Relax at Klyde Warren Park
Kudos to the city of Dallas for creating such a fantastic downtown park! The Klyde Warren Park is reminiscent of New York’s Highline Park. It is located on a green space above the freeway and connects Downtown to Uptown.
It is centrally located next to museums and restaurants and offers spectacular views of the city.
The park itself boasts a state-of-the-art playground, a free public lending library, an outdoor restaurant and cafe, food trucks, and a large green space that hosts a variety of community events such as free yoga in the park.
For only $27, you can visits sites such as Klyde Warren Park and many other destinations around Dallas on a cool guided Cruizer Tour!
I especially loved the well-thought-out details. You’ll find strands of twinkle lights in the trees and bistro tables set up around the perimeter of the park.
It’s the perfect spot to read a magazine and sip coffee or chat with girlfriends over lunch.
3. Spend an Afternoon at Trinity Groves
Trinity Groves is fairly new to the Dallas scene. It is a trendy up-and-coming neighborhood. It is located on the banks of the Trinity River at the foot of the iconic Margaret Hunt Hill Suspension Bridge.
Here you will find an outdoor shopping mall and restaurants that feature dishes from around the world.
Try Beto & Son for modern Mexican Food, Amberjax Fish Market Grille for the best seafood around, Off-Site Kitchen for a gourmet burger, or Cake Bar Bakery for a sweet treat.
*And for the best and most unique places to eat in the city, be sure to check out our guide Six Unique Places to Eat in Dallas!
What makes Trinity Groves unique is its Restaurant Concept Incubator program. This is where chefs open a new restaurant concept and if it is successful then they will expand it nationwide.
After you indulge in the food scene, head over to the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge for the best photo-op of the Dallas skyline.
If you have time, take a stroll along the Trinity Skyline Trail. This 4.6-mile paved path runs along the river and is the perfect spot for a walk or jog while taking in the spectacular cityscape.
The Trinity Overlook Park is located on the other side of the bridge and is also a great spot for photos of the Dallas skyline.
4. Buy Locally at the Dallas Farmer’s Market
The Dallas Farmer’s Market consists of both an indoor and outdoor market.
The indoor venue, Market Shops, is filled with artisanal vendors, local specialty shops, and four restaurants. Here you’ll find unique gifts and souvenirs, as well as local foods.
The indoor Market Shops are open seven days a week.
Adjacent to the Market Shops, you’ll find The Shed.
This covered open-air pavilion is filled with local farmers and ranchers selling everything from organic fresh seasonal produce and fruit to pasture-fed beef, farm-fresh eggs, cheese, and all-natural honey.
You can also find food vendors selling homemade bread, jams, and more. The Farmer’s Market at the Shed is open on Saturdays from 9 am-5 pm and Sundays from 10 am-5 pm.
5. Explore Downtown by Scooter
City corners around the world are being taken over by the scooter trend. I’ve always wanted to rent an electric scooter, and Dallas is the perfect city to do that in!
On almost every street corner you’ll find Bird and Lime scooters that you can rent through their app.
You will first need to download the app to activate the scooter. There is a start fee of around $1 then you are charged per minute of usage.
The Lime scooters we rented were .24 cents per minute. The instructions are pretty straightforward on the app.
When you are finished you just leave the scooter where you’re at. This was a great way to see a lot of downtown in a short amount of time.
Another fun option is to book a guided E-Scooter tour. It’s a great way to get an introduction and overview of the sites and history of Dallas with a knowledgeable guide.
Here are a few things worth checking out in Downtown Dallas.
Things to see in Downtown Dallas:
- Thanksgiving Square is free to visit. Take a self-guided tour of the gardens and the chapel with a spiral stained-glass roof.
- Tony Tasset’s 30-foot-tall Eye is a unique sculpture worth seeing in person.
- The Dallas Museum of Art is one of the largest galleries in the US. Entrance is free, but paid tickets are required for special exhibits. The museum is located adjacent to Klyde Warren Park.
- The Nasher Sculpture Center offers interior galleries as well as an outdoor sculpture garden featuring one of the best collections of modern and contemporary sculptures in the world. Tickets are $10 for adults.
- Take the elevator to the top of the Reunion Tower where you can get a birds-eye view of the city on the outdoor viewing platform. You can also grab a bite to eat at the Cloud 9 Café. Tickets to ride to the top of the tower are $17. If you are planning to visit several Dallas attractions, consider buying the City Pass for $49 which includes admission to 4 attractions, including Reunion Tower.
- If you want to explore Uptown, take a free ride on the vintage McKinney Avenue Trolley. Be sure to stop at the West Village for shopping, lunch, and the cool wall murals.
6. Visit the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealy Plaza
November 22, 1963, was a somber day in America’s history. This is the day that President John F Kennedy was assassinated at Dealy Plaza in Dallas, Texas.
A visit to Dallas is not complete without a tour of the Sixth Floor Museum.
Here you’ll learn every detail about the events of that day and see the exact location where Lee Harvey Oswald was perched when he took the life of the beloved American President.
On the street below you can also see an “X” that marks the spot where JFK was hit.
Visitors will take a self-guided audio tour through the museum which is filled with informational displays and exhibits.
This is one of the most popular things to do in Dallas, so it is highly recommended to purchase tickets in advance.
You can also check Groupon for discounted tickets
7. Take a Morning Jog on the Katy Trail
After eating your way through the city and staying up all night chatting, a morning jog along the Katy Trail is the perfect refreshing start to your day. The Katy Trail is a 3.5-mile paved path along an old railroad track.
The trail weaves around the city and is lined with several cafes and restaurants.
The Katy Trail Ice House is one of the more popular restaurants and is known for its BBQ, burgers, and beer garden. You’ll find a fantastic outdoor patio that overlooks the trail. Parking at the Ice House is by valet only.
There are several places to park and access the trail. We chose to park at Cole Park which is a short walk to the trail entrance. There is also free parking along Cambrick Street and other side streets near the park.
8. Enjoy the Fresh Air at White Rock Lake
Sometimes after spending a few days in the city, it’s nice to enjoy some fresh air and wide-open spaces. White Rock Lake is the perfect place to do just that.
This 1,000-acre city lake is located 5 miles outside downtown and is a popular place to escape. On the weekends you’ll find the park filled with locals taking a jog, exploring the lake by kayak, or having a picnic.
There are a wide variety of activities available at White Rock Lake, here are a few recommendations.
Things to do at White Rock Lake:
- Bike or jog along the 9-mile trail.
- Rent a kayak or paddleboard from White Rock Paddle. I love the idea of spending an afternoon with girlfriends paddleboarding around the lake!
- The Bath House Cultural Center once served as a locker room and swimsuit rental in the 1930s for visitors coming to swim in the lake. Today it is a theater showcasing live performances. It is free to enter the Bath House, but tickets are required for performances.
- The White Rock Lake Museum is a small museum located inside the Bath House. Entrance is free and it offers a chance to learn about the history of the lake.
- The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens were named as one of the South’s Best Botanical Gardens by Southern Living Magazine. Check the site for discounts and seasonal events.
- Visit the magnificent DeGoyler House and Gardens at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens (free with paid admission to the Arboretum). The DeGoyler House restaurant also serves up delicious food.
- Take a free cooking class at the Arboretum every Monday.
9. Eat Deep-Fried Food at America’s Biggest State Fair
They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that is definitely the case when it comes to their State Fair!
The Dallas State Fair is the largest state fair in America. It is held every year at the end of September through mid-October at the Dallas Fair Park, a registered National Historic Landmark.
You’ll be greeted by the 55-foot tall Big Tex Statue as he welcomes you to take a ride on the Ferris wheel, try your luck at the Midway games, or indulge in some deep-fried creations.
The Texas State Fair is infamous for its butter sculpture and creative deep-fried foods. Each year a contest is held and there have been some pretty delicious and wacky recipes entered!
Some of the entrants include deep-fried butter, Oreos, Coke, fruit loops, peaches and cream, beer, latte, pickles, twinkies, cookie dough, chicken noodle soup, and even a deep-fried Thanksgiving dinner!
I don’t think there is a food they haven’t attempted to fry!
We loved going at night when everything is lit up. There are live performances, concerts, and fireworks in addition to all of the rides and games.
Check for discount tickets and promotions. While we were there during the opening night they offered $9 tickets if you donated a bottle of Dasani water.
*And for more of the best girls’ trip destinations, check out our girls’ weekend guides in Savannah, Palm Springs, and Scottsdale!
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A few more things to do in Dallas:
There really are so many things to do in Dallas, it’s hard to narrow it down for just one weekend! Here are a few more things that we didn’t have time to do but I would love to go back and experience:
- Visit Crown Hill Memorial Park to see the grave of Bonnie Parker of Bonnie and Clyde.
- Go shopping at Highland Park Village, the country’s oldest outdoor shopping center.
- Tour the 19th-century buildings and Victorian homes at the Dallas Heritage Village.
- Pop into Wild Detectives, a charming bookstore and coffee shop.
- The Texas Theater is not only the first theater in Dallas but is notorious for being the location where Lee Harvey Oswald was captured. The actual chair that he was sitting in when he was arrested has been removed but the spot is marked. While you’re there, catch a live performance or the screening of a cult classic or indy film.
- The George W Bush Presidential Library is a fascinating place with a replica oval office and 9/11 exhibit.
- If you’re a fan of the old Dallas TV series, you’ll enjoy touring the filming set at Southfork Ranch. Guided tours are available at the ranch, or you can book a combo tour to see other sites around Dallas.
- Take a fascinating small-group tour of the famed Dallas Cowboys stadium to see all the places normal fans don’t see!
- Enjoy dinner and a show at Cinepolis Luxury Cinema where you can relax in a reclining chair and eat dinner while watching a movie.
- For a fun way to explore the city, take a 2-hour segway tour through historic Dallas.
- During the summer you can catch a free rooftop movie classic at historic Granada Theater on Wednesday nights.
I hope this list of our favorite things to do in Dallas helps as you plan your girl’s weekend or any trip to Dallas! It is such a fun city, I have no doubt you will fall in love! And if you’re looking for more girls’ trip inspiration, see our guide 11 Best Girls’ Trip Destinations in the US!
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Love your blog, do you have a YouTube Channel as well?
Hi Lakia, I don’t have a YouTube but thanks for checking and thanks for your kind words!