14 Fun Things to do in Downtown Dallas

Dallas is one of the most vibrant and dynamic cities in Texas and it has a lot to offer every visitor. Whether you’re looking for iconic landmarks and locals’ favorites or a hidden gem, we compiled a list of fun things to do in downtown Dallas!

List of fun things to do in downtown Dallas

1. Visit the Dallas Museum of Art
2. Go to the Observatory at the Reunion Tower
3. Visit the Dallas World Aquarium
4. Spend a Day at Klyde Warren Park
5. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
6. Check Out the Perot Museum of Nature and Science
7. Shop at the Dallas Farmers Market
8. Stroll the Pioneer Plaza
9. Catch a Show from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at Meyerson Symphony Center
10. Marvel at the Nasher Sculpture Center
11. Spend a Day at the Crow Museum of Asian Art of The University of Texas at Dallas
12. Experience the Museum of Illusions Dallas
13. Take a Picture at the Giant Eyeball
14. Catch a Show at the Winspear Opera House

1- Visit the Dallas Museum of Art

Location: 1717 N Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201

Located in the vibrant heart of Dallas’ Arts District, the Dallas Art Museum hosts a variety of art exhibitions and historical artifacts. Currently, you can walk through an exhibition on Picasso’s Muses or the Keir Collection of Islamic Art gallery. Stop by one of the largest art museums in America if you’re looking for something to do in downtown Dallas! 

2- Go to the Observatory at the Reunion Tower

Location: 300 Reunion Blvd E, Dallas, TX 75207

The shining gem of the downtown Dallas skyline, the Reunion Tower observation deck offers visitors a 470-foot-high, 360-degree view of the gorgeous skyline of downtown Dallas. With a delicious casual restaurant and a cocktail bar, the Reunion Tower is a must-visit if you’re looking for things to do in downtown Dallas. 

3- Visit the Dallas World Aquarium

Location: 1801 N Griffin St, Dallas, TX 75202

With how random the Texas weather can be, we have an indoor-recommendation that you should add to your list of things to do in downtown Dallas: the Dallas World Aquarium. Visitors can get a first-hand look at life in our vast, expansive oceans. With a colorful variety of wildlife, ranging from Japanese crabs and vibrant jellyfish to sea dragons and beautiful birds, the Dallas World Aquarium is a great option if you’re looking for something to do in downtown Dallas

4- Spend a Day at Klyde Warren Park

Location: 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX 75201

A stroke of nature on the concrete canvas that is downtown Dallas, Klyde Warren Park is a popular park that often plays host to events like the Independence Day Celebration and Jazz Under the Stars. Designed by an award-winning architect, Klyde Warren Park offers unique and impressive designs that still let visitors wind down and relax. We recommend attending the upcoming tree-lighting ceremony if you’re looking for things to do in downtown Dallas!

5- The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

Location: 411 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75202

Located on the sixth floor (surprise, surprise) of the Dallas County Administration Building, the Sixth Floor Museum has become a city-wide favorite and is one of the most visited historic sites in all of Texas. The museum highlights the legacy of former President John F. Kennedy, from details from his life to the impact of his policies. Check it out if you’re looking for something to do in downtown Dallas!

6- Check Out the Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Location: 2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX 75201

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science offers a detailed look at natural history for curious minds of all ages to enjoy. Whether you love dinosaurs, space, or even natural disasters, the Perot Museum of Natural Science is a good place to add to your list of things to do in downtown Dallas!

7- Shop at the Dallas Farmers Market

Location: 920 S Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201

Inside The Shed Pavilion, the Dallas Farmers Market is the premiere market for all things, organic, seasonal, and handcrafted. Open from morning to evening, the Dallas Farmers Market is a great place to start your day of things to do in downtown Dallas!

8- Stroll the Pioneer Plaza

Location: 1428 Young St, Dallas, TX 75202

Tucked in between a forest of skyscrapers is a beautiful park that commemorates Dallas’ history and beginnings. The Pioneer Plaza is a public park in downtown Dallas that features all sorts of native plants and trees and a quiet little stream that flows through the park. Beautifully adorned by several bronze sculptures of longhorn steers being driven by cowboys on horses, Pioneer Plaza would make for a great photo-op for people looking for things to do in downtown Dallas!

9- Catch a Show from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at Meyerson Symphony Center

Location: 2301 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201

A stunningly-designed concert hall and a group of talented musicians will make for a magical night for anyone looking for something to do in downtown Dallas. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra has made its home at the Meyerson Symphony Center and hosts shows tailored to everyone’s taste: classical, modern, pop, and jazz. Ranked one of the most esteemed orchestra halls on the planet, it’s no wonder that it has become one of Dallas’ most visited attractions!

10- Marvel at the Nasher Sculpture Center

Location: 2001 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201

Nestled on a 2.4 acre plot of green and within walking distance of other museums on this list, the Nasher Sculpture Center has made a name for itself for not only displaying beautiful works of art, but for being a work of art. Designed by architect Renzo Piano, the Nasher Sculpture Center primarily displays modern and contemporary art pieces from the Patsy and Raymond Nasher collections. With plenty of gorgeous green groves on site, visitors can enjoy refreshing art and fresh air among other things to do in downtown Dallas!

11- Spend a Day at the Crow Museum of Asian Art of The University of Texas at Dallas

Location: 2010 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201

Established in 1998, the Crow Museum of Asian Art is dedicated to displaying the wide array of modern and ancient art from countries like China, Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Drawing in art-lovers and tourists alike, we recommend stopping by the Crow Museum if you’re looking for something to do in downtown Dallas. 

12- Experience the Museum of Illusions Dallas

Location: 701 Ross Ave, Dallas, TX 75202

For fans of the weird and confusing, the Museum of Illusions has recently opened a location in Dallas. Gaining fame for their fun use of immersive optical illusions and exploits, the Museum of Illusions has several rooms and installations designed to play tricks on even the suspecting visitor’s eyes. It is a relatively short experience, so we recommend making it a stop on your list of things to do in downtown Dallas!

13- Take a Picture at the Giant Eyeball

Location: 1601 Main St, Dallas, TX 75201

Another one for the fans of the word and bizarre, the Giant Eyeball that rests on Main Street is an enormous sculpture of the human eyeball. Created by Tony Tassset in 2007, the fiberglass sculpture stands 30 feet tall and continues to awe, or confuse, tourists and locals alike.

14- Catch a Show at the Winspear Opera House

Location: 2403 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201

The modern design of the Winspear Opera House became famous for its iconic horseshoe shape. Hosting everything from ballet and musical theater to classical opera, the Winspear Opera House has a capacity of over 2,000 people and plans to leave every single one impressed and inspired. We recommend closing out your week in Dallas with a show at the Winspear Opera House!

Now that you’ve caught a glimpse of the dynamic experiences that Dallas has to offer, we hope this list made it easier for you to plan your trip. We recommend making your first stop at the Reunion Tower observation deck and get your skyline photos done on day one!