Dallas is a city so iconic we have not one but two TV shows named after our lovely city (so what if one is a remake).
Dallas has some of the best attractions, restaurants, and tasty treats in all of Texas — I'm looking at you Milk & Cream. And considering how big we do in Texas, that says a lot. Dallas also happens to have the most underrated skyline in the country imo.
There's also a ton of things to see and do just outside of Dallas. All the activities on this list will make for a memorable day.
@themilkncreamSwim at Blue Lagoon
@cassidyjo_Time from Dallas: 3 hours
You're sure to have a relaxing day whether you love being in the water or just being near it. The Blue Lagoon might just have the clearest water in all of Texas. It definitely ranks as one of our state's best swimming spots. You can even Scuba dive there.
Take your doggo to Red Bud Park
@12paws2feetsTime from Dallas: 3 hours
This island is actually an off-leash dog park. Everywhere you look there are playful dogs scampering about and swimming in the gorgeous waters. Wait til you see all the happy puppers there! Yours included.
Stop and smell the roses
@bellamainieroTime from Dallas: 3 hours
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet if it was at The Gardens of the American Rose Center. You've probably never seen as many flowers as the Garden grows — they have 20,000 different kinds of roses. Basically, if it's gorgeous and a rose it's here.
Put on your best hat and tour the Cowboy museum
Via National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum | Facebook
Time from Dallas: 3 hours
There is plenty to do in Oklahoma City and top of the list is the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Be sure to visit the gift shop for locally sourced turquoise jewelry to complete your next boho look.
Smell the Azaleas
@trail_gurlTime from Dallas: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Tyler, Texas residents first planted azaleas back in 1929. Since then, people flock from all over Texas to walk one of two trails to see all these bright flowers.
Drink some unique, fancy soda
Via Fizzy Swig Specialty Sodas LLC | Facebook
Time from Dallas: 1 hour
Don't you dare call these one-of-a-kind creations pop! You might not want to call them cokes either. Athens Fizzy Swig Specialty Sodas serves up unique creations like sour patch kids cherry soda, kiwi Sprite, peach Italian cream, and Coca-Cola cake—which is made with Coke, chocolate, and cupcake flavoring. Yummy!
Think happy shiplap thoughts
@alina.juopperiTime from Dallas: 1 hour and 30 minutes
You'll want to redecorate everything in your pad once you step foot into Chip and Joanna's official store. The store makes it so easy to recreate their signature style in your own home. Plus, there's a bakery. So you can shop with cookies.
Pick a balloon to root for
@quesiediaTime from Dallas: 2 hours
Ok, so this one you might need to plan a bit. Every summer you can see the Great Texas Balloon Race. Thankfully, you can appreciate this one from the safety of the ground. There's also plenty of activities to do as well as live entertainment.
Try scuba diving
@themisslayneTime from Dallas: 1 hour
Athens Scuba Park is a great place to start for anyone interested in taking their underwater game to the next level. The trained instructors will guide you through your first experience on their cute and cozy lake. There are even 35 sunken wrecks you can you swim to.
See a real white tiger
@kloza00Time from Dallas: 1 hour
Located north-west of Dallas on the way to Boyd is the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary. Not only will you have a memorable day here seeing all the beautiful animals but you can leave knowing that you've helped an important cause—nearly all of the animals at the sanctuary were abused or abandoned. There are close to 60 different animals that you'll see on your tour. It's hard to believe anything that cute could be dangerous.
Swim at Turner Falls
@jennyy_796Time from Dallas: 2 hours
You'll have to head into Oklahoma to see this pristine watering hole. The coolest part is the waterfall—the tallest in Oklahoma.
Gamble a little
@winstar_worldTime from Dallas: 1 hour and 30 minutes
The WinStar World Casino and Resort is the biggest casino in Oklahoma. Don't feel like gambling? It's a great place for people watching.
Make yourself famous at the Billy the Kid Museum
@thishappyhippieTime from Dallas: 1 hour and 40 minutes
While the real-life Billy the Kid might not have been as cute as his Young Guns counterpart, you can still marvel at the life of this (in)famous cowboy. The museum also happens to be free. So, you can use that money on some shoes or a much-needed/totally-frivolous trip to Target.
Descend into the earth at the Inner Space Cavern
@areli_mancillasTime from Dallas: 2 hours and 30 minutes
The Caverns are simply amazing to explore. One of the best-preserved caves systems in Texas, the caves were first discovered in the 1960s. The Inner Space Caverns were actually created by water gradually flowing through rocks over millions of years. I don't even have the patience to avoid next-season spoilers. Just a heads-up, the caves aren't stroller or wheelchair accessible.
Celebrate a Texas institution
@moovouTime from Dallas: 30 minutes
Cattle continues to be an important part of Texas business and culture. One of the best ways to celebrate its importance is at the Fort Worth Stockyards (or munching on a delicious steak!). There are cute stores and you can catch one of their twice-daily cattle drives.
Explore the great outdoors
@idawhitemanTime from Dallas: 3 hours
Beavers Bend State Park in Oklahoma has plenty of cool things to do. There's hiking trails, a golf course, fishing, and great places to swim. The best part though—the unbelievable views.
Drink more Dr. Peppers than Forest Gump
@_candaceklein_Time from Dallas: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Well, maybe you don't want to do that. But you do want to see one of the strangest museums there is—the Dr. Pepper Musuem. There is the Liquid Laboratory with special presentations where they talk about things you can cook with Dr. Pepper. There's an old fashioned soda shop.
See an arboretum
@sea.hermit.turtleembedded via
Time from Dallas: just over 1 hour
The East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society doesn't just have cute gardens and two miles of paths. There is also a replica one-room schoolhouse and a restored barn.
Have a beach day
@jenschuTime from Dallas: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Lake Texoma is a perfect place to spend the day relaxing if you don't feel heading out to the gulf. Bonus—you don't have to shake all that salt out of your hair. Sometimes can get busy but the lake is so big it's normally not too bad.
Hunt for a bargain
@missprissfashionTime from Dallas: just over 1 hour
Ok, being honest. So this one can you only spontaneously go to on the four days before the first Monday of the month (it sounds more complicated than it is). That means there are 48 days a year you can spontaneously take a day trip to Canton to see what claims to be the first flea market in the world. If you don't find something tugging at your purse here you aren't looking hard enough.
Go dinosaur hunting
@nhatseafoodTime from Dallas: 1 hour and 30 minutes
The entrance to Dinosaur Valley State Park is flanked by two life-size dinosaur statues. A neat way to see the park is by following the real dinosaur footprints. It's not a bad idea to bring water shoes if you plan on doing a lot of exploring.
Stop and smell the roses
@oh_maci_darlingTime from Dallas: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Tyler, Texas takes the cake for not just having beautiful azalea gardens but also the largest municipal rose garden in the country. Make sure your phone has plenty of memory before heading down—you're gonna use it all.
Head to the outlets
@justnelehTime from Dallas: 30 minutes
I know this one isn't exciting, but who doesn't love a good outlet mall. In fact, its probably a modern necessity. And since it's only a half hour away, you can head home, hit Target, and make it a bargain kinda day. There's a Tanger Outlets in Terell and one in Fort Worth.
Get some culture
@une_leeTime from Dallas: 45 minutes
The Kimball Art Museum in Fort Worth is a great little place to soak up culture and see some art. In addition to the cool stuff inside, its worth having a walk around to see the sculptures outside as well as the building itself.
Step into a classic movie
@last_unicorn_91Time from Dallas: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Well, I do declare you should go to Jefferson to see the Gone with the Wind Museum. There's even a gift shop full of collectables complete with a Gone with the Wind cookbook.
Keep up the trend
Via Gone With the Wind Remembered Museum and Gift Shop | Facebook
Time from Dallas: 1 hour
Why good sir, why not see another Gone with Wind museum. Southwest of Dallas in Cleburne is another museum dedicated to the quintessential southern movie. This museum also has one-of-a-kind pieces of memorabilia as well as a cute gift shop.
Have an adventure
Via Thomas Falls Zip-line & Outdoor Adventures | Facebook
Time from Dallas: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Thomas Falls Event Center has some amazing activities. If ziplining isn't your thing (my feet like the ground too), there's a water obstacle course, paddboats, volleyball, and lots of other things to do.
Stock up on the freshest groceries
@organic_angeTime from Dallas: 1 hour
On the weekends, the Athens Farmers Market is a great place to stock up on fresh groceries for the week. There's plenty of local farmers and vendors selling tasty treats. And don't worry, it isn't just kale!
See how Texans used to live
@krupanutTime from Dallas: 1 hour
The Pioneer Village in Corsicana is a little slice of the past. You can take a tour and see a bunch of replica buildings—all made from logs. You can see a trading post, a blacksmith's shop, a general store and several other buildings. There's also a stagecoach and outdoor jail. John Wayne would definitely feel at home here.
Stroll through the Chandor Gardens
@walkawhilewithmeTime from Dallas: 1 hour
These gorgeous gardens have a pool, waterfall, and other pretty features. The gardens combine an English with Chinese aesthetic for a unique feel. The on-site mansion is often booked for weddings and parties.
Luciano Frattolin is taken away in custody from the Essex County Court in Elizabethtown, New York on Friday, July 24, 2026. Luciano Frattolin charged with 2nd-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse.
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Police officers open the back of a recovered truck during a press conference regarding Project 24K, a joint investigation into the theft of gold from Pearson International Airport, in Brampton, Ont., on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
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The Rockyview General Hospital is pictured in Calgary, Thursday, March 20, 2025.
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This composite image shows, left to right, B.C. NDP Leader David Eby in Vancouver, on April 13, 2026; B.C. Conservative interim Leader Lorne Doerkson, in Vancouver, on Sept. 22, 2026; B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan in Victoria, on Sept. 23, 2026.
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B.C. Premier David Eby, back, and outgoing premier John Horgan embrace during a swearing in ceremony where Eby became the province's 37th premier at the Musqueam Nation, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, Nov. 18, 2022.
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