14 Fun Things to Do in Dallas TX for Couples

Dallas is unlike anywhere else in Texas. While Austin is known for its hipster vibes and San Antonio is all about history, this city is much more cosmopolitan, and offers its own unique vibe. There are a ton of fun things to do in Dallas TX for couples and groups alike, so we're here to share them with you!

Whether you are looking for the best restaurants, luxury hotels, or some cute photo spots, we've got you covered. Let's dive right in!

📍 Where is Dallas in Texas?

Dallas is located in the north east of the state of Texas. It is just under 200 miles north of Austin, and 24o north west of San Antonio.

Things to Do in Dallas

Now that you know the basics for getting to Dallas, here are the best things to do in Dallas TX for couples, groups, and anyone else traveling to this Texan city.

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👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻 Things to Do in Dallas TX for Couples

Dallas is a cosmopolitan city, and is typically visited as a bachelor/bachelorette party destination. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it as a couple! We visited together and had a great time. Here are some fun things to do in Dallas TX for couples.

🏙 Things to Do in Dallas TX for Couples #1: Stroll the AT&T Discovery District

This is definitely one of our favorite parts of Dallas! Explore the heart of the city with modern architecture, big grassy areas, and a wide variety of food trucks.

We think this is one of the best things to do in Dallas TX for couples because it is such an enjoyable area to walk around. Discovery District is perfect for a romantic picnic, and also has some fun things to check out, like the giant eyeball!

🎨 Things to Do in Dallas TX for Couples #2: Explore the Art of Downtown Dallas

We couldn't get over how much cool art there is in Dallas! Downtown Dallas is full of fun restaurants, but truly our favorite part about this area was the amount of colorful murals we found. We definitely suggest spending some time to walk around and appreciate all of the vibrant pieces of art scattered around the area.

🎡 Things to Do in Dallas TX for Couples #3: Ride the Ferris Wheel & Eat some BBQ

Dallas is known for their BBQ, so it's an absolute must to try a barbecue spot while in town. We particularly love Ferris Wheeler's Backyard & Barbecue because it's a barbecue joint that has a Ferris wheel that you can ride for free! We honestly think this is one of the best things to do in Dallas TX for couples, as it's a fun and romantic date idea.

📸 Things to Do in Dallas TX for Couples #4: Take Fun Photos at the Sweet Tooth Hotel

If you're into art or photography, then you truly can't miss out on the Sweet Tooth Hotel in Dallas. It actually isn't a hotel, but is a quirky museum and bar located in the heart of the city.

Each room is more incredible than the next, and not only are they super Instagrammable, but they all have a deep message behind them. Each exhibit is designed by a local artist, celebrating the creatives of Dallas, and contributing to encouraging artists.

Not only is the exhibit super fun, but there is a bar at the end as well! They have super cool cocktails, serve cotton candy, and have talented local musicians playing live. This is definitely one of our favorite things to do in Dallas TX for couples, as it's a very unique activity.

🍖 Things to Do in Dallas TX for Couples #5: Go on a Food Tour

One of our absolute favorites things about Dallas is the food! There are so many incredible restaurants, and you could spend weeks just restaurant hopping. We love the idea of a food tour because locals bring you to the very best spots so that you can try local flavors, and experience a ton of delicious food that Dallas has to offer.

Here are a few food tours that we have found:

🧣 Things to Do in Dallas TX for Couples #6: Take a Silk Art Class

Looking for something fun and different to try? Well, here's a new type of art class to add to your bucket list.

Dallas Silk Art offers classes where you learn how to make marble designs on silk. This hands-on workshop is fun, and sends you home with a beautiful souvenir!

👻 Things to Do in Dallas TX for Couples #7: Go on a Ghost Tour

There's something oddly romantic about horror, which is why we love the idea of a ghost tour. Not only can you experience the spirited history of Dallas, but you can even go on a haunted food or pub crawl!

Here are a couple of fun tours that we found: 

🍸 Things to Do in Dallas TX for Couples #8: Sip Cocktails on a Rooftop

Dallas has a number of high rises, and one of the best parts of these tall buildings is the opportunity to get some stunning views.

There are a number of incredible rooftop bars scattered around the city, but our top pick is the Gallery Lounge. This places has great cocktails, as well as some beautiful views of Dallas. We definitely suggest heading here for sunset!

🧖🏻‍♀️ Things to Do in Dallas TX for Couples #9: Have a Spa Day

Looking for one of the most romantic things to do in Dallas TX for couples? Well, a spa date is definitely one of them. There are a number of great spas to choose from, one of the favorite picks being Woodhouse Spa. This spa is a true slice of luxury, and is the perfect place to escape the chaos of the city.

👩🏻‍🌾 Things to Do in Dallas TX for Couples #10: Visit the Farmer's Market

There is nothing better than experiencing local flavors and products, and the farmer's market is the best place to do it.

The Farmer's Market in Dallas is huge and has a ton of stalls from local hot sauces to handmade jewelry, and so much more. This is the perfect place to support the locals, while bringing home an incredible souvenir to your loved ones. Do yourself a favor, and check out Sheer Alternatives!  We are so obsessed with the toothpaste we bought that it's the only one we use now.

The market is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm, and opens at 9 on Saturdays. 

🚐 Things to Do in Dallas TX for Couples #11: Take a Day Trip

While there are certainly enough fun things to do in Dallas TX for couples, we found a few other fun spots outside the city worth checking out. Here are some of the best day trips from Dallas to add to your Texas bucket list.

Fort Worth

If you're looking for true Texan charm, and a bit of history, then head over to Ft Worth, which is just a half hour west of the center of Dallas. Check out one of the many museums, explore the art, or head to a super unique bar located inside of a laundromat!

The Texas Pool

This may just be one of the coolest pools we have ever been to! The Texas Pool is a giant Texas-shaped pool, which is such a fun representation of the state.

Located an hour north of Dallas, this community pool is a non-profit organization, and brings locals together to celebrate the pride of the state. The people there are lovely, and we had such a fun time checking out this unique spot in Texas!

Cleburne

Known as the "stone wall of the west" this town was once a big transportation hub. Now it's a great place to explore its deep history, and is also known for its extensive mountain biking trails. Cleburne is just under an hour from Dallas, making it another great day trip to add to your list.

Waco

Just an hour and a half south of Dallas is the cute Texan town of Waco. We went here for the day and absolutely loved the charm of the town. But the best part was that we went to Texas' only beer spa!

It's located in the Pivovar Hotel, and you can drink beer while bathing in it! The beer is from the brewery itself, which is also a part of the hotel.

Waco is home to Texas' only beer spa.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Things to Do in Dallas TX for Couples or Big Groups

There are so many fun things to do in Dallas TX for couples, but even more if you are a group! Here are a few other cool activities you can do that are perfect for a group trip.

⛵️ Things to Do in Dallas TX for Couples (& Groups) #12: Sail on the Spirit of Dallas

While most other Texan cities have plenty of water surrounding them, Dallas is a bit more limited. However, there is a large lake just outside the center called White Rock Lake. There are boats that sail around the lake, and you can choose one during the day, a sunset sail, or sailing under the stars.

We did this as a couple, and met a bunch of groups that were there for birthdays and bachelorette parties. It's another activity that is BYOB, making this boat ride both fun and affordable.

🍺 Things to Do in Dallas TX for Couples (& Groups) #13: Have a Pedal Party

If you are a big group, one of the most fun things to do in Dallas is to rent a pedal bar. These are BYOB, and give you a large bar to make your own drinks, while pedaling together for your own moving bar. Some of these even include a pub crawl!

💆🏻‍♀️ Things to Do in Dallas TX for Couples (& Groups) #14: Massage Party Bus

Party buses are always a good time. But have you ever heard of a massage party bus? Well, neither did we until we visited Dallas.

Dallas Massage Chair Party Bus offers tours around the city in massage chairs so you can relax and party at the same time! It is BYOB and also has an option for karaoke, making this one of the most unique things to do in Dallas.

Things to do in Dallas TX for Couples: Local Food & Drink

Dallas is definitely one for the foodies! There are so many incredible restaurants to try, as well as unique food options to check out.

🥩 Local Foods to Try in Dallas

Dallas (and Texas in general) is known for their barbecue, and it's an absolute must! The fried chicken is very good, and there are a ton of great options for comfort food and healthy food alike.

Being so close to Texas, you'll also find excellent Mexican food. We definitely suggest going to the farmer's market to try some local treats, as well as some of our restaurant recommendations below.

🍴 The Best Restaurants in Dallas

Where to Stay in Dallas TX for Couples

The best area in Dallas to stay is in the uptown area. Here you can find a lot of chic and trendy hotels in a safe and beautiful area. Here are some hotels that we recommend checking out:

🏨 Recommended Hotels in Dallas

• Canvas Hotel Dallas: Boutique hotel with cool urban decor and a rooftop pool
• The Joule: we love this one for it's incredible pool jutting out of the building. It also has a fitness center, and great views of the city
• Mint House Dallas: spacious, well-lit hotel with great views, a business center and fitness center

Other Things to Know About Visiting Dallas TX

Now that you know the best things to do in Dallas TX for couples, how to get around, and more, let's cover a few final things.

☀️ Weather in Dallas, Texas

Dallas can get extremely hot! But unlike some other parts of Texas, there are actual seasons in this city. The winters can drop into the forties or fifties, but it certainly doesn't get as cold as most other parts of the US. The summers can be brutally hot, going well over 100 degrees. We visited in July, and it was 105 degrees every day.

📆 What is the Best Season in Dallas Texas to Visit?

We would definitely suggest visiting Dallas in either the fall or spring. The weather then is much more mild than the summer, but can be hot enough to feel like summer. We also think that October is a great month to visit particularly, as this is when the annual Texas State Fair is held.

👗 What Should I Wear on a Trip to Dallas?

Every city in Texas is different, and the general dress code also varies. Dallas is definitely a much more cosmopolitan city, so you'll see people dressing up a bit more. Girls typically wear nice dresses and cowboy boots, or you could wear a pair of regular heels for going out. Men also dress nice, but you don't need to worry about wearing anything too fancy, unless you're going to a rooftop bar or fancy restaurant.

🧳 Packing For a Trip to Dallas, Texas

Here are some things you'll want to pack for your trip to Dallas:

• Sunscreen
• Light and trendy clothing
• Heels or dress shoes
• Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
• Zippered Bag or Backpack (to secure your belongings) - have a look at these backpacks for travelers!
• Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are super long lasting and sturdy)
• Camera (we use the Sony A7Riii)
• Standard Lens for a dynamic range (we use the Sony GM 24-70)
• Wide Lens to capture buildings (we use the Sony GM 14 F1.8)

🤔 Is Dallas a Good Tourist Destination?

Dallas is certainly overlooked by Austin and some other places in Texas. However, we loved our visit to Dallas, and think it's definitely a great place to visit for those wanting a quick getaway.

It's particularly great for foodies, art lovers, and a more cosmopolitan crowd.

⏳How Many Days in Dallas is Enough?

We think a weekend is the perfect amount of time to be able to enjoy the best that Dallas has to offer.

Dallas is a great city to add to your list of places to visit in Texas, and one we had a lot of fun in. You can easily enjoy Dallas for a weekend, and experience many of the great things that it has to offer.

Plan on visiting other parts of Texas? We have several Texas travel guides coming up! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the know, as well as to receive exclusive content and discounts. Want to visit other fun cities in the US? We also have quite a few other US travel guides for you to check out.

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