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!
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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.
Dallas is in the north east of Texas.
How to Get to Dallas, Texas
Dallas is a pretty easy city to reach from many places in the US. Depending on where you are coming from will depend the easiest or cheapest way to get there, but chances are you'll want to fly there.
Flying into Dallas, Texas
The airport of Dallas-Ft Worth is located right between Dallas and Ft Worth, just 15-20 minutes outside the city. There are a ton of domestic cities which fly into Dallas, as well as a few international ones.
Cities That Fly to Dallas TX
Cities in Texas that fly direct to Dallas include Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Brownsville, College Station, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Harlingen, Killeen, Laredo, Longview, McAllen, Midland, San Angelo, San Antonio, Texarcana, Waco, and Wichita.
The domestic cities that fly into Dallas include Alexandria, Alberquerque, Anchorage, Asheville, Aspen, Atlanta, Augusta, Bakersfield, Baltimore, Baton Rouge, Beaumont, Bentonville, Billings, Bismarck, Bloomington, Boise, Boston, Bristol, Buffalo, Burbank, Carlsbad, Cedar Rapids, Champaign, Charleston, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Clovis, Colorado Springs, Columbia, Dayton, Des Moines, Denver, Detroit, Durango, Eugene, Evansville, Fargo, Fayetteville, Flagstaff, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Myers, Fort Smith, Fort Walton, Fort Wayne, Fresno, Gainesville, Garden City, Grand Island, Grand Rapids, Greensboro, Greenville, Gulfport, Harrison, Honolulu, Hot Springs, Houston, Huntsville, Idaho Falls, Indianapolis. Jackson, Jacksonville, Kahului, Kalispell, Kansas City, Knoxville, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Las Vegas, Lawton, Lexington, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Louisville, Lubbock, Madison, Memphis, Miami, Middletown, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Missoula, Mobile, Moline, Monroe, Montgomery, Montrose, Myrtle Beach, Nashville, Newark, New Orleans, Norfolk, New York, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Orlando, Peoria, Pheonix, Philadelphia, Portland, Providence, Raleigh, Rapid City, Reno, Richmond, Roswell, Sacramento, San Angelo, Saint Louis, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, San Juan, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Fe, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seattle, Shreveport, Sioux Falls, South Bend, Spokane, Springfield, Stillwater, Syracuse, Tallahasee, Tampa, Traverse City, Tucson, Tulsa, Tyler, Vail, Washington DC, West Palm Beach, Wilmington, and Yuma.
International cities that fly to Dallas include Aguascalientes, Amsterdam, Belgrade, Bogota, Buenos Aires, Cabo, Calgary, Cancun, Chihuahua, Cozumel, Doha, Dubai, Dublin, Frankfurt, Guadalajara, Guanacaste, Guatemala City, Istanbul, Leon, London, Madrid, Merida, Mexico City, Montego Bay, Monterrey, Morelia, Oaxaca, Ontario, Panama City, Paris, Puerto Vallarta, Queretaro, Rome, San Jose, San Luis Potosi, San Salvador, Santa Ana, Santiago, Savannah, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Torreon, Vancouver, and Zacatecas.
Flight Tip: Using Skyscanner you can use the calendar feature to see which are the cheapest dates for flying there.
Search for a flight to Dallas:
How to Get from the Dallas Airport to the City
It is super easy to get to the city of Dallas from the Airport. You can either rent a car from the airport, take an Uber, or take the DART train which connects you from the airport to the city every 15 minutes. It runs from 4 am til midnight, so is a convenient and affordable option.
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.
Dallas has a ton of cool art to check out.
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.
The Sweet Tooth Hotel is full of fun exhibitions.
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.
The Farmer's Market is a great way to experience local products.
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.
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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!
This is a fun activity for groups traveling to Dallas.
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.
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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.
Texas is known for its delicious comfort food.
The Best Restaurants in Dallas
Truck yard is a fun Texas-styled bar and restaurant.
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How Do People Get Around in Dallas Texas?
Unlike most cosmopolitan cities, Dallas is a pretty car-friendly city. There are both free and paid parking options throughout the city, and we never had such a hard time finding a spot. We also loved having a car so that we could explore some of the cool surroundings, which would be a bit more difficult to reach without having a car.
Is Dallas a Walkable City?
Dallas is definitely walkable to some extent! We had a car and found it to be super helpful, but if you like to do things on foot, and aren't visiting in the summer, you can definitely walk around the uptown and downtown areas.
How Do You Get Around in Dallas Without a Car?
If you're not a huge walker, and don't have a car, no worries! There is public transportation in Dallas, and it's easy to use. The DART (Dalla area Rapid Transit) has a system of both buses and trains, connecting several areas of the city and its surroundings. It operates from 5 am to midnight, and has options for single tickets, day passes, and monthly passes.
Another option for getting around Dallas is to take Uber or Lyft, which are the two most popular ride sharing apps in the US.
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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:
- 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
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Is Dallas Safe?
Just like a lot of cities, there are definitely areas of Dallas that are perfectly safe, while there are others that you should really avoid.
The uptown area of Dallas is perfectly safe, while there are certainly some sketchy people in the downtown area. Make sure to be mindful of your belongings, and don't keep things on site inside of your car.
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Is It Safe to Walk at Night in Downtown Dallas?
We would honestly avoid downtown Dallas late at night, or just stick to the taking an Uber if it is very late. We didn't have any issues, but there were a lot of shady people walking the streets, and it's better to be safe than sorry!
Downtown Dallas is great to walk around, but stick to exploring during the day.
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.
Dallas is a place where you can dress up more.
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)
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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.
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Absolutely! Dallas, Texas offers plenty of exciting activities for couples. Me and my partner have apparently recently been to some places that are listed here, and can say that that was fun! We usually can’t find any interesting places that could catch our eyes, but googling helps hahaahha. We thought that TX is boring because we have been to lots of cafes and stuff, but TX is more than that actually. Even just walkin around may be cool if you appreciate what is around you and your partner. Enjoy yourselves, break the routine days, take a walk and go love!