Here is an excellent list of ideas on Dallas day trips the whole family will enjoy!
Dallas, TX, is a fantastic destination and offers some of the most incredible things to do in Texas. The city is brimming with authentic food, live music and entertainment, rich history, and cultural, family-friendly adventures. Discover Dallas day trips under an hour away by car, which we recommend for the entire family.
Dallas is conveniently located near some of the most beautiful towns in Texas, as well as cities and nearby destinations where tourists can experience authentic travel. The city’s surrounding area is incredibly scenic, and vacationers will be thrilled as they take road trips from place to place.
There is a lot to do in Big D, but exploring these nearby destinations will be worth it for a great family outing. We’ve found the best places to get in the car and go—Texas Travel Talk has your back. You’ll have 15-day trips from Dallas, TX, Arlington, and Grand Prairie to Irving and Mesquite (think Rodeo), the Westin Stonebrair Golf Resort & Spa in Frisco, and more.
Here are several fun-filled destinations and day trips from Dallas that we recommend for an excellent family road trip.
Dallas Day Trips Under An Hour
From outdoor activities to live music on the pavilion to visiting the AT&T Stadium (go Texas Rangers) and all the historic buildings in this part of Texas, you can cross off quite a few attractions on your bucket list. You may need to plan another road trip to the big city to visit your favorite day trips.
Whether your family is history buffs or looking for outdoor activities, we’ve got you covered, from horseback riding to lively animals that might blow you a kiss behind bars to the real-life stories of our former president.
1. Arlington, Texas
The average time it takes to get there from Dallas is 20 minutes.
Arlington is a world of wonders, and spending a day here is easy. Depending on what your family likes, there is Texas Live!, Six Flags Over Texas, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Globe Life Park in Arlington, and AT&T Stadium. Texas Live! might just be one of the most underrated venues in Arlington, but it happens to be one of Texas’s top attractions. This is the place to see live concerts, sports events, and unique festivals and events almost every weekend.
With plenty of outdoor fun at Six Flags and tons of indoor fun, you’ll get a chance to see some of Arlington’s most famous attractions in just one day. You may find it beneficial to view ways to save on attractions in Arlington and its surroundings.
2. Grand Prairie, Texas
The average time it takes to get there from Dallas is 15 minutes.
Grand Prairie is a fun day trip from Dallas. You need a day to see the attractions that make this city worthwhile for tourists: Louis Tussaud’s Palace of Wax, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, Lone Star Park, and Epic Waters (an indoor water park that is always open).
Epic Waters offers water slides, surfing, and swimming—it’s an epic place to be when it’s cold outside or even in triple digits in the summer. Traders Village is a huge garage sale out in the open on the weekends.
3. Grapevine, Texas
The average time it takes to get there from Dallas is 25 minutes.
Grapevine is the premier destination in North Texas, and you may want to upgrade to a weekend trip because there’s so much to do, and staying at the Gaylord Texas Resort or the Great Wolf Lodge is worth visiting. Grapevine Mills Mall is an indoor mall with many name-brand stores, such as Nieman Marcus Last Call, Ralph Lauren Factory Store, and H&M. And fun, playful attractions, such as Legoland, SeaLife, Rainforest Cafe, and Peppa Pig World of Play.
Historic downtown Main Street is lined with antique shops, clothing stores, upscale decor shops, and tasting rooms on both sides, and Hotel Vin and Harvest Hall (7 restaurants + 2 bars) have taken over. I love this area, and it’s utterly walkable from beginning to end, with many stops in between.
The city is also known as the Christmas Capital of Texas, and for good reason. If you’ve never been to Grapevine during the holiday season, you’re missing out on snow (ok, fake snow) and a main street with tons of twinkling lights, big fat red bows, music, and photo ops. During this time, the city holds 1,400 events in 40 days. Start at the Visitor Information Center at 636 S. Main St.
Grapevine is home to Main Street Fest in May and GrapeFest in September. Both are excellent festivals, with Main Street Fest better for families with little kids.
Santa Fe-based artists made their way to Grapevine to open the 2nd Meow Wolf, the new era of immersive art and storytelling. Check out Meow Wolf Grapevine, and bring your kids.
Go ahead and spoil the grandkids in Grapevine, Texas!
4. Irving, Texas
The average time it takes to get there from Dallas is 15 minutes.
Toyota Music Factory put Las Colinas (North Irving) back on the map with its restaurants, live music scene, and a big playground for adults and children. It’s the center of all the excitement in Irving, and there are plenty of things to do in Las Colinas that you might want to plan for a full day and into the night.
Then you’ve got the Mandalay Canal on Lake Caroline. It has several popular restaurants with fantastic canal views, including Pacific Table, The Ginger Man Pub, and Hugo’s Invitados. Walking around the canal on a beautiful day is a great way to spend the day outside. Kayaking is also available, and one can rent one on the canal. There is also a love bridge with locks that people put there to begin their love for their partner or someone else. Mine is for my son, Brody.
The Mustang Sculptures in William Square are an icon for Las Colinas and are celebrating 40 years in this space. These larger-than-life, breathtakingly realistic bronze sculptures of nine wild mustangs galloping across a stream are located outside and are always open for viewing and picture-taking.
5. Fort Worth, Texas
The average time it takes to get there from Dallas is 32 minutes.
Even though these two cities are only 35 minutes apart, Fort Worth differs greatly from Dallas. I always say the difference between Dallas and Fort Worth is like night and day. These cities offer many differences. Get your cowboy boots out to visit this laid-back city just west of Dallas.
Fort Worth Culture District, Sundance Square, Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, Cattle drive twice daily in the Stockyards, and Billy Bob’s Texas is a must-visit.
Grapevine Vintage Railroad (Stockyard Station). This train will take you to Grapevine and back. Fort Worth Zoo – a top zoo in Texas. They redesigned the zoo, and I hear it’s even more fabulous. I have not been since the renovations. Fort Worth Botanic Garden is beautiful, and the best time to visit is when it’s not too hot outside, so it’s spring and fall.
Kimbell Art Museum and its galleries are among the top museums in Texas. If you have the time, the Water Gardens downtown are beautiful and free.
6. Mesquite, Texas
The average time it takes to get there from Dallas is 15 minutes.
Mesquite, TX, is the Rodeo Capital of Texas. Only a short drive from Dallas, the annual Mesquite Championship Rodeo will satisfy any family member with a cowboy inner self; plus, this rodeo is so popular that it always sells out on weekends.
Rodeo Dates: Every Saturday night, June through August.
Downtown Mesquite has some unique and eclectic shops and a weekend farmers market.
7. Cedar Hill State Park
The average time it takes to get there from Dallas is 20 minutes.
Grab your hiking gear and head to Cedar Hill State Park, just 20 miles from downtown Dallas. It offers breathtaking views and miles of multi-use hiking and biking trails, making it the perfect day for nature lovers to get outside.
8. Frisco, Texas
The average time it takes to get there from Dallas is 28 minutes.
Frisco, TX, is a great place to visit for sports enthusiasts and is less than a 30-minute drive from Dallas. This city is known as Sports City USA, and Frisco is the city that plays. You’ll surely get in the mood for some football from the Star and Ford Center, Dr. Pepper Ballpark, and Riders Field!
If you’re a gaming enthusiast, visit the National Videogame Museum in Frisco to explore exhibits, play classic games, and learn about gaming history.
9. McKinney, Texas
The average time it takes to get there from Dallas is 38 minutes.
McKinney has one of the best farmers’ markets near Dallas. It’s one of my favorites, but it’s an hour away, so I don’t get out there as much as I would like to. There are rows after rows and around streets of homemade goods, vintage ware, produce, food, drink, and everything you can think of. It’s enormous and located in a fun part of the city.
10. Buc-ees (Denton & Fort Worth)
The average time it takes to get there from Dallas is 36 minutes.
Take your pick. There is a Buc-ees in Fort Worth across the street from the Texas Motor Speedway off Hwy 35 & Hwy 114. Or, another Buc-ees in Denton, TX, off Hwy 35. They are both roughly 38 miles from Dallas. Remember that there is a lot of construction on the roads in this area, and it will probably take you longer to get to either one. If I could suggest, the Buc-ees in Denton might be your best bet because of all the traffic on Highway 114 & I-35.
11. Grandscape The Colony
The average time it takes to get there from Dallas is 29 minutes.
The Colony is rocking with newness all over town, but the spot to be is the Grandscape The Colony. It’s worth a 30-minute drive from the big city. You probably already know what’s out there, but the newest attraction is WorldSprings—the first outdoor mineral springs and spa experience in Texas. And don’t forget to get your tickets to ride the Ferris wheel.
12. Waxahachie, Texas
The average time it takes to get there from Dallas is 30 minutes.
Waxahachie is an adorable town with antiques, boutiques, vintage decor, and one-of-a-kind collectibles. On weekends, there is always something going on in this town, and it is even more special during the holidays.
13. First Monday Canton
The average time it takes to get there from Dallas is 59 minutes.
Do you like to roam through trade days? Well, if you do, there is one about an hour east of Dallas. First Monday Canton has been happening since the 80s and is Texas’s longest and largest trade day. It would take two full days or more to see it all. If you look hard enough, there is free parking; if not, the parking fee is not very reasonable. I don’t know, because I always find free parking.
14. Burleson, Texas
The average time it takes to get there from Dallas is 49 minutes.
If the kids are with you, you will want to check out Jellystone Park in Burleson. It’s the bomb of all resorts in the area. Don’t worry, parents; the area also has wineries! If there is time on your road trip, head to Cleburne to visit the Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum and the state park.
15. Ennis, Texas
The average time it takes to get there from Dallas is 35 minutes.
Where the Bluebonnets roam, Ennis – The Bluebonnet Spirit of Texas holds the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival in April, and this would be the best time to go. Bluebonnets and other wildflowers will be on both sides of the highway and on every corner you turn. Bring your camera for great photo ops.
Well, there you have it –15-day trips from Dallas under an hour away. Have you found your favorite? When are you going? Have fun!
If you’re looking for road trips that are a few hours from Dallas/Fort Worth, check this out (it’s a road trip to Georgetown, TX – What Makes A Great Road Trip From DFW.
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