7 Fun Activities to Do This Fall

It's fall, y'all! With the sweltering heat behind us and many events being offered in person again, this autumn in Dallas is one to fully embrace! Whether you're enjoying the crisper air at some of these outdoor events or experiencing culture indoors, the city has plenty to offer to help you celebrate the colors and sounds of this beautiful season.

Choose decorative pumpkins at the Dallas Farmers Market Pumpkin Patch - From now until Oct. 31, visit Downtown's famous farmers market to peruse the pumpkins and gourds available inside The Shed, an open-air market. The deep oranges and greens of the pumpkins brought in from Floydada, Texas are eye-catching and make for a great photo backdrop. Choose a few to take home with you for a decorative display before patronizing some of the other local farmer's goodies. Local honey, fresh seasonal vegetables, grass-fed beef, pasture-raised eggs, cheese and wine are just a few of the items you can pick up from artisans on the weekends. And, weekday happy hour specials at Rex's Seafood and Market include $2 premium oysters on the half shell and $2 off wines by the glass, so make sure you support the Market's great restaurants while pumpkin shopping.

Adopt a "presidential" pup at the Bush Center - The George W. Bush Presidential Center has a 15-acre park onsite open to visitors. Grab your furry friend(s) and visit on Oct. 16 for their free "Pups in the Park" event, where you can join in on a nice fall nature walk, get puppy treats and even have the opportunity to adopt a pet from the SPCA (they'll have an adoption truck onsite). Enter to win a shot at a "Pampered Pooch Package" from the Barking Hound Village and enjoy the 53 different wildflower varieties throughout the park. While the permanent exhibit is currently closed, the "Out of Many, One: Portraits of America's Immigrants" special exhibit is open, if you'd like to visit while you're there.

Create your own skyscraper at the Perot's new exhibit - You don't have to be a kid to love playing with Legos! At the Perot Museum of Nature and Science's new exhibit, "Towers of Tomorrow with Lego Bricks," you'll find 20 skyscrapers from around the world such as the Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, Shanghai Tower, Taipei 101 and more, erected by Lego extraordinaire Ryan McNaught. One of just 21 official Lego professionals across the globe, your Lego-loving kids and friends can't miss his impeccable work. Take a stab at building your own skyscraper creation with some of the 200,000 Lego blocks in the Perot's guest construction areas, and you'll have an even deeper appreciation for McNaught's genius. Be one of the first to see the exhibit this fall!

Take in some buggy sights at the Arboretum - For Dallas natives, Autumn at the Arboretum is a quintessential part of welcoming fall to our city, since it's a wonderful assortment of fall colors with plenty of family activities available. This year's pumpkin village is decorated with nearly 100,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash in a "Bugtopia" theme. If you know some little ones who love insects of any kind, they'll love the Arboretum's pumpkin village, as well as the "Insect Encounters" featuring expert demos and bug releases. Then there's "Halloweekend" happening Oct. 30 and Oct. 31 complete with petting zoo, music and a chance to win Holiday at the Arboretum tickets at the "Dress Like a Bug" contest! Bottom line? There's always something to do at the Arboretum during this time of year.

Sip a delicious margarita atop a bridge - Fresh air and yummy beverages make a winning combination, so visit Dallas' most innovative green space at Klyde Warren Park for a drink at the Mi Cocina Pop-Up Bar on weekends in October. Wind down with an Orange Swirl Margarita and a food truck treat after enjoying lawn games including Giant Connect 4 or Putt-Putt Golf. At the park on Saturdays, you'll find "Mindfulness Meditation" with the Dallas Yoga Center or take advantage of any of the free fitness classes onsite.

Celebrate "Day of the Dead" with the DSO - This unique Mexican holiday, where families remember their deceased loved ones through various traditions such as eating and other celebrations, will be honored by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at a special concert on Oct. 31. A family-friendly event, the Dia de los Muertos Concert would be perfect for fans of the Disney film "Coco" or anyone with an appreciation for Latin American music and culture.

Head to Trinity Groves for some brews and games - Boasting everyone's favorite board games including Risk, Life and Battleship, plus cornhole and more, Steam Theory Brewing Company is a prime spot for a cocktail, craft beer or glass of wine. The beer and wing flight pairing gets you a little bit of everything, or you could order up a classic like the sourdough grilled cheese to accompany an afternoon of fun. On Wednesdays, Steam Theory has trivia nights if you're feeling competitive, and every second and fourth Monday, hit up Retro Video Game Night at the brewery. Pacman, anyone?