7 Places to Spend the Day Outdoors in Dallas
If an outdoor adventure is what you're looking for, Dallas has you covered. From parks and green spaces to hiking and bike trails, there's an abundance of ways to spend your time outdoors.
Hike The Trinity River Forest
As part of the Trinity River Corridor Project, the Trinity River Audubon Center is the perfect place to enjoy nature as a family. Enjoy the hiking trails, hands-on exhibits and the Children's Discovery Garden. While you're there, check out the more than 50 species of birds or hike the largest urban bottomland hardwood forest in the country. (Free only to members, children age 2 and under, and 75217 residents.)
Take A Walk On The Green Side
Klyde Warren Park is a 5.2-acre park that delivers a comprehensive activities calendar for locals and visitors, including daily food trucks and fitness classes, a dog park, a children's center, games and live music. Connectivity was key in picking the spot above Woodall Rogers Freeway for the park; visitors can get to Klyde Warren via foot, trolley or bicycle from multiple neighborhoods.
Unleash Your Inner Foodie
The Dallas Farmers Market is a one-stop-shop for a weekend adventure. Head outside to The Shed for fresh produce and local goodies, then head inside for lunch. The Market, the indoor food hall and artisanal vendor market, houses more than a dozen food options, and you'll have to pick between tacos, seafood, Vietnamese food, tamales, Cajun dishes and others. Good luck choosing!
Go On A Wilderness Retreat
Just a short drive from Downtown is the Cedar Ridge Preserve featuring 600 acres of preserved wilderness. Explore nine miles of hiking trails, butterfly gardens native-plant nurseries, as well as wild mammals, birds and reptiles. Pack a lunch and enjoy the picnic area while taking in the great scenery and nature of the outdoors.
Hit The Trails
The Katy Trail, a local hotspot, is a popular place for jogging, walking, inline skating, and cycling and runs through the Uptown and Oak Lawn areas of Dallas. It follows the path of the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, known as the MKT, or “the Katy.”
Stroll Through Main Street Garden
Escape to the Main Street Garden park offering a great lawn, toddler play area, dog run, fountains, City Park Cafe and public art installations. During summer months, bring a blanket and catch an al fresco movie on the lawn.
Explore White Rock Lake
For an invigorating run (or walk) do a lap at White Rock Lake. With an incredible view of the Dallas skyline, White Rock Lake is an urban oasis that spans more than 1,015 acres and more than nine miles of trails. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy kayaking, paddle-boarding, fishing, biking and hiking.
