Family Fun

Western Experiences

A visit to Old City Park is possibly one of the best ways to dive into history and learn about the pioneer western life in Dallas during the 1800-1900s era. The historical society has transformed and restored original buildings to create a representation of village life when Dallas was first founded, complete with a school, bank, doctor’s office, blacksmith store and farmstead.

Make a trip Downtown and have some fun taking pictures with the cattle drive sculptures at Pioneer Plaza. Tucked between the skyscrapers and urban development of Downtown Dallas, the monument highlights and commemorates the trails that brought the first settlers to Dallas and the first cattle to market.

With so many choices regarding style, types of leather and color choice, you'll want to shop at an establishment which can accommodate all the sizes in your family with a broad range of options and with specialty fitters. Check out Wild Bills Western Store for the full western shopping experience that will have you looking western chic in no time.

Theaters and Museums

The largest of its kind in the Southwest, the Dallas Children's Theater reaches an estimated audience of 250,000 youth annually and is constantly revving up its wide range of family-friendly productions to provide quality shows to spectators. Both American Theater and TIME magazine named the Dallas Children's Theatre as one of the best family theaters in the nation.

Home to the city's oldest remaining fire station, Fair Park Fire Station (1907), this site, now The Dallas Firefighter Museum, offers a glimpse at the important history of fire rescue. See how horse-drawn steam pumps used to battle blazes in the 19th century have evolved into the equipment used today.

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, home to 11 permanent exhibit halls and various traveling exhibitions throughout the year, delivers hours of fun for children, adults and life-long learners alike. Catch a view of Downtown Dallas from the museum's glass-encased elevator as you work your way up to the top floor and back down and stop by the earthquake stimulator before taking on a virtual Olympic athlete in a race.

Outdoor Outings

The adventure at the Dallas World Aquarium begins at the top of the rainforest exhibit, where exotic birds and lounging sloths can be seen along with a wide array of animals that are part of the many conservation projects.

Take the family for a hike along the Trinity Audubon Center’s five miles of trails. Birdwatching is a popular activity at the center as well, and there’s also an indoor exhibit hall to learn more about the plants and animals that are native to the lands.

With six animal zones to explore, the Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park is great for families interested in learning more about marine life. The Freshwater Zone teaches visitors about creatures that live in our lakes and streams, while Stingray Bay shows off its namesake and you can touch and feed them as well.

Located inside Fair Park, Texas Discovery Gardens is a 7.5-acre botanic garden featuring native and adapted plants. Witness nature's intricate web of life through guided walking tours that allow visitors to see birds, frogs and other native wildlife.

Recognized as one of the country’s top 10 zoos by USA Today, the Dallas Zoo is the largest zoological experience in Texas, with a 106-acre park, thousands of animals and an education department that offers programs for all ages.