11 Outdoor Activities to Do in Dallas-Fort Worth
(Updated: 2023)
DFW is a cultural and economic hub consisting of over 10 counties; the largest metroplex in Texas! But it’s more than just city and highway - it’s also filled with outdoor adventure and destinations if you look for it. From sprawling parks to scenic trails, this vibrant region offers a plethora of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Engage in thrilling activities such as hiking, strolling, and kayaking in stunning natural landscapes.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area has so much to offer. Keep reading for outdoor adventures in Dallas-Fort Worth.
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1. Walk the beautiful Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden
The Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden is a beautifully structured 66-acre garden in East Dallas. Escape the city bustle for quaint beauty and blooms. The park backs up to White Rock Lake (listed below), so you can visit both at once!
Location: 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
2. Catch a movie screening at a drive-in movie theater
The ultimate movie screening option - just order your tickets online, pull up for your viewing, tune in your radio to the station provided, and enjoy from your vehicle. A nice alternative to a movie theatre that gets you outdoors!
Here are a few drive-in movie theaters in the DFW area:
Coyote Drive-In - Fort Worth, TX
Fun Movie Grill - Locations in Carrollton & Irving, TX
Galaxy Drive-In - Ennis, TX
3. Hike through the Cedar Ridge Preserve
If you are a nature lover, an escape from the city is closer than you think. Cedar Ridge Preserve is 603 acres of wildlife and protected ecosystems. There are 9 miles of hiking trails and beautiful views from some of the trails.
Come early in the morning to get ahead of some of the crowds, especially on weekends. All in all, it’s one of the best hiking locations outside of Dallas in my opinion.
Location: 7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75249, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
4. Stroll through the Fort Worth Stockyards
Historic Fort Worth Stockyards have much to see outdoors! Just walking around the original brick roads and wooden corrals is worth the visit. Twice daily there are cattle drives, a big attraction in the city.
Restaurants, shops, and rodeos are a big part of the experience of visiting the Stockyards so don’t miss out on these during your visit!
Location: 131 E Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
Photo by Filip Mroz of Unsplash
5. Kayak the Trinity River
The Trinity River is a 710-mile river that runs through Texas. There are parts in the DFW area where you can rent kayaks or canoes and paddle down short distances from the river - a great activity!
One of the best companies to rent from for kayaking and canoeing in DFW is Trinity River Kayak Co. located in Coppell, TX.
Location: 1601 E Sandy Lake Rd, Coppell, TX 75019, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
6. Take in the skyline views at Ronald Kirk Bridge
Ronald Kirk Pedestrian Bridge has some of the best-unobstructed views of the Dallas skyline there is. And the bridge itself is an icon in the city.
The bridge is popular for its location, views, and walking paths. Evenings at sunset are usually the busiest!
Location: 109 Continental Ave, Dallas, TX 75207, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
7. Visit Dealey Plaza
Dealey Plaza is the historic site of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. The plaza area consists of several historic buildings, The Grassy Knoll - a grassy hill that was of interest after the assassination, - the white “X” in the middle of Elm St indicating where the president was fatally shot, beautiful large oak trees, and the Kennedy Memorial.
The Sixth Floor Museum located in the Dallas County Administration Office is the location where Lee Harvey Oswald perched waiting for JFK to drive by in his motorcade. Check out the Sixth Floor Museum website for more information.
Location: Get directions on Google Maps
Photo by Soheb Zaidi of Unsplash
8. Play a round of golf
When you are thinking about outdoor activities where you can drink, be with friends, and enjoy the Texas weather, golf may come to mind. Here are a few highly-rated public golf courses in the DFW area:
Grapevine Golf Course - Grapevine, TX
Tierra Verde Golf Club - Arlington, TX
Cedar Crest Golf Course - Dallas, TX
Waterchase Golf Club - Fort Worth, TX
9. Sightsee by taking a self-guided tour
TripAdvisor and many local/travel bloggers have free and worthwhile self-guided walking tours around some of Dallas’s most popular attractions. Alternatively, there are planned-out self-guided tour maps you can pay a small fee for access to through sites like Viator.
Photo by Shelley Pauls of Unsplash
10. Support local businesses at the Dallas Farmers Market
The Dallas Farmers Market is an opportunity to support local businesses and farmers and stock up on your fresh produce eggs, and flowers. This market is located in Downtown Dallas with stalls both indoors and in open-air pavilions.
Location: 920 S Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201, United States - Get directions on Google Maps
11. Picnic at White Rock Lake
White Rock Lake in East Dallas is 1,000+ acres and 9.33 miles of walking and biking trails around a small lake.
This park is incredibly popular. It is crowded on weekends and evenings but there are many spaces where you can get away from the busy trails to spread out a blanket in the grass for a picnic.
On the Southern end of White Rock Lake Park are the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden (listed as #1 on this list).
Location: Get directions on Google Maps
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