Fun-Filled Things to Do in Dallas During the Weekend

May 21, 2025

Dallas, Texas. The Big D. A city that blends cowboy swagger with a booming arts scene, towering skyscrapers, and down-home barbecue joints you’ll dream about for weeks. Whether you’re a local looking to spice up your weekend or a visitor wanting to experience the best of the city in 48 hours, there are lots of fun-filled things to do in Dallas. So grab your sunscreen, stretch pants (believe me—you will need em), and an adventurous spirit. Here's an honest guide to exciting things to do in Dallas for the weekend.

1. Start Saturday Off with Breakfast Tacos and Coffee

First in the list of fun-filled things to do in Dallas is having a sumptuous breakfast. Dallas mornings are taco-worthy. Not ordinary tacos—but salsa-soaked, shot-in-the-arm breakfast tacos. Find them at Velvet Taco or Trompo in Oak Cliff to go, drool-inducing magic to carry with you. Do it with a caffeine shot from Houndstooth Coffee or Magnolias Sous Le Pont, an impossibly cute café beneath a bridge in the Harwood District that smells of serious Parisian cool.

2. Explore the Dallas Arts District

After stuffing yourselves, get artsy at the Dallas Arts District, the nation's largest urban arts district, a must-visit on the list of fun-filled things to do in Dallas. You'll be strolling around for hours at:

• Dallas Museum of Art (free general admission!)
• Nasher Sculpture Center for a museum gallery experience indoors and outdoors
• The Crow Museum of Asian Art for a serene ambiance and quirky exhibits
• Even if you don't care about art, the building, common spaces, and interactive exhibits are plenty enough to grab your attention (and your Instagram game).

3. Stroll on the Wild Side at the Dallas Zoo or the Arboretum

Next in the list of fun-filled things to do in Dallas is visiting the zoo. For couples, families, or those who simply need a respite from the speed, the Dallas Zoo is endearingly quaint. Not just about the children—there's a monorail, giraffe feeding, and yes, lions and tigers and bears (oh my). Gonna brighten up your nature a little bit? The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is fairytale-perfect in spring and fall. Picture lakeshore views, festival atmosphere, and picnic grass ideal.

4. Lunch Like a Local: BBQ, Burgers, or Tex-Mex

No weekend in Dallas is complete without its tastes. Lunch, you have options, and I mean genuine options

• Pecan Lodge (Deep Ellum): Hands down the city's best BBQ. Brisket that's buttery-tasting.
• Maple & Motor: No-frills burger place with all attitude and flavor.
• El Come Taco or Meso Maya for some killer Tex-Mex with margaritas that pack a punch, a must-visit on the list of fun-filled things to do in Dallas. .

5. Walk (or Scoot) Through Deep Ellum

After you've eaten your heart's content, walk it off in Deep Ellum, Dallas's trendiest neighborhood, a must-visit on the list of fun-filled things to do in Dallas. Renowned for street art, quirky boutiques, live music venues, and neon lights, it's the epicenter of hip. Here's what you can do:

• Take pictures with the iconic murals and the metal robot statue sculptures
• Visit Emporium Pies for a slice of "Lord of the Pies" (apples in deep-dish pie paradise)
• Grab a beer at Braindead Brewing or an iced cup at Fiction Coffee

6. Dinner with a View (or Vibe)

At night, the city gets its glitz on. For a high-end atmosphere, go to Reunion Tower's Five Sixty (by Wolfgang Puck) and eat while the city rotates around you—literally. Other restaurants to dine at:

• The Rustic for live music and Texas-sized servings
• Town Hearth if steaks and chandeliers in vintage cars are your style
• Katy Trail Ice House for a relaxed beer garden atmosphere right on the Katy Trail hot spot

And, yes, go flip-flop or go glam, if you like. Dallas won't judge.

7. Uptown or Bishop Arts District nightlife

Next in the list of fun-filled things to do in Dallas, visit Uptown. Uptown buzzes with hip bars, rooftop lounges, and the so iconic Happiest Hour, a rooftop staple perfect for skyline views and cocktails that won't spare. For a more edgy boho vibe, Bishop Arts District is full of secrets—speakeasies like The Botanist, cocktail bars, and sweet shops you won't want to pass up. Wherever you happen to be, Dallas at night has something for everyone—dance floors to dive bars.

8. Sunday Brunch, Baby

Sunday brunch is holy in Dallas. Don't leave town without doing it justice. Here are some insider tips:

• Bread Winners Café for mimosas and staples
• The Henry for avocado toast and espresso martinis, and brunch that's bougie
• Oddfellows in Bishop Arts for a chill crowd and comfort food, a must-visit on the list of fun-filled things to do in Dallas.

9. Wrap it Up With a Museum or Market

Before flying the coop out of town or falling back into Monday mode, wrap it up with something cool:

• Visit The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza for a sobering yet fascinating look at JFK’s life and legacy
• Wander through Klyde Warren Park, a green oasis built over a freeway, often hosting food trucks, yoga classes, and live music
• Hit the Dallas Farmers Market for local eats, handmade goods, and last-minute souvenirs, a must-visit on the list of fun-filled things to do in Dallas.

As per the latest report, by the end of 2025, direct visitor expenditure is expected to have increased by an average of 4% annually to $7.1 billion.

Final Thoughts

Dallas may be famous for big hair, big business, and big hats, but stay in town a weekend and you'll see this city's heart is just as big as its menu. There are lots of fun-filled things to do in Dallas. From taco Tuesday to all-you-can-listen tunes and top-notch cultural offerings, the Big D offers something for all sorts of visitors. So if you've got 48 hours or a decadent, lazy weekend to spend, go for it all. Dallas is not a city you drive through—it's a city you feel. PS: When in Dallas, do visit Austin for a memorable experience. Check out our website for more details.