Best Day Trips to Take from Dallas, TX
Home to great food, interesting folks, and the Cowboys, Dallas is a great city for visitors and residents alike. The Big D is full of great things to do and see. But one of the best things about Dallas is its proximity to all sorts of cool places that are just a short drive away. So whether you live there, or are just visiting, here’s a list of the best day trips to Dallas to help you make the experience all the more memorable.
Waco
If “Waco” and HGTV sound familiar to you, it is probably because you have been watching “Fixer Upper”, the popular TV show that was filmed in Waco. This is why humble Waco has seen an influx in visitors recently.
That being said, Waco has a whole lot more to offer. It is full of history. Not only was it the final resting place for Woolly Mammoths, but it’s also where Dr. Pepper set up his first shop. For those who wish to immortalize the mammoth events, there is now a National Monument of the Mammoths as well as a Dr. Pepper Museum.
While these attractions alone should be enough to make you drive the 1.5-hours to Waco, the Magnolia Market, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, and craft breweries might make you want to stay!
Granbury
Granbury is the perfect place to find small-town charm and lakeside relaxation. So much so in fact you may want to make Granbury home! It is located approximately an hour and a quarter from Dallas. The lake has a swimming area and a pier. There are plenty of seating and picnic areas, making it a great place to spend the day.
Lake Granbury is just one of many great things you can do in Granbury. Granbury Square’s restaurants and shopping options deserve a mention, as well as the Moment in Time Hike & Bike Trail and art galleries, an opera house, wineries and breweries.
Fort Worth
This one is a no-brainer. I mean, it’s practically next door! Fort Worth is a friendly, relaxing, and less than an hour drive from Dallas. While at first glance you might not notice a massive difference between the two cities, believe us when we tell you, there is.
Fort Worth is full of great dining options, galleries and museums, as well as outdoor activities like the Water Gardens. Evening entertainment includes Billy Bob’s Texas, which is a must see for any country music or professional wrestling fan.
Sundance Square is a great place to take in the culture, while you’re there, as well as the honky-tonk bars that celebrate cowboy culture and the fascinating history of the Stockyards. We promise you that Fort Worth has so many things to offer, that you might end up staying the night.
Austin
A three hour drive from Dallas and you’ll be in the Texas state capitol of Austin. Known for its laid back, offbeat vibe, Austin is like no other town in Texas. Or anywhere else for that matter.
Although you really do need to spend more than one day in Austin to truly experience it, it’s still possible to still get a feel for Austin in an afternoon. The Austin vibe is hip, artsy and has a hint of Silicon Valley. As a matter of fact, due to the influx of tech startups in the city, it’s been lovingly referred to as Silicon Hills in recent years. You can also call it the Live Music Capital of the US!
You’ll never run out of things to do in this area, thanks to its many outdoor activities like Barton Springs. No trip to Texas is complete without seeing Austin. Just remember, keep Austin weird!
Canton
Get together bargain hunters! You’re ready to go on a day trip in Canton, which is a vibrant little town located only 30 minutes east from Dallas. Canton is a family-friendly, fun-loving place. It’s most well-known for its First Monday Trade Days.
This largest flea market in America is said to draw huge crowds of vendors and visitors to the town every month on the weekend before the first Monday. This massive 100-acre shopping event attracts thousands.
Arlington
Another Metroplex must-see, Arlington is a vibrant city located 40 short minutes from Dallas. Arlington has many things to offer, especially if your passion is for shopping, sports, bars and theme parks. Add the Convention Center, theater, bowling alley and indoor wood skating arena, and you are sure to have a great time.
NFL aficionados are sure to be happy too. Why? This is the real home of the Dallas Cowboys, the team that has won 8 conference championships and 5 Super Bowls.It is well worth the time to tour the AT&T Stadium where they play, regardless of whether you like American football. It’s the largest dome structure in the world, and it’s as crazy as it sounds. It’s a remarkable feat of architecture, and an amazing sight to see.
Conclusion
So that’s it! Our list of the best day trips to take from Dallas, TX. As you can see, there’s something for everyone in and around Dallas. We certainly hope you’ve enjoyed taking this little journey with us. And remember, anytime you’re heading to any city, don’t be afraid to venture out. You just might like what you find!