Exciting things to do in Texas: the DFW area and beyond

If you’re planning on visiting the vibrant Dallas/Fort Worth area or just looking for a staycation adventure, the DFW area is where you’ll find plenty of engaging activities for people of all ages. From outdoor adventures to theater and music experiences, amusement parks to water parks, science and history museums to indoor play areas, this region offers various options to keep families entertained. Explore the outdoors with parks, nature trails, and wildlife encounters, or dive into the world of arts and culture with captivating theater productions and interactive music programs. And for thrill-seekers, amusement parks and water parks provide endless fun and exhilarating rides, while science and history museums offer fascinating exhibits and educational experiences.

For more information about fun things to do in Texas, check out this Summer Bucket List by Independence Title or learn more about these Texas Water Parks. You can also start planning your Texas Summer Adventures with these ideas from Independence Title’s “Things To Do” page.

Find your amusement in the Dallas/Fort Worth area

The Dallas/Fort Worth area is home to several amusement parks and entertainment centers that offer thrilling rides, games, family entertainment, and a lot of fun. Here are some notable amusement parks in the region:

Six Flags Over Texas is a popular destination for thrill-seekers. The park features a wide range of roller coasters, including the famous Texas Giant and Titan. It also offers family rides, water rides, live entertainment, and a dedicated children’s area.

Main Event is an entertainment center with multiple locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It offers a combination of activities, including bowling, laser tag, arcade games, billiards, mini-golf, and virtual reality experiences, making it a great option for a fun-filled day.

Topgolf is a premier destination that combines golf, entertainment, and socializing in a unique and engaging setting. With locations in Allen, Dallas, Fort Worth and The Colony, Topgolf offers a fun-filled experience for players of all skill levels. With climate-controlled hitting bays, visitors can enjoy the experience year-round.

Zero Latency is an innovative virtual reality (VR) gaming experience located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Offering an unparalleled level of immersion, Zero Latency takes players into a thrilling world where they can explore virtual environments, battle zombies, embark on epic adventures, and engage in multiplayer competitions.

These parks and entertainment centers provide a range of experiences and attractions for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping rides, or family-friendly entertainment, check out the links below for plenty of options to keep you entertained.

Cool off at these DFW water spots

The Dallas/Fort Worth area is home to several places that offer a refreshing escape from the summer heat and provide fun-filled experiences for visitors of all ages.

Adjacent to Six Flags Over Texas, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is a water park where you can cool off during the hot Texas summers. It offers a variety of water slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and other water attractions suitable for all ages.

Situated in Grand Prairie, Epic Waters is an expansive indoor water park featuring thrilling slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and a children’s play area. The park is open year-round, making it a great option regardless of the weather.

NRH2O Family Water Park is a family-oriented water park with a variety of slides, wave pools, and water play areas. It also features a lazy river and offers amenities like cabana rentals and food concessions.

Located in Grapevine, Great Wolf Lodge is a resort and indoor water park. In addition to the water park with slides and pools, it offers interactive play areas, a wave pool, and other water-based activities. The resort also provides accommodations and dining options.

These water parks provide a wide range of attractions and activities, allowing visitors to cool off, enjoy thrilling water slides, relax in lazy rivers, or have fun in interactive play areas. Whether you prefer outdoor water parks or indoor options for year-round enjoyment, the Dallas/Fort Worth area has plenty of choices to suit your water park adventures. Dive into these other water parks and Texas lake adventures:

Discover the animal kingdom in DFW

Whether you’re seeking a family adventure, an educational experience, or simply a chance to connect with nature, the animal attractions in DFW promise unforgettable encounters and a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the animal kingdom.

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At Dallas World Aquarium, kids can observe a variety of marine life, birds, and animals from around the world. The aquarium features an impressive tunnel exhibit where you can walk under sharks and other sea creatures.

The Fort Worth Zoo is home to over 7,000 animals. Kids can enjoy seeing lions, giraffes, elephants, penguins, and many other fascinating creatures. There’s also a train ride and a carousel for added fun.

The Dallas Zoo is another great option for animal lovers, the Dallas Zoo offers a wide variety of exhibits, including elephants, giraffes, gorillas, and reptiles. It also features a children’s zoo with interactive exhibits and a petting zoo.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a drive-through safari park that allows visitors to observe and interact with various species. The park is dedicated to wildlife conservation and offers guided tours where visitors can see animals like giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, and rhinos in a natural setting.

These animal parks offer engaging experiences for visitors of all ages, providing opportunities to observe and learn about different species from around the world. Hunt for more animal experiences at these websites:

Have adventures in the Texas outdoors

The Dallas/Fort Worth area offers a variety of outdoor activities for those who enjoy spending time in nature and exploring the outdoors. Here are some popular options:

*^{Dallas Arboretum Photo by Bryan Dickerson on Unsplash}*

Trinity Forest Adventure Park is an outdoor adventure park in Dallas that offers aerial obstacle courses, ziplines, and other challenging activities suitable for older kids and teenagers. Safety equipment and training are provided.

Spanning over 100 acres, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden features stunning displays of plant life, including rose gardens, Japanese gardens, and a tropical conservatory. It’s a great place for a leisurely stroll or a picnic.

Situated along the Trinity River in Arlington, River Legacy Parks features over 1,300 acres of trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and a nature center. It’s a great place for hiking, biking, and exploring the natural surroundings.

Located northwest of Fort Worth are the LBJ National Grasslands. This vast area offers opportunities for camping, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing. It’s a serene escape where you can immerse yourself in nature.

These are just a few examples of the outdoor activities available in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Whether you’re looking for hiking, biking, water sports, or simply enjoying the tranquility of nature, there are plenty of options to explore and enjoy. There are so many outdoor adventure options in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Explore these additional links:

The great indoors await in the DFW area

The Dallas/Fort Worth area offers several indoor play areas that provide a fun and safe environment for children to play, explore, and engage in imaginative activities. Here are some popular indoor play areas in the region:

Located in Frisco, KidZania is an indoor theme park that combines entertainment and education. It offers a kid-sized city where children can role-play different professions, such as doctors, firefighters, chefs, and more. They can engage in hands-on activities and learn about various career paths in a playful setting.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center is located in Grapevine Mills Mall and is perfect for LEGO enthusiasts. Kids can explore LEGO-themed play areas, watch 4D movies, go on a LEGO-themed ride, and build their own creations.

Play Street Museum has multiple locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, including Plano, McKinney, and Frisco. It provides interactive and imaginative play spaces designed to stimulate children’s creativity and curiosity. The museums feature themed play areas, such as a grocery store, fire station, farm, and construction site, allowing kids to engage in pretend play and exploration.

Urban Air Adventure Park has various locations throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area, offering a wide range of indoor activities and attractions. They have trampolines, climbing walls, ropes courses, virtual reality experiences, warrior obstacle courses, and more. Urban Air provides a comprehensive adventure park experience suitable for children of all ages.

These indoor play areas provide a variety of options for children to engage in active play, socialize, and have fun, especially during inclement weather or hot summer days. They prioritize safety and often have designated areas for younger children, as well as amenities for parents. Visit these links for more indoor activities:

The Show is always going on in DFW

The Dallas/Fort Worth area has a vibrant theater and music scene, offering a range of performances and activities for theater and music enthusiasts and music activities designed specifically for children. These activities aim to introduce children to the performing arts and foster their creativity.

Bass Performance Hall is situated in Fort Worth and is home to the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and hosts a wide range of theatrical performances, including Broadway shows, concerts, and dance productions.

Located in Fort Worth, Casa Mañana Children’s Theater presents a range of productions designed for young audiences. Their shows include musicals, plays, and interactive performances that engage children’s imaginations. They also offer acting classes and workshops for kids.

Rover Dramawerks is a theater company located in Plano that focuses on producing plays and performances for all ages. While they primarily cater to adult audiences, they occasionally offer productions suitable for young audiences as well.

Medieval Times is a unique dinner theater experience that takes guests on a journey back to the Middle Ages. It offers an immersive show that combines thrilling knightly competitions, jousting matches, horsemanship, and medieval-style combat. Additionally, guests are treated to a four-course meal served in a grand banquet hall while they cheer for their assigned knight as they engage in exciting battles for honor and glory.

These are just a few examples of the theater and music activities available in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Many community centers, schools, and local organizations also offer arts programs, workshops, and performances. Find more music and theatre entertainment at these links:

Dallas/Fort Worth is a destination for discovery

The Dallas/Fort Worth area is home to several science and history museums that offer engaging and educational experiences for visitors of all ages. Here are some notable museums in the region:

Located in Dallas, the Perot Museum is a state-of-the-art facility that offers interactive exhibits and hands-on activities in the fields of natural history, earth sciences, engineering, and more. It features a variety of exhibits, including dinosaur fossils, space exploration, robotics and a 3D theater.

Situated in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History provides a range of exhibits exploring various scientific disciplines, such as energy, astronomy, paleontology, and Texas history. It also houses a planetarium and an IMAX theater.

Located in Frisco, the Sci-Tech Discovery Center is an interactive science museum that offers exhibits and activities related to physics, chemistry, biology, and technology. It provides hands-on learning experiences for children and hosts educational programs and workshops.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not is a well-known franchise that features a variety of oddities, curiosities, and unusual artifacts from around the world. Ripley’s Believe It or Not attractions often rotate and update their collections to keep the experience fresh for visitors.

These museums offer diverse experiences for visitors, allowing them to explore the realms of science, history, art, and culture. Get immersed in more science and history at these additional locations:

Adventures are within reach in the DFW area

The Dallas/Fort Worth area is a vibrant and diverse region that offers a wealth of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages. From outdoor adventures and cultural experiences to thrilling amusement parks and educational museums, there is something to captivate and entertain everyone.

The Dallas/Fort Worth area isn’t too far from Possum Kingdom Lake. So whether you live at PK or are just visiting, many activities are waiting for you nearby in the DFW area and beyond. And, if you are looking to visit the Possum Kingdom Lake area, check out these great Places To Stay.