11 cool things to do in Dallas this spring
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Klyde Warren Park's "Food Truck Lane." Photo: Courtesy of Klyde Warren Park
It's springtime, that brief buffer season in North Texas when Mother Nature blesses us with a window of just-right temperatures and explosions of color (and, yes, pollen).
- Here are some of the best ways to enjoy the season.
1. 🗿 Take in some open-air museums
Get out and absorb some fresh air, history and culture. Here are a few of our favorites:
The Nasher Sculpture Center, designed by world-renowned architect Renzo Piano, is one of the best sculpture museums in the country. On any given day, you can walk the garden and see work from artists around the globe.
- The Nasher is open 11am–5pm Wednesday–Sunday. Entrance is $10, with discounts for students, seniors, DART riders and first responders.
- Pro tip: Entrance is free every first Saturday of the month.
Old City Park, just south of Downtown, is a repository for historic log cabins and restored buildings from across North Texas.
- Formerly called Dallas Heritage Village, it includes an old-timey town square, general store and saloon.
- It’s open 10am–4pm Thursday–Sunday and Thursday nights from 6–9. The best part? It’s free.
The Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum and Big Bear Native American Museum — both in Cleburne — celebrate cattle-driving and Native American history in Texas.
- The museums offer free docent-led tours that include teepees, a stagecoach station and a blacksmith’s shop.
- Hours vary depending on staffing and weather, but it’s usually open 10am–5pm on Saturday and 1–5pm on Sunday.
- Entrance is $8 for adults and $5 for kids and seniors.
2. 🧺 Plan a picnic at Klyde Warren Park
Klyde Warren Park, named for the child of billionaires, is the closest thing Dallas has to a Central Park. And though it’s much smaller and built over a highway, Klyde Warren is a pleasant place for a spring afternoon.
- Bring lunch and eat at one of the many tables.
- Or buy food from a nearby restaurant or food truck.
- There’s also a playground, a fountain, a stage and events and classes nearly every day.
Or: Try White Rock Lake. Enjoy waterfront views and people-watching from the comfort of your picnic blanket.
Find more cheap date ideas in North Texas
3. ⚾ Root for the Rangers... before we know if they stink
Look, we know our baseball team isn’t always great. Once in a while, the Rangers rocket into the playoffs, or even the World Series, but plenty of years the team is out of contention by August. Still, with every spring dawns a new opportunity.
- Starting March 30, anything can happen. Check the schedule here.
Pro tip: Head to the ballpark during one of its promotional days like $1 hot dog day or ice cream Sunday.
Not into baseball? Try an FC Dallas match instead. Not only is Toyota Stadium in Frisco a wonderful place to see a game, the team — one of the original MLS franchises — is always competitive.
4. 🧳 Enjoy a staycation at these nearby Airbnbs
If you need a tiny getaway that isn’t that far away, head to one of these Airbnbs within driving distance of Dallas.
- Our favorite: The Saved by the '90s house, the perfect blend of kitsch and nostalgia — with cereal and video games!
5. 🌹 Smell the roses (and other flowers) at the Arboretum
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is the jewel of North Texas. On the shores of White Rock Lake, the arboretum’s 66 acres are filled with sculptures, ponds and an incredible array of botanical life.
- There are always amazing displays in the fall and winter, but spring is when the flowers really bloom.
- On occasion, you might also see some famous Stones.
- Admission ranges from $12–$20, and a yearly membership starts at $102.
6. 🥾 Strap on the boots made for walking
Lace up your shoes and hit the trails before the weather turns sweaty hot. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Cedar Ridge Preserve: There are miles of trails to choose from at the preserve. Go from 6:30am to dusk Tuesday through Sunday.
- Oak Cliff Nature Preserve: There are 8 miles of trails in the 121-acre preserve. Open from dawn until dusk.
- Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano: There are pedestrian-only trails and trails just for off-road cyclists at the 200-acre park. Open 5am to 11pm every day except Wednesday, when the park opens at 2pm.
- River Legacy Park in Arlington: There are 8 miles of paved hike and bike trails and 10 miles of mountain bike trails. Open 5am to 10pm.
Read our full guide to walking trails in North Texas
7. 🤠 Stroll around Cowtown
On a nice spring day, Downtown Fort Worth can be downright delightful. You can eat, drink and shop at Sundance Square. You can contemplate life at the Water Gardens. And a few blocks away, you can watch humans wrestle giant animals at the Stockyards.
8. ⚔️ Garb up at Ye Olde Scarborough
Don your finest period threads and travel back in time at the Scarborough Renaissance Festival in Waxahachie. There are live shows all day and shops featuring metalsmithing, woodworking and clothing from all eras. Oh, and there’s tons of options to eat and drink till you barely fit in your antiquated attire.
- The festival runs every weekend starting April 8 through Memorial Day.
- One-day tickets are $32 in advance (plus a $2 fee) or $37 at the gate for adults and $14 (plus that $2 fee) for children under 13.
New this year: Book a VIP wine or beer tasting package for $144.
9.🍸 Get drinks at a rooftop bar
After springing forward, the late sundowns provide an incredible backdrop to any evening activities — so why not sit outside and drink with friends?
Here are a few of our favorite Dallas rooftops:
- Waterproof on top of the Statler
- Happiest Hour in Victory Park
- Stirr in Deep Ellum
More rooftop bars to check out in Dallas
10. 🎸 Check out a local music festival
No better time to dance for hours on end than spring. Your best and biggest options:
- Ubbi Dubbi, Texas' premier springtime electronic and house music festival, is held at Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth April 22–23.
- Wildflower Arts & Music Festival (May 19–21) is more than just a music festival. Enjoy acrobatic artists, treats, beer and more.
11. 🌱 Buy a plant
North Texas is full of places where you can purchase a new chlorophyll-based family member. A few of our favorites:
- Ruibal’s Plants of Texas, which has several locations.
- North Haven Gardens in North Dallas.
- Dirt Flowers in Bishop Arts.
Editor's note: This guide is updated periodically to reflect new information.