The Ultimate Non-Touristy Guide to Dallas, Texas

We’ve all got that list of things to do that we share with friends visiting our city. (Yes, the one in your Notes app!) In Dallas, it probably consists of some classics: a soaring visit atop the Reunion Tower, a Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium, and a long, long walk around the 9.4-mile White Rock Lake. But it likely also includes some favorite, locals-only things to do: A trip to the farmer’s market. A morning spent trying on cowboy boots. When to go to the museum for free.

Well, if you don’t happen to have a bestie in Dallas, we can help. We dug deep to list more than 25 things to do, sights to see, and places to eat in Dallas that aren’t just the main tourist attractions. Despite being landlocked and with not a single hill or mountain in sight, Dallas has some pretty entertaining things to do. Did you know you could feed giraffes about an hour from the city? Or maybe get a little slice of Italy—no, not Italy, Texas—during a gondola ride in Irving?

Some spots are frequented, but others are true gems. And, yes, there are some suggestions here that will require a drive. But this is Texas, and everything—including the distance between tourist stops—is bigger. Buckle up!

Vendors will gather at the Dallas Farmers Market daily to sell produce and other goods, but the time it really comes alive is on the weekends. Head out there on a Saturday morning and munch on some grilled corn, buy an obscenely large freshly-squeezed lemonade, and check out handmade jewelry from local vendors. If you go during the summer, you can head indoors to The Market for A/C and more food and goods.

NorthPark Center isn't just a mall—it's a landmark. After wandering around and ogling through windows, grab a coffee from La La Land Kind Café on the second floor (a local coffee shop that grew into a national chain), and check out the inner courtyard at the center of the mall. Obviously, a visitor can come to shop, but the art installations are worth a second look every time. We just ask that you please do not dance in the fountain near Dillard’s like Farrah Fawcett did in Dr. T & the Women.

Fort Worth is not Dallas, and Dallas is not Fort Worth. But good barbecue is good barbecue, and Goldee’s is the best of the best. It’s quite literally a shack, but that doesn’t matter when the smoked meats are aplenty. Get there early, because the line tends to snake for hours.

This museum has servd as a place of remembrance for those who died in the Holocaust since 2019. One of the most intriguing—and perhaps haunting—parts of the museum is the Dimensions in Testimony Theater. It’s an interactive exhibit in which guests can ask a question about the Holocaust, and a Holocaust survivor will answer based on previous recordings. Max Glauben, a Holocaust survivor who lived in Dallas, is one of the featured testimonies. (Glauben died in 2022. His testimony is featured on Fridays.)

Tex-Mex food in Dallas is almost always a given if you’re passing through. And we’ll be honest—not much is going to beat a nice bowl of queso and a stiff marg after a long flight. E Bar Tex Mex has a menu with fajitas, plates of beans and rice, tacos, and more. The E Bar queso also rocks, with melty cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and ground beef. If you get there early, try out their all-day breakfast menu, which has plates served with lots and lots of eggs.

Don’t even think about leaving Texas without at least trying on a pair of squeaky cowboy boots. Wild Bill’s will have all of your western attire on deck, from stiff Stetson hats to the Lucchese boots you didn’t know you needed. The store is located in the West End, so when you’ve got your fit, you can hop around to some of the nearby museums on this list, such as the Sixth Floor Museum or the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum.

First Monday Canton is a legendary shopping experience that transforms the town of Canton, Texas, into a bustling marketplace. Held on the first Monday of each month, this world-renowned flea market draws vendors and visitors from far and wide. Stroll through rows of vendor booths, sample delicious treats, and enjoy live music while you search for a trinket or two. It’s a bit of a drive—about an hour from downtown Dallas—but the treasure trove will be worth it.

If you’re coming to Texas, you have to stop at a barbecue spot. Them’s the rules. At any joint, you’ll come across tender smoked brisket, sausages, ribs, and sides you can find comfort in, but Cattleack BBQ serves life-changing burnt ends. The joint is located in Farmers Branch—about a 25-minute drive from downtown Dallas—and is only open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., so try to plan around it.

In Oak Lawn, you'll find a dynamic LGBTQ+ hub, with gay bars and clubs like Round-Up Saloon. Round-Up is well-loved and gives back that same energy to its patrons. Show up in your best boots and get ready to dance all night. You’ve got no choice.

Meow Wolf in Grapevine is one of five locations in the US based on the original psychedelic immersive art exhibit in Santa Fe. The theme for the Grapevine location is called “The Real Unreal,” and it tells the story of a young boy who gets lost in a new world. Hardcore Meow Wolf-ers could spend hours in the place looking for clues to connect this location to the others. A ton of local artists had their hand in putting the place together, and the café is stocked with goods from local businesses, too.

Pocket Sandwich Theatre is a tiny live theatre guaranteed to deliver big laughs. The theatre is in downtown Carrollton , but fans are willing to make the drive up to throw popcorn and watch a comedy show. You can order food and drinks while you watch, and yes, guests are allowed to hurl popped kernels at the actors. Don’t worry, it’s all in good fun. And don’t forget to check your hair for stray kernels after the show.

The Dallas Museum of Art’s permanent collection is free to view every day the museum is open, so it’s a great stop if you’re in town. If that day happens to be the first Sunday of the month, you’ll be in luck. The DMA hosts First Free Sundays for the public to access its rotating exhibitions for free. It’s normally $40, so if you’re looking for a free activity, this is the ultimate (air-conditioned) one.

Dallas is one big watering hole. At the height of patio season, no outdoor chair is left unseated. The city has plenty of wine bars, breweries, and patios to imbibe all year long, but one of the latest and coolest additions is Wriggly Tin, a beer/cocktail/pizza place in a Quonset hut in South Dallas with great drinks and a fabulous patio. The drinks are divine, and the pizza is even better. You will go, my friend, and you will like it.

The Juanita Craft House in Dallas is a historic landmark honoring the legacy of civil rights activist Juanita Craft. This preserved home is a testament to Craft's tireless efforts in advancing social justice and equality in Texas. Visitors can explore Craft’s South Dallas home and learn about her significant contributions to the civil rights movement, such as the integration of two universities, the 1954 State Fair of Texas, and restaurants.

The folks at Trade Oak Cliff make pottery look easy. Every week the studio hosts mug and ceramic tray classes for folks wanting to build their own Dallas souvenir. The classes are about two hours, and students will learn how to build a mug or create a catch-all tray. Materials, glazing, and firing services come with the class. The only thing is that it takes two to three weeks for the item to be fired, so you’ll need to find a way to get it home if you’re not going to be in town.

Venice? Never heard of her. Those wanting a piece of Italy can head to Irving for a gondola ride inspired by the Venice canals. There are a few options, such as dinner or lunch cruises, if you’re looking for a unique date night or just to relax while a traditionally dressed gondolier serenades you. (Unconfirmed if they actually sing, but they do get dressed up.)

La Casita Bakeshop in Richardson has been named a James Beard Award semifinalist several times, so you know it’s good. The original bakery is in Richardson, and there you can try out brunch, lunch, and a plethora of delicious pastries. Our suggestion would be to try anything seasonal, or the kouign-amann, a layered laminated pastry with a delicate amount of sugar.

The Bishop Arts District is where historic charm meets modern creativity. Bishop Avenue is lined with boutiques, restaurants, patios, and cafes worth spending an entire day. The Wild Detectives, a small bookstore, has a bar and café that makes it easy to spend all night reading in the backyard patio. After strolling through Bishop Arts, indulge in a nightcap at the tiny bookshop.

Dallas is more than just a town for barbecue—it’s also an (unofficial) bagel town. In the last few years, bagel shops have started popping up in Dallas at an alarming rate. Check them out: Shug’s, Lubbies, Abby’s, Sclafani’s, and Dan’s Bagels. Starship Bagel kind of comes out on top, by way of its national award: the shop won best bagel in the country at Bagelfest 2023. Every bagel is boiled perfection. And you cannot skip the fermented jalapeño cheese schmear.

In Glen Rose, just over an hour from Dallas, Fossil Rim spans 1,800 acres of pristine wilderness with wild exotic animals roaming the property. Pack a few snacks (for yourself, not the animals!) and drive through the park to view and feed giraffes and antelopes in their “natural habitat.” If you don’t want to drive your car, join a guided tour in one of the park’s vehicles. Tickets have to be purchased ahead of time. Bring some money for animal feed, and be prepared to spend a few hours at the park.

Watching a movie probably isn’t at the very top of your to-do list when visiting a city, but Texas Theatre is not like the others. It’s a Dallas landmark situated in Oak Cliff, and movies shown here are often independent films, classics, and occasional live performances. The theatre also has historical significance: it was where Lee Harvey Oswald was apprehended following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

All those useless facts in your noggin can be put to great use at Celestial Beerworks’ Thursday trivia night, Most nights the game is general knowledge, but each round is a different theme. Trivia is also a great time to try out the tap room’s brews, which are all made on-site. If you’re not a big drinker, they’ve also got zero-proof hop water.

Dallas has a lot of cool museums, but none come close to the collection at the Dallas Contemporary. Find exhibitions with eclectic works from artists locally and across the country. You won’t find the same exhibit here twice, which means you can stop by the contemporary on your next trip to the city.

On the first Friday of each month, Deep Ellum hosts its lively "First Fridays" event, a celebration of the neighborhood's culture, art, music, food, shopping, and history. More than two dozen businesses will gather to showcase live music performances, art exhibitions, food, and unique shopping experiences. Sometimes the event will be a “sip and shop,” or there will be a specific theme. First Fridays starts at 5 p.m.

Laugh and laugh and laugh five nights a week at the Dallas Comedy Club in Deep Ellum. On any given night, there could be stand up, improv, or open mic, so you’re guaranteed to laugh no matter who’s on stage. Amateurs and comedy experts are all welcome. It’s a small club, but that almost makes it better.

Center yourself every Saturday morning with free yoga sessions on the lawn at Klyde Warren Park. Sessions start as early as 9:30 a.m., and folks come from all over the city to sweat and stretch it out with instructors from studios like Dallas Yoga Center. The park in the middle of downtown Dallas hovering above Woodall Rogers is usually packed with people coming for food trucks and free games, but sometimes the best way to experience the park is right before the bustle.

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