Looking for the best things to do in North Texas?
North Texas is a geographical region consisting of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area, one of the first urbanized areas in Texas.
It comprises the northern regions of Texas Hill Country and extends all the way to the Oklahoma border.
Fun fact: North Texas is actually North Central Texas and often called ‘Nortex’ by the locals!
You will find a vast variety of things to do in North Texas including urban attractions such as museums and amusem*nt parks, state parks and national monuments, small towns, and more.
Here is an ultimate guide to attractions in the North Texas region.
North Texas attractions in Dallas-Fort Worth metro area
The metropolitan area of Dallas-Fort Worth is a major part of North Texas.
Here are some of the best North Texas urban attractions in the region.
Visit the Dallas Museum of Art
One of the most popular attractions in North Texas is the Dallas Museum of Art.
Located in Downtown Dallas Arts District, this impressive museum has a collection of over 18,000 works of art.
Art lovers should definitely add the museum to their Dallas bucket list.
Also Read: Best Things to do in Dallas, Texas
Walk through history at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Another top attraction in North Texas is The Sixth Floor museum at Dealey Plaza, the site of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
Visitors can take a guided tour that includes interactive exhibits and films to learn about JFK’s life and the events leading up to his death.
Explore West End historic district
Dallas’s West End Historic District also has many other attractions apart from the Sixth floor Museum.
Here you will find a collection of museums, restaurants, shops, and more.
One notable attraction is the Old Red Museum, which has striking architecture.
Visit the Texas State Fair
The Texas State Fair is a grand event for all Texans to enjoy.
It takes place every year at Fair Park in Dallas, and attracts thousands of visitors from all across Texas and the country.
The fair offers a wide variety of attractions for families and kids, including rides, food vendors, livestock exhibitions, and many more.
Some of our favorite things to do at the fair include riding the Texas Star Ferris wheel and enjoying treats like fried Oreos and funnel cakes.
Fair Park also has many other attractions including historic buildings, botanical gardens, museums, and more.
See a concert at the American Airlines Center
Located in the Victory Park neighborhood, the American Airlines Center is home to the Dallas Mavericks basketball team and the Dallas Stars ice hockey team.
It also hosts musical shows, family events, boxing matches, WWE wrestling matches, and other live concerts throughout the year.
See the rhododendrons at the Dallas Arboretum
Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, located on the shores of White Rock Lake, is an amazing place to visit for nature lovers.
The garden is full of beautifully maintained green spaces, blooming azaleas and tulips in spring, and stunning fall colors.
Shop in Bishop Arts District
If you love trendy neighborhoods, then be sure to visit Bishop Arts District in Dallas.
It’s one of the most charming North Texas neighborhoods with lots of art galleries, restaurants, boutiques and more.
Admire the murals, visit a book shop or two, eat some Texas bbq, and enjoy the nightlife here.
See the animals at the Dallas Zoo
The Dallas Zoo is home to many interesting animals from all over the world.
It features exhibits for popular species as well as those rare and endangered ones.
You can see lions, elephants, gorillas, zebras, kangaroos and so much more at the Dallas Zoo.
Visit the Fort Worth Stockyards
Fort Worth Stockyards is a North Texas attraction that attracts thousands of visitors every day.
The Stockyards offer the ultimate old west experience and are full of fun things to do.
Visitors can watch bull-riding at Cowtown Rodeo, experience the aroma and flavor of Texas cuisine, shop for unique cowboy boots and hats, and watch live cattle drives among other activities.
Visit on a Friday or Saturday night and you can listen to live music, dance the two step, and enjoy the honky tonk bars in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Marvel at the Fort Worth Water Gardens
Fort Worth Water Gardens is an impressive multi-level man made garden consisting of waterfalls, pools, and fountains.
The garden is designed by famed architect Philip Johnson and is impressive to visit.
Located in downtown Fort Worth, close to Sundance Square, the water garden is popular for photoshoots.
Ride the roller coasters at Six Flags Over Texas
Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington has many thrilling slides and family attractions and is one of the best amusem*nt parks in Texas.
At the park, visitors can ride gravity defying roller coasters including New Texas Giant, Texas Skyscreamer, Titan, and more.
For North Texas visitors who love water sports and action, there’s no better place to visit than Six Flags Hurricane Harbor.
The waterpark is home to thrilling slides, lazy river, and kiddie pools.
A day at Six Flags Over Texas is full of family fun and should definitely be on your North Texas bucket list.
See a game of the Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys is one of the most popular teams in the NFL and it plays home games at the enormous AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Watching a game here is an amazing experience.
Admire the panoramas from Reunion Tower
Reunion Tower, located in Downtown Dallas, is an iconic feature of the Dallas Skyline.
The impressive building has an observation deck and a revolving full service restaurant, making it very popular for date nights and romantic meals.
The panoramic views of the Dallas Skyline from the observation deck are also breathtaking.
Visit the Dallas World Aquarium
One of the largest aquariums in the Dallas-Fort Worth region is the Dallas World Aquarium.
Visitors can encounter sharks, penguins, otters, piranhas, and more exotic water creatures at this massive aquarium.
Explore North Dallas
North Dallas is a popular area that comprises neighborhoods such as Oak Cliff, Arlington Park, Lake Highlands, and North Park.
This vibrant area is home to some of the best shopping, dining and entertainment venues in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
Visitors can shop at North Park Center or Galleria Dallas for designer brands as well as eat delicious Texan cuisine such as brisket and tacos.
Step into the past at Dallas Heritage Village
Dallas Heritage Village is a living history museum that tells the story of Dallas’ past through a collection of preserved buildings and artifacts.
The Village is located in Old City Park. It is home to a number of restored historic buildings, including a log cabin, a schoolhouse, and a church.
Visitors can tour the buildings and learn about the city’s rich history.
Visit the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas is a state-of-the-art facility on the grounds of the Southern Methodist University.
It houses the archives of the George W. Bush presidency, as well as a museum that tells the story of his time in office.
The museum features interactive exhibits that tell the story of the Bush presidency, from the September 11th attacks to the War in Iraq.
The museum also has a replica of the Oval Office, as well as a full-scale replica of Air Force One.
Besides these, DFW metro area is home to many other attractions including Texas Discovery Gardens, Highland Park Village, Texas Motor Speedway, and more.
Interesting small towns and cities to visit in North Texas
Apart from Fort Worth and Dallas, North Texas also has many small towns that are worth a visit.
Here you will find historic sites, natural wonders, charming main streets, and great food.
They make the perfect tourist attractions for the entire family.
Waco
Waco is one of the best cities to visit in Central Texas.
The city is rich in history and has lots of points of interest to visit.
Waco Mammoth Site at the dig site of a prehistoric mammoth, Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Museum, Dr Pepper Museum, Cameron Park Zoo, and Magnolia Market are all great attractions here.
Glenrose
Glen Rose is home to several other tourist attractions apart from the Dinosaur Valley State Park.
The city is home to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center – a drive through safari where kids can feed zebras, deer, giraffes, and more exotic animals.
If you love dinosaurs and want to see more of them, then visit the Dinosaur World in Glen Rose.
Also Read: Best Dinosaur Museums in Texas to take kids
Tyler
The small town of Tyler is home to beautiful historical sites, museums, and a charming downtown area.
One of the best places to visit in Tyler is its Rose Garden – a public garden that displays more than 10,000 rose plants.
Other attractions include museums, parks, and historic buildings.
Grapevine
Grapevine is known as the Christmas capital of Texas.
During the holiday season, Grapevine has numerous festive and fun things to do for visitors.
Admire the Holiday Lights on Main Street, ride the North Pole Express to meet Santa Claus, and celebrate the holidays with many other events.
Also Read: Best Places to spend Christmas in Texas
Wichita Falls
Wichita Falls is a great city to visit for outdoor activities and fun family activities.
From its scenic location on the Wichita River to its rich history and culture, there is something for everyone in Wichita Fall.
The city is home to a number of museums and historical sites, as well as a variety of outdoor activities.
Visitors can enjoy hiking and biking in the city’s parks, fishing in the river, or exploring the many trails that wind through the city.
Frisco
Frisco is one of the best cities to visit in North Texas.
The city has many charming small towns and points of interest like Frisco Square, Dr Pepper Arena, Frisco RoughRiders Stadium, Uptown Main Street, and much more.
McKinney
McKinney is a city in the county of Collin and it’s one of the best cities to visit in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
You can visit McKinney for its great shopping, restaurants, historical sites, and more.
Take a tour of downtown McKinney, shop at McKinney Market Center, eat at some amazing restaurants, and visit the historic sites to learn more about the history of this city.
Ennis
Ennis is one of the best places to see bluebonnets in Texas.
Views of bluebonnets are stunning, especially in late March to early April.
Drive the scenic bluebonnet trails, shop at the bluebonnet festival, and listen to live music concerts!
Also Read: Best Things to do in Ennis, Texas
Granbury
Historic Granbury has great shopping, dining, museums, festivals and events for visitors.
Learn about the history of Granbury at Civil War battlefields, take a tour of historic homes to learn more about this town’s unique history.
Go wine tasting at Grape Creek Vineyards or go fishing at Lake Granbury.
Muenster
Muenster, located north of the Dallas area, is a charming German town in Texas.
Visit the historic buildings in downtown Muenster, admire the architecture, and visit one of the many German restaurants.
Enjoy a glass of wine and listen to live music at the wineries!
Denton
You must visit Denton, a charming city in North Texas. It makes an amazing day trip from Dallas.
The city has beautiful architecture and is most famous for the striking Denton County Courthouse.
It also has Victorian homes, a pretty Town Square, and streets filled with boutiques and stores.
Ray Roberts Lake State Park is located nearby and is perfect for spending the day on the water.
Rockwall
Rockwall, Texas is a small city located just northeast of Dallas.
It is known for being the smallest town in Texas with its own lake, Lake Ray Hubbard.
Visitors of Rockwall will find plenty of activities to take part in such as art galleries, quaint shopping and dining opportunities as well as spending time on the beautiful Lake Ray Hubbard beaches.
Outdoor things to do in North Texas
The northern part of the Lone Star State has a variety of outdoor attractions, beautiful landscapes, as well as camping and hiking destinations.
Spend a day outdoors in one of these amazing North Texas state parks and natural areas.
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Dinosaur Valley State Park is one of our favorite places to visit in the Lone star state with kids.
The State Park is home to the tracks of dinosaurs and other fossils.
Hike on more than 10 miles of trails and learn about the prehistoric beasts.
The park is also a favorite with mountain bikers and wildlife watchers.
Joe Pool Lake
Joe Pool Lake is a freshwater lake located in southwest Dallas, Texas.
The city of Grand Prairie surrounds Joe Pool Lake and there are several things to do at this beautiful lake for visitors.
Go boating on the water or go kayaking, fishing, camping, and swimming during your visit to Joe Pool Lake.
Lake Texoma
Lake Texoma is the place to go if you’re looking for outdoor fun like camping and hiking.
This beautiful lake is located on the Texas Oklahoma border and is popular for fishing, kayaking, or paddle boarding.
Cedar Hill State Park
Cedar Hill State Park is home to Pecan Bayou Nature Trail, a 1.2 mile hike through the natural area where you can see rare animals and plants.
The park also has picnic areas, a playground area for children, a visitors center and more!
Lake Mineral Wells State Park
Located near Granbury, Texas this state park is known for the striking colors of the lake and dam.
Camping, fishing, water sports and hiking are popular here in Lake Mineral Wells State Park.
Lake Tawakoni State Park
Lake Tawakoni is a wonderful place to go camping, fishing, swimming, boating and kayaking.
The park surrounds the breathtaking lake and is located near Wills Point, Texas.
Lake Tawakoni is near East Fork Trinity River and has beautiful scenery with shaded areas, hiking trails with great views of the lake, and more!
Tyler State Park
Tyler State Park is a great place to hike, camp and enjoy the beautiful outdoors of Texas.
This state park is located east of Dallas and has a beautiful lake with over 20 miles of trails.
This is one of the best places to see fall colors in Texas.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
Waco Mammoth National Monument preserves fossilized remains of Columbian Mammoths.
The national monument is located in Downtown Waco and it’s free to visit.
It’s one of the best attractions to visit in Waco, if you’re traveling with kids, want something fun to do for a couple hours, or just enjoy learning about fascinating prehistoric giant elephants!
We hope you liked our post on the best things to do in Northern Texas!
More Texas Travel Guides
To read about other famous Texas attractions such as Space Center Houston, San Antonio River walk, Padre Island National Seashore, and Big Bend National Park, read our post on best places to visit in Texas.
Looking for attractions in West Texas and the Texas Panhandle including Cadillac Ranch Amarillo and Palo Duro Canyon? Read our post on best things to do in the Texas Panhandle here.
Want to plan a road trip around the Texas Hill Country? Read our post on Best Things to do in the Hill Country now.
Wish to explore the beautiful Caddo Lake State Park and the surrounding small towns of Jefferson and Marshall? Read our Ultimate Guide to the best things to do in East Texas.
