7 Days in Dallas: A Family-Friendly Itinerary

  • Day 1: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
    20 minutes (10 miles) from Dallas Love Field Airport

    The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a beautiful outdoor attraction with exclusive seasonal displays that include more than 150,000 flowers. The attraction houses a children's garden, an open-air restaurant, and immaculate gardens.

  • Day 2: Perot Museum of Nature and Science
    25 minutes (3 miles) from Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

    Located in Victory Park, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a visually stunning architectural marvel full of interactive exhibits, hands-on activities for both adults and children, and an IMAX theater.

  • Day 3: Dallas Zoo
    10 minutes (5 miles) from Perot Museum of Nature and Science

    The Dallas Zoo is a perfect destination for families, with an array of exhibits featuring numerous animals like lions, tigers, giraffes, penguins, flamingos, and many more. The zoo also has an expansive Kids' Zoo section and several interactive experiences.

  • Day 4: Six Flags Over Texas
    25 minutes (15 miles) from Dallas Zoo

    Six Flags Over Texas is an entertaining amusement park with plenty of thrilling rides, including roller coasters, live shows, and many other activities. Guests can also enjoy delicious food and souvenirs sold in the park.

  • Day 5: Southfork Ranch
    50 minutes (28 miles) from Six Flags Over Texas

    Southfork Ranch is a historic filming location of the popular show, Dallas. The ranch has a museum, a walking tour, a tram tour and a gift shop that visitors can explore. The ranch tour gives visitors an insider’s look around the premises and breathtaking views of Texas countryside.

  • Day 6: Dallas World Aquarium
    15 minutes (7 miles) from Southfork Ranch

    The Dallas World Aquarium showcases an array of exotic species from endangered animals to marine life. The attraction includes a rainforest exhibit, a 22,000-gallon tunnel aquarium, and a sloth sanctuary.

  • Day 7: Reunion Tower
    10 minutes (5 miles) from Dallas World Aquarium

    The Reunion Tower is an iconic observation deck in Dallas that offers a 360-degree view of the city from over 500 feet in the air. This attraction will offer incredible views of the city that no one should miss.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden (3 hours, $17)
  • Perot Museum of Nature and Science (4 hours, $20)
  • Dallas Zoo (4 hours, $17)
  • Six Flags Over Texas (5 hours, $60)
  • Southfork Ranch (3 hours, $15)
  • Dallas World Aquarium (4 hours, $28)
  • Reunion Tower (2 hours, $25)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $182 per person

Transportation

A rental car is recommended, as most attractions are spread out, and there are parking facilities available on-site at each attraction, with rental rates starting from $29/day during peak travel periods. Consider scheduling a ride-hail transportation option like Lyft or Uber or using DART rail service to avoid dealing with parking.

Useful Tips

For a more relaxed trip, you could consider dropping Southfork Ranch from your itinerary or skipping Six Flags Over Texas for more time at the Dallas World Aquarium or the Dallas Zoo. It is advisable to book attraction tickets online beforehand to avoid long lines at the ticket office.

Airports

Dallas is served by two airports: the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), situated 18 miles from downtown Dallas, and the Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL), located 6 miles from downtown Dallas. Several rental cars, ride-hail options, and bus services are available from both airports.

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