25 Fun Activities & Things to do in Dallas for Adults

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If you’re looking for fun things to do in Dallas, Texas, then look no further! Whether you’re looking for an affordable date night idea or girl’s night out, we will highlight some of the best activities and things to do in Dallas for adults.

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This post covers 25 fun things to do for adults on their visit to Dallas. We will talk about different activities by different circumstances, such as indoor and outdoor activities, and activities to do by the time of day. So, if you are a novice or even if you’re not and just want some recommendations, you have come to the right place!

While Dallas has a lot of things to offer that the whole family can enjoy, it also has tons of fun activities and things to do for adults. Whether you’re looking for something active or just want to relax, we’ve got you covered. 

Indoor activities in Dallas for adults

Perot Museum of Nature and Science

If you enjoy museums, then Dallas is the place to be. It is full of art, history, and natural science museums. The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a wonderful location for children and adults alike. 

It contains gorgeous fossils of dinosaurs and exhibits specifically about birds and their biology and history. This museum also contains geological exhibits such as one related to precious jewelry, gold, and gemstones. 

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From giant geodes and historical gold pieces to learning about tectonic plates and Earth’s movement, this museum has something for everyone interested in the natural sciences. This is also a nice outing for those who want a more reserved and insightful indoor activity.

Dallas Museum of Art

As mentioned above, Dallas is a hub of museums, and the Dallas Museum of Art is a must-see. With art ranging from modern and abstract to ancient and more historical, there is a wide array of art styles to enjoy and take in as you walk through this museum. 

Including impressive works from artists such as Van Goh and Jean-Michel Basquiat, this museum has some powerhouse paintings on display for anyone interested in art history. Not only that but there are also sculptural displays and exhibits that can be seen and appreciated as well.

 If you’re looking for a way to get your history and even some of the artwork of Texas itself, this is a great place to relax and enjoy the beauty of artwork from around the world and throughout the years.

Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center

Classical music and an atmosphere of grace and love for the art of orchestra make this a wonderful option for an indoor activity that adults will enjoy. This symphony center is popular in Dallas and has plenty of shows and options throughout the days. 

They offer orchestral performances in a variety of genres, so there is a choice for everyone. This is a nice, sophisticated, and awe-inspiring activity that really taps you into the heart of classical music in Dallas.

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Galleria Dallas

Everyone, especially us adults, love to window shop, so a visit to the Galleria Dallas, which is Dallas’ most prominent mall, is sure to be a fun activity. 

Combining the usual experience of a shopping mall with local art, the Galleria Dallas is a rather unique shopping mall experience that will allow visitors to the city to get a taste of the local culture and art scene of modern artists in the area. 

This mall also has put a green initiative into place that you can experience when you visit, which includes sustainable water systems, electric systems, and recycling. While this is not a crazy activity, it is an interesting one that is sure to have you enjoying the local atmosphere.

Frontiers of Flight Museum

While we have discussed several museums as activities on this list thus far, this is one that is unique in its historical and mechanical exhibits. This flight museum has life-size aircraft and spacecraft on display to walk visitors through the history of aviation and to give interactive options. 

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Along with displays of the crafts themselves, there are also historical exhibits dedicated to World War I and World War II and the connection to aviation. There is also historical information about various airline histories. This is a really cool way to learn about aviation history in America and its connection to Dallas.

Things to do in Dallas for couples

Deep Ellum Brewery Tours

Something fun for couples to do in Dallas is to participate in a brewery tour. If you and your partner enjoy learning about how beers and other brews are made, then a visit to Deep Ellum Brewery is an awesome way to learn about the brewery’s history in Dallas and its process for creating its signature brews. 

You also get 3 free beers with this tour, which lasts for two hours and is only twenty dollars to purchase. After the tour, you can continue to stick around and enjoy some delicious food and live music. Founded in a prominent blues-rock area of Texas, the culture around this brewery is thriving and along with living music, they frequently have activities such as trivia nights that couples could enjoy together.

Visit the Dallas Botanical Gardens

The Dallas Botanical Garden is a beautiful and romantic way for couples in Dallas to spend the day or even the night during certain seasons. This garden offers gorgeous displays that change with the seasons the fall brings out displays of up to 90,000 pumpkins to ring in the season! 

Continuing with that, the Christmas holidays are promoted with towering Christmas trees and thousands of lights that can be enjoyed well into the night by guests. Spring and summer include different themes and showcase amazing local flora, along with sprawling fields of tulips and rooms of other flowers that you can experience at this location. 

The botanical garden also offers activities such as tea parties, live music, educational seminars, and more!

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Rooftop Cinema Club

When you think of a couple’s date, you probably think of the classic dinner and a movie. So, in Dallas, you can absolutely do that but turn it up a notch with the romance! 

The rooftop cinema club offers classic films that you can enjoy with your partner, but the main attraction is that you watch it while looking at beautiful Dallas skylines while under the stars. The cinema club also offers wireless headphones so that you can enjoy the movie uninterrupted by the outside world. 

Along with the headphones, the cinema club gives you the option of single-deck chairs or loveseats for you and your partner so you can enjoy the movie while cuddling together under the stars. 

This is truly a memorable and romantic outing for couples in Dallas because while it is a simple concept it is executed in an amazing way that brings you and your partner to your own personal cinema bubble outside in the beauty of the city and nature.

The Dallas by Chocolate Tour

Every couple has at least one person who has a sweet tooth, and everyone can appreciate the decadence of a professionally made chocolate. So, the best choice for any sweet tooth couple out there is the Dallas by Chocolate Tour

This tour will take you around on an afternoon trip to 5 of Dallas’ most prolific chocolate maker shops, so you can enjoy tastings of the best chocolates in the city. Your tour guide will also give you information on how chocolate is made, Dallas history, and even some sweet trivia! 

This is a fun foodie adventure for those who are interested in a Dallas tour that isn’t just the usual walk-around. If you are a lover of chocolates and you want to experience a fun afternoon tour then this is the perfect option for you and your partner.

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Go on Gondola Rides

It turns out you don’t have to travel to Italy to get the experience of a Gondola ride, you can do this when you visit Dallas, Texas! Gondola Adventures offers several different ride options for you to choose from, including dinner, lunch, dessert, or a pizza cruise! 

There are many different food options but the gondola ride is a part of each choice. You and your partner can enjoy a romantic gondola ride on lake Carolyn and enjoy delicious food on it as well. This is truly a ride to remember and is sure to give you and your partner the romance you have been looking for in an outing.

Adventurous Things to do in Dallas for adults

Medieval Times Dinner Theater

While Medieval Times is not secluded to Dallas, it is one unique and adventurous option for those who enjoy fantasy and Renaissance fair-type events. Medieval Times is an experience that sets you in a royal dining hall as you watch tournaments such as jousts. 

You are served a 4-course meal and completely immersed in the experience of eating in the medieval time, AKA the 11th century. Other than just the dinner and show, there is also a museum of torture and a hall of arms to explore afterward and really get a feel for how things were in the dark ages.

This is definitely a unique experience and a very fun one for fantasy lovers or even those who just want to be treated like medieval royalty for a meal.  

Southfork Trail Rides

An adventurous way for adults to experience Dallas is with a trail ride at Southfork Ranch. This is an outdoor activity that is at the ranch made famous by the show Dallas, so if you are a fan of the show, this is an even bigger plus. 

The trail rides are a wonderful way to experience the nature of the farm and, did I mention you get to ride horses? If that doesn’t sell this outing for you, then I don’t know what will. Feel like the star of your own wild west show on this gorgeous trail ride, as you ride a horse along the rolling hills. 

Along with these rides, the ranch also offers riding lessons for those who wish to do this before the ride or who just want to learn more about horseback riding.

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Safari at Fossil Wildlife Center

If a safari sounds like the optimal level of adventure for you, then a trip to the Fossil Wildlife Center is a perfect choice! These can be self-driving and self-guided tours, or you can book a vehicle with the center itself. They also offer behind-the-scenes tours which give you a closer look at the animals and their conservation efforts. 

On the safari tour, which takes about two hours for the self-driving tours, you will be able to see various exotic birds, giraffes, zebras, bison, cheetahs, and various species of deer. This is truly a unique experience, and by supporting the park, you also help support the conservation of these animals.

Visit Trinity Forest Adventure Park

If adventure is what you’re looking for in Dallas, then look no further than Trinity Treetops. You can visit this adventure park and participate in many different course challenges that are located upwards of 50 feet in the air. 

These treetop obstacle courses are separated by difficulty, so you can choose just how much of a daredevil you would like to be. This is an adventure that puts you right in the middle of nature and lets you let loose and run, challenging yourself on obstacle course tracks high above the ground. You can even go zip lining at this course.

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Enjoy the Museum of Memories

A museum may not be what you think of when you want something adventurous, but the museum of memories is not like all the other museums you have been to. This is actually an interactive art installation that welcomes visitors to let their inner child out by immersing themselves in the childhood nostalgia of the exhibits. 

You can crawl into installations of giant hot cocoa and throw marshmallows, and you can walk through rooms filled with giant Christmas ornaments; it is definitely an experience, unlike any other museum visit you have had.

Fun things to do in Dallas at night for adults

’til Midnight at the Nasher

Dallas at night offers many different activities and events for adults to attend, one being nighttime events at the Nasher Sculpture Center. The event is titled ‘til Midnight at the Nasher because the block party they throw lasts until midnight. 

You have no worries about trying to find something to do during the night if you choose to go to this event, it is free to enter, and they offer outdoor entertainment. It only occurs on the third Fridays of certain months and it includes film screenings and live music. 

While it is free to enter the event, you can also book picnic tables and order food for a price. This is a fun way to spend a night if you are a night owl and want to be a part of the Dallas nightlife.  

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Dinner and Flight at Delta Charlie’s

As it gets later into the afternoon, you may begin thinking about what you and your partner would like for dinner. Well, if you want to truly shake things up and do something totally new, then you need to try Delta Charlie’s

This restaurant is one of a kind, in the fact that after dinner, you go on a flying sightseeing tour of the city at night! With this package only being offered from 5 pm to 9:30 pm, you and your partner will really get to experience a brand-new nightlife and see the city from a different view, a bird’s eye view. 

This is an exciting experience which includes a three-course meal for two and the sightseeing plane ride. So, whether or not you want to celebrate a special occasion or you are just wanting to have a more exciting night, then this is an option that you totally go for on your Dallas trip.

See Shows at the House of Blues

The House of Blues is a famous performing center for artists from around the world who come to play in Dallas, and it is a great place to experience music and nightlife in the city. 

While many events are ticketed you can also book reservations and visit the foundation room lounge which allows adults to really enjoy the nightlife with cocktails, DJs, and live entertainment. They also have an excellent restaurant and bar for their patrons.

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Enjoy Night Games at Pinstack

Late-night usually means winding down in bed for some of us, but others are night owls who want a fun way to be entertained for hours into the night. The perfect solution for this is a visit to Pinstack, an arcade located only minutes outside of Dallas. 

This place offers a variety of activities such as an arcade, laser tag, bumper cars, and a rock-climbing wall. There is so much to do here that you could stay for hours, which is nice because they don’t close until midnight or later. 

You can also enjoy good food, drinks, and bowling with friends. This is a location that gives you more options than you have likely ever had after 10 pm.

Do a Haunted Pub Crawl

When some of us think of nighttime, we might think of ghostly spirits and ghouls. If that’s you and you’re interested in the undead, then a haunted pub crawl is a great way to spend your night drinking and hearing the ghost story history of the city. 

This walking tour lasts for about 2.5 hours and allows you to discover the spooky history of downtown Dallas while drinking, of course.

Things to do in Downtown Dallas

Dallas Zoo/ Aquarium 

A classic place to visit in downtown Dallas is the aquarium and the zoo. Here you can visit majestic animals such as big cats, elephants, rhinos, and much more at the zoo or at the aquarium, where there are sea dragons, exotic fish, otters, jellyfish, and more. 

These are wonderful places to visit to be closer to nature and garner an appreciation for these beautiful creatures while you’re in the city.

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Take a Tour

One of the best ways to spend the day in downtown Dallas is to take a tour. This way, you learn all about the major parts of the city, and you get to know the layout, and the good thing about these activities is that there are many different ways to take these tours. 

For example, there are walking tours, self-guided tours, Segway tours, and even skyline tours. Choose your own adventure and get to know the city.  

Visit Fair Park

Fair Park is a popular spot for those in Dallas because it frequently hosts the state fair, but when that is not around, there are plenty of things to do, such as museums, historical landmarks, gardens, and performance venues that host plays and other performances.

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See Pioneer Plaza

Pioneer Plaza is an important part of Dallas history that showcases the wild west history of cattle farming and cowboys. This plaza is so outstanding to see because of the amazing sculptures that pay homage to those cattle drives that cowboys of the olden ages participated in. Along with this main feature, there are plants, animals, and small waterfalls for those who visit to enjoy too.

Go to Rainbow Vomit

Rainbow Vomit’s name may put you off of wanting to visit this location, but I can assure you it is worth a visit. Labeled as Dallas’ number one interactive art museum, this is a new way to interact with art that includes exciting designs of light and sound to add to the journey you will go on in this museum. 

The art installation is supposed to take you on a fantastical journey of flight, that they compare to your own personal superhero story. So, I would say this is definitely a cool destination in downtown Dallas and has plenty of photo opportunities inside along with the fun of experiencing art rather than just looking at it.

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Visit the Sixth Floor Museum

This place records the assassination and legacy of President Kennedy. If you’re into history and enjoy basking in information from the past, this would be an amazing site for you to see. I love how interesting this is, and you might even catch some info that isn’t that much shared in the media by your tour guide!

Reunion Tower

An iconic landmark in Dallas that oversees a 360-degree view of the skyline. Wow! Even just writing about it makes me so excited. This is a must-see in Dallas, your trip wouldn’t be as complete as it is if you don’t try visiting this place. See the spectacular view for yourself here!

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Dallas Has Many Fun & Interesting Things To Do For Adults!

So, no matter what you’re visiting Dallas for or who you are with, I hope this post points you in the right direction for some activities to make your trip the most fun you could imagine! 

Whether you want to enjoy a more adventurous and unique trip in the city, or if you want a more reserved and quiet time experiencing the culture, there is something for everyone here. These fun activities in Dallas will make your trip so memorable!

Finally, don’t forget to have a great time and let me know which place or activity you enjoyed the most. 

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hi! I'm shannon

I’m a wife, mom of three, doctor, and blogger! In 2018, I decided to turn my mom blog, into a personal finance blog so others could follow along on our journey to pay off over HALF a MILLION dollars in student loan and practice start up debt. I hope you enjoy following along, and maybe even find some inspiration along the way.