More about: 3 Best Day Trips from Dallas
Dallas is the third largest city in the state of Texas, with an active cultural and commercial life. There are many fun things to do in Dallas, so it is a strategic place to stay and make excursions to get to know its surroundings.
From taking a trip to the Wild West visiting Forth Worth, to visiting the ranch of the legendary Dallas series, there are a variety of options that you can't miss. You can also find more challenging activities like jumping into a wind tunnel or testing your wits in an Escape Room, so the whole family will surely find an interesting tour to do from Dallas. I'll tell you about those tours in this article.
1. Feel like in the Wild West on the Forth Worth tour
If you are curious about how they lived in the Wild West, you can take a tour to Forth Worth from Dallas, to the place that used to be a must stop for cowboys driving cattle up the Red River in the 19th century. Forth Worth is about half an hour from Dallas, and is the 12th largest city in the United States.
The Forth Worth tour is a half-day tour, and usually starts early in the morning. It is done with small groups of people, and you will be accompanied by a historian guide who will tell you what life was like for cowboys in old Texas, while you walk through the streets of the Wild West in the Stockyards district. It's a tour that kids can join too, and they're sure to love it.
Some of the sites that are often included in tours to Forth Worth are:
- Hell's Half Acre: a place where there were whorehouses and cowboys got drunk and got into fights.
- The Stockyards National Historic District, a place where harnessing is done twice a day (except for some holidays), and there are some 46 historic buildings, plus the city's famous sign.
- The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, which used to be a horse and mule stable, and was built in 1888.
- The Cowtown Coliseum, where rodeos are held.
- The Livestock Exchange Building, built in 1902, which today houses a historical museum.
Details of interest
- Price: about 74€ per person.
- Duration: 4-5 hours approximately.
- Means of transport: minivan.
2. Relive the Dallas series on the excursion to Southfork Ranch in Parker
Fans of the Dallas series can't miss the Southfork Ranch, where the famous series was filmed, which today has become a tourist attraction, museum and event center. The mansion is located in Parker, a half-hour drive from downtown. The 17-season series was created by David Jacobs and had millions of viewers worldwide.
The Southfork Ranch tour includes a minivan transfer to the ranch's visitor center, where you will take a streetcar to the mansion. Once there, you will embark on an expert-guided tour of the mansion, where you can relive the most memorable scenes from the series.
At Southfork Ranch there are exhibits where you will find objects that appeared in the series, such as Lucy's wedding dress or the gun that killed JR. You can also tour the ranch from the outside, where you'll find Jock's 1978 Lincoln car. In addition, you can buy souvenirs related to the series in the store on the ranch.
Details of interest
- Price: about 74€ per person.
- Duration: approximately 3 hours.
- Means of transportation: minivan.
3. Take a tour of Magnolia Market and the city of Waco.
If you're interested in decor, organic fabrics and sampling local dishes, you can take a trip to Waco and the Magnolia Market, a shopping complex built in two silos that has the best decor and interior design stores in the area. The complex occupies two city blocks in Waco, and is about an hour and a half drive from Dallas.
The full-day tour includes round-trip car transportation from Dallas, and because it's private, you only go with people in your group of friends or family. During the tour, the knowledgeable guide will tell you about the history of Dallas, Waco and other interesting facts about the market. You will have plenty of time to tour the complex and even visit nearby sites such as the Waco Suspension Bridge.
The Magnolia Market has a beautiful botanical garden and food trucks with dining options for all tastes. It is a place where in addition to buying design objects or gardening products, you can spend a pleasant time with your family.
On the other hand, you can't miss it if you go to Dallas at Christmas time, since you will be able to see the incredible Christmas decorations of the Market, the beautiful Christmas ornaments and attend events related to the festivity.
Details of interest
- Price: from 180€ per person, depending on how many people take the tour with you. You can also do it alone, but it will cost you around 550€.
- Duration: 9 hours approximately
- Means of transport: car
Tips for a trip from Dallas
Before booking an excursion from Dallas, make sure you have read carefully what is included, how long it is expected to last and if it can be cancelled or rescheduled. For example, some tours may not include transportation, so you should first find out how to get there on your own, and what is the most convenient time to take the tour. The same if you take a tour in Dallas.
On the other hand, some companies do not include lunch, meals or drinks, so you should bring extra money to pay for it. However, it is always a good idea to bring a bottle of water, snacks, fruit or whatever you prefer just in case. It is also important to bring sunscreen and a hat, especially if you are visiting Dallas in the summer.
It is also important to find out if the tours have an age restriction, especially if you are going to Dallas with children. On the other hand, many tours, even if they allow children to participate, are not suitable for them, as they will not be much fun for them. In this case, it is best that they do not last many hours, and that you intersperse them with activities that are more entertaining for them.
Why hire a guided tour from Dallas vs. going on your own?
There are many advantages to hiring a guided tour. One of them is that the guide will provide you with first-hand information from having lived in the region that would take you a long time to find out on your own. Especially if you have just happened to arrive in Dallas, and have not had time to research the city or its most representative sites, even if you visit Dallas during the day. Therefore, there is nothing better than a local to introduce you to the city.
On the other hand, some places like Magnolia Market are quite far from Dallas and it will take you a long time to get there if you haven't rented a car. On the other hand, if you hire a tour, you will have the transfer solved and you will travel comfortably. Keep in mind that Dallas is a big city where there is usually a lot of traffic, something that tour companies are experienced in and will be able to handle with ease.