Make the most of your Dallas short stay.
Find out the must-see Dallas attractions and top things to do in Downtown Dallas.
The perfect way to spend one single day in Dallas for travelers and Dallas residents’ guests.
Dallas is a big city with enough attractions to keep you entertained for a good while. But what should you see if you have only one day in the city? Which area should you focus on to explore Dallas in a way that makes sense in a short time frame?
This post has you covered! Check it out and discover the best way to explore Dallas in 24 hours.
Enjoy to the fullest your stopover in Dallas, one-day trip to Dallas or simply amuse guests from out of town with this perfect self-guided tour covering must-visit places and must-see attractions. Things to do unique to Dallas that you simply cannot miss while in the city.
Do you have some more time around? Are you looking for other alternatives?
Check our posts on how to spend 2 days in Dallas and 3 days in Dallas for more ideas on things to do around. Or dig into the 15 Top Dallas Attractions post, pick your favorites and make your own customized itinerary.
Go wander and enjoy! : )-
Why Downtown Dallas?
Downtown is hands down the Dallas area with the most iconic attractions and landmarks per square feet.
It is the perfect place to give you a good glimpse on Dallas if you have only one day.
You will be able to visit many of the Dallas top attractions and things to do in a relatively small area that can be easily covered by foot, making it a perfect walking-tour destination.
If you prefer to drive around, parking options abound, and traffic does not tend to be bad. You can also rely on Uber and Lyft. Or even rent one of the popular electric scooters you’ll see all over – try the Lime app to locate and rent them.
From the place were JFK was murdered – or the Dallas Worldwide Aquarium, if you have little kids in tow – to amazing views from the iconic Reunion Tower, check bellow those and other must-sees in the area.
Find out things to do and nearby restaurants. Explore Downtown Dallas wisely to make the most of your day.
How to explore Downtown Dallas in 4 steps
1. Start off at the Main Street District
The Main Street District is the Dallas business district and one of the most cosmopolitan area in the city. There you can have the ‘big city’ vibe and experience the upscale side of Dallas.
Breakfast at CDB Provisions or Comissary
Kick off early in the day by having breakfast at top-rated CDB Provisions. With cool ambiance and delicious food, it is a solid choice in the area. If you prefer to grab a quick appetizing snack, head to the Comissary, a European style espresso bar and bakery serving mouth-watering breakfast daily in a cozy and modern setting. For other restaurant options, check this amazing Dallas Eater map with the best restaurants in Downtown Dallas.
Giant Eyeball Sculpture
Few cities in the world can claim to have a 30-foot tall giant eyeball among its landmarks. Dallas is one of them – and I don’t actually know of any other one that has or is willing to have one lol.
The Giant Eyeball is Dallas’ quirkiest monument and is right on Main Street. A unique art-piece designed by artist Tonny Tasset. It’s currently part of the extensive and impressive The Joule Hotel art collection, which includes other famous artists such as Andy Warhol. The sculpture is on private property and usually not accessible to the public, but you can still get a good glimpse of it from the street.
A perfect place for a quick snapshot, the Giant Eyeball is located right across the street from your next stop, the Neiman Marcus Flagship Store.
Neiman Marcus Flagship Store
Dallas is home to the headquarters and flagship store of the worldwide renowned high-end retail chain Neiman Marcus.
Located in a historic building listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Neiman Marcus flagship store is famous for its sumptuous atmosphere, top-notch brands and sky-rocket prices. It is a place to see and be seen in Dallas and actually quite interesting even if you are not planning to make any extravagances, for its historic significance and unique setting. The historic building’s Renaissance Revival architecture and luxurious interiors itself worth a stop.
Get fancy and shop – or do some window-shopping – and explore the four store levels. Stop for a treat at the bistro area in the makeup section – the White Macadamia Cookies are to die for – and maybe have a lunch or a drink at The Zodiac restaurant, a Dallas staple.
Then prepare to walk and burn out those extra calories to reach your next stop.
2. Take a walking tour through Dallas' Landmarks and taste southern kitchen
After leaving the Neiman Marcus flagship store, take a self-guided walking tour towards the Sixth Floor Museum. Start at the Pioneer Plaza and from there take the route through Young Street and them Market Street. Make sure to stop by these must-see places along the way:
Pioneer Plaza
About 10 minutes walking from the Neiman Marcus flagship store, you’ll find the Pioneer Plaza. It features a gigantic cattle drive sculpture and it is perfect place for a feeling of the old west inside Dallas.
The cattle drive sculpture is a unique art installation with life-sized and very realistic bronze longhorn bulls, serving as a memorial to the Dallas settlers and a reminder of how life in Dallas was like in the early days. Check on the adjoining Pioneer cemetery and learn about the city’s history.
Flying Red Horse
About 5 minutes walking from the Pioneer Plaza, you’ll find one of the most iconic Dallas landmarks, which can be seen in many souvenirs and publications about Dallas.
Located in front of the Omni hotel, the Flying Red Horse is a 11-feet red Pegasus neon sign which has been part of the Dallas skyline for over 80 years and it’s said to look after the city.
JFK Memorial Plaza
Walk another 8 minutes and reach an important monument in tribute to John F. Kennedy.
A peaceful and beautiful piece-of-art with clean lines, the JFK Memorial Plaza is intended to be a place for reflection. It was designed by famous American architect Philip Johnson’s as an ‘open tomb’, representing the freedom of JFK’s soul.
Ellen's Southern Kitchen
Feeling hungry? Take a lunch break and walk 5 minutes towards Ellen’s Southern Kitchen to taste local flavors. The restaurant is near both the Sixth Floor Museum and the Dallas Worldwide Aquarium and serves authentic southern comfort food.
Try their delicious chili, fried catfish and sweet potato fries. Or take advantage of their all-day-breakfast and try their eggs-Benedict paired with a mimosa drink, other Dallas staples.
Dealey Plaza
Walk another 5 minutes to reach Dealey Plaza.
The birthplace of Dallas and the stage from where people witnessed in shock JFK being shot over 50 years ago, the Dealey Plaza has undoubtful historic significance. Look for the white ‘Xs’ on the street you can spot from the plaza, marking the exact crime scene spot.
3. Explore the Sixth Floor Museum
Finally reach the Sixth Floor Museum, one of the top attractions in the city and an unforgettable experience you can only live in Dallas.
The Sixth Floor Museum pays tribute to the life and death of John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, murdered in Dallas in 1963. Its immersive exhibition will take you back to the moment and context of one of the most important events of American History, which caused worldwide commotion.
The fact that the Sixth Floor Museum is set up in the very building from were Kennedy’s murderer shot the fire that killed the American president makes this an extra special experience. There you will find the crime scene exactly the way it was left over 50 years ago. The scattered cardboard boxes that Lee Harvey Oswald used to camouflage. It is chilling and memorable.
Kids in Tow?
Consider swapping your visit to the Sixth Floor Museum for the nearby Dallas Worldwide Aquarium, within a short walk from Ellen's Southern Kitchen.
It is a world-class aquarium in a beautiful tropical setting guaranteed to entertain little ones and adults alike.
Then just follow the other activities as planned: your kids will absolutely love to see a giant eyeball, get on top of a longhorn bull statue, go up the Reunion Tower and sit on a rotating floor cafe, I promise!
4. Get to the top of the world at Reunion Tower
Take a 10-minute walk and go up to the top of the Reunion Tower, one of the most recognizable buildings in the Dallas Skyline. ‘The Ball’ has an observation deck on the 50th floor, the GeO-Deck, one of the top tourist destinations in Dallas.
Step out the GeO-Deck for the best views of Dallas. Watch a stunning 360-degree view sunset. See the city transitioning from day to night and lighting up.
Or on weekends, go up one floor and grab a drink and a snack at Cloud 9 Cafe. Then just sit and relax while the floor does the job for you: it rotates and gives you amazing panoramic views of the sunset through the floor to ceiling windows.
Top off with a fine-dining experience at the upscale Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck restaurant – reservations are recommended.
Wrapping Up
Downtown Dallas is home to Dallas top landmarks and attractions, and it is a great place to hit if you have only one day – or even a few hours – to explore the city.
The Main District, Sixth Floor Museum and surroundings and Reunion Tower are must-visit places and will give you a good overall idea on Dallas. If you have more days in the city, check our other itineraries or the top 15 things to do in Dallas to make your own selection.
Now go and enjoy! And remember to get back here and let me know your impressions.
Which was your favorite attraction in Dallas? Did you discover any hidden gem along the way?
Which were the ups and bumps of your day and which advice would you give to other wanderers planning to take this same itinerary?
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