fall in dallas Archives - Dallas Wanderer

Top Outdoor Things to Do in Dallas and Surroundings

52 amazing outdoor things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth and surroundings.

Safe and sound outdoor things to do in Dallas and surroundings

Looking for outdoor activities in Dallas? We got you covered!

Dallas offers amazing open air attractions and places to visit, and finding cool outdoor things to do in the city is not a hard task if you know where to look for them.

In this post you will find 52 ideas on how to enjoy the outdoors in Dallas and surroundings. Safe and sound ideas to enjoy life a lot while keeping safe (and sane).

Choose your favorites and go explore!

Outdoor things to do in the summer?

And what about the excruciating hot Texas summer months, when being outdoors becomes virtually unbearable?

When the heat hits beat it in style!

Explore our summer-themed posts and discover amazing state parks with swimming areas near Dallas and fun staycation ideas in DFW to cool off without even hitting the road.

DFW Outdoor Leisure Guide

1. Outdoor Things to Do in Dallas

1. Visit the Dallas Zoo.

2. Cycle the 10ish-mile paved trail around beautiful White Rock Lake and then paddle through the lake right in the middle of the city!

3. Visit the gorgeous Dallas Arboretum and its seasonal displays – the spring, fall and Christmas-themed events are not to be missed.

4. Grab a bite at one of the food-trucks at Klyde Warren Park and have a picnic on the grass.

5. Go mountain biking at top rated Big Cedar Wilderness DORBA Trail.

6. Take a walk along the Nasher Sculpture Center‘s gardens.

7. Jog, walk or cycle along Katy Trail, and then recharge at Katy Trail Ice House‘s outdoor patio.

8. Go bird watching at the Trinity River Audubon Center

9. Walk on the top of the trees at the Trinity Forest Adventure Park.

10. Listen to live music at one of Dallas most popular Beer Gardens, the Truck Yard and The Rustic.

11. Take your four-legged friend to socialize at Dallas coolest pub for dog owners, Mutts Canine Cantina – it is an off-leash dog park too!

12. Experience a rooftop drive-in theater at Dallas’ Rooftop Cinema Club.

13. Get your adrenaline going at the Six Flags Over Texas.

2. Outdoor Things to Do in Fort Worth

14. Feed the giraffes at one of the best zoos in the US, the Fort Worth Zoo.

15. Explore the Fort Worth Water Gardens.

16. Stroll through the beautiful Fort Worth Botanic Gardens.

17. Watch a movie from your car’s trunk at old fashioned Coyote Drive Inn.

18. Watch bison roaming free at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge.

19. Rent a kayak or SUP at Panther Island Pavilion and paddle the Trinity River with your furry friend in tow!

20. Visit Airfield Falls Conservation Park, home to the largest natural waterfall in DFW.

21. Hike along the lake shore at Eagle Mountain Park.

22. Stroll through the Fort Worth Stockyards and watch the daily cattle drive (11:30 am and 4:00 pm).

3. Outdoor Activities in the Dallas Suburbs

23. See life-size Animatronic Dinosaurs on a nature walk through beautiful Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, in McKinney.

24. Zipline at Go Ape in Oak Point Park, in Plano, then explore the beautiful trails.

25. Take an eccentric and unforgettable nature walk with a llama at Shangrillama, in Royse City.

26. Visit Southfork Ranch, film location of worldwide famous TV series “Dallas”, in Parker.

27. Head to Cedar Ridge Preserve, in Cedar Hill, to hike top-rated Cedar Brake Trail.

28. Camp under the stars only 25 minutes driving from Downtown Dallas, at beautiful Cedar Hill State Park nature preserve in Cedar Hill.

29. Go horseback riding in Rockwall.

30. Take a nature walk through Prairie Creek Park, in Richardson, and discover its hidden waterfall.

31. Have lunch or dinner at one of the lively and fun outdoor patios at The Boardwalk at Granite Park, in Plano.

32. Hike the North Shore Trail at Rockledge Park, by beautiful Grapevine Lake shores, in Grapevine.

33. See rescue exotic cats at In-Sync Exotics, in Wylie.

34. Spring through fall, take a cruise on Lake Ray Hubbard to watch the sunset, in Rockwall.

4. Day Trips and Outdoor Places to Visit up to 1h30 from Dallas

35. Look for real dinosaur footprints along the Paluxy River riverbed, at Dinosaur Valley State Park.

36. Dig for fossils at Mineral Wells Fossil Park.

37. Step on a Mammoth excavation site, in Waco, and see firsthand real Colombian Mammoth fossils.

38. Take a drive-thru safari at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center and feed the animals from your car.

39. Visit the famous Magnolia Market, from former fixer upper couple Joanna and Chip Gaines, in Waco.

40. Hike challenging Cross Timbers 14-mile trail, along Lake Texoma, and take in the gorgeous panoramic vistas.

41. Tour Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary, in Tyler.

42. Explore one of the 14 Texas State Parks in the Dallas surroundings, up to 1h30 driving from the city.

43. Take a self-guided wine tour through the 19 wineries part of the Piney Woods Wine Trail, with locations as close as one hour driving from Dallas…

44. …. or head West and explore Cross Timbers Wine Trail‘s top-rated wineries such as Blue Ostrich and 4R Ranch.

45. Kayak at Tyler State Park surrounded by tall tress in the gorgeous Piney Woods region of East Texas.

46. Rock-climb unique Penitentiary Hollow, at beautiful Mineral Wells State Park.

47. Visit Hagerman Wildlife Refuge, in Sherman.

48. Camp under the stars at Eisenhower State Park, with gorgeous panoramic views of Lake Texoma.

49. Be cowboy for a day at Beaumont Ranch, 1h15 from Dallas.

50. Feed and pet rescue animals at Sharkarosa Wildlife Center, in Pilot Point

51. Hike at nearby Ray Roberts Lake State Park afterwards.

52. Shop and eat at Canton’s First Monday Trade Days, the largest outdoor flea market in the world.

Ready to get serious about outdoor fun?

Dallas and its surroundings offer tons of cool outdoor things to do! In this post you’ve found 52 safe and sound ideas on how to enjoy the outdoors in the city and surroundings.

A fine curation of 12 outdoor things to do in Dallas, 9 outstanding outdoor places to visit in Fort Worth, 11 outdoor activities to try in the Dallas suburbs, 17 destinations up to 1h30 driving from Dallas perfect for a day trip, and a handful of fun activities to try at home and enjoy every single weekend of your year.

Get inspired and go enjoy the best outdoor things to do in Dallas!

I truly hope this outdoor fun guide helps to keep you active, full of energy and inspired through the year.

Choose your favorite activities and places to visit, create your own outdoor wish list and start having fun. Now!

What are your favorite outdoor things to do in Dallas? Do you know of any other amazing place to enjoy the outdoors in DFW and surroundings, not mentioned in this post?

Share your wisdom in the comments!

Share on social media or send to a friend:

8 Best Festivals in Dallas this Fall

Discover the best events to attend in the Dallas area in the upcoming months.
8 amazing experiences you can’t miss out. Make the most of this fall season!

Must-attend unique fall events in and around DFW

Check on 8 amazing upcoming festivals to put on your calendar

Fall season – aka as the best season to be outdoors in Dallas – is just around the corner. And it brings to Dallas an amazing festival season!

Discover the 8 top events you must attend this fall and don’t miss out on the superb things happening around.

From yearly festivals to once in a lifetime experiences, here I share with you my personal bucket list for the upcoming months.

For other ideas on things to do in Dallas, check out these top 15 attractions in DFW. And if you need a break from the city, visit our trips from Dallas page.

1. GrapeFest - A Texas Wine Experience

September 12 - 15, 2019
@ Grapevine, TX

Sip some wine and champagne at GrapeFest, the largest wine festival in southwest USA. It’s a popular and lively annual event, that’s been going on for 33 years in Grapevine, a short drive away from Downtown Dallas.

Sample wines from Texas, Michigan and Italy while listening to live music. Enjoy traditional and gourmet food and check on local artisans.

Become a judge at the “People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic”, the largest wine competition in the U.S, featuring 160 Texas varietals from 44 Texas wineries. Smash 18 pounds of grape at the “GrapeStomp competition”!

GrapeFest is a family friendly festival. It also features a kids zone – which includes the SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium Touch Tank and LEGOLAND® Discovery Center this year – and rides to keep the little ones entertained.

Admission is free on Thursday all day and on Friday until 5pm. For other days and times, purchase your tickets here.

2. 40th Plano Balloon Festival

September 20 - 22, 2019
@ Oak Point Park - Plano, TX

Watch air balloons coloring the sky at the 40th Plano Balloon Festival, a popular annual event in Plano, Texas.

This edition features 40 air balloons, including some with special shapes. Make sure to attend the festival on Friday or Saturday night, to see them beautifully glowing.

The balloons are the highlight of the event but there is much more to it!

Stick around to see parachute teams performing every afternoon at 5:30 pm. Enjoy local bands every night. Have fun with the little ones at the Kids Fun Zone. Be wowed by fireworks.

The Plano Balloon festival also features a half-marathon, 10K, 5K and 1K races.

Check the complete Plano Balloon Festival schedule here and plan your visit.

3. Red Bull® Soap Box Race 2019

September 28, 2019 - 10 am to 4 pm
@ Austin Ranch, The Colony - Dallas, TX

Held yearly since 2000 in multiple countries around the world, this year’s Red Bull® Soap Box Race will be in Dallas! It’s the second time Dallas hosts the event, which is returning to the city after 7 years.

So, seize the moment and attend this fun and unique event!

Watch amateurs competing in a downhill race with obstacles on homemade soapbox cars, human powered – no engines or pedals allowed. A total of 50 teams participate and will be judged by speed, creativity and showmanship.

Come and see the amazing crafts, talk to the competitors and cheer for your favorite ones. Watch inevitable and funny failures – sorry – and human creativity at its best.

The event is free and opened to the public. There will be food vendors on site. Bring water, a small umbrella to protect from the sun and enjoy!

4. Texas State Fair

September 27 through October 20, 2019
@ Fair Park - Dallas, TX

Texas State Fair is Dallas most traditional and beloved festival. It has been going on for over a century, celebrating all things Texan. It’s an event as big as Texas that attracts yearly over 3 million people.

This year’s theme is “Celebrating Texas Creativity”. Expect tons of entertainment options, crowds and fun.

Greet the Big Texan, world’s tallest cowboy – a Kerens native and former world’s largest Santa Claus in the 50’s just out of curiosity (some Texan culture, folks!). Enjoy over 70 rides, free daily live music, exhibitions, competitions, shows, local and gourmet food and fireworks every night, just to name a few things you can experience there.

Use the Texas State Fair schedule tool to plan your visit and make the most of it. The quantity of daily events can be overwhelming, so you are better off knowing what you want to do and see before getting there.

You can also combine your visit to the Texas State Fair with a football game at the historic Cotton Ball Stadium, nestled in the fair grounds. There are three College Football Games happening during the Texas State Fair, including the traditional Red River Showdown. Learn more and get your tickets here.

5. 14th Autumn at the Arboretum

September 21 through October 31, 2019
@ Dallas, TX

Enjoy the cherished American pumpkin patch tradition at the Dallas Arboretum.

Featuring over 90.000 pumpkins in one acre, Arboretum’s Pumpkin Village is one of the largest pumpkin patches around Dallas and considered one of the 15 best pumpkin patches in the nation by Travel Chanel. It’s framed by 150,000 autumn flowers, creating a breathtaking fall setting.

This year festival’s theme is “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”. So, expect to spot Charlie Brown, Lucy, Snoopy, Woodstock and other characters around.

Take amazing pics, get into the autumn vibe and then take a pumpkin home to be carved for Halloween! – pumpkins can be purchased at the Tom Thumb Pumpkin Patch inside.

6. Bonnie and Clyde Day

October 12, 2019
@ Pilot Point, TX

In its 10th edition, the annual Bonnie & Clyde Day is a curious event to say the least. It takes place in historic Pilot Point, a small town one hour away from downtown Dallas.

Pilot Point was part of Bone and Clyde’s trajectory, both in the real life and movie.

The town and surroundings were once Bonnie and Clyde hidey-hole – as well as a place were other famous outlaws used to hang out. Pilot Point streets were also the filming location of the robbery scene from the Bonnie and Clyde movie. A popular movie from the 60’s, starring Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty.

Every year the streets are taken by actors and production staff to reenact the scene. The event also includes a car show, local vendors and family fun.

If you’re into history or a movie buff, the Bonnie and Clyde Day event will fit you like a glove!

7. Nights Light - Sky Lantern Festival

October 12, 2019
@ Texas Motorplex - Ennis, TX

Watching thousands of glowing lanterns going up the sky with messages of love is something quite special I can’t wait to repeat! It’s an uplifting and unforgettable bucket list style experience.

Inspired by the traditional event in Thailand, the Nights Light – Sky Lantern Festival happens only in a few places in the US and we are lucky enough to have one right in our backyard, a short drive away from Dallas.

Come and join thousands of people. Bring your chairs and blankets. Sip some wine, cook s’mores at the firepit. Then as night unveils, write your best wishes in your lantern and prepare for the amazing moment when all the lit lanterns are released at once.

The result is breathless, peaceful and joyful. Buy your tickets here to the upcoming Sky Lantern Festival in Dallas and see it for yourself!

8. Dia de los Muertos Parade

October 26, 2019
@ Downtown Dallas

This year Dallas is scheduled to host what intends to be the biggest Dia de los Muertos Parade in Texas, if not in the country. 30.000 people are expected to attend the event

The Dallas Dia de los Muertos will take place in Downtown Dallas. The event will run from 4 – 7 pm. The colorful parade is scheduled to start at 5:00 pm at the Dallas City Hall and will be followed by a party with Mexican food, live music and fireworks.

Summing Up

Mark your calendars!

The next two months will be filled with amazing outdoor events in and around Dallas that you simply can’t miss out.

Enjoy wine and have tons of fun at the GrapeFest. Get wowed by air balloons at the Plano Balloon Festival. Experience the free and worldwide renowned Red Bull® Soap Box Race.

Celebrate Texan culture at Texas State Fair. Visit one of the 15 best pumpkin patches in the whole country at the Autumn at the Arboretum. Step back in time at the Bonnie and Clyde Day.

Light up the season with Days and Nights Light – Sky Lantern Festival. Write your wishes on your lantern, lit it up and release into the skies being thankful for the amazing season and inhaling good vibes for the next one!

Dallas will also host this fall the first edition of what intends to be the largest Dia de los Muertos Parade in the country.

Get more trips and leisure ideas right to your inbox. New and unique content released every week!

The Ultimate Fall Bucket List in Dallas

The Best Places in Texas to Travel This Fall