How to Spend 3 Days in Dallas

Three days gives you plenty of time to explore everything Dallas has to offer, plus venture farther afield to nearby Fort Worth for a completely different Texas experience. With three days to spend in the DFW area, here are some ideas for how to make the most of your time.

Day 1: City Highlights

Kick off your stay in the Big D with a guided tour of the city. Zip around on a Segway tour to see downtown landmarks including Pioneer Plaza, the John F. Kennedy Memorial, Dealey Plaza, and the Dallas Arts District. Learn more about the history and heritage of Dallas as you go. In the afternoon, dive deeper into the city’s history and culture with a visit to one of its excellent museums. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza recounts the life and death of JFK, while the Nasher Sculpture Center counts some of the finest modern sculpture in the world among its 300-piece collection. If you plan to explore on your own, be sure to grab a multiattraction city pass before hitting the streets to explore at your own pace. In the evening, take the elevator to the top of Reunion Tower for 360-degree views of the big city illuminated at night.

Day 2: Sports and Shopping

Today is all about celebrating two Dallas icons: sports and shopping. In the morning, head to Dallas Cowboys Stadium for a behind-the-scenes tour of one of the most expensive sports venues ever built. Tours take you to areas normally off-limits to the public, including the press box, team locker rooms, postgame interview room, and even onto the field for a selfie in front of the jumbo screens. After lunch, indulge in some retail therapy—a popular Dallas pastime—with a shopping hop to three of the city’s best malls. Snag deals at Grapevine Mills, go upscale at Northpark Center, and browse the extensive collection of retailers at the Galleria Dallas. This evening, sample the flavors of Texas on a food tour of one of the city’s diverse neighborhoods—Uptown, Deep Ellum, West Village, or Downtown.

Day 3: Fort Worth Day Trip

Fort Worth might be Dallas’s “twin city,” but it feels worlds away. On a day trip to Fort Worth, you’ll get an Old West experience at the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, stroll through Sundance Square in the heart of downtown, marvel at the water features at the Water Gardens, and enjoy the art collections at the Fort Worth Cultural District. Once the sun goes down, head over to Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk, for an evening of live country music, barbecue, and two-steppin’. Alternately, if you’re traveling with family, you might consider spending the day at Six Flags Over Texas in nearby Arlington instead, for 212 acres (86 hectares) of rides, parades, concerts, and live entertainment.