North Texas is not only home to some of the biggest cities in the state, but also a number of charming smaller towns, mountain ranges, state parks and areas of key historical and cultural significance.
Covering an expansive geographic area from the Oklahoma border to the north, down to Waco in the central south, this vast landscape has plenty to see, do and explore.
From the bustling urban attractions of Dallas and Fort Worth to the unique charms of Granbury and the scenic trails of Ennis, here are 21 of the most fun and interesting things to do in North Texas.
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How to get around North Texas
Like most of Texas, the best way to get around North Texas is to explore on your own by car!
If you’re visiting and need to rent a car, we highly recommend Discover Cars where they find you the best car rental deals from all of the competitors (has saved us so much money!).
Okay, everyone grab their best vintage Texas tee and let’s get going!
1. Explore Dallas
One of the most popular things to do in North Texas is to explore the city lights and attractions of Dallas.
Known for its thriving food culture, pulsing bar scene (including the infamous Margarita Mile) and impressive arts district, Dallas makes for an exciting city break during your visit to North Texas.
Some of the most popular attractions are the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza which commemorates the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the Crow Collection of Asian Art.
Also check out these great day trips from Dallas!
2. Visit the American Airlines Center
Dallas often plays host to some of the biggest live music performances in North Texas, with musicians performing at both the more intimate Toyota Music Factory and the American Airlines Center.
If you want the full rock and roll experience, be sure to catch a concert at the American Airlines Center which hosts big name performers for a night to be remembered.
The American Airlines Center is also home to the NHL’s Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks, offering sport enthusiasts a chance to see the local NHL heroes in their homeground.
3. Visit the Reunion Tower
One of the most recognizable landmarks in Dallas, the Reunion Tower has a viewing deck 50 stories up to give visitors spectacular views over North Texas.
You can purchase a ticket to the viewing deck alone, or book a table for drinks and dinner and make a full evening out of it.
For the brave hearted, there’s also leaning windows to look over into downtown Dallas.
4. Visit the Fort Worth Stockyards
For a glimpse at authentic Texan history, visit the cattle drives at the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Here you’ll see a swarm of locals in full cowboy regalia, roaming cattle and the local culture of this traditional corner of the charming southern state.
The cattle drive occurs twice a day and you’ll have the best chances of witnessing the action from the front of the Livestock Exchange Building in the historic district.
5. Visit the Fort Worth Water Gardens
Located in the southern end of downtown Fort Worth, the expansive water gardens are an architecturally designed meeting hub for locals and visitors alike.
The Water Gardens act as a cooling oasis for residents during the often-stifling hot weather, and provide a (literally) refreshing break from the concrete sights of downtown.
There are several water features including the quieter meditation pool and the gushing active pool, making for a perfect resting spot to rest your feet and soak in the surroundings.
6. Visit the Texas sunflower farms
Where can you find fields of sunflowers just a short drive away from the urban center of town?
In North Texas of course!
One of the most picturesque places to see in North Texas are the sunflower fields that are dotted throughout the countryside.
Whilst not all farms are open to the public, Wild Berry Farm is located about an hour north of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and welcomes visitors to roam the fields and even snip some flowers to take home for a small fee.
7. Visit the Lake Mineral Wells State Park
A scenic stop just under an hour away from Fort Worth, the Lake Mineral Wells State Park provides an abundance of nature-centered activities for an afternoon of exploration.
Here you can try your hand at rock climbing, horse riding, hiking, camping and fishing.
There are also museums located in the park to help you learn more about the history and unique rock formations, including the fascinating Mineral Wells Fossil Park, where you can spot well-preserved Pennsylvanian Period fossils.
8. Visit the Texas State Fair
One of the most fun things to do in North Texas is to visit the Texas State Fair. These are some of the largest fairgrounds in the USA and packed with adventure, food, rides and entertainment to delight visitors of all ages.
The aim of the fair is to promote local agriculture, education and community spirit, and is a chance for visitors to sample some of the local culture and cuisine that North Texas is renowned for.
9. Explore the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens
The Fort Worth Botanic Gardens are a 120-acre wonderland of gardens, ponds, hills and waterfalls.
Exploring the entire gardens would likely take more than a day, but choose from the seasonal highlights, such as the pumpkin picking areas during fall or the Japanese festival in November which showcase the gardens in their full glory.
Even if you’re there outside of the key events calendar, there’s plenty to explore. If you need a little coffee break, there’s a spacious indoor and open air café to relax in.
10. Explore the Historic Downtown of Grapevine
The historic heart of downtown Grapevine is a charming teaser to the rest of this vineyard-centered locale.
From restaurants showcasing local cuisine, a historic train, public art on display and winery tasting rooms to explore, you’ll find plenty to see and do in this charming town.
Some of the key highlights are the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, the Grapevine Glockenspiel Clock Tower and the Palace Arts Center.
The town also hosts food and wine tours and a farmers market, so be sure to check those out too if their schedule coincides with your visit.
11. Attend GrapeFest
If you’ve timed your visit to Grapevine to coincide with GrapeFest, typically held in mid-September, you’re in for a grape time!
GrapeFest is a four day celebration of local Texas wines and winemakers, with a full calendar of activities and experiences to get involved in.
From wine tasting to musical performances, there’s something for all interests.
There are family-friendly activities for children too, including carnivals and kid zones, so all ages can get involved in the fun.
12. Visit Six Flags North Texas
One of the most fun things to do in North Texas is visit Six Flags.
Whether you’re there with kids, or you’re a kid at heart, a visit to Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington is sure to be an afternoon of fun.
Six Flags are known for their thrill rides, so make sure to check out the Batman roller coaster, the Superman tower of power and the soon to open Aquaman power wave.
Six Flags also hosts live events and performances, so check the online schedule when planning your visit.
13. Visit Dinosaur Valley State Park
One of the most interesting and unique things to do in North Texas is to visit Dinosaur Valley State Park.
Just a short drive away from Fort Worth, you can wander amongst the actual hillsides and riverbeds where dinosaurs once roamed.
Spend an afternoon searching for dinosaur footprints in the waterbeds, and don’t miss exploring the remainder of this large, rustic natural park.
There are hiking paths, campgrounds, fishing spots and you can even bring your horse to go riding around the trails.
14. Visit Granbury
One of the most charming places to visit in North Texas is the picturesque town of Granbury.
You can stop by for a day trip or add a night to your visit to make the most of this beautiful town.
There’s plenty to take in by simply strolling around the main street, but some of the particular highlights of the town include a tour of the Hood County Courthouse, a visit to the sandy City Beach Park and the Granbury Ghosts and Legends tour.
15. Tour the Vineyards of North Texas
One of the most popular wine regions in the country, North Texas is home to many publicly accessible vineyards, both popular and lesser known.
You can embark on a self-guided tour through the wine region, stopping into various tasting rooms and cellars at your leisure.
The North Texas Wine Country website lists the forty-one member wineries that you can visit, to help you plan your outing.
If you prefer a more tailored approach, a number of operators in the area offer luxury wine tours, giving you a more relaxed and guided taste of the wineries in the area.
16. See the Texas Bluebonnets
In April each year, visitors flock to the town of Ennis in North Texas for a glimpse of the famed Ennis Bluebonnet Trail.
Whilst the town has been crowned the ‘Official Bluebonnet City of Texas’, April is when the township really comes to bloom.
The splendid blue wildflowers bloom at the start of April, attracting crowds from all over the country to get a glimpse during the short window of bluebonnet season.
The trail itself is over 40 miles long and visitors can drive through various sections of the trail to see the stunning blue blooms.
Whilst you’re visiting the town of Ennis, be sure to also stop by at Bluebonnet Market, a weekly Saturday market where you can pick up fresh produce, knick knacks and souvenirs.
17. Visit a Rodeo Ranch
The rodeo is an integral part of Texas culture, and one of the most unique things to do in North Texas.
There are several rodeos in North Texas that are open to the public, however one of the key highlights of the rodeo calendar is the annual North Texas Fair and Rodeo held in Denton.
Typically spanning nine days, the fair is a true celebration of rodeo culture and spirit.
You can enjoy live performances from big names in Country and Folk music, along with livestock shows, children’s zones and the high-stakes, high-energy rodeo championships.
If you miss the fair, you can also visit one of the local ranches that operate horseback riding classes and camps all year round.
18. Visit the River Bend Nature Center
In a corner of Wichita Falls, Texas, you’ll find the River Bend Nature Center.
This sprawling not-for-profit private reserve is dedicated to the conservation and preservation of local wildlife and flora.
Through a mixture of educational activities, self-guided tours and awareness programs, the River Bend Nature Center aims to educate visitors about the importance of preserving the natural environment we inhabit.
You can choose to explore the gardens and conservatories at your own pace, or join in one of the many activities on offer, including joining a guided tour or attending one of the educational-focused events and talks hosted by the Center.
19. Visit the Texas Motor Speedway
One of the most fun things to do in North Texas is to watch a race at the Texas Motor Speedway.
NASCAR racing is a big part of the local culture, and visitors from all over are welcome to experience the thrill of motor racing at the speedway.
Even if you’re not able to make it for NASCAR season, the motorway hosts a number of local races that can be a great opportunity to see the exhilarating race track come alive.
20. Visit the Dr. Pepper Museum
Did you know Dr. Pepper, the world-famous soda brand was founded in North Texas?
Whilst many local buildings now bear the Dr. Pepper name, a visit to the official Dr. Pepper museum will give you an insight into the history and origins of this now much loved brand.
Whilst you can generally walk into the museum, there are some fun experiences that do require pre-booking, including the make-your-own-soda and tasting experiences.
21. Visit Kimbell Art Museum
With works by Monet and Michelangelo adorning the walls of the Kimbell Art Museum, this architecturally designed institution in Fort Worth is one of the most popular places to visit in North Texas.
The museum itself is widely recognized as one of the most significant architectural institutions of the modern era.
With water features, open spaces and a unique arched roof, the building itself is thoroughly fascinating to wander around.
The museum hosts a number of both permanent and temporary collections, so keep an eye on the museum calendar to see what exhibitions are on show during your visit.
22. Visit the Waco Suspension Bridge
Built in 1870, the Waco Suspension Bridge is a true site to behold, and you don’t even have to worry about cars as it’s only open to foot traffic.
Spend your time meandering across and learn a little bit about its history!
As you walk across, you’ll cross the Brazos River, which used to be a much more dangerous affair as it had to be done by ferry instead of bridge.
While it wasn’t easy to build the bridge, thanks to the nearest resources being hundreds of miles away, it was eventually completed and was actually the first major suspension bridge in Texas.
It’s been foot-traffic only since 1971, almost 100 years after it was built, and there are newer bridges today that keep the city moving.
However, it still stands as a tribute to the first bridge that really put Waco on the map and let it flourish the way it did.
23. Relax at the Waco Winery Tasting Room
Waco isn’t just a place for sightseeing, but also a hub of wineries, restaurants, and bars to hang out and relax.
One of the best for wine lovers is the Waco Winery Tasting Room.
Here, you’ll find some incredible local wines, as well as a tasting room with a rooftop patio (yes please to those views!).
Enjoy the sun or the nighttime breeze and let the friendly staff help you find new wines to love.
There’s also regular live music, as well as easy-to-book birthday party and celebration events if you want to rent out the space to really take the time to celebrate with friends and family.
24. Explore the Meadows Museum
Got an afternoon to head to Southern Methodist University?
Here, you’ll find one of the most surprising art collections: one of the largest collections of Spanish art outside of Spain at the Meadows museum!
From Picassos to Grecos to Goya, the collection here is stunning and ranges from the 10th to the 21st centuries so you can really understand how the art movements developed as did the history of Spain.
Pause and take in the oil sketches or marvel at the wood sculptures and canvases.
And why is all of this Spanish art in Dallas?
The museum began with a gift to the university from a man named Algur Meadows, who often visited Spain and collected art.
Now you can enjoy for free!
25. Browse through Spice Village
If you want a shopping experience like no other, head to Spice Village in Downtown Waco!
It’s not far from Magnolia Market and it’s a treasure trove of boutique shops with everything from T-shirts to cat toys to home decor on sale.
It’s colorful, funky, perfect for finding gifts, and has a ton of Texas-themed products as well.
This is the kind of place you go to browse and then come out with 8 things you didn’t know you needed, which we’re all for.
26. See Thanks-Giving Square
If you need some moments of contemplation, seek out Thanks-Giving Square, which is an art installation in Dallas that seeks to help inspire the spirit of thanksgiving and gratitute for what we have.
There’s a meditation garden and chapel, and it’s been well-used and loved since it was designed in 1976.
The chapel has gorgeous stained glass and is open to all people, and you can visit daily for free.
27. Walk around White Rock Lake
Whether you want to hike, bike, or just take a packed lunch to enjoy, White Rock Lake is the place to do it in North Texas.
It’s one of the most popular parks in Dallas and spreads over 1,000 acres, even including the Dallas Arboretum as part of the park!
Bring your dog to play in the dog parks with his furry friends or explore the wetlands (don’t forget your walking shoes!).