If you live in Dallas, or you are staying there, and you want to know where to go for the best day trips then you are in the right place. This is a list of the best day trips from Dallas that are less than 170 miles distance.
Fort Worth is an excellent day trip from Dallas, as there are so many things to see and do. There are multiple historic sites including the JFK tribute. There are several art museums, a cowgirl museum, a science and history museum and an aviation museum.
You can find peace and serenity at the Fort Worth Water Gardens, or get a close look at a range of exciting animals at the Fort Worth Zoo. Fans of ale will love the Fort Worth Ale Trail, which takes you to various breweries in the area to sample the ales.
There are also distilleries that you can visit. The Fort Worth nightlife is exciting, with bars, saloons and lots of opportunities to watch live music. During the day you can have a look around the many different shops, or grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants.
There is a fantastic choice, including seafood, steak, Mexican, Italian, and much more.
Jefferson is a great place to visit if you want to learn more about Pre-civil war America. During the 1800s, Jefferson was the largest river port in the state.
It was a prosperous area, and many of the buildings and shops have been restored to reflect how they would have been in the 19th Century. There are many historical landmarks that you can see during your visit to Jefferson, and the Jefferson Historic Museum.
You can also take a historical walking tour of Jefferson. People also come to Jefferson for the bike trails, the shopping, and the restaurants. Whether you are looking for a modern restaurant, or a 19th Century style tavern, there is something for everyone.
Turner Falls Park is home to the largest waterfall in Oklahoma and is a popular day trip for people who are enthusiastic about nature, photography, geology, or outdoor activities.
There are 1500 acres of land to explore around the falls, with views that have been compared to the Grand Canyon. There are beautiful hiking trails with scenic picnic spots and caves, and natural swimming pools.
You will be able to spot lots of different kinds of wildlife during your visit, including white tailed deer and wild turkeys. This is a fun day out for the whole family and is perfect for getting back to nature.
Waco is known for many different things – the Waco Mammoth National Monument, the Texas Ranger Hall Of Fame and Museum, The Texas Sports Hall of Fame, and it is even the birthplace of Dr Pepper. But these are not the only reasons to take a day trip to Waco.
In Downtown Waco you will find Cameron Park – over 400 acres of green space with trails, playgrounds, and stunning views. You can also visit Cameron Park Zoo to see animals like giraffes, lemurs, gibbons, capybaras, bears, jaguars and many more.
You might fancy some more urban activities instead. Waco is known as a great location for shopping. There is also an amazing selection of restaurants including outdoor dining options and pet friendly restaurants.
You can try lots of different cuisines and treat yourself to food made by local businesses.
Lake Texoma attracts around 6 million visitors every year, mainly due to the large size of the lake. There are 550 miles of shoreline and the lake itself is over 70,000 acres in size.
It is the perfect place to take part in outdoor activities like hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, golfing, and much more. There are shops, restaurants, a casino, spa retreats, historical sites and wildlife areas.
With so much space to explore less than 2 hours drive away, this could become a regular day trip location.
This forest was named after Davy Crockett, the legendary pioneer. It is located in East Texas and has over 160,000 acres of woodland, streams, and wildlife areas.
There is a 45 acre lake for swimming, fishing and boating, various trails for hiking and horseback riding, and plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting.
Keep an eye out for deer, squirrels, waterfowl, doves and more. There are also several endangered species that live in the forest. Make sure you check out the Big Slough Wilderness and the Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area during your visit.
This wildlife management area consists of almost 9000 acres of land to the West of the Pat Mayse Reservoir. It is not like a state park or a national forest – there are no staff on site and no buildings.
This means that there are no facilities – you will need to bring your own water, to take all of your trash home with you, and to manage without a restroom. What you do get is uninterrupted wilderness.
There are over 1500 surface acres of water, including three streams, lots of abandoned fields, and over 4000 acres of hardwood timber. You can explore this area, spot wildlife, hike, picnic, and make the most of being outdoors and in a remote location.
Arbuckle Wilderness Park is an award winning tourist attraction in Oklahoma. The park is over 200 acres in size and has a drive through safari, a petting zoo and a reptile house. You can see the animals walking around, eating, and relaxing.
You can also feed some of the animals yourself. This is the perfect day out for the family, especially if you love animals. There are lots of animals to see including wolves, donkeys, lemurs, cattle, giraffes and more. Make sure you check out the gift shop before you leave.
Palestine is a city in Texas that was founded in 1846. If you are interested in history then you will want to check out the museums, including the Texas State Railroad, and the Railroad Heritage Center.
There are lots of places of architectural interest in Palestine, including Anderson County Courthouse, Carnegie Library, First United Methodist Church, and Palestine Old Town. Palestine is also a city of art and culture, with a theater and an exciting nightlife.
Check out the street food stalls, explore Palestine Main Street, buy some local produce at the Farmer’s market, or visit a local winery.
There is so much to do that you can easily fill a day out. You can also have a look at one of the parks or wildlife areas to see some beautiful green spaces.
A convenient and exciting day trip from Dallas is First Monday in Canton, the world’s largest flea market. There are over 5000 vendors and the market has been going for over 150 years. It is a slice of Texas history, but also a great place to go shopping.
You will find collectible items, antiques, furniture, unique home decor, jewelry, art, vintage clothing and much more. The market is split into sections. The famous fields capture the original spirit of the flea market, with vintage stalls.
The trade centers are for stalls that sell items like clothes, food, decor etc. There is more cover in these areas. The original 6 is where the market began. Here you will find the event center, various eateries, and the historic downtown section.
Antique alley is where you will find the antique stalls. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and prepare for large crowds of people. The market gets very busy and can be quite chaotic, but it has a great atmosphere and is a fun day out.
Lake Whitney State Park is an area with stunning scenery and natural features. You can book a pass online to ensure entry, as it can get quite full during peak times. There are plenty of activities to do in the park and lots of fun to be had for all of the family.
Lake Whitney State Park is a great place for hiking and is also popular with geocachers. The trails are also brilliant for biking. The lake offers plenty of opportunities to get involved with water activities like boating, fishing, swimming, kayaking and water skiing.
The Brazos River also cuts through the park, creating serene views and attracting all sorts of wildlife. The variety of woodland and prairie land means that there are many different species living in the park.
You might be able to spot deer, coyotes, racoons, and squirrels. There are over 200 species of birds living in the park including woodpeckers and bald eagles.
This park gets its name from the dinosaur tracks that were discovered in the bed of the river. They are visible at certain times of year, depending on the weather conditions and the depth of the river.
There are 20 miles of trails to explore within the park which is best done on foot. You can bring your horse and ride it in the south primitive area. Make sure you bring a bucket so you can fetch river water for your horse to drink.
Other activities you can do in the park include swimming, geocaching, mountain biking, fishing, picnicking and wildlife spotting. The park store offers fishing supplies as well as souvenirs and other items.
Denton is an exciting city to visit and is a convenient distance from Dallas for a day trip. It is home to the University of North Texas and has an interesting blend of history and culture.
There are lots of open spaces, family friendly attractions, vibrant urban areas and an exciting nightlife. During your visit you may want to check out Clear Creek National Heritage Center, or Frank Buck Zoo, or Sharkarosa Wildlife Park.
There are plenty of art galleries, museums, murals and historic sites dotted around the city. The shopping scene is excellent, with independent shops, vintage stores, a farmers market and boutiques and shopping malls.
There are also a lot of opportunities to get involved in outdoor activities if that is what you are more interested in. The tough part about visiting Denton is deciding where to eat, as there are so many choices!
You could stop a food truck for Greek, Mexican, Asian or many other types of food. There is also an impressive selection of restaurants including Italian, seafood, BBQ, steakhouses, Mediterranean, vegan, Indian and much more.
Terrell makes a nice change if you want somewhere not too far away to visit. You can visit the airport museum and look at the 10 different murals dotted around the city. Go to the quirky bookstore inside an old theater, or one of the historic downtown shops.
You can also go to the shopping mall for some more traditional choices. The Ham Orchard is a seasonal attraction with a delightful farm shop, or you can go to the swimming pool for a dip.
Terrell has a wonderful sense of community and the locals make visitors feel very welcome. If you are looking for a relaxing day out and you want to explore a new area then it is the perfect choice.
Greenville is a fairly small city but in the early 1900s it was known as the cotton capital of the world due to having the largest cotton compress. During your visit, make sure you go to historic downtown Greenville.
Here you will find interesting shops, beautiful art displays, and wonderful restaurants. You can also visit the Heritage Garden. To get a feel for modern Greeneville you could go to the sports park.
It has batting cages, volleyball courts, basketball ball courts, softball fields and soccer fields. There are also walking trails to explore, a fishing pond, a playground and a pavilion. This is a great feature of the city and is a fun place to go with the family.
Grapevine is a charming place to visit where everyone will make you feel welcome. It is nostalgic, authentic and historic. As the name suggests, there is a prominent wine scene in Grapevine. You could take a winery tour or visit a winery tasting room to experience it.
There is also a local brewery to visit. Grapevine is the perfect place to go to experience vintage Texas. You can take a ride on a 1920s Victorian Coach, or have a go at the ancient art of glass blowing.
It is also a romantic day trip as you can watch the sun set on a cruise of Lake Grapevine or visit the art gallery. If you are looking for family fun you could try the sea life aquarium or Legoland discovery center.
Lake Lewisville is one of the largest lakes in North Texas and is a popular recreational area. You can swim, fish, ski, hike, bike, boat, golf and more. If you don’t have your own equipment then you can rent things like kayaks to kick start your adventure.
There are relaxing beaches along the lake where you can soak up the sun before cooling off with a dip in the water. Party Cove is an area popular with younger visitors, with music and boat parties in the day through to the night. For family friendly fun, check out one of the local parks.
If you are looking for a short distance day trip then you should visit Plano. There are so many things to do from museums to escape rooms, arts centers, nature reserves, aquariums and historic sites.
You can also go shopping, go out for dinner, or watch some live music. Plano has everything you need for a good day out and it takes less than an hour to get there by car.
Hi, my name is Alex Kallen and I love to travel. Ever since I could afford the ticket, I hopped on a plane and never looked back. I’ve made a living writing travel guides and blogging my experience all over the world.
I want to encourage and inspire others to travel around the US like I am. There’s no need to go on vacation overseas when there is an amazing land of opportunity right on your doorstep. Enjoy my website, I hope to see you out here one day.
