Just like everything in Texas, Dallas and Fort Worth are big, bold, and brimming with exciting adventures and activities. There are few cities in the US where you can go river kayaking, compete in a pizza eating contest, then catch a comedy show all in one day, but if it’s possible anywhere, then it would be Dallas and Fort Worth.
If you’re planning a trip to the cities or looking for a fun experience gift idea, knowing where to begin can be tricky – you don’t want to spend your whole time exploring tourist traps, but you also don’t want to waste time in regions that don’t have much in the way of entertainment.
Each neighborhood in DFW brings something unique to the mix, and we’ve hand selected the best tours and attractions so whether it’s history, architecture, animals, or outdoor adventures you’re into, you’ll find something that suits every personality. Booking your ultimate trip to Texas need never be stressful again!
We've updated our Dallas Fort Worth Neighborhood Experience Guide with some extra tips for 2022, so you can get a fully up-to-date rundown o
| Design District
In most US cities you’ll find a fashion or design district, and Dallas is no exception. Located north of Downtown, the neighborhood is awash with contemporary art galleries and textiles stores, plus trendy bars and restaurants where young fashionistas discuss the latest project in cutting-edge design. One of the most popular hang-out spots is Community Beer Co., a craft brewery offering a rotating list of beers, live music, and regular tours of the sophisticated brewing warehouse.
Community Beer is a great place to chill out after a day of exploring the Design District, and a brewery tour would make a thoughtful experience gift for your beer-loving mates!
| Deep Ellum
If you ask anyone where to go in Dallas, you’ll likely hear Deep Ellum as the most frequent response. Known for its street art murals, entertainment venues and vibrant party scene, Deep Ellum is the neighborhood you’ll want to seek out if you’re craving a big night on the town.
Our top choice for kicking off an evening is a trip to the Dallas Comedy House, the premier performance venue in the city. Head over for happy hour and catch a live improv show whilst sipping $5 frosé, enjoying quality stand-up and getting in the mood to paint the town red!
| Cedars
For a more family-friendly Dallas experience, head to the Cedars neighborhood and explore the wonderfully quaint Dallas Heritage Village.
Known for its historic Victorian architecture and popular entertainment venues, Cedars is the perfect location for a spot of escapism, and the DHV is the neighborhood’s pride and joy. Containing Texas’ largest collection of 19th century buildings, the Village transports guests to another era through fascinating exhibitions, events, and fun educational activities. Take a picnic and wile away an afternoon learning about Victorian history and enjoying authentic examples of classic architecture!
| Pleasant Grove
Dallas is famous for its big city vibe, but not many people realise there are miles of hiking trails, recreational parks, vast lakes, and the winding Trinity River just outside the city center.
If outdoor adventure is your thing, then a visit to the Trinity River Audubon Center should be at the top of your Dallas to-do list. Embark upon a two hour kayak tour and cruise down the river through the Great Trinity Forest, following a knowledgeable guide who will discuss the history of the land, and identify amazing wildlife including otters, beavers, herons and even turtles! An exciting outdoor activity away from the hustle and bustle of Dallas, great for blowing away the cobwebs.
| West End
The West End neighborhood of Downtown Dallas is where you’ll find all things JFK. Most famous for the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza, a trip to the West End is an unmissable experience for fans of US Presidential history.
To make it a truly memorable exploration, book a two-in-one JFK walking tour and West Village food tour, discovering key historic sites around the West End before heading off to sample local delicacies from a range of eateries. A combination tour like this is great for pleasing a range of personalities, from foodies to history buffs, it’s a Dallas crowd-pleaser!
| Uptown
As you’d expect from the name, Uptown Dallas is upscale, upmarket, and upstream (that works, right?). The Katy Trail along Turtle Creek and the trendy McKinney Avenue are popular with locals who enjoy the open green spaces and craft coffee shops, and the West Village center is great for shopping and casual dining. Here you’ll also find Cork Wine Bar, an elegant tasting lounge where guests can sample a frequently changing wine list from local and regional wineries.
A wonderfully sophisticated Dallas experience to share with friends, a visit to Cork is the perfect way to unwind after a day of sightseeing and shopping!
| Downtown Historic District
This wouldn’t be a Dallas destination guide if we didn’t mention the Downtown Historic District, the city’s most happening neighborhood. It’s here that you’ll find the Dallas World Aquarium, the Dallas Farmers Market, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, the Giant Eyeball, Reunion Tower, and more of Dallas’ best tourist attractions.
To see them all in an easy and convenient fashion, book a ticket on the Hop-On Hop-Off Dallas Trolley Tour and loop round the city choosing where and when to get off. Operating year round and with services running every 90 minutes, you can skip the traffic and spend more time exploring these amazing Dallas icons!
| Sundance Square
From one Downtown to another, we find ourselves in our first Fort Worth neighborhood. As with Dallas, Downtown Fort Worth is where you’ll encounter the high-rise hotels, the busiest bars and restaurants and lively jazz clubs, the Fort Worth Convention Center and the Fort Worth Water Gardens.
Also like Dallas, the recommended way to see the best of the city is on a sightseeing tour, and this 75 minute guided walking tour will give you an entertaining overview of the city’s history, pop culture, and Sundance Square community. Ideal for your first time in Fort Worth or for showing-off your home town to visiting family!
| Arlington Heights
West of Downtown Fort Worth is Arlington Heights, a residential neighborhood bordered by the distinct red brick Camp Bowie Boulevard on one side, and the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and Japanese Garden on the other.
The 110-acre garden is a fun afternoon activity for families, with a variety of native flowers and trees, landscaped gardens, vegetable patches, wetlands, sculptures, and a Garden Center to keep everyone happy. With different flowers and plants blooming throughout the year, any time is the perfect time to visit the Fort Worth Botanic Garden in Arlington Heights!
| Berkeley Place
Across the Clear Fork Trinity River from Arlington Heights is Berkeley Place, known for the Safari Splash Amusement Park, the Westbrook Estate historical landmark, and the famous Fort Worth Zoo.
If you’re planning a vacation to Fort Worth with young kids, or looking for a fun experience gift idea for an animal lover, you can’t go wrong with a trip to the zoo! Housing over 7,000 animals across a variety of natural habitat enclosures, expect to find tigers, gorillas, meerkats, zebras, giraffes, and lots more throughout the 26-hectare park. Regular events and exhibitions are held at the zoo, and you may even spot new babies if you’re lucky – an exciting Fort Worth experience that everyone can enjoy!
| New for 2022: Experience Gifts and Days Out
Below, we've rounded up our favorite days out and things to do in Dallas, to help make the most of the city.
| Fluid Painting Art Workshop In Plano
Let out your artistic side in Plano, just a thirty-minute drive outside of Dallas. During this fluid painting workshop, you'll learn all about this unique art form from an expert.
Unpredictable yet impressive, fluid painting is an expressive, free flowing method of painting.
With the simple technique of applying colors in liquid form, this approach to painting is user friendly, meaning even absolute beginners can create masterpieces! With two ticket options, you can choose to create your own individual canvases, or share one larger canvas with a friend.
During the two hour workshop, you are welcome to bring along some drinks to enjoy throughout, as you let your creativity flow and complete your pieces.
If you're looking for a fun, creative activity to do just outside of Dallas, this art workshop should be top of the list!
| Rainbow Vomit Interactive Art Exhibition In Dallas - $31
For a completely immersive art experience, head to the Rainbow Vomit exhibition in Dallas, specifically designed to create memorable and showstopping backdrops for your photos. Cameras encouraged!
Your Instagram feed will never be the same. Transport through fantastical exhibits and become the hero of your own comic with the Rainbow Vomit Interactive Art Exhibition! Rated as the number one immersive art experience in Dallas, this journey through a world of light, color and sound offers you dozens of unique photo ops featuring over 10,000 LEDs, 300 pounds of cotton, 5 miles of ribbon, and a secret unicorn.
As you enter the experiential landscape, have your camera and friends at the ready to capture the endless Instagram-worthy photos, and interact with immersive exhibits in unique and fun ways. State-of-the-art sound systems, high tech lighting and a dash of mystery and magic will ensure that this is an extraordinary experience gift like no other!
| Electric Cruizer Sightseeing Tour Of Dallas
Go on a unique, small-group tour of Dallas, taking in its history via the most popular local sights on an open-air, eco-friendly cruizer.
Guided by an experienced tour guide who knows all the history and local legends, you’ll get to ride on a unique, electric cruizer that is not only eco-friendly, but is also open-air, offering fantastic, untarnished panoramic views as you travel through the city. You will get taken to a number of exciting stops, with plenty of chances to hop off for photo opportunities.
Whether you’re visiting the city for the first time, or you want a unique date idea, this tour through Dallas is entertaining, unique, and truly unforgettable.
| Thanks for Reading!
Thanks for reading our Dallas and Fort Worth neighborhood guide, updated for 2022.
So much more than Cowboys and 7-Elevens, Dallas and Fort Worth are cities that deserve a little effort when planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Each neighborhood has its own personality and appeal, with exciting attractions that suit every personality, whatever the occasion. Step outside Downtown on your next vacation and explore a new neighborhood, you won’t be disappointed!
