13 of our favorite Outdoor Activities in DFW

With its beautiful parks, nature preserves, and scenic trails, the Dallas-Fort Worth area has so many great places for you to get out of the house and enjoy a bit of sunshine! Whether you're looking to relax or you're an adventurer at heart, there are all kinds of activities across the DFW where you can explore the great outdoors with your friends, family, and pups! So, put on your best walking shoes, grab your water bottle, and get ready to hop around 13 of the best outdoor destinations and activities in Dallas, Fort Worth, and beyond!

📍 Dallas

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

As one of the most beautiful spots in Dallas, the Arboretum is home to 66 acres of flowers, grassy areas, and hidden walkways that are perfect to explore! Bring your own basket of your favorite food and drinks and a blanket to sprawl out on the lawn for a picnic. Or, head back to the Arboretum during one of its many events throughout the year, including a concert series, art festival, and more!

Dallas Zoo

If you're ready to ride on the wild side, the Dallas Zoo is the place to go with 106 acres of animal encounters, activities, shopping, dining, and more! While you stop by the different exhibits, also be on the lookout for zookeepers at the Wild Encounters Stage who will give you the opportunity to get up close and personal with a variety of animals. Plus, you can stop by the Birds Landing, Wonders of the Wild, Giraffe Feeding station, and more for different interactive experiences that your whole family will love!

Klyde Warren Park

Say goodbye to the hustle and bustle of the city, and hello to a little oasis right in the heart of Downtown Dallas! At Klyde Warren Park, you'll find all sorts of rotating food trucks, free fitness classes, a dog park, and more to visit throughout the week. And, if you head to Klyde Warren Park later in the evening, you can watch also illuminated performances of the Nancy Best Fountain after sunset (or splash around in it, if you don't mind getting wet)!

📍 Frisco

RoughRiders

Batter up! Did you know that Frisco had its own Minor League Baseball team? As an affiliate of the Texas Rangers, the RoughRiders call Frisco's Dr. Pepper Ballpark home, so you don't have to go far for a great game! PRO TIP: Plan a tailgate with your friends at Bullpen Bar, wear your best reds and blues, and go support the RoughRiders during their next game at the Riders Field!

📍 McKinney

The Yard

You're going to want to take a trip to the suburbs for this gem in Downtown McKinney! If you're a fan of Katy Trail Ice House, then The Yard should be at the top of your must-visit list with its giant outdoor patio that's the perfect spot to enjoy some great weather! Stop by to watch a game on the TV screens, meet up with your friends for a lunch date, or bring your dog for a cute outing in the 'burbs. And, even if you visit during a rainy or chilly day, you can still dine inside to sip and snack on all the amazing drinks and eats that The Yard has to offer!

📍 Grand Prairie

Chicken and Pickle

Add a little friendly competition into your schedule this week with a visit to Chicken and Pickle! This indoor and outdoor gaming and dining spot is known for its pickleball courts AND wood-fired rotisserie chicken, so you can work up an appetite while you duke it out on the courts! Along with pickleball, guests can also play cornhole, ping pong, and battleship with friends and family before digging into eats like burgers, wings, tater tots, and more. Who's brave enough to play us in pickleball this weekend?!

📍 Fort Worth

Big Shots

Play a great game of golf for some of the lowest prices in the DFW? We're SOLD! Over at Big Shots in Alliance, you can play a few rounds of golf at this cheaper alternative to Top Golf that comes with a full bar, food, and golfing games! Along with playing a full round of golf at various courses, you can play fun games, like Knockout or Long Drive, using the screens in your tee box. And, we spotted prices 50% off or more on Sundays through Thursdays in their tee box, which can fit up to 6 people! We also saw night reservations open for as low as $10/hr for your whole group versus Top Golf at the same time for $55/hr! Go big or go home, right?

Rooftop Cinema Club

A movie under the stars, cocktails and snacks, and views of the Fort Worth skyline? Date night just got better at Rooftop Cinema Club! This outdoor movie screening puts your favorite films on the big screen, where you can kick back in a deck chair or loveseat with personal headphones for a cozy viewing experience. Play a few lawn or table games before your flick starts, or grab bites and cocktails off of Rooftop Cinema Club's concessions menu to share during the movie. But, don't forget to bring a blanket, so you can snuggle up during the perfect date night!

Fort Worth Stockyards

As one of the best shopping and dining areas in Fort Worth, the Stockyards have so many gems to visit as you explore restaurants, bars and wineries, shops, museums, and more! But, one of our favorite things to do in the Fort Worth Stockyards is watch the Cattle Drive that happens daily at 11:30 AM and 4 PM! Cowhands dressed in authentic Western clothing will lead the herd of longhorns through the Stockyards on Exchange Avenue, so you can enjoy a little slice of Texas culture, whether you're a local or a visitor!

Fort Worth Zoo

At the Fort Worth Zoo, the heart of the park is about conservation, education, and recreation for the 542 species that call the zoo home! There is a LOT to see and do across the 64 acres at the zoo with plenty of interesting exhibits and animal encounters, along with shopping, dining, games, and interactive experiences. Head to the Outdoor Learning Theater for educational shows, hop on the Yellow Rose Express Train for a tour of the park, or let your kids run wild in the Safari Splash water play area open in the late spring and summer months. PRO TIP: As quite possibly the BEST thing to do at the Fort Worth Zoo, guests can purchase lettuce and hand-feed giraffes, who are more than happy to greet everyone offering them a treat! 😉

Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Wake up and literally smell the roses during a day at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden! Spread across 120 acres, the Botanic Garden has a tropical conservatory, forest boardwalk, and water conservation gardens, as well as horticultural displays, exhibits, and more! Plus, the Fort Worth boasts 2,500 species of plants and 23 specialty gardens, including its rose, perennial, and Japanese gardens. It's the perfect place to get in touch with nature and relax during a beautiful day right in the heart of the city!

Fort Worth Water Gardens

Did you know that one of the coolest experiences in Fort Worth is totally free?! The Fort Worth Water Gardens are made up of four-and-a-half acres of spots like the Wet Wall, Quiet Pool, Aerated Pool, and Active Pool to balance and walk across! While you can't wade or swim in the water, you can hike around twisting staircases, stand in the middle of a pool of waterfalls, and feel the mist from the fountains! The Fort Worth Water Gardens are perfect for quiet meditation, reading a book, catching up on work, or just relaxing in the sunshine.

Rockwood Go-Karts and Mini-Golf

Rockwood in Fort Worth is the perfect place to get outside and enjoy the weather while satisfying your need for speed! It’s a two-for-one special with Go-Karts and Mini Golf all in one place and the best part is, each activity only costs $8! 

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