Rachel FrankoTHE Ultimate DFW Fall Bucket List
It's FALL, y'all! And, that means pumpkin patches and haunted houses are finally back for the season! As you get ready to break out your favorite sweater and sip on a PSL, because there are SO many fun fall activities around DFW to add to your plans. Be sure to keep this guide bookmarked, because we've got a round-up of the best fall events you won't want to miss during your next family outing, girls' night out, or cute date!
1) Get Lost in a Fall Fairy Tale
You don't have to dress up like Cinderella for Halloween to feel like you're a princess! This year, the Dallas Arboretum is letting you live out your own Fall Fairy Tale as the theme for its 17th annual Autumn at the Arboretum celebration! You can get lost wandering through the exhibit of over 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash. And, you can get the perfect photo-ops inside Cinderella's pumpkin carriage and the themed pumpkin village!
2) Take Insta-Worthy Photos at a Pumpkin Patch
Corn mazes, hayrides, and a giant pumpkin patch... Hall's Pumpkin Farm has got it ALL! Go on the perfect fall outing to sip on hot apple cider, pick a pumpkin to carve for Halloween, and snap a group photo. 🎃 Whoever makes it through the corn maze first wins a bag of kettle corn!
3) Indulge in Fall Coffee Shop Treats
When pumpkin spice season returns, it feels like we're being reunited with a dear friend! And, even DFW's coffee shops are as hyped as we are, since they've rolled out fall drinks and treats you can't skip! Some of favorites so far this year have been the Seasonal Cortado Pie Flight at Ascension Coffee and the Hellfire Club at Fiction Coffee. 🔥 BUT, you can check out our top 10 coffee shop picks for your fall drink fix here!
4) Sip on a cocktail on the Bowen House's Patio
Looking for a classy night on the town, but want to enjoy the fall weather? Bowen House is the place to go! Put on your best outfit, bring a date, and relax on the patio with a few of Bowen House's uniquely named cocktails and shareable bites. The cool weather and sounds of the city are the perfect way to soak up fall!
5) Shop for All Things Pumpkin at the Dallas Farmers Market
A fall day full of shopping? Sounds like bliss to us! Now that the Dallas Farmers Market has transformed itself for fall, you're going to want to make a few visits to see all the seasonal items from vendors, a pumpkin patch, and even themed decor. PRO TIP: Make sure to try the Pumpkin Bruschetta and Pumpkin Milk Boba while you're there!
6) go to jerryworld for a cowboy game
Get ready to cheer on your favorite team during a Dallas Cowboys game at the AT&T Stadium! Go with a group of friends or bring a date, but don't forget to wear blue and white to show your support! While you're there, grab a beer and try some of the NEW concession stand snacks, like the Lobster Mac-N-Cheese, Touchdown Tots, and the Fried Mozzarella Burger.
7) Pop by the food trucks and watch the new fountains in Klyde Warren Park
Klyde Warren Park is one of the most beautiful places in Dallas. And, now it's even better, since the Nancy Best Fountain has opened with its kid-friendly splash pad and interactive, dancing light shows! Head to Klyde Warren Park in the evening to grab a bite from the nearby food trucks, and then watch the fountain perform a choreographed 30 - 45 minute show at sunset. If you're looking to be extra adventurous, you can even play in the water to get the full experience!
8) Visit a Light-Up Halloween Trail
Pumpkin Nights is BACK and better than ever! The half-mile walking trail has over 5,000 hand-carved real and artificial pumpkins as part of its light-up art installations. We recommend starting your night off with a drink at the bar before making your way through the tunnel of pumpkins to explore each themed area. And, you can wrap up the evening by heading to the food trucks for a snack, too! There are also plenty of kid-friendly activities for your family to enjoy while you're there, like face painting, a fire show, and inflatable bounce houses!
9) Have a Scary Good Time at DFW's Best Haunted Houses
Love a good scare around Halloween? The best haunts of the season have crept their way into DFW... if you DARE to visit them! You'll get hot and cold running chills when you step inside haunted houses, like Moxley Manor, Dark Hour, and Cutting Edge. But, be ready to scream, because these haunted experiences don't hold back when it comes to their scares! Check out the spookiest haunted houses in the DFW here! 👻
10) Explore an Entire Halloween Themed Park
If there's anything that would make spooky season even better, it would be an entire Halloween theme park! And Screams is one of the biggest events in DFW with 50 acres of food, activities, and frights! Test your bravery by walking through 5 haunted houses, the Rottingwood Cemetery, and the Cool Ghoul Boulevard. But, if you need a break from the haunts, you can watch stage entertainment, sing your heart out at Scary-Oke, get a tarot card or palm reading, play games of skill, and more! Plus, there are 7 pubs around the park, along with plenty of food options to keep the night going!
11) Cheers to Your Best Ghouls at Nickel City
Halloween just got spookier over at Nickel City with the Black Lagoon Pop-Up Bar! Enjoy the immersive atmosphere with decorations straight from the crypt, as you sip on a few chilling cocktails. Bring your BOO or your best ghouls to make a big cheers to spooky season... since you don't know what may be lurking over at the Black Lagoon! 👀
12) Spend a Day at the State Fair of Texas
Big Tex has finally made his giant return to Fair Park (oh, along with the rest of the State Fair of Texas too, of course). The fair will run through October 23rd, so you can enjoy it all fall long! We've been so excited about our favorite things to do at the State Fair of Texas, including trying the best eats and treats (even the new menu items) and saving with this year's awesome discounts. And, we can't wait to share even more of our top picks from our trips to the State Fair of Texas, so stay tuned!
