THE Ultimate DFW Fall Bucket List
Updated for Fall 2023 — 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) Go On a Quest for the Great Pumpkin
This year, the Dallas Arboretum is celebrating with "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" as the theme for its 18th 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! Our fave so far this year have been the Seasonal Fall Flights at Ascension 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!
7) Visit Mainstay Farms' Fall Festival
The Mainstay Farm Fall Festival starts Saturday, September 23 this year, and we are hyped for a scenic trip down to Cleburne to see what we can see this year! The park will feature 30-plus attractions this fall, including Pumpkins Patches, their famous Sunflower Garden and Zinnia Fields, tasty treats, fall photo ops everywhere you turn and, of course, the Wine Terrace!
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 22nd, 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 (including the first-time vendors this year) 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!
13) Visit the Japanese Garden at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Fall is at its peak when you visit the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens — specifically their Japanese Garden section! The Fort Worth Japanese Garden was completed in 1973. It is a traditional stroll garden with winding paths through the landscapes and around ponds. The Garden consists of 7.5 acres filled with cherry trees, Japanese maples, magnolias, bamboo, bridges, and ponds which are home to over 1,200 Koi fish.
14) Visit Roy G's Famous Halloween Pop-Up
Have a bloody good time over at Roy G's this Halloween, where you can enjoy all their themed drinks for fall. Try the iconic Blood Bag or Straight Up Syringe Shot for something extra spooky! Or, share the giant Pumpkin Bowl with your friends before grabbing a bite to eat at Roy G's, like the Halloween inspired Ghost Pepper Burger!
