Dallas–Fort Worth is the largest metropolis in Texas and one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at AT&T Stadium. But the pull of the DFW area goes well beyond football. Dallas has the largest contiguous urban arts district in the United States, and thirty minutes west, Fort Worth still runs a twice-daily longhorn cattle drive down a brick street. These 8 places cover the full range — from modern landmarks to genuine Texas history.
#1 AT&T Stadium
Home of the Dallas Cowboys and one of the largest and most advanced sports venues in the world. The stadium holds over 80,000 (expandable to 100,000), has a retractable roof, and features a massive high-definition video board that hangs over the field alongside a permanent collection of contemporary art installed throughout the building. For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, AT&T Stadium is one of the primary US venues, hosting multiple matches including knockout rounds. When there is no event scheduled, guided and self-guided stadium tours let you walk the field, visit the locker rooms, and explore the art collection.
- Book a stadium tour ticket online in advance at the official website.
- On World Cup match days, arrive 2–3 hours early — the surrounding area gets extremely busy.
- Parking is plentiful but fills up fast on event days; a shuttle or rideshare drops you closer.
#2 Fort Worth Stockyards
A historic district that was once one of the largest cattle markets in America, now the most alive cowboy-culture experience in Texas. The highlight is the daily Cattle Drive: Texas Longhorn cattle are herded down brick-paved Exchange Avenue at 11:30 and 16:00 every day of the year. The surrounding area has a working rodeo at Cowtown Coliseum on weekends, the world's largest honky-tonk bar (Billy Bob's Texas), and streets lined with boot shops, hat makers, and Western wear stores. Walking through it feels like stepping into a film set that also happens to be completely real.
- Stand along Exchange Avenue for the 11:30 or 16:00 Cattle Drive — it is free and runs rain or shine.
- Weekend rodeos at Cowtown Coliseum run on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
- Try a Texas steak at one of the steakhouses in the district and stay for live country music.
#3 Six Flags Over Texas
The original Six Flags park, open since 1961, packed with legendary roller coasters including Titan, the New Texas Giant wooden coaster, and Mr. Freeze — which launches riders backwards. A strong family-friendly option with dedicated zones for younger children alongside the thrill rides. Adjacent Hurricane Harbor water park opens during summer. Both parks sit minutes from AT&T Stadium, making an Arlington day covering all three very practical.
- Buy tickets online in advance — cheaper than at the gate and you can pick quieter days.
- Bring swimwear if visiting in summer — Hurricane Harbor is right next door.
- The Flash Pass lets you skip the queues on the most popular rides.
#4 Dealey Plaza and The Sixth Floor Museum
The site where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on 22 November 1963 — one of the moments that changed modern American history. The plaza itself remains largely unchanged; white X marks on the street indicate the exact location. The Sixth Floor Museum occupies the former Texas School Book Depository building from which the shots were fired, and presents an extensive photographic and documentary account of the Kennedy presidency, the assassination, and its aftermath. Both moving and historically rigorous.
- Buy museum tickets and rent an audio guide online before you visit.
- Dealey Plaza itself is a public outdoor space — free to visit at any time.
- Reunion Tower and Klyde Warren Park are both within walking distance.
#5 Dallas Arts District
The largest contiguous urban arts district in the United States, with world-class institutions within walking distance of each other. The Dallas Museum of Art has free general admission. The Nasher Sculpture Center has an outdoor garden of major 20th-century sculptures. The Crow Museum holds an important collection of Asian art. And the Winspear Opera House — a bold circular building of red glass designed by Norman Foster — is one of the best opera venues in America. The architecture alone makes it worth walking through.
- Dallas Museum of Art and Crow Museum of Asian Art both have free general admission.
- Check the Winspear Opera House and Meyerson Symphony Center schedules if you want to see a performance.
- The district connects directly to Klyde Warren Park — walk between them.
#6 Klyde Warren Park
A brilliantly designed public park built on a deck over the Woodall Rodgers Freeway, stitching the Arts District and Uptown together. The 5.2-acre park has lawn areas, outdoor games, a children's playground, a dog park, a reading room, and a rotating fleet of food trucks at lunchtime. Free programming runs almost daily — yoga, concerts, outdoor movies, and weekend markets. The park feels genuinely used and alive, not just a design exercise.
- Lunchtime on weekdays is when the food trucks are busiest and the selection is widest.
- Check the park's website for free events — the yoga and concert schedule changes weekly.
- The park connects the Arts District to Uptown; you can walk to the Dallas Museum of Art and Perot Museum of Nature and Science from here.
#7 Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
A 66-acre botanical garden on White Rock Lake, widely considered one of the most beautiful in the United States. The planting changes dramatically by season: spring brings Dallas Blooms, the largest flower festival in the Southwest with millions of tulips, daffodils, and other bulbs; autumn brings the famous Pumpkin Village, a photographed installation of giant carved and painted pumpkins that draws families from across Texas. City views across the lake add to the setting.
- Spring (March–April) is when the garden looks best — plan around Dallas Blooms if possible.
- October's Pumpkin Village is a genuinely spectacular photo opportunity, especially for families.
- Buy tickets online and arrive early — the midday Texas sun is intense in summer.
#8 Fort Worth Water Gardens
A modernist water garden in the heart of Downtown Fort Worth, designed by Philip Johnson in 1974. The dramatic centerpiece is the Active Pool — a cascading concrete waterfall that plunges into a deep pit, and visitors are invited to walk down flights of steps to stand directly beside the roaring water. The sound completely drowns out the surrounding city. The park also appeared as a location in the sci-fi film Logan's Run. Free admission; a natural complement to the Fort Worth Stockyards on a day trip from Dallas.
- Free admission — walk down the steps to the Active Pool but watch your footing, the surfaces are slippery.
- Combine with the Fort Worth Stockyards to fill a Fort Worth day from Dallas.
- Go in the morning or early evening — the Texas sun at midday makes the open concrete very hot.
Where to stay in Dallas for this trip
A well-located hotel means less commuting and more sightseeing. Here are real, top-rated stays in Dallas — compare Agoda · Booking · Trip.com in one click.
Drury Plaza Hotel Dallas Arlington
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Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
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The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas
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Hotel Crescent Court
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Tours, tickets & activities in Dallas
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Dallas — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Before You Pack
Dallas–Fort Worth covers an enormous amount of ground — literally and figuratively. Two or three days lets you move between the modern city, genuine Texas history, and the thrill of an event at one of the world's great stadiums. The World Cup will bring the world to Dallas; the city has more than enough to hold your attention for the time around the match.