Family Adventure in Dallas: Splash Pads, Stockyards & Sweet Treats
From the heart of downtown to the trails of Dinosaur Valley, this August adventure was the perfect mix of city fun, outdoor exploration, and memory-making moments. What started as a simple summer getaway turned into a week filled with splash pads, outside dining, live music, and cowboy boots. Whether you're traveling with kids or just looking for a family-friendly escape with something for everyone, this itinerary captures the spirit of Dallas — playful, surprising, and full of Texas charm.
Day 1: Arriving in Dallas + Outdoor Lunch & Klyde Warren Park Fun
We kicked off our August family trip with a quick flight from New Orleans to Dallas — just under an hour in the air, making it an easy hop for a long weekend getaway. By noon, we were on the ground, and after a short shuttle ride to Thrifty, we picked up our rental car (pro tip: the shuttle is fast and the lot is close, but have your confirmation number handy — it made pickup smooth).
First stop: lunch at The Rustic, a laid-back Texas spot with live music and plenty of outdoor seating. While the kids split chicken tenders from the limited kids' menu, we took advantage of weekday lunch specials (soup or salad + sandwich combos). The real win? Letting the kids play giant Jenga on the shaded patio while we exhaled into vacation mode.
From there, we headed to Klyde Warren Park, a one-of-a-kind urban green space built directly above the major highway running through downtown Dallas. It’s one of the most unique parks in the city — seamlessly connecting neighborhoods and offering something for everyone. The splash pad was the perfect cooldown in the August heat, while nearby food trucks served up frozen custard and snowballs. (Heads-up: most vendors don’t take Apple Pay, so bring a card or cash.) The kids rotated between foosball and cornhole while we enjoyed margaritas from Mi Cocina just steps away. Tip: Check the Klyde Warren Park schedule before your visit — they often host live music, fitness classes, and family-friendly events that are worth timing your trip around.
After checking into our Airbnb and squeezing in a quick swim to burn off some travel energy, we wrapped up the day with a casual dinner at Ebar, our go-to Tex-Mex spot in Dallas for over ten years. This place is a hidden gem — consistently great food, strong margaritas, queso that’s basically its own love language, and a solid kids' menu that makes dining with little ones easy. It’s the kind of reliable local favorite that always hits the spot, whether you’re a visitor or a regular. After a full day of flights, splash pads, and tacos, we were officially in vacation mode.
Day 2: Dolls, Legos & a Night at the Ballpark
Day 2 began with excitement and anticipation for a day packed with kid-friendly activities and family fun. We had an appointment at the American Girl Doll store with a personal shopper reserved for 10:30 a.m. Since the store opened at 10 a.m., we arrived a few minutes early to browse and soak in the excitement before our appointment. We also tried to check into our 11 a.m. hair appointment early, but they were fully booked for the day, so no luck there. While you wait for your hair appointment, your daughter can explore different hairstyles for herself and her doll on a large tablet at the check-in desk, and she even gets to pick out two ribbon colors to personalize her doll’s look.
While Eleanor and I were immersed in this magical experience, Clayton took Henry across the highway to the LEGO store, giving both kids their own special core memories.
By noon, we were ready for lunch at HG Supply, a spot that truly prides itself on quality — everything is cage-free chicken, pasture-raised beef, with no seed oils or refined sugars. I fell in love with their tuna poke bowl, which was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. The kids’ menu was great too, with plenty of kid-friendly options. We enjoyed the outdoor seating in front, and though the rooftop patio wasn’t open until dinner, the vibe inside was upbeat and welcoming.
After a refreshing swim back at our Airbnb, we headed out early for one of the trip’s highlights: a Texas Rangers game at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
We arrived around 5 p.m., two hours before the game started, which is perfect timing because the stadium doors open early. If you get there this early, you can watch the players warm up on the field and — if you’re lucky — maybe even catch a ball. Once inside, be sure to visit Sections 101 and 117 if it’s your child’s first game to grab a certificate or a happy birthday pin — our kids got a real kick out of these special mementos. Then we made our way to Section 227 to check out the virtual Home Run Dugout. For around $10 per player (10 pitches each), the kids got to take swings in a high-tech batting cage. We waited about 30 minutes, but it flew by since we could watch other players while we waited.
If you have younger kids, head to Section 238, where there’s a kids' play area with tee-ball stations and coach-pitch batting — a great spot to burn off energy if they’re not ready to sit still through nine innings.
When it comes to food, Globe Life Field has everything: Whataburger, BBQ, cheesesteaks, tacos — you name it. But what’s great is that you can also bring your own snacks, as long as they’re sealed in a clear, quart-sized plastic bag, along with one sealed water bottle (under 1 liter) per person. Another fun find was the adorable baseball helmet souvenir that doubles as a container for Blue Bell ice cream — a sweet treat that was a hit for dessert. Plus, the air-conditioned dome makes it a comfortable evening, even in August.
By 7 p.m., we were settled into our seats — bellies full, souvenirs in hand, and fully in vacation mode. Baseball under the dome, happy kids, and a perfect Texas evening.
Day 3: Exploring Dinosaur Valley
We took a scenic drive to Dinosaur Valley State Park, a fantastic spot for family fun and outdoor adventure. Before heading into the park, we enjoyed a quick and tasty lunch at Hammond BBQ, in Glen Rose (about 10 minutes from the park) which offers kid-friendly plates and picnic-style seating — perfect for fueling up before exploring.
At the park, we entered through the main gate and parked near the visitor’s center to pay the entrance fee ($8 per person for ages 13 and up; kids 12 and under are free). Dinosaur Valley is well set up for picnics, with plenty of tables and pavilions if you want to bring your own food. Don’t forget swimsuits, towels, and sunscreen since parts of the hike involve wading in shallow water to see the dinosaur tracks up close.
We explored three main track sites:
Track Site 2 (Main Trail Site): Clearly marked with ropes, you’ll cross the river using stepping stones — a fun little challenge for the kids! Be careful of the slippery algae!
Track Site 3 (Blue Hole): The best dinosaur tracks are visible here if you are in the water and adjacent to the scenic observation deck (see picture below).
Track Site 4 (Ballroom Site): Offers the clearest fossil views but requires wading through shin-high water.
Because the trails between sites 3 and 4 were a bit tricky to follow, we parked at site 2, explored, then drove over to sites 3 and 4 by car. The park store near sites 3 and 4 is convenient for grabbing water, popsicles, water shoes, and souvenirs — they even rent waders at the entrance if you want extra protection.
After a day of exploring and splashing in the river, we headed back to our Airbnb for a refreshing swim to unwind and relax.