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 vacation rental for a refreshing swim to unwind and relax.

Day 4: Great Wolf Lodge Adventure

If you’re planning a summer trip, know that Great Wolf Lodge typically offers around 40% off summer sales at the beginning of May—including discounts on their passes. It’s a great time to snag a deal!

Today was all about water slides, scavenger hunts, and soaking up every ounce of Great Wolf Lodge fun! But first… Whataburger. Because let’s be honest—no road trip through Texas (or wherever there’s a Whataburger) is complete without a stop for their famous burgers and fries. Quick, tasty, and the perfect fuel-up before a full day of excitement.

We arrived at Great Wolf Lodge early, and pro tip: you can arrive as early as you want to use the amenities, even if your room isn’t ready yet. Since we had checked in via email, we were able to head straight to the kiosk, scan the QR code, and boom—wristbands issued. TThe wristbands are super convenient: they give you access to the water park, double as your room key, and can also be used to charge food, drinks, or souvenirs directly to your room.

Parking was $19, easy to find, and they had luggage carts available for hauling all the bags that come with traveling with kids. While one of us handled the kiosk check-in, the other jumped in line to grab our activity passes (we went with the Paw Pass).

First fun tip: Pick up your free wolf ears—yes, they’re adorable—and prepare your best howl because it's basically a Great Wolf tradition.

From there, we grabbed our souvenir cups at Freshwoods Market (100% worth it for free refills), then hit up the MagiQuest Marketplace to get our magic wands and start the scavenger hunt around the resort. These interactive games are a huge hit with kids and a great way to burn energy between water park sessions.

If your pass includes the family virtual reality game, head to the first floor to make a reservation early. It does fill up! You don’t need a reservation for laser tag or bowling, but it’s first come, first serve. Speaking of bowling, just a heads-up: each game is only 5 frames, not the traditional 10, and it’s not cheap without the pass, so the passes are definitely the way to go.

We tried the Underwater Seas VR and honestly… skip it. It’s a passive ride-style experience (like watching a movie in a headset), not interactive. If you do VR, choose one with gameplay for more value. You can get 20% off a second VR experience, but we wouldn't even pay full price for the first.

Packing tip:

  • Bring a swim bag and goggles.

  • Water shoes are helpful but not necessary.

  • No need to pack towels—they’re provided.

  • And yes, you can take waterproof phone cases on the slides!

Pay attention to activity hours—some things close earlier than you’d expect:

  • Ropes Course: 10am–4:30pm (you must be dry and wear closed-toe shoes)

  • Bowling & Laser Tag: 9am–10pm

  • Arcade: 24 hours

  • TopGolf Swing Suite: 4pm–10pm

We wrapped up the day with dinner at the Fireside restaurant on the 4th floor. Was it good? Meh. It was okay. The food wasn't worth the price, but after a full day of running around with kids, the convenience was everything. Sometimes, that’s what counts most.

It was a long, full day, but one packed with memories, wet swimsuits, giggles, and tired feet. Totally worth it.

Day 5: More Great Wolf Lodge Fun & A Night Out in Dallas

We started the morning with more fun at Great Wolf Lodge, finishing up the MagiQuest scavenger hunt and squeezing in the ropes course, bowling, laser tag, and arcade games. For lunch, we grabbed a large pizza at the Hungry Wolf Food Lodge. Surprisingly, it was pretty decent and filled our family of four.

We opted for a late check-out, which was an additional $69 to stay until 2 p.m. This gave us enough time to pack up and enjoy the amenities one last time before heading out.

Afterwards, we checked into our next Airbnb in downtown Dallas. The kids were completely wiped out, so we hired a babysitter and headed out for dinner at Uchi.

Uchi has been one of our favorite Dallas restaurants for the past 10 years. They offer both an Omakase and a Somakase menu. The Omakase is a ten-course daily tasting menu, and during our visit, it was around $315 per person. We chose the Somakase menu, which is a curated tasting experience where you share your likes, dislikes, and budget with the server, and they tailor the dishes accordingly.

It was, without a doubt, the best meal we had on the entire trip — a perfect way to end a busy day!

Day 6: Perot Museum & A Night at the Fort Worth Stockyards Rodeo

We started the day at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science — an absolute must if you're visiting Dallas with kids. Pro tip: buy tickets online at least a week in advance if you want the earliest time slot. We ended up with an 11 a.m. start, but really wished we had gotten the 10 a.m. slot, especially since there's so much to see.

We were especially excited to check out the recently renovated Moody Family Children’s Museum, which just reopened with 11,000 square feet of interactive fun. It now includes:

  • A beautifully expanded Toddler Area

  • A Makery space for tinkering and engineering

  • An immersive Imaginarium experience

  • A much larger Outdoor Area with climbing structures and water features

This space is thoughtfully designed and perfect for younger kids who want to explore hands-on and get a little messy in the process — ours had a blast!

We also purchased add-on tickets to the special Bug Lab exhibit, which was a huge hit with the kids. The museum also offers short films throughout the day, but it wasn’t clear on the website that these need to be reserved in advance. By the time we tried to book, the Shark Kingdom and T. Rex showings were sold out. We were still able to get into Ocean Paradise and Butterfly Journey, which the kids enjoyed, but I know our son would have loved those other two.

If your children are fascinated by dinosaurs, birds, robotics, the human body, or space, you can easily spend 3–4 hours here. The museum also has a small café on the main floor for quick bites.

After the museum, we went back to the vacation rental to regroup and get ready for our evening at the Fort Worth Stockyards Rodeo. Before heading out, make sure to:

  • Check out parking options near the Stockyards

  • Download the AXS app to access your rodeo tickets

We had dinner reservations at Cattlemen’s Steak House, so we chose a nearby lot, which turned out to be perfect — close to the action, and easy to exit at the end of the night.

We took a stroll down Main Street before dinner and saw two live bulls you could sit on for photos — $20 each. Definitely a touristy splurge, but the kids were thrilled. We planned to check out the Petting Zoo (open 10:30 am-5 pm, 157 East Exchange Avenue, need tickets!) and Mechanical Bull (145 East Exchange Avenue), but ran out of time and had to head to dinner.

Cattlemen’s Steakhouse is a classic Stockyards institution that’s been serving up steaks since the 1940s. The old-school Western atmosphere made it a fun and fitting stop for the evening. The food was delicious and very filling — every entrée came with a side salad and your choice of potato, which made for a hearty meal. Plus, the kids’ menu was a nice bonus and made dining with little ones much easier.

Tip: Don’t forget to make a reservation in advance, especially on rodeo nights. Most visitors try to grab dinner at one of the restaurants along Main Street before the event, so places fill up fast. Since the food at the rodeo is mostly snacks like pretzels, popcorn, and candy, I definitely recommend eating beforehand.

We then walked over to Cowtown Coliseum for the rodeo, where we had awesome seats: Section 39, Rows 1 and 2, seats 1 and 2. We let the kids sit up front while we took the row right behind them — a perfect setup since we were right next to the bucking chutes and could see everything up close. The rodeo lasted about two hours and was a big hit with the whole family.

Afterward, we jumped in the car and were back in Dallas quickly. A full day of science, climbing, bulls, and steaks— Texas at its best.

Big City, Bigger Fun: Why Dallas Surprised Us in the Best Way

Dallas turned out to be one of those rare family vacations that truly had something for everyone. From hands-on museum exhibits and rodeo thrills to unforgettable meals and wide-open Texan skies, this city gave us a little taste of it all. Whether we were wandering through a world-class museum, watching our kids ride mechanical bulls, or soaking in skyline views over sushi, Dallas reminded us that family adventures don’t always require a passport — just a sense of curiosity and maybe a good pair of cowboy boots.

We came for the rodeo, but we left with a deep appreciation for this vibrant, family-friendly city — and a long list of reasons to come back again.

Still on Our Bucket List: What We’ll Be Back For

  • Fossil Rim Wildlife Center – About 1 hour and 40 minutes from Dallas, this self-guided safari tour looks like an incredible experience. It's about two hours long, and we’ll definitely carve out a day for it next time.

  • Dallas World Aquarium – With rainforest walk-throughs and tunnel tanks, it’s a perfect mix of animals and adventure for kids.

  • Half Price Books (Flagship Location) – Open 9A–10P and a dream for book lovers. Perfect for grabbing some vacation reads or fun kids' books.

  • Trinity Groves – We missed happy hour specials this time, but the skyline views and food scene will have us coming back.

  • Bishop Arts District – We didn’t make it there this trip, but it’s known for eclectic shops, murals, and indie restaurants — definitely on our list for next time.

Pro Tips for Dallas with Kids

  • Stay Cool: If visiting during summer months, we highly recommend booking a vacation rental with a pool. It gave the kids some needed downtime while staying cool in the Texas heat.

  • Bring Bikes: If you’re driving, it might be worth packing the bikes for riding the Katy Trail or exploring White Rock Lake.

  • Book the Rental Car Early: We used Thrifty and found the price was much better 8 weeks in advance than at 6. Lesson learned — next time, we’re booking the car the first time we check prices.

  • Great Wolf Lodge Family Sale: If you’re planning a trip that includes Great Wolf Lodge, look for their annual Family Sale during the last week of May. We scored 40% off by booking around Memorial Day weekend.

  • American Girl Doll Store: Reservations for activities (like the hair salon, tea, or personal shopper) fill up quickly — book 10–12 weeks out if possible. The store opens at 10AM, so arrive early to browse before your appointments. We initially only booked the personal shopper, but got major FOMO from friends and added the salon too. No regrets.

  • Rangers Game vs. Frisco RoughRiders: We planned to catch a Yankees vs. Rangers game, but ticket prices spiked after Aaron Judge hit his 351st home run just two weeks before. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, check out the Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers’ minor league team). Unfortunately, they had away games during our stay.

  • Fort Worth Stockyards Tips

    • We highly recommend visiting the Fort Worth Stockyards — it was a family highlight!

    • Petting Zoo: Open daily from 10:30AM–6PM. Located at 157 East Exchange Avenue, it’s a great stop for little ones.

    • Mechanical Bull Ride: Opens at 11AM and located at 145 East Exchange Avenue.

    • Dinner Before the Rodeo? Reserve Early: Everyone flocks to Main Street restaurants before the rodeo.

What to Pack: Dallas Family Essentials

  • Closed-toe shoes (required for ropes courses at Great Wolf Lodge and more active spots)

  • Water shoes for Great Wolf Lodge and Dinosaur Valley

  • Bathing suits if your rental has a pool

  • Sound machines if staying in Uptown Dallas

  • Western wear for Stockyards fun

  • Cash for attractions like the bull rides, petting zoo, and parking