Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit the Dallas Forth Worth part of Texas. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Dallas Fort Worth, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do on your trip to DFW.
Don’t Underestimate the Size of the Metro Area
Dallas-Fort Worth is huge! The suburbs are really spread out, and you’ll meet people who live in Dallas and maybe only visit Fort Worth once a year. Keep this in mind when you are making plans for your Dallas trip because it can take a long time to get from one attraction to another. Dallas and Fort Worth are separated by other towns in between, like Arlington and Irving, so don’t plan on zipping between the two a lot. As an added bonus, there is always construction, tolls, and traffic, so don’t expect a quick commute anywhere in the Dallas Fort Worth region.
Don’t Forget the “FW” in DFW
Dallas gets a lot more attention than Fort Worth, and a lot of people tend to forget about Fort Worth altogether. Dallas is a big cosmopolitan city, but when you visit Fort Worth, you feel like you’re in Texas. There are a lot of cool places to visit in Fort Worth, but my favorite is to visit the Fort Worth Stockyards. Twice a day, every day, they do a cattle drive through the area. (Don’t think you’re too cool for the cattle drive!) Fort Worth is also a great place for dinner and drinks. The Fort Worth Zoo is one of the top-ranked zoos in the country, too!
Don’t Underestimate Dallas as Just the JFK Assassination
Yes, a lot of Dallas attractions are related to JFK’s assassination. You can visit the grassy knoll, and the spot in Dealey Plaza where it happened, but there is much more to see in Dallas. There are lots of places to visit in Dallas:
- The Dallas Museum of Art
- The Perot Museum of Nature and Science
- The SMU Campus
- The George W Bush Presidential Library
- Pioneer Park and Reunion Tower
- Texas Rangers in Arlington
- Six Flags Over Texas
- Dallas Cowboys and Jerry World (aka AT&T Stadium) in Arlington
- Dallas Arboretum
- Dallas World Aquarium
- South Fork Ranch from the TV show Dallas
Dallas has fun things to do for all ages; from fun kids activities to excellent nightlife.
Don’t Count on Public Transportation
Texans love their cars and trucks, so there really isn’t a good transit system between towns and cities. There are some public transportation options in downtown Dallas or downtown Fort Worth, but they’re not great beyond the downtown area. You will most likely need a car when you visit Dallas Fort Worth.
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Visiting the USA
Don’t Worry About Starving in Dallas Fort Worth
You will eat well when you visit Dallas. From fine dining to hole-in-the-wall restaurants, Dallas has great food and huge portions. We love to fill up on BBQ and Tex-Mex anytime we visit Texas. In general, Dallas has more upscale and international dining, while Fort Worth has cowboy bars and steakhouses. Don’t be afraid of the dives and hole-in-the-wall joints; they often have the best food!
Don’t Underestimate Texas Weather
Texas weather can be crazy! Summer heat (and humidity) is nearly unbearable. If you visit Dallas in the summer, make sure you plan your itinerary so that you’re indoors in the worst part of the day. It can also get cold in the winter; sometimes even with snow, but more often with ice. It’s not cold like other parts of the country, and it can catch you off guard. If you visit Dallas in the spring and summer months, there’s also the potential for tornadoes.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Dallas Fort Worth is a really cool destination, with a lot of Texas culture and tons of things to do for kids and adults. Don’t let these don’t keep you from planning a trip to Dallas Fort Worth because there are so many things to do in DFW area. Want more travel tips for traveling in Texas? Check out some of our other blog posts: