Best Attractions in Dallas

Housed in the former Texas School Book Depository, this thoughtful museum contextualizes JFK’s life and the events of November 22, 1963. Frequently recommended by national outlets and concierge guides, it remains open with posted hours and timed tickets.

One of the country’s major museums anchors the Arts District with free general admission and high-profile 2025 programming, including Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room. Regularly featured by Food & Wine and Southern Living, it’s central to how Dallas sees art today.

Renzo Piano’s luminous indoor galleries and a serene garden showcase sculpture from modern masters to today’s innovators. Praised by Condé Nast Traveler, the Nasher’s focused scale and smart curation make it a can’t-miss Arts District stop.

Always free and community-focused, the Crow presents compelling Asian art programs at its Arts District home, with a second UTD campus location expanding reach. Recent citywide events and exhibitions kept it central to 2025 arts coverage.

Interactive halls, a gems collection that dazzles, and family-friendly engineering labs keep this independent museum lively. Covered by national travel media, it offers consistent 2025 hours and special programming for locals and visitors alike.

Dallas’s deck-park “town square” bridges Uptown and the Arts District with daily food trucks, free fitness, movies, and seasonal festivals. Consistently ranked among top things to do, 2025 programming remains packed and community-driven.

An Oak Cliff landmark reborn as a beloved indie venue, The Kessler is praised by local critics for superb acoustics and intimate shows. Its 2025 calendar blends rising artists and legends, reflecting the neighborhood’s creative heartbeat.

This storied Oak Cliff cinema—site of Oswald’s arrest—now programs repertory films, live shows, and podcasts. Frequently profiled by local media, its 2025 schedule and full bar make it an essential, living piece of Dallas history.

Part bookstore, part bar, all community, this Bishop Arts favorite hosts readings, live music, and book clubs. Celebrated by Condé Nast Traveler and Texas cultural publications, it’s where Dallas’s literary and creative scenes mingle late.

A non-collecting kunsthalle in the Design District, Dallas Contemporary spotlights cutting-edge artists with free admission. Recent exhibitions drew coverage from D Magazine and beyond, underscoring its role in the city’s forward-leaning art conversation.

A vital Fair Park institution with one of the nation’s largest African American folk art collections. Recent 2025 exhibitions and citywide features affirm its active role in education and culture; admission remains free and community-centered.

This award-winning, Black-led nonprofit stages new plays, festivals, and community programs that reflect Dallas now. Recognized by local press and national arts organizations, its 2025 season and grants signal a thriving neighborhood stage.