What to do in the Dallas / Ft. Worth area?

[Blue Hen]

We'll be at my sister's home north of Dallas for a weekend in mid-May, and she wants ME to plan the weekend. 6-Flags is out; we all get motion sick.

 

What about zoos, museums, gardens? which ones would you go to? Amazingly neither boy is into sports. Her children are grown, so it will be just the 5 of us.

 

Thanks,

Carole

[ThelmaLou]

Ft. Worth Zoo (better than Dallas IMO)

Dallas Arboretum

Dallas World Aquarium

Bureau of Printing and Engraving (Ft. Worth-fantastic tour, but don't know if you can get a tour on the weekends)

Old City Park (Dallas)

Ft. Worth Stockyards

Heritage Farmstead Museum (Plano)

Dallas Farmers Market

Fairview Farms Marketplace

The Science Place and IMAX theater (Dallas at Fair Park)

 

This is all I can think of for now.

[TXMomof4]

The Dallas World Aquarium is amazing. It's set up like a rainforest and you start at the top and walk down through the layers of the rainforest. It is well worth the money, IMO.

http://www.dwazoo.com/default.html

 

This is absolutely beautiful. Dallas Blooms is going on at the Arboretum, and it is stunning. There are LOTS of fun things for the kiddos. This is the place that always gets my vote.

http://www.dallasarboretum.org/

*Just looked at the ages of your kids. They probably aren't into face painting and petting zoos, but it is still a beautiful, peaceful wonderful time for the bigger kids.

 

Old City Park is alot of fun also. I haven't been down there in a few years, but it is fun to visit. We always go to the Farmer's Market while we're down there also. Of course, the Farmer's market is fun for me anytime, the kids love too.

 

You could also go down to Dealey Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum. I've never taken the kids, but it's interesting.

http://www.jfk.org/

http://www.dallasheritagevillage.org/

 

http://www.dallasfarmersmarket.org/

 

Have a great time! Dallas Blooms would definately get my vote. It's supposed to be gorgeous this weekend, so you could definately enjoy the time.

[WTMindy]

6th Floor Museum. We also went to the top of that hotel that lights up in the Dallas skyline at night. That was fun.Dallas Hyatt Regency

[Blue Hen]

Those sound like great ideas and things my kids will enjoy doing! Thanks so much.

[PrairieAir]

We loved, loved, LOVED the Dallas World Aquarium. If we lived closer, I would have a membership and make a point of going at least every other week just to take pictures. I went for the rainforest and Mundo Maya exhibits. I really did not expect to love the aquarium part so much, but that was my favorite part. It's expensive, but it is worth it. You will probably want to spend the whole day or at least half a day there.

[Halftime Hope]

Could you tell me what your boys enjoy? For example, there are several air museums in the area, a GM plant (don't know if they are offering tours right now), etc., many "not so touristy" things to do.

 

More later...

 

Valerie

[Blue Hen]

Sure,

 

The oldest is a science-geek and his nickname is ScienceKid on my blog. The second is into all things military. Both love planes so air museums would be good. The only sport they are into is Inline Speed Skating (not the ice kind, roller kind), oh and do they love to swim.

[Halftime Hope]

Air museums:

 

The Cavanaugh in Addison. (Pardon me if I let you do the Googling for times and admission info.) They have a number of vintage WW2 and Cold War era aircraft, including a MIG or two, in several hangars, along with a small gallery of warbird art. You may also be able to arrange a flight for additional $$; don't know if they still offer that option.

 

Frontiers of Flight museum at Love Field. Many educational displays; many aircraft; a variety of flying craft, from dirigibles to space items. Very nice museum, especially since it is largely run and staffed through volunteers.

 

American Airlines CR Smith Museum Vintage AA aircraft including a DC-3 that you can climb into. (Amazing how small it looks these days!) Geared toward the airline industry, its inception and history. Heavy on memorabilia vs. aircraft, but still interesting to an airline buff.

 

Swimming:

 

-Hurricane Harbor water park -- for your guys' age, this would be the place to go if you wanted a full-fledged water park; should be open on weekends in May. They often offer "after 5pm" deals.

-Sandy Lake (community water park and picnic grounds; old-fashioned)

-NRH2O -- water park with several good "water coasters", but might be a bit "young" for your guys

-there are some *really nice* community swimming pools w/ multi-story slides, but most are not open in mid-May. The one in Lancaster is open all year round, but that would be quite a drive, and you have to have a high tolerance for chlorine vapor. ;)

-there is a brand spankin' new indoor water-theme park/hotel in Grapevine, The Great Wolf Lodge. I don't think that's what you had in mind though, if you are staying w/ family.

 

The next thing on our list is the Bureau of Engraving; dh and ds are ready to go!

 

PM me if you have more questions! :)

 

Valerie

[Aubrey]

Last time I was at Grapevine Mills mall, there was an indoor skate park there. Hm. I can't remember if anyone was using roller skates--I know there were lots of skateboards.

 

I love the science museums, but my dc are little, & sometimes it's hard to imagine bigger kids in those kinds of settings. Surely they'd enjoy the IMAX or the planetarium? There's a neat lagoon there, too, & dino bones. (Can you tell mine's 7? LOL)

 

I think you're going to spend a lot of time in the car if you're going to be N of Plano & try to do things in DFW.

 

There's a pick-your-own berry farm north of here. Mid-may they'll probably only have blackberries, but there's a pond & entertainment on the weekends (usually).

[Halftime Hope]

http://www.fwmuseum.org/plan/index.html I didn't mention these earlier, because, like Aubrey, I kinda think your boys are past most of what is offered at the two science museums. The one in FW is closed now for major renovations, although some of its exhibits are open in the Cowgirl Museum across the street.

 

The Science Place in Dallas, and the museum of Natural History are side by side, but, again, I fear that they are not "old enough" for your guys, if they are "hard core". :lol: You might find an IMAX film you'd like in Dallas.

 

One other thing I hadn't thought of earlier: the botanical garden and Japanese garden in FW are very nice. In May, the rose garden should be in full bloom, although you might want to confirm that with the staff.

 

Finally, there is a nice train ride available from Grapevine to the museum district in FW. It goes along the Trinity levee in FW for a way...if you are train buffs, you might enjoy that.

 

If you are over in FW for any reason, make time to enjoy a family style mexican lunch at Joe T. Garcia's. It is quite tasty, although our all time favorite mexican food in the metroplex is Los Amigos in Grapevine. Very good and very reasonable; more diner in feel than nice restaurant.

 

I'd invite you to come see us, but we are booked solid in May!! :willy_nilly:

 

I hope you have a great time!

 

V

[Cindyg]

Six Flags, Wet and Wild, Ripleys Believe it or Not, Medieval Times, zoos, wildlife parks (Fossil Rim), aquariums (Dallas World Aquarium), children's museums, art museums (Dallas Museum of Art), Cowgirl Hall of Fame, (Kimball Art Museum in Ft. Worth), aircraft museums, , the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Great Wolf Lodge hotel in Grapevine, the place where JFK was shot downtown (6th Floor Museum at Dealy Plaza), Reunion Tower (the revolving restaurant way up above downtown), Southfork, three professional ball teams, NASCAR race track, the Mustangs at Las Colinas, the Fort Worth Stock Yards, a steam train in Grapevine (the Tarantula),

 

First Monday Trade Days (huge garage sale) in Canton or McKinney, Bass Pro Shop, Cabellos, Whole Foods

 

Quaint town squares (Lewisville, Denton, and Grapevine)

 

Renown churches (First Baptist in Dallas, Prestonwood), seminaries,universities

 

ice skating, roller skating, skateboard parks

 

Chuck E. Cheese

 

incredible horse facilities, horseback riding, rodeos. North Texas Horse Country Tour 9:00 – 1:00 first Saturday of each month. Tickets $25-30. Call 940 382 7895.

 

Omni theatre, children's theatres, broadway-style theatres, puppet theatres

 

Mardels, Home Educator's Resource, Half Priced Books, the second-hand bookstore on the Square in Denton

 

http://www.discoverdfw.com/outabout.htm, http://www.undercovertourist.com/united-states/texas/dallas/attractions/, http://www.10best.com/Dallas/Sights_&_Activities/Sightseeing/index.html?businessID=2713,

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http://www.discoverdenton.com

 

American Girl Store, outside the Gallaria Mall

 

If you don't mind driving 30 or 40 miles, there is the Heard Museum in McKinney. This is a huge natural sanctuary and well worth the drive.

 

In Allen, there is an outdoor skate park open to anyone. There is no fee.

 

There's a new dog park in Denton

 

Our guests have always enjoyed going to Reunion Tower

 

Fort Worth Zoo (Ft. Worth Zoo is supposed to be better than Dallas Zoo)

 

Glen Rose is also a great place, if you don't mind driving http://www.glenrosetexas.net/attractions.html

 

If they like shopping, the Gallaria in Dallas is fun, and so is the Stonebridge Mall in Frisco (?). I don't know -- maybe every town has huge malls now, but if not, that might be fun.

 

Same for the outlet mall, which I think is in Gainesville (?) That's fun if you like to shop and if your town doesn't have one.

 

Another fun shopping day is First Monday Trade Day in either McKinney or Canton.

 

Oh, and Ikea (in Frisco) might be worth a trip of it's own.

 

But locally, our very own downtown Denton is offers a very nice square. Go to the huge used bookstore, some antique stores, and then Beth Marie's for ice cream. Can't beat that!

 

And, then, when the weather is nice...the Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens are nice and usually not crowded. Sometimes, they have outdoor concerts that are wonderful.

 

For a local nature trip - the greenbelt off of 380 is a nice nature walk. It's just relaxing and then lunch on the square and ice cream from Beth Marie's (in Denton) is a treat afterward. It's simple but sometimes simple is good. The square has anitque shops you can browse through as well if your children are older. My kids love to look through old things.

 

The Science Museums in Dallas and Ft. Worth are both fun and have nice Imax theaters. There's something for every age there. All ages enjoy the Science museums - just about.

 

Lake Ray Roberts Isle Dubois is nice for picnics, biking or canoe rides when it's nice.

 

The Dallas Symphony has been reaching out to families and has some great programs that we've been attending. Their website is http://www.dallassymphony.com

 

Two of our favorite spots are The Bass Pro Shop in Grapevine which much like Cabela's has great wildlife exhibits and interesting sites. Then next door for lunch at the Rain Forest Cafe in the Grapevine Mills Mall with the animated jungle animals and the large fish tanks are fun. They also have a neat little gift shop attached.

 

Here in Denton we have the Bayless House, which is a restored victorian home. They often have special events and lectures scheduled as well, check their website http://dentoncounty.com/dept/main.asp?Dept=120.

 

There are alway the museums in Dallas and Ft Worth like The Kimbell Art Museum at http://www.kimbellart.org which most have half price days. For a complete list check out http://www.town-mall.net/entertainment/museums.html.

 

We just completed a field trip to Vetro Glass in Grapevine (also free) where they have bleachers set up to watch a demonstration. ALL the children (ages 2-14) were really "into" it --- and asked intelligent questions because they were so interested. This little itty bitty ugly orange and yellow blob became a beautiful purple bowl! http://www.vetroartglass.com/

 

Right next to Vetro Glass in Grapevine is the Trantula Train station and an adorable museum (free --- although they accept donations) with many old time things such as a wooden wheel chair, wash bin, typewriters, clothes, and tons more! The kids could also climb on the train that was there.

 

The Ft. Worth Bureau of Engraving (one of 2 plants in the US where paper money is printed) is wonderful! We've been there twice, and my boys are only 6. It's a free tour ---- but you need to call to set up a tour time. No cameras or cell phones are allowed. http://www.bep.treas.gov/locations/index.cfm/3

 

This one is a bit pricey - but there is a half off day in the middle of the week, and that's Fossil Rim (in Glen Rose). The animals walk up to your car, and the giraffe's might lick you! http://www.fossilrim.org

 

One that's not as expensive or as far, is Sharkarosa. Here, you can intereact with a monkey, lemurs, camels, go on a safari tour where there are zebras, a fat belly pig, and various other animals. http://www.sharkarosa.com

 

Cabela's is really fun to go into and look at all the stuffed wildlife. Their displays are fantastic ----- and terrific if you're doing a report with your children and want to see them close up. http://www.cabelas.com They also do parties there. For $40, you can invite unlimited children, they're all given 6 tokens for the shooting gallery, food to feed the fish, and a 10 item scavenger hunt.

 

Texas Motor Speedway does tours as well. http://www.texasmotorspeedway.com This tour teaches you all you wanted to know about racing, including how many miles worth of hotdogs they sell in a year, how many stories of hamburger patties, and how many times they can fill their pond with Coke! If there aren't any events going on that day, they'll take you around the track in their van. The first time we were able to do this - the 2nd time we couldn't because there was a racing school out there ----- but the kids all thought they were watching a real race!

 

If you don't mind travelling to Dallas this Old City Park is a great place for visitors. Their web site is http://www.oldcitypark.org

 

There's a puppet theater in the Galleria in Dallas and also one in North Park Mall. Call for show times. The store in Galleria had great educational and artistic toys in the shop.

 

Scarborough Fair is really worth seeing once.

 

Casa Mana for children's plays

 

There are a number of water parks including NRH20, Denton Water Works, Wet and Wild

 

If you are looking for a place to go for field trips, you may want to check out the nature awareness days that Camp Tonkawa has. Its very informative, inexpensive, & the kids all seem to love it. Its 45- 50 minutes from Lewisville. Go to camptonkawatexas.com for more information or call April at 1-903-429-6483. Thanks

[Blue Hen]

THANK YOU for the suggestions, here's what we did:

 

Renaissance Fest --- my sister wanted to do this and it was quite enjoyable.

 

Grassy Knoll --- we skipped the museum cause my sister wasn't interested in it. What can I say other than she's not a hs'er ;)

 

Frontiers of Flight museum at Love Field ---- enjoyable hour or two

 

Ft Worth Zoo ---- even though it was close to 100 degrees this place is wonderful with its shaddy walkways.

 

Ft Worth Stockyards ---- saw the Longhorns walk the block, cool!

 

Finished off the day at Joe T. Garcia's for a Mexican Dinner. Quite delicious.

 

We are off to SW TX tomorrow, and then NM and AZ.

[Cindyg]

Sounds great! I remember this thread. I'm glad you picked out some fun activities and had a good trip!

[clwcain]

Wow. I've lived in the Metroplex for 13 years now and I didn't know about half these things. This thread is being sent to my wife.

 

Cool.

 

Thanks.

[Annie Laurie]

Sounds like you had fun! We went to Scarborough Faire Ren Fest also and had an awesome time.