Nearly 49 million tourists from around the world visit Dallas-Fort Worth annually. Whether visitors are history buffs, sightseers, nature lovers, art aficionados, sports fans, live performance junkies, thrill seekers, or all of those rolled into one, they find a seemingly endless supply of things to do in North Texas.

For D-FW locals, experiencing the world of nearby entertainment venues often winds-up on a “to do” list while they opt to vacation on a Caribbean cruise ship or beach resort. Since the daily grind and busy work weeks leave little or no time to significantly chisel down the list, it continues to grow, but that’s the beauty of a staycation. You can wipe-out your “to do” list and discover—or rediscover—what makes Dallas-Fort Worth a major tourist destination. And between eliminating expensive airline fares and minimizing hotel accommodations and gas usage, imagine the money you can save in the process.

Dallas

Photo courtesy of Sixth Floor Museum

The top tourist attraction in the city is Dealey Plaza in Downtown Dallas, where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald on November 22, 1963 while riding in his motorcade. The nearby Sixth Floor Museum, located in the former Texas School Book Depository where Oswald fired the fatal shot, details the darkest day in Dallas history through exhibits and audio/video presentations.

Klyde Warren Park

On the north side of Downtown, the Dallas Arts District is the largest adjoining urban arts district in the United States. In addition to restaurants, shops, and Klyde Warren Park (which hosts outdoor concerts), some of the world-class venues include Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas Museum of Art, Crow Collection of Asian Art, Perot Museum, Wyly Theatre, Winspear Opera House, and Meyerson Symphony Center.

Bishop Arts District

Across the Trinity River in North Oak Cliff, the historic Bishop Arts District is one of Dallas’ most eclectic neighborhoods. Characterized by 60 trendy art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops—as well as festivals and Wine Walks—this artistic district appeals to visitors and locals alike. 

George W.Bush Presidential Library and Museum 

Regardless of your political stance, the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum is a must-see. Located on the edge of Southern Methodist University in North Dallas, the 14,000-square-foot museum includes a replica of the Oval Office where you can walk around and take a selfie as you sit behind the former president’s desk. While a series of displays chronicle the 43rd president’s tenure in office, the visitor favorite is the poignant 9-11 exhibit, which includes a piece of steel from the World Trade Center. 

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Seasonal colors and natural beauty are always in bloom at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The 66-acre spread in White Rock Lake Park is known for the Margaret Elisabeth Jonsson Color Garden, Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, and a gallery of stunning nature photos.

Fort Worth

Fort Worth Stockyards photo by Shutterstock

Fort Worth is not only where the West begins, it’s where the cowboy heritage continues. In the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District—just three miles from downtown—you can watch a real cattle drive, walk on the same brick sidewalks and roads that cattle barons and cowpokes strolled down in the 19th century, and shop, dine, and drink in authentic buildings. On Fridays and Saturdays, you can catch a championship rodeo at Cowtown Coliseum and then go “boot scooting” at the three-acre Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky tonk. 

Sundance Square

A trip to the Stockyards isn’t complete, however, without visiting Sundance Square in the heart of downtown. Named after the Sundance Kid, Butch Cassidy’s outlaw sidekick, the historic red brick buildings in the 35-block district housed saloons, dancehalls, and gambling parlors in the 1800s, but they’ve been replaced by a popular collection of shops, restaurants, and bars.

Fort Worth Zoo

When the Fort Worth Zoo opened more than a century ago, its meager menagerie consisted of two bears, one lion, a peacock, a coyote, an alligator, and a few rabbits. Today, the southwestern Fort Worth attraction is home to a full-range of wildlife exhibits, including white tigers in the Asian Falls area and 5,700 birds, amphibians, and reptiles living alongside hand-painted murals in the Museum of Living Art.

Arlington

Photo courtesy of Six Flags Over Texas

Located between Dallas and Fort Worth, Arlington is the amusement capital of North Texas. Besides Six Flags Over Texas, you can usually catch a Texas Rangers MLB game through the fall. And the Dallas Cowboys open their NFL preseason on August 26 at AT&T Stadium. To round-out your staycation, the city offers many other entertainment venues as well as great shopping, dining, and special events.