8 Hidden Gems in Dallas for Family Tours
- Thursday August 17th 2023
Are you planning a family tour within Dallas? You’re probably familiar with iconic attraction sites like the Reunion Tower and the Dallas zoo. And now you may be looking for something different. The good news is that there are many hidden gems in Dallas your whole family can enjoy.
Whether you come from Texas or other states, Dallas has many attraction sites to suit you, no matter your budget. From museums and public squares to water parks and restaurants, there’s everything you need to keep your day busy and fun. If your concern is identifying where to find the best Dallas attractions for families, we’ve got you covered. Here are eight hidden gems in Dallas you can visit with your kids.
- SEA LIFE Aquarium
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas
- Peppa Pig World of Play Dallas
- Perot Museum of Nature and Science
- Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark
- Great Wolf Lodge Water Park Dallas
- Medieval Time Dinner and Tournament
- The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
1. SEA LIFE Aquarium
SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium is a family-friendly attraction site located within the Grapevine Mills Mall. It’s a great place to bring your kids aged 3 to 12 years to explore thousands of species found in the ocean. From schools of fish and reptiles to amphibians and rainforests, this site has much to offer to all marine life enthusiasts.
The aquarium has the only 360-degree view ocean tunnel in Texas. In this tunnel, you’ll come nose to snout with sea creatures like sharks, sting rays, turtles, and many types of smaller fish. You’ll see different exhibits with various creatures like seahorses and jellies. The rainforest will remind you of The Amazon, with waterfalls and creatures like piranhas and snakes.
You’ll also be able to interact with some marine creatures in the interactive rockpools. These shallow water pools allow you to dip your hand and touch creatures like starfish, crabs, and sea urchins. Besides watching different marine lives, you’ll have plenty to learn through the tour talks and information displays. And since the facility has a Sea Turtle Rescue Center, you’ll also learn the process they follow in rehabilitating sea turtles.
If you visit SEA LIFE Aquarium in Grapevine, you’ll have plenty to do and see. And you can take pictures in various exhibits to create lasting memories with your family.
2. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas
If you visit SEA LIFE Aquarium in Grapevine with your kids, there’s one place you can’t afford to miss, the LEGOLAND Discovery Center. The two are located next to each other, making it convenient for you. It’s even more convenient when you buy a combo ticket for the two places at a discounted price. So what does LEGOLAND Discovery Center have to offer?
This ultimate indoor playground is the place where imagination and creativity come to life. Kids of 12 and below can explore an array of interactive exhibits and build structures using Lego bricks of all shapes and sizes. From building skyscrapers to racing cars, they can let their imaginations run wild and create anything they can think of. Other games kids can play to keep their weekend outing enjoyable include;
- Merlin’s Apprentice Ride: Kids can take a spin on this ride that takes them up and down while they pedal to control their speed.
- LEGO Ninjago City Adventure: They can test their ninja skills in this obstacle course and climbing area, complete with a slide and ball pit.
- LEGO Friends Heartlake City: Kids can visit Heartlake City and help the Lego Friends with their adventures, including a karaoke stage and a horse riding area.
- DUPLO Village: Younger kids can enjoy this soft play area with Duplo bricks and a miniature farm.
Additionally, visitors can enjoy a variety of interactive experiences such as the 4D cinema and the Kingdom Quest Laser Ride. These activities provide a hands-on learning experience, allowing visitors to engage with the LEGO world and learn about its history and innovation.
3. Peppa Pig World of Play Dallas
To maximize your experience when visiting the Grapevine’s Mills Malls, don’t forget to visit the Peppa Pig World of Play. Keep in mind that this place is specifically designed for young kids from 1 to 7 years. So all kids from 1 year and above, including adults, have to pay.
Peppa Pig World of Play is based on the animated TV show called Peppa Pig. So if your kids love watching that TV series, they’ll love the park as it allows them to explore and play in a world inspired by the show. The park features life-size models of the show’s popular characters, including Peppa, George, Mummy Pig, and Daddy Pig. Children can take photos with these characters and even attend meet-and-greet sessions with them.
Kids can participate in various interactive activities, such as building sandcastles in the “Muddy Puddles” play area, creating their own pizzas in the “Pizza Time” kitchen, and riding on Grandpa Pig’s train. They can also ride on tricycles and take them to a model gas station and a cleaning area. Other models include a supermarket, school bus, wild animals, farm animals, and trees. The whole place is designed with safety in mind, with features like soft play areas and padded floors to see to it that children can play safely.
In addition to the attractions, Peppa Pig World of Play offers a range of dining options for families. The park features a cafe serving various snacks and drinks and a gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs and merchandise related to the show. They also have themed birthday party packages that include access to the play zones, a private party room, and more.
4. Perot Museum of Nature and Science
The City of Dallas has several museums, but the Perot Museum of Nature and Science is particularly interesting for young ones and those who love science. This world-class museum is named after the Perot family, who contributed to its construction. Located in the downtown area of Dallas, the Perot museum features exhibits on many topics, including biology, geology, paleontology, physics, engineering, and astronomy.
Perot Museum will inspire and encourage you to learn about the natural world and the scientific principles that govern it. It’s divided into separate exhibits or halls, each focusing on a particular field. Here are some of them.
- Life Then and Now Hall: This exhibit explores the history of life on Earth through a range of fossils, dioramas, and interactive displays. You’ll see prehistoric mammals and dinosaur skeletons.
- Engineering and Innovation Hall: It showcases the tools and technology that drive modern engineering and scientific research. You’ll see robots, drones, and other cutting-edge technology in action.
- Expanding Universe Hall: This exhibit explores the wonders of space and the universe. You’ll see a life-size model of the International Space Station, learn about black holes and other celestial phenomena, and even touch a piece of the moon.
Other halls in the museum include “Being Human” (focusing on the human body), gems and minerals, and energy. In addition to viewing the displays, the museum allows you to interact with various exhibits to maximize your experience. This place is a must-visit if you want to inspire your kids to love science.
5. Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark
In case you’re looking for a more thrilling experience, the Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark won’t disappoint. This hidden gem in Dallas packs a multitude of exciting water activities for the whole family to enjoy. It has several water slides with different intensity levels, from the more relaxed “Rio Grande” family raft ride to the thrilling “Lasso Loop” slide.
If you’ve never gone surfing, Epic Water Park gives you a taste of what surfing feels like. It has a flow rider and the largest indoor wave pool in Texas. Kids and adults can enjoy surfing and swimming against the waves. For safety reasons, some water activities have weight and height restrictions. So if you have very young kids, they may not have much to enjoy.
The park is best for teens and adults. But they also have a designated area for children called “The Rascal’s Roundup,” with a shallow pool, smaller slides, and interactive water features. The park also has a river that meanders around the park. You can ride on this river and enjoy the relaxing scenery around the park. Also, you can rent a private cabana if you need a shaded space to relax and take a break from the water activities.
The Epic Waterpark includes other activities like a zip line, a ropes course, and a climbing wall. It runs throughout the year, even during the cold winter months.
6. Great Wolf Lodge Water Park Dallas
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy water park activities and get accommodation, try the Great Wolf Lodge. It has on-site accommodations, so you can stay at the park and enjoy all the fun without worrying about transportation or parking. The lodge has different room types, including suites perfect for families or groups.
This water park has activities and attractions for all ages, making it a great place to spend quality time with your family and create lasting memories. It has indoor and outdoor water attractions, making it usable regardless of the weather conditions.
The Great Wolf Lodge has indoor and outdoor water slides. These slides come in varying sizes and intensities, including the Alberta Falls, River Canyon Run, Howlin’ Tornado, and more. There’s a slide for everyone, whether you’re looking for a gentle ride or an adrenaline rush.
Little kids can play in the toddler area that has water playgrounds, water sprays, smaller slides, and interactive elements that kids will love. Older kids can get into the “Chinook Cove” area and play basketball in the pool, play with the floating logs, and test their balance with the crossing ropes.
Outdoor activities include floating on the lazy river, taking the rope course, and playing mini-golf. The rope course is high above the ground and features a variety of challenges that will test your balance and coordination.
The Great Wolf Lodge is a good choice if you come from far since it provides accommodation. It also has many indoor and outdoor activities, making it one of the best Dallas attractions for families.
7. Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament
Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament is a great place to enjoy live shows while having dinner with your family. Once you get to the venue, they give you huts and flags with matching colors. These colors show the side you support and the characters you’ll cheer for once the play begins.
The acting stage is brought to life by music and multi-color directional lights. As the play begins, the knights enter the stage riding horses and wearing medieval costumes. They present different shows, such as sword fighting, where the knights compete for the honor of their queen. Some perform tricks with horses and birds as the audience cheers out loudly. It reminds you of adventure movies acted in medieval times, except that you’re in the movie.
In addition to the tournament, you can enjoy a four-course meal served in true medieval style, without utensils. The meal includes garlic bread, bisque tomato soup, roasted chicken, sweet buttered corn, herb-basted potatoes, and a dessert pastry. There are also vegetarian and allergy-friendly options available upon request.
Before and after the show, you can explore the castle’s Hall of Arms, which features medieval artifacts and displays. The castle also has a gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs such as knight figurines, swords, and shields.
8. The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Do you prefer an outdoor environment where you can take a nature walk or enjoy a picnic with your family? Then, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is your perfect choice. It’s among the best Dallas attractions for families because it allows you to do multiple activities.
The 66 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens will keep you busy as you explore the colorful flowers and plants. If you want to have a guided tour to learn more about the garden and its history, the Arboretum can organize one for you. You can also ride one of the cruises that take people to the nearby White Rock Lake. The cruises allow you to view the gardens from a different perspective and enjoy more beautiful scenes.
The Dallas Arboretum hosts several special events throughout the year, including holiday-themed events, concerts, and festivals. You can attend one of these events to enjoy the festive atmosphere.
If you have kids, you can take them to the Children’s Adventure Garden. This section is designed specifically for children and features interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and educational programs. Children can enjoy running, climbing, and playing in the sections set out for such activities. There’s a giant bird’s nest, a playhouse, and a tree house, where kids can play.
What’s more, you can enjoy a picnic lunch or snack with your family. You can carry food from home or purchase it from the on-site café. Don’t forget to bring your best camera as the garden has some of the best scenes for photography.
What You Should Know Before Visiting the Hidden Gems In Dallas
The city of Dallas is full of attraction sites that you can visit with your family. The above eight are perfect choices if you have kids. Some places have limited capacity, so it’s essential to book in advance to ensure you get admitted on the day you visit.
SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium has many visitors on weekends and public holidays. So, be sure to buy tickets in advance to guarantee entry and enjoy discounts. You’ll also receive great discounts if you buy combo tickets. A combo ticket allows you to visit two or three places, which include the SEA LIFE Aquarium, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, and Peppa Pig World of Play. Buy your tickets now and explore these hidden gems in Dallas.
