Looking for day trips from Dallas to get out of the city and explore Texas? Want something within driving distance? Check out these 11 cities outside Dallas for a day trip! Whether you want something by the lake, a good shopping trip, a fun outdoor adventure, or something quiet and cozy these are the places you should check out.
I’ve lived up in Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) for 18+ years, and I have definitely had my fair share of Dallas Day Trips! I wanted to share some of my favorites; the one’s my family and I can’t help but go back to. These are the gems we love!
SEE MORE: 11 Hidden Gems in DFW You Haven’t Seen Yet
Magnolia Market 
Water Slides
Visit Waco,Texas for the Day
Driving Distance
1.5 – 2 Hours from Dallas
Things To Do
Believe it or not, there is more to do in Dallas outside of Magnolia Market! However, not going to lie that’s it’s one of my personal favorite places. You have to try their cupcakes at the Magnolia Bakery! Otherwise, check out some of these great furniture spots in Waco. You can also walk around the beautiful Baylor Campus (Hook ‘Em though) or check out these water slides during the summer!
Visit the Wineries in Grapevine
Driving Distance
20-30 Minutes
Things To Do
Grapevine is SUCH a short trip from Dallas, and it happens to be my hometown! From hanging out at Grapevine Lake to walking through Main Street to checking out one of the famous Grapevine Wineries there is an endless list for a day’s worth of adventure in Dallas. If you want a quick Dallas day trip, this is the way to go!
Check out our Things To Do in Grapevine list for a full guide!
Gamble Away at Winstar Casino
Driving Distance
1 Hour
Things To Do
Other than gamble the night away? Winstar always has great live music concerts and comedians at the casino in addition to being one of the largest casinos in the USA! However, I do have to recommend the gambling part. It’s the perfect quick getaway with your date or your friends for a girls trip!
READ MORE ON A GIRL FROM TX
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Go Shopping at Canton Market
Driving Distance
1 Hour
Things To Do
Ever heard of First Monday Trade Day? Basically, Canton throws a giant flea market that takes place Thursday through Sunday before the first Monday of each month featuring TONS of artists and creators across Texas. It’s the perfect place for a shopping trip, and one my mom and I hit all the time! From antiques to furniture to artwork, this has everything and is such a fun day trip from Dallas!
SEE MORE \\ 18 ROAD TRIP PODCASTS YOU’LL LOVE LISTENING TO
Explore Beavers Bend State Park
Driving Distance
3 Hours
Things To Do
Whether you want to go hiking on one of their beautiful trails or spend time by the water or just relax by a campfire, this is the perfect place to be! Such gorgeous scenery and nature all around, and you actually do escape Texas for a minute. However, I highly recommend you turn this Dallas day trip into an overnight stay at one of these stunning cabins!
Wanna see more Texas State Parks? Check out our full list of favorites!
Fort Worth Water Gardens 
Fort Worth Water Gardens 
Fort Worth Stockyards
An Afternoon Rodeo Adventure in Fort Worth
Driving Distance
30 Minutes – 1 Hour (yay traffic)
Things To Do
SO MUCH! Spend the day at the Stockyards followed by the rodeo and some two-stepping. Or if country isn’t your thing, walk around the beautiful Sundance Square and check out the Fort Worth Water Gardens. Literally endless things to do in this gorgeous city just next door to Dallas. The ultimate Dallas Day Trip, if you ask me!
Check out our full Fort Worth Guide full of what to do, see, & eat!
Climb Around at Mineral Wells State Park
Driving Distance
1 – 2 Hours
Things To Do
Mineral Wells was where my family loved to go camping when I was growing up, and it holds as one of my favorites. Not only can you take your boat out on the lake and spend some time fishing, but their rock climbing is absolutely incredible. Who wants to rock climb indoors when you can climb actual cliffs?
Rent a Boat on Lake Tyler or Lake Grapevine
Driving Distance
Lake Grapevine: 30 Minutes
Lake TyleR: 1.5 – 2 Hours
Things To Do
Ah, this is a post-prom throwback for me. Lake Tyler is definitely one of the best places to rent a boat and spend a day out on the lake! Definitely a prettier option than Lake Grapevine in my opinion. This is the perfect place to rent some jet skis or go tubing too! And if you want to opt for something closer to home, then just go with Lake Grapevine! I just…wouldn’t recommend a swim in Lake Grapevine personally
360 Bridge in Austin
Expand to a Weekend Trip in Austin, Texas
Driving Distance
3 Hours (2.5 if I speed to a level that upsets my mother)
Things To Do
Okay there is so much to do that you will literally run out of time. I have lived here FIVE YEARS and still have things to do. But the best things to know out? Walking around downtown, checking out the view from Mount Bonnell or 360 Bridge, eating BBQ from Franklins or Terry Black, kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, and ending your day on South Congress!
Check out our complete Austin Guide for what to do, see & eat in ATX!
Thanks for checking out our Dallas Day Trips post with all my favorite Day Trips from Dallas! Hope you got to add some to your list to check out soon enough, Dallas is full of great spots!
Looking for more fun things in Dallas? Check These Out!
8 Dallas Fort Worth Museums to Explore
11 Hidden Gems in DFW You Haven’t Seen Yet
The Complete Dallas Mural Guide
Comments (10)
Rachel
January 16, 2019 at 7:26 pm
These all sound like so much fun! I’ve only been to Ft Worth and Austin (on this list) but I’m ready to get back to Texas!
Betsy
January 16, 2019 at 10:20 pm
This is a great post. We’ve been to Dallas several times in the past couple of years. We went to Waco on our last one. Really enjoyed the afternoon there.
Rachel R Ritlop
January 17, 2019 at 9:13 am
ahhh so many fun things to do! I always think of texas as dry and like a desert. so wild to see how many bodies of water there are! the fort worth gardens look beautiful!
Deborah
January 17, 2019 at 10:46 am
I live in DC but I always forget how vast other big cities are! DC has a condensed population but it’s still a physically small city compared to Dallas! I’d love to visit someday!
Melissa
January 17, 2019 at 11:09 am
So many amazing places near Dallas! Road trips are the best and the distances to these cities are perfect! 3 hours is definitely a good amount!
Alix Maza
January 17, 2019 at 2:59 pm
We’re planning a family reunion for this summer and we’re thinking about the Dallas area! These are some great places.
Tara Fuller
January 18, 2019 at 12:07 pm
this is such a fun list! i haven’t even tried most of these – now i have a little bucket list!
shay
January 18, 2019 at 2:34 pm
All of these places look so inviting and relaxing
-shay
nichole
January 20, 2019 at 8:02 pm
these all look great! like most i’d love to visit waco, but fort worth looks quite interesting as well. thanks for sharing!
Tag
February 10, 2019 at 3:00 pm
Ooooo, this is a good one. I’m going to have to do the slide and Beaver Bend state park. Winstar is tons of fun. If you’re traveling from Dallas and not coming home that same night make sure you call ahead and make sure there are rooms available, particularly if it’s a holiday or there’s a big concert.