1. VISIT AUTUMN AT THE ARBORETUM
One of my personal favorite activities in Dallas is visiting the Dallas Arboretum for Autumn at the Arboretum. From the pumpkin patch, to the gorgeous lake views, to the flowers, it’s truly one of the best places to enjoy nature in the metroplex. Pro tip: pack a picnic basket and a blanket. There’s a large lawn in the middle of the Arboretum that was made for picnics!
2. WATCH A FOOTBALL GAME
You can’t have football without fall, and no one does football quite like Arlington, Texas. AT&T Stadium is home to some of the best live football action, from the Dallas Cowboys to the variety of College Classic football games. Beyond Jerry World, the newly opened Texas Live is a football fan’s heaven. There’s a TV that is 100 feet tall. Yep. Let that sink in (and then go watch a game on this giant TV).
3. SOAK IN FALL WEATHER ON THE PATIO
Take advantage of the cooler weather, my friends. Take full advantage, and show off DFW’s great patios to all of your friends. One of my favorite places to soak in the warm sun and cool air is the Katy Trail Ice House Outpost in Plano. While you’re enjoying the fresh air, order the table a round of schooners filled with local Dallas-Fort Worth beer, and don’t forget the Loaded Cheese Fries!
4. PICK SOME PUMPKINS
You can go to so many adorable pumpkin patches in DFW, but my personal favorite is Halls Pumpkin Farm. Not only is it a pumpkin patch, but they have both a corn maze and hayrides! Admission is just $5, and they’ll also have free admission during opening weekend, September 28-29.
5. ADMIRE THE FALL VIEWS
Did you know that 90% of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden is free to the public and there’s free parking? Now you officially have no excuse not to soak in fall beauty at this amazing garden. It’s great for family photo-ops, too!
6. TAKE A HIKE
Dallas-Fort Worth may be a city, but that doesn’t mean we lack in the nature department. Just check out VisitDFW’s hiking guide! The Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve is one of my favorite places to hike when I have friends and family in town or when I need to clear my head, and fall is the best time to explore this nature preserve without being overwhelmed by Texas’ triple degree heat.
7. GO SWIMMING
Yep, you read that right! Rain on shine, Epic Waters Indoor Water Park is the best place to get your summer fix in the middle of fall (or winter, for that matter). With eleven slides—three of which are the “first-of-their-kind” within the waterpark industry—there’s fun here for everyone in your group.
8. RIDE A ROLLER COASTER
In case riding all of the roller coasters isn’t reason enough to head to Six Flags this fall, there are themed events for both Halloween and the holidays! Fright Fest is happening until November 3 and Holiday In the Park is from November 16-December 30.
9. TOUR LOCAL BREWERIES
There are more local breweries in Dallas-Fort Worth than I can count on one hand! Some of my personal favorites include Rahr & Sons Brewing Company, Deep Ellum Brewing Co., and Denton County Brewing Company. Cheers, y’all!
10. SEE A WINTER WONDERLAND
You won’t see much ice this fall in Dallas-Fort Worth…unless you head over to the Gaylord Texan, where you can find more than two million pounds of it! Professional ice-sculptures start creating ICE! in October, and the winter wonderland is open to the public November 15 through January 5. They’ll let you borrow a parka when you enter, but don’t forget the hand warmers, hats and gloves. It’s a whopping 9 degrees in there!