Dallas, Texas, may be known for its bustling city life and vibrant energy, but beneath the skyscrapers and fast-paced atmosphere lies a hidden oasis of relaxation waiting to be discovered. In this blog, we’ll uncover the tranquil side of Dallas, where you can escape the hustle and bustle and unwind in serene settings. From peaceful parks and serene lakes to soothing spas and cultural escapes, Dallas offers a myriad of relaxing activities that will help you rejuvenate and find your inner calm amidst the urban excitement. So, if you’re seeking a break from the daily grind and a chance to recharge your spirit, read on to discover the most relaxing things to do in Dallas.

One of my favorite things to do is to just go off and explore! All of the relaxing things to do in Dallas below are things you don’t have to plan for, you can just go and do it.

Pamper Yourself at Spa Castle

Spa Castle located in Carrollton, Texas is a luxurious and expansive Korean-inspired spa and wellness facility. What lies hidden inside Spa Castle’s structural beauty of 140,000 SF of marble is a medley of ancient health traditions perfected over centuries to deliver complete well-being. All ages from babies to seniors are welcome at this spa. They truly have something for everybody. 

More details about Spa Castle from Narcity.

Spa Castle is located at 1020 Raiford Rd, Carrollton, TX 75007

Sip Tea at the Dallas Arboretum

Tea service at The Dallas Arboretum in the DeGolyer Room begins with a demitasse of select soup, followed by a second course of assorted tea sandwiches, and a third course of sweet treats. Also included are scones with clotted cream, jam, and seasonal tea selections. Reservations are required and must be made 24 hours in advance. For more information, contact 214-515-6511 or teas@dallasarboretum.org 

The Dallas Arboretum is located at 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218.

Spend the day at Perot Museum

The Perot Museum is by far one of my favorite places to wander around. Their traveling exhibits and movies are always a must see at each visit and worth every penny. If you’re looking for a good time with no kids, check out their adult only parties hosted monthly called Social Science. I usually have my kids with me and we absolutely love the Perot Museum Childrens Museum. The kids could play there all day. It’s enclosed and there are lots of places to sit and relax while your kids explore the area. 

The Perot Museum is located at 2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX 75201.

Toast Life at a Dallas Wine Bar

Sometimes we just need to relax with a glass of wine. Dallas has a few great wine bars that host great weekly specials. Here’s a short list of Dallas Wine Bars for you to check out:

• Trova is a Dallas wine shop & bar. You can peruse & take a bottle to go, or sit & enjoy on site with some food from a chef-driven menu.
• Bodega Wine Bar is open in Lakewood serving wines by the glass, bottle & flight as well as some cheese & Charcuterie.
• Times Ten Cellars is a stylish winery & wine bar offering tastings of local vintages paired with global small plates.
• Stoney’s Wine Lounge offers unique wines, plus cheese, charcuterie & chocolate, served in modern environs with occasional jazz.

Stroll Downtown Dallas 

How often do you allow yourself to just get lost? Take a walk with no end place in mind and let yourself really discover Dallas. It’s amazing how much you miss on an every day basis and don’t even realize. Find a new favorite bar or park downtown and see what Dallas is all about. Here’s some suggestions of popular Dallas destinations to check out:

• Dealey Plaza is an iconic historical site in Dallas and the location of the John F. Kennedy Memorial. Begin your stroll here, take in the history, and appreciate the beautiful views of the surrounding buildings.
• Located nearby in the former Texas School Book Depository, the Sixth Floor Museum offers a comprehensive look at the life and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. It’s worth a visit if you’re interested in history.
• If you’re an art enthusiast, consider a visit to the Dallas Museum of Art, which is situated on Harwood Street. It features an impressive collection of art spanning various cultures and time periods. Our vibrant city is FULL of Dallas Museums and many are free!
• Make a brief detour to Pioneer Plaza, where you can see a stunning sculpture depicting a cattle drive, paying homage to Dallas’s history as a cattle town.
• Continue your stroll to Klyde Warren Park, a fantastic urban park built on top of a freeway. Here, you can relax in the park’s green spaces, play games, enjoy food from food trucks, or attend various events and performances that frequently take place here.
• If you prefer not to walk the entire route, consider using the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system, which can help you navigate downtown more efficiently.

Shop at NorthPark Center

NorthPark Center is one of the largest and most prestigious shopping destinations in the city and the entire Southwestern United States. NorthPark Center is renowned for its stunning architecture. The mall features a unique blend of modern and contemporary design elements, with natural light streaming in through large skylights and innovative artwork gracing the corridors. Even if you aren’t wanting to spend a lot of money, window shopping is always fun! 

Free Date Ideas in Dallas

Eat your way through the local Farmer’s Market

One of my favorite things to do on the weekends is visiting local Farmers Markets. The most notable farmers market in the area is located in Dallas but don’t skip by your small town markets. They have amazing vendors and it’s a great way to support your local farmers and entrepreneurs. If you’re unsure where to start at that Farmers Market, try to frequent it often and buy one or two small things each time you go so you can try a variety of things over time. Talk with the vendors and local farmers, it’s a great way to learn about what they’re selling.

Farmers Markets in and around Dallas:

• Dallas Farmers Market
• Rockwall Farmers Market
• Rowlett Farmers Market
• Lucas Farmers Market

Drive across the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge

The Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, commonly referred to as the Margaret Hill Bridge, is a striking and iconic bridge located in Dallas, Texas. It spans the Trinity River and connects the city’s downtown area with the western neighborhoods, including the Trinity Groves district. Architecturally, the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge features a 400 foot steel arch with 58 cables radiating from it in a lyrical fashion. Whether you love it or hate it, you have to take a ride down the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. 

Take a sunset cruise at Lake Ray Hubbard

Take a 20 minute drive East on Highway 30 and take a sunset cruise at Lake Ray Hubbard. Sail with Scott offers different sail times throughout the day. The Harbor in Rockwall, Texas, is a picturesque mixed-use development located on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard. It is a popular destination for both residents and visitors, offering a range of dining, shopping, entertainment, and recreational activities.

Explore Klyde Warren Park 

Klyde Warren Park is a vibrant and highly popular urban park located in the heart of Dallas, Texas. Klyde Warren Park is situated on a 5.2-acre deck spanning over the Woodall Rodgers Freeway, effectively bridging the gap between downtown Dallas and the Uptown neighborhood. This strategic location connects various parts of the city and brings together people from different areas. Klyde Warren Park has become a beloved gathering place and a central hub for recreational, cultural, and social activities in Dallas. 

Klyde Warren offers a large variety of activities for everybody. Check out their daily activity list to see what might interest you.  

Hike Around White Rock Lake

It’s free and you can go anytime. Well, almost anytime – there is a curfew. I learned the hard way and got a ticket for being there too late, so learn from my mistake.  Take in the scenes and get some exercise while walking around White Rock Lake. If you’re feeling it, rent a bike for the day.

Trails around White Rock Lake: 

1. White Rock Lake Trail: This is the primary trail that encircles the lake and covers approximately 9.3 miles in total. It’s a multi-use trail that is perfect for hiking, jogging, biking, and walking. The trail offers beautiful views of the lake, scenic overlooks, and opportunities for birdwatching.

2. The Bath House Cultural Center Trail: Located near the Bath House Cultural Center, this short trail provides a peaceful stroll through the woods and offers access to the lakeshore.

3. Dreyfuss Point Trail: This short trail takes you to Dreyfuss Point, a scenic spot with a pier that extends into the lake. It’s a great place to take in the view, fish, or simply relax by the water.

The Best Hiking Trails in Dallas

Cool down with a Popsicle

Because, who doesn’t love Popsicles. Here’s a short list of popsicles in Dallas to try: 

• PopBar is Scoop-free, delicious, and one-of-a-kind, we’re classic with a twist and dedicated to serving a truly sweet experience to dessert lovers everywhere.
• Picole Pops is a family-owned artisan ice cream shop that focuses on making handcrafted Fruity, Creamy, Filled, & Alcohol Infused pops.
• Encanto Pops sells Mexican paletas for the kid in you.

Nosh on Pie at Emporium Pies 

Their shop is way too cute and the experience is always wonderful. Emporium Pies is a modern American pie company devoted to making Fine Pie for Fine Folk. 

The little pie shop that could started off selling pies outside of an old remodeled 1930’s Victorian bungalow at 314 N. Bishop Avenue (get it?!) in Dallas, Texas. The witty charm now extends to 3 other DFW locations, in some of the metroplex’s most fun neighborhoods.

Cool off at the Gaylord Texan’s Paradise Springs 

Paradise Springs is only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day but it’s a good time. Make a splash at the 10-acre outdoor pool and lazy river complex featuring a 6,000-square-foot family lagoon, giant water playhouse, 600-foot long lazy river, and four winding waterslides. You can bring your kids or come by your self and catch some rays.

Catch a show at the Comedy Club

I’m afraid to say this because I don’t want to jinx myself, but I’ve never had a bad experience at any of the comedy clubs in Dallas. No matter who the comedian is, famous or not, I always have a good laugh. It’s a fun place to go and relax in Dallas. This is a great adult only activity. Here are a few Dallas Comedy Clubs to check out:

• Dallas Comedy Club
• Hyena’s Comedy Club
• Stomping Ground Comedy Theater
• Four Day Weekend

Venture through the Dallas World Aquarium

The Dallas World Aquarium is a prominent and highly regarded attraction located in downtown Dallas, Texas. It is both an aquarium and a zoological park, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore a diverse range of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems from around the world. Buy tickets in advance to avoid any lines.  It’s set up like you’re walking through a forest while looking at the large variety of animals. It’s truly an adventure.

Go Ice Skating at the Dallas Galleria

While many people associate ice skating during the holidays, the Dallas Galleria Ice Rink is open year round. Strap on your skates and head to the ice. Ice skating is such a fun sport, it brings out the kid in everyone. No need for reservations, just show up during regular business hours to enjoy the rink. 

More details about the Dallas Galleria Ice Skating Rink: http://galleriaiceskatingcenter.com/

Burn some energy on the Katy Trail

The Katy Trail is one of the most popular and intensely-supported trails in the Dallas area. Built in what was a former Misssouri, Kansas, and Texas (“Katy”) Railroad corridor that was provided by Union Pacific, the 3.5-mile trail always has runners, walkers, baby stroller-pushers, cyclists, and roller-bladers. Because the Katy Trail is a City of Dallas park, it is 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. In the early morning, lights come on at 5 a.m. to sunrise and come back on at sunset to midnight.

Watch a movie at the Angelika

Angelika Film Center is a cinema devoted to independent and specialty films. It’s a great place to watch movies you won’t see at other movie theaters, not to mention you can grab a beer there.

Angelika has two locations to choose from – 

• Angelika Dallas:  5321 E Mockingbird Ln #230, Dallas, TX 75206
• Angelika Plano: 7205 Bishop Rd E-6, Plano, TX 75024

Hop on the Mckinney Avenue Trolley

The McKinney Avenue Transit Authority (MATA) was founded in 1983 to return streetcar service to Dallas. The McKinney Ave Trolley also know as the The M-Line starts on McKinney Plaza and travel downtown, through the Dallas Arts District. The Mckinney Avenue Trolley is free to ride but works off of a “Name Your Fare” Service – pay what you want / can for the service! 

Tour local wine country:   Head to Grapevine and take a local wine tour. You’ll stop at multiple wineries and get to taste wine from each! It’s fairly cheap and if you have a large group going, they’ll pick you up from your house!

Drive through Historic Swiss Avenue

Taking a drive through Historic Swiss Avenue is always fun. There are beautiful houses to swoon over and so much history. Did you know Woodall Rogers, Kay Bailey Hutchison, & Carrie Marcus Neiman were all once residents of the Historic Swiss Avenue District?

The Swiss Avenue Historic District, in Old East Dallas, is a diverse neighborhood containing the finest collection of Early 20th Century residential architecture in the entire Southwest.

The boundaries of The Swiss Avenue Historic District include portions of some of the city’s earliest streets: Beacon Street, Bryan Street, Bryan Parkway, La Vista Drive, Live Oak Street and Swiss Avenue

Visit the bears at Lakeside Park

Lakeside Park sits on over 14 acres of exceptionally landscaped grounds along Turtle Creek, located between Beverly Drive and Armstrong Parkway at 4601 Lakeside Drive. The walking paths and numerous benches along the way are the perfect place for a leisurely stroll. Enjoy the scenic views from the bridge atop the Turtle Creek Dam, the whimsy of the Teddy Bear statues, and the tranquility of the Read Memorial.

While I attended SMU, I loved going to Lakeside Park to venture around. You’ll find people enjoying a picnic, taking in the gorgeous scenery or snapping pictures with the bears. It’s a fun area and a place you must visit at least once.

In the heart of the bustling Dallas metropolis, a world of relaxation awaits. From serene parks to luxurious spas, tranquil lakesides to cultural escapes, Dallas offers a myriad of ways to unwind and recharge. So whether you’re a local seeking a brief escape or a visitor discovering the city’s serene side, Dallas has a peaceful retreat just waiting for you. Take a breath, let go of stress, and savor the restful moments this vibrant city has to offer. Your relaxation journey in Dallas is just a step away. Dallas has many things to do that are relaxing, it all just depends on what “relaxing” means to you.  What other items should I add to the list?