Relaxing Things to Do in Dallas

One of my favorite things to do is to just go off and explore! Setting a schedule and having to stick to it is too stressful to me. I just want to fly by the seat of my pants. All of the 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 is the perfect combination of traditional Asian saunas & luxurious European water spas. 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. They truly have something for everybody.
• Sip Tea at the Dallas Arboretum: Tea service 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. Price includes general garden admission, so be sure to allow time to enjoy the gardens. Contact 214-515-6511 or teas@dallasarboretum.org for more info.
• 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 keep things interesting. If you’re looking for a good time with no kids, check out their adult only parties hosted monthly called Social Science.
• Toast Life at a 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. I enjoy going to Cru and Veritas for a glass (or bottle).
• Stroll Downtown: 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.
• Shop at NorthPark: I must say that I love NorthPark Center, but if you want a relaxing experience there, go on the weekdays. It gets quite busy on the weekends and parking isn’t always fun but if you go the weekdays, you’ll be fine.
• Eat your way through the Farmer’s Market: Nothing beats fresh fruit and vegetables. Explore the Farmer’s Market and talk with the vendors. They give great advice and tips about meals you can make with their food. Don’t be shy.
• Drive across the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge: Whether you love it or hate it, you have to take a ride down the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. You can snap some great pictures (not while driving!).
• 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.
• Step up your garden game:  Yes, I’m being serious. Gardening reduces stress and is very relaxing. Not to mention, you feel extremely accomplished when you see that you’re actually growing fruits and veggies! Join the Community Gardens of Oak Cliff for support.
• Practice Yoga at Klyde Warren Park: Every Sunday morning, you can practice yoga with Exhale Spa for FREE at Klyde Warren Park. They even provide the mat. All you have to do in show up!
• 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. If you go during the day, you’re fine. 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.
• Cool down with a Popsicle. Because, who doesn’t love Popsicles. Steel City Pops is all the rage. Stop by and try all their flavors. If you don’t feel like staying, grab them to go!
• Nosh on Pie at Emporium Pies:   Their shop is way too cute and the experience is always wonderful. If you don’t feel like traveling to the Bishop Arts District, you can grab a slice at Fourteen Eighteen Coffee Shop in Downtown Plano.
• Hang poolside at Hotel Zaza: Want to be a cool kid? Head to Zaza. I prefer to go there and people watch rather than actually hang with the people there. Regardless of what you’re doing there, you’re bound to have a good time.

• 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. 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. Also, there are never any children so it’s a nice place to go for adults only.
• Watch Penguins Play at the Dallas World Aquarium: Buy tickets in advance to avoid any lines. The Dallas World Aquarium is much more than just a few fish. You’ll see a sloth, birds, monkeys and more. It’s set up like you’re in a forest. It’s truly an adventure.
• Head to the Cigar Shop: Smoke a stogie at the closest Cigar Shop. If you don’t know much about Cigars, stop by one of the shops and you will learn tons. Many of them are set up with TVs, drinks and more.
• Go Ice Skating at the Dallas Galleria: Strap on your skates and head to the ice. Ice skating is such a fun sport, it brings out the kid in everyone. Everyone always seems to go skating during Christmas, but why not skate during other times of the year?
• Bike on the Katy Trail: You never know who you will run into on the Katy Trail. Not to mention, there are some great restaurants and shopping located close by so you can go for a run/walk/bike and get a drink right after.
• Watch a movie at the Angelika: Angelika 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.
• Take a Trolley Tour: Get acquainted with your city. This 75 minute tour will drive by popular sights such as Reunion Tower, Thanksgiving Square and the Farmer’s Market.
• 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!
• Get a 360 view of Dallas: Yep, you guessed it. The Reunion Tower is a great way to see it all. Grab dinner there and get the full view of Dallas.
• 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?
• Visit the bears at Lakeside Park: 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.

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?