Best Places to Get Outdoors in DFW

Spring is in the air, which means it’s the perfect time to get outside! It may seem hard to get back to nature when we’re in the middle of a big city, but there are so many ways to get fresh air right here in Dallas. Here are 5 fabulous spots to get outdoors in DFW.

1. Trinity River Audubon Center

The Trinity River Audubon Center has over five miles of trails, which are perfect for a Spring hike. You can take a nature class, spend some time bird watching, or even camp overnight with a reservation. If your kiddos want to spend some time outside while they are out of school, you can check out their fabulous Spring and Summer Camps. Considered the ‘largest urban forest in the United States’, the Trinity River Audubon Center is an adventure for all ages! 

2. Texas Rangers Game

Although you won’t be getting back to nature, a unique way to spend an evening outside with the family is at a Texas Ranger’s Baseball game at the Globe Life Park in Arlington. With reasonable ticket prices and games throughout the Spring and Summer, your family is sure to enjoy an evening spent under the stars watching Dallas’ home team. Even if you’re not a fan of baseball, you’ll enjoy the atmosphere, food, and fun of the game!

3. Texas Tulips

We have mentioned our love for Texas Tulips before, but it’s worth mentioning again. This adorable tulip farm just north of Dallas is only open for a few weeks in April. It is the perfect spot to snap some Spring photos and purchase flowers to add a touch of Spring to your home. If tulips aren’t your thing, you might enjoy one of Dallas’ other ‘pick-your-own’ options like Henrietta Creek Orchard, featuring peaches in the summer and apples in the fall, or Duck Creek Blackberry Farm, which has blackberries during the summer. 

4. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve

Nestled right in the middle of Plano, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is our family’s favorite spot to have an outdoor adventure. With miles of trails and gorgeous fields this is the perfect place to go for a family hike. They even have a playground with space for little ones and big kids. If you’re planning to visit, note that it does tend to get very busy on the weekends and evenings.

5. Canton: First Monday Trade Days

If you’re anything like me (and most moms I know), you might be a little obsessed with the TV show Fixer Upper. Well, if you want to spend a day feeling like Joanna Gaines walking through the antique market, cute boutique shops, and hand crafted wood shops, take a trip slightly outside of Dallas to Canton for their monthly First Monday Trade Days. Every weekend before the first Monday of the month, hundreds of vendors set up shop in this huge combination indoor/outdoor market. If you really want to make it an outdoor adventure, you can camp overnight in the nearby Purtis Creek State Park.

I know these aren’t the only ways to get outside in and around DFW – share your favorite DFW outdoor adventures in the comments below!