Staying in town for Spring Break? This is your big chance to do the touristy stuff you never do or go places a little bit too special for an ordinary day out. If you want to level up, combine any of these ideas with a hotel stay for the ultimate Dallas staycation experience.
As a reminder, Dallas area Spring Break is March 14–18, 2022 (and Collin County Spring Break is the week prior, March 7–11).
Destination: DOWNTOWN DALLAS
You can have an awesome Spring Break staycation in Dallas without ever leaving downtown. The Perot Museum is open daily March 5–20 (typically closed Tuesdays). Their 3D theater just reopened and will be showing Turtle Odyssey 3D and Dinosaurs of Antarctica 3D. Spring Break is a busy time for the museum (like sell-out busy), so be sure to get tickets online in advance.
For even more downtown kid-friendly museum programming, you’ve got Spring Break at the Nasher March 16–18 and Spring Break Week at the DMA March 15–18. Nasher Sculpture Center admission is $10 for adults, 12 and under free. The DMA is free but you will need to reserve a ticket for entry. Special exhibits at the DMA require paid entry for adults, but 11 and under are free. Check the museum links for additional info/schedules for the week.
And don’t forget about the Museum of Illusions, with a bevy of optical illusions, holograms, installations, and interactive illusion rooms for all ages.
The Holocaust and Human Rights Museum has Spring Break hours, open daily March 7–20. Courage and Compassion: The Japanese American WWII Experience uses images, audio, interactives, and testimonials to provide a 360-degree perspective and explore the present relevance of past events. This special exhibit is included with museum admission. Also, at 1pm every day of Spring Break, you can hear Holocaust Survivor and Second Generation speakers for free (attend virtually or in person).
Want to stick to outdoor activities? The Sixth Floor Museum has an Interactive Tour of Dealy Plaza that includes a 20-minute walking tour of the area, an interactive map, and more.
The GeO-Deck at Reunion Tower will “Spring to the Top” from March 7–18. Each day brings a different activity like visits from the Dallas Zoo, Crayola Experience, the Dallas Jackals (our new rugby team!), and more. See link for activity schedule. Included with general admission and may sell out, so don’t delay!
If you haven’t taken the kids to a major sporting event yet, there’s a Stars game at the AAC on March 12. Take the DART and get off right outside the venue. And while not technically a sporting event, Disney on Ice will be there March 17–20. (Side note: If you’re getting more comfortable in a crowd but prefer to be outside, FC Dallas will play March 12 and March 19 up in Frisco and the new Dallas Jackals play on those same dates over in Arlington.)
Destination: SIX FLAGS
Six Flags is definitely a “special treat” place, which makes it a great Spring Break activity. There’s extra stuff planned for March 11–20: lots of live music from local artists on multiple stages, karaoke and lip-synching competitions, and extended park hours from 11am to 9pm daily. Six Flags has rides for all ages—check out a list of kids rides and the ride height list before you go. And have a look at our post on Six Flags for in-betweeners (too big for the small rides, too small for the big rides).
Destination: FAIR PARK
Why not organize a day out at Fair Park this Spring Break? Texas Discovery Gardens will have daily special activities and nature experiences from 11am–3pm, March 14–18. See link for schedule.
You can also visit the recently-reopened Children’s Aquarium for stingray petting and Nemo spotting. Afterwards, mosey over to Leonhardt Lagoon with a picnic lunch while the kids run around on that sea serpent sculpture thing. Fair Park has so many great photo ops, and it’s nice to walk around without State Fair crowds. Gates are open daily from 6am–9pm. (Enter through Gate 5.)
Destination: ST. PATRICK’S DAY
St. Patrick’s Day aligns with Spring Break, so we’ve got extra festivities for those of you who like to pinch. There’s the annual Dallas St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival on March 12. With 90+ floats and 125,000+ people wearing green, it’s the biggest St. Pat’s celebration in the Southwest. The parade kicks off at 11am and follows a 2-mile route, so tailgating opportunities abound. (Parade route street closures begin at 9am.)
Check out our roundup of all the local family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day events, like the McKinney St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Run. Festivities include local vendors, Irish foods, GREEN TUPPS beer, costume contests, and live Irish music and dancing.
Or you can head west for Cowtown Goes Green at the Fort Worth Stockyards. This is a family-friendly event with armadillo races, petting zoo, face painting, live music, a parade, and it’s free! March 19, 10am–8pm.
Destination: FORT WORTH
Speaking of Cowtown, Spring Break is a great time to visit Fort Worth, especially if you want to do the hotel thing and stay a couple days. Sundance Square is a great hang, especially with kids. Check out how to take the train from Dallas!
The Amon Carter Museum of American Art has Spring Break at the Carter: Powerful Voices with gallery games, art-making activities, creativity challenges, and more from 1–3pm, March 15–18. If your break is the previous week, it’s still worth a visit—they did major renovations in 2019 and admission is always free.
Just down the block, the Kimball Art Museum hosts Spring Break Art Extravaganza from 10am–3pm, March 15–19. See a complete schedule at the link. Before you visit, be sure to check out the Family Guides to help kids get the most out of the experience. Admission to their regular collection is always free.
And across the street, The Modern has ART Break 2022 from 11am–3pm, March 14–18. Now for the perks: Normally you have to pay to enter The Modern, but kids under 18 are FREE every day this week, and EVERYONE gets in for free March 14 & March 18. Kids can also get free hot dogs and lemonade at Café Modern on Monday! I love Café Modern. Best museum dining in the metroplex!
After that, it’s a short walk over to the Museum of Science and History. They’re usually closed on Mondays but will be open daily from March 12–20 for the break. Tickets to the Noble Planetarium are now free! Note: The OMNI IMAX theater is closed for a complete renovation until Summer 2023.
The Fort Worth Zoo is tremendous and has revamped a bunch of the African animal enclosures. (Note: This is a huge ongoing project, and some areas are still under construction.) We love the new Stingray Cove. Spring Break can be really crowded at the zoo—be prepared!
>> SPECIAL EVENTS
Dallas always has a few special events happening at any given time, and Spring Break is no exception. Here are a few ideas for this year:
Spring Break Takeover at Legacy Hall in Plano offers activities and shows at lunchtime each day: kids’ yoga, a magic show, Encanto screening + Asian leopard cat meet & greet, and more. See link for schedule and additional details! With the exception of character lunches, all activities are free.
What about the spectacle of Medieval Times!? Use code 25MT to save almost $17 per person. You get a 4-course meal, and the tournament lasts 2 hours with 6 competing knights. Afternoon and evening shows available.
And of course, you should check out our “Moms in the Know: Guide to the Month of March” for even more fun, family-friendly events and activities around Dallas. Be safe and have fun!
Kate! We’d love to be added to your “Staycation 2022” list: @dfwstorywalk is a brand new offering in partnership with @klydewarrenpark this year– We will be hosting DFW’s first bilingual storywalk at Klyde Warren — We are hosting free early literacy bilingual story walk at Klyde Warren Park for the entire week, with daily popup events (storytime, music, STEM, art, mindfulness and yoga) starting Sunday through Sunday each day at 1pm!! check out https://klydewarrenpark.org/…/dfw-bilingual-storywalk.html for more info or visit our instagram @dfwstorywalk I’m SO excited to bring this programming to the park next week!