As a Dallas local, I might be a little biased, but trust me when I say Big D is the perfect Spring Break destination for families. And when I say families, I am definitely referring to those young spring breakers who are the most difficult ones to entertain. Because they will have their absolute best spring break trip, marveling at marine life at the Dallas World Aquarium, getting hands-on with science at the Perot Museum, and soaring through treetops at Trinity Forest Adventure Park.
To make planning easier, I’ve rounded up the best Spring Break Destinations for Families in Dallas that will keep kids (and parents) entertained from sunrise to sunset. Let’s get started!
Dallas Spring Break Destinations: Family-Friendly Activities
Dallas Zoo
The Dallas Zoo is a top family destination year-round, but it becomes even more exciting during spring break! Across the 106 acres of this oldest and largest zoo in Texas, you’ll find over 2,000 exotic animals representing 400 species, including elephants, giraffes, lions, and gorillas, alongside smaller creatures like penguins, toucans, frogs, and snakes. There are also animal encounters and experiences, such as giraffe feedings, keeper chats, and attractions like a carousel and a miniature train.
This spring season, be sure to register for the Zoo’s most anticipated Safari Nights (dates to be announced soon), where your whole family can explore the Zoo during the day and then enjoy live music under the stars every Saturday evening. Keep tabs on the zoo events calendar for exact dates.
Trinity River Audubon Center
The Trinity River Audubon Center is a fantastic spring destination if your family loves nature. With stunning views of the prairie, five miles of hiking trails through the Great Trinity Forest, and a vibrant community of plants, animals, and migratory bird species, this nature oasis merges bottomland hardwoods, wetlands, and grasslands, all set alongside serene excursions on the Trinity River. Best of all, all this spring family fun is just a short 10-minute drive from downtown Dallas.
Don’t miss out on the center’s spring celebration event, Scissor-tails & Cocktails (May 14, 2025), a fun and festive celebration in honor of spring bird migration, with tasty treats from celebrity chefs, signature cocktails, music, and so much more. Be sure to register ASAP, as limited tickets are available.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Spring Break at the Dallas Arboretum is a magical experience, thanks to the largest annual floral festival in the Southwest, Dallas Blooms (February 22 to April 13, 2025). Families can wander through stunning displays of over 500,000 varieties of spring bulbs, including 350,000 vibrant tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and delicate cherry blossoms spanning 66 acres across 11 gardens.
Don’t miss the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, which offers hands-on science exhibits for kids. You can even bring your own food and drinks to enjoy a family picnic amidst the most vibrant spring bloom in Dallas. For those who wish to enjoy the dining options the Arboretum provides, there are several options to explore.
Dallas Spring Break Destinations: Outdoor Activities
Fair Park
With the African American Museum, Broadway Dallas, Texas Discovery Gardens, WRR Radio, and even more within the boundaries, it’s easy to see why Fair Park is one of the best spring break destinations in Dallas. More than just the venue for the State Fair of Texas, this 277-acre complex is the hotspot for over 1200 special events, seasonal festivals, and outdoor concerts throughout the year.
Families can connect with many aquatic wonders at the Children’s Aquarium, participate in yoga classes and children’s art in the park, take a ride on the Texas Discovery Gardens’ butterfly house, and catch seasonal festivals on-site. With authentic Texas BBQ, mouthwatering seafood, and inviting coffee cafes just a stroll away, your spring adventure becomes both invigorating and energizing.
Be sure to check the park’s events calendar for upcoming spring highlights.
Deep Ellum
While known for its vibrant arts, music, and nightlife scene, Deep Ellum is also a great place for families to explore during the day. Take a self-guided mural tour, visit quirky shops, and grab a bite at family-friendly eateries. During Spring Break, Deep Ellum often hosts free outdoor music performances, live entertainment, and art pop-ups, adding extra excitement to your visit.
Reunion Tower
For breathtaking panoramic views of clear spring skies and the Dallas cityscape, head to the top of the Reunion Tower! From a vantage point of 470 feet, the 360-degree panoramic views of historic downtown are truly a sight to behold. Be sure to receive a free digital photo, and enjoy the indoor/outdoor observation deck, where you can see for miles in any direction. What makes it absolutely family-friendly is the memorable dining at Crown Block, with rare steaks and the finest seafood, all set against the stunning backdrop of Dallas.
Klyde Warren Park
With food trucks, a children’s play area, free activities like yoga & fitness classes, storytelling & lawn games, and live performances, this 5.4-acre urban park is a spring playground for families. The park often hosts special spring break events, such as outdoor movie nights and arts-and-crafts workshops. Some highlights for this season include the Spring Break in the Park , a fun-filled week of activities for children, art, shopping, live entertainment, delicious food trucks, and a free movie in the park!
Another one will be Find Your Spark at the Park with Witty Kid, a fun interactive program where young spring breakers will explore the world of careers through hands-on activities, creative bookmark-making, and exciting reading adventures. You can check the park’s event calendar for a full list of spring break activities.
White Rock Lake Park
For families looking to soak up the sun, White Rock Lake Park offers a weekend’s worth of outdoor family fun with lots of land and water activities. You can rent paddleboards, feed the ducks, or explore the trails. During Spring Break, look out for guided nature walks and family-friendly fitness classes. This expansive park features a picturesque 9.3-mile hike and bike trail winding through lush landscapes, making it ideal for both leisurely strolls and energetic cycles.
In addition to its outdoor activities, families can explore the White Rock Lake Museum and the Bath House Cultural Center, both offering enriching insights into the area’s history and art. Bird watchers will delight in the Audubon Society’s designated bird-watching area, where many feathered friends can be spotted. For those bringing furry companions, the dog park provides a safe and fun space for pets to romp and play.
Lush picnic areas, with pavilions available for rent, make it easy to settle down for a lovely meal surrounded by nature. The park also features convenient boat ramps and a kayak concession, ensuring that water enthusiasts have everything they need for a memorable day on the lake.
Trinity Forest Adventure Park
Adventure-seeking families will love Trinity Forest Adventure Park, featuring zip lines, ladders, cargo nets, obstacle courses, and rope challenges. Designed for both thrill-seekers and new climbers, this adventure park embodies fun for the whole family, showcasing multiple climbing trees for those who reach heights, along with a Littles course for participants ages 4 and up.
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Dallas Spring Break Destinations: Museums and Indoor Activities
Museum Of Illusions
If one spring break destination in Dallas is guaranteed to keep your whole family entertained for hours, it’s the Dallas Museum Of Illusions. Get ready for some mind-bending family fun with optical illusions and 3D exhibits that blur the thin line between reality and imagination. Your eyes won’t help you here, so get ready to be deceived, gaze into the abyss, lose your sense of gravity, and enter the vortex of this visual spectacle.
Dallas Museum of Art
Considering its incredible collection of 25,000 artworks covering 5,000 years of human history and family-friendly spring break adventures, a visit to one of the 10 largest museums in the United States would be anything but boring. Families can enjoy a range of spring break activities, including hands-on art programs, family tours, and interactive exhibits. Explore their calendar to uncover even more unique events and experiences.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
One of the best places for curious young minds, the Perot Museum features dinosaur skeletons, interactive science exhibits, and a fantastic children’s museum section. Young explorers would love admiring towering dinosaur skeletons that seem to leap from the pages of history. In addition to its permanent exhibits, the museum features a remarkable children’s section designed to ignite creativity and learning.
Throughout the year, particularly during spring, the museum hosts a variety of Discovery Camps tailored for young explorers, as well as live science demonstrations that bring educational concepts to life. Special exhibitions often grace the galleries, ensuring each visit offers something new and exciting. As spring approaches, the museum’s extended hours (from March 31 to May 31, 2025) allow families and school groups to benefit from the additional learning opportunities available fully.
Dallas Spring Break Destinations: Nature and Amusement Parks
Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge in nearby Grapevine is an 80,000-square-foot indoor water park with a lazy river, themed hotel rooms, daily activities, and endless family entertainment for the ultimate staycation. Enjoy unlimited access to the water slides and pools inside the 84-degree water park, while your kids have their best spring break fun over unique daily free activities like Story Time, Yoga Tails, and Arts & Crafts. The indoor water park even has shallow pools for toddlers and thrilling water slides for older children and teens.
The Spring Breakout (March 6 to April 27, 2025) at Great Wolf Lodge opens the door to endless family-friendly excitement, featuring a Sunshine Dance Party, uplifting spring yoga, character photo opportunities, and arts and crafts. Plus, with a variety of onsite dining and refreshment options, including Starbucks, every craving—sweet, savory, and bold—will be satisfied, ensuring you don’t miss a moment of fun.
Dallas World Aquarium
Explore a rainforest ecosystem, spot exotic marine life, stroll through a breathtaking 20,000-gallon glassed-in tunnel where sharks glide above you, and watch feeding shows at the Dallas World Aquarium. Spring Break is the best time to visit, as the aquarium often hosts special animal talks and educational sessions tailored for kids. With three full-service, family-friendly restaurants featuring a diverse array of international gourmet selections, Tex-Mex delights, and quick on-the-go snacks like deli sandwiches, salads, and pizzas, your springtime journey at the Dallas World Aquarium promises to be a delightful experience.
Legoland Discovery Center
Lego-loving kids will be thrilled to visit the Legoland Discovery Center, featuring themed rides, a 4D cinema, and endless opportunities to build and create. During spring break, families can enjoy special Lego challenges and interactive workshops with master builders. Located just a 20-minute drive from Dallas within the DFW metroplex, young spring breakers can meet their favorite LEGO® characters at LEGOLAND, get a peak of how LEGO bricks are made in LEGO Factory, and bring their bathing suits and go on a swashbuckling adventure in a Pirate Beach water playground opening just around spring break. Spring Break at Legoland brings extended hours, but due to high volume, booking your tickets in advance is highly recommended.
More Spring Break Adventures in Texas
Check out our guides to more exciting spring break destinations and unique activities across Texas for an incredible adventure!
- Top Destinations in Texas this Spring Break
- Fun Things To Do During Spring Break in Texas
- Spring Break Guide for Adults
- Spend Spring Break in Texas for Free
- Family-Friendly Things to Do During Spring Break
- Romantic Spring Break Getaways in Texas
Spring Break Destinations for Families in Dallas: FAQs
Is Dallas good for spring break?
Dallas is a fantastic Spring Break destination for families, offering a perfect mix of outdoor adventures, hands-on museums, and exciting attractions. With beautiful spring weather, blooming gardens, and special seasonal events, there’s plenty to see and do in Dallas area—whether you’re exploring the Dallas Zoo, enjoying the parks, or visiting family-friendly spots like the Perot Museum and the Dallas World Aquarium.
Where to take family in Dallas?
Dallas offers plenty of family-friendly attractions, including the Dallas Zoo, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas World Aquarium, and the Dallas Arboretum. For outdoor fun, visit Klyde Warren Park, White Rock Lake, or Trinity Forest Adventure Park. If you’re looking for hands-on experiences, check out the Museum of Illusions or Legoland Discovery Center.
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Spring Break Destinations for Families in Dallas: Final Thoughts
As a Dallas local, I can tell you firsthand that this city truly comes alive in spring. The flowers are blooming, the weather is perfect, and there’s an energy in the air that makes every adventure even more exciting. So whether you’re planning a jam-packed itinerary or just looking for a few must-visit spots, Dallas promises one of the best spring break family vacations in the Lone Star State. No need to travel far—your perfect Spring Break escape is right here in Big D!
Last Updated 12 hours ago by Jessica Serna | Published: March 17, 2025
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