Family-friendly Dallas, checked against each attraction’s own website: the Perot Museum, Dallas Zoo, Arboretum, Dallas World Aquarium, Six Flags, and free Klyde Warren Park — with current prices, parking, DART stops, and what’s on this fall and holiday season.
Family-Friendly Dallas — Quick Picks
Prices below are the attractions’ posted rates for fall 2026. Always confirm on the official site before you go.
Search Family Hotels →Perot Museum
11 permanent exhibit halls plus a children’s museum. $27 adults, $17 kids 2–12.
Dallas Zoo
DART Red Line to Dallas Zoo Station, a short walk from the entrance.
Arboretum Holiday
Final season of the 12 Days of Christmas gazebos, Nov 11, 2026–Jan 3, 2027.
Klyde Warren Park
Free children’s park, fountain, and programming between downtown and Uptown.
Family Attractions at a Glance
| Attraction | Admission | Parking | DART |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perot Museum | $27 adults, $17 ages 2–12 | $15, Lot B under Woodall Rodgers Fwy | Victory Station |
| Dallas Zoo | See dallaszoo.com | $14 | Dallas Zoo Station (Red Line) |
| Dallas Arboretum | $21.95–$25.95 adults, $17.95–$21.95 ages 3–12 | $15 | Drive or rideshare |
| Dallas World Aquarium | $34.95 adults, $24.95 ages 3–12, plus tax | $8–$15 nearby lots | Walkable from the West End |
| Klyde Warren Park | Free | Nearby garages | St. Paul or Pearl/Arts District, or the McKinney Avenue Trolley |
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
The go-to indoor day for families, at 2201 N. Field Street in Victory Park. Five public floors hold 11 permanent exhibit halls plus the Moody Family Children’s Museum on the lower level, built for younger kids. Dinosaur fans head straight for the life-size Alamosaurus and Malawisaurus. The museum suggests planning about 2–3 hours.
- Hours: Mon and Wed–Sat 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Closed Tuesdays through April 7, 2027, except some holidays.
- Tickets: $27 adults (13+), $17 youth (2–12).
- Parking: $15 in the main museum lot (Lot B, under Woodall Rodgers Freeway), first come, first served.
Traveling exhibit: “Soccer: More Than a Game” is still on, at an added $12 adults / $10 youth. Visit Dallas lists it through January 4, 2027 — confirm the end date at perotmuseum.org.
Dallas Zoo
106 acres and more than 2,000 animals representing 406 species, about 3 miles south of downtown at 650 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway. The headliner is Giants of the Savanna, where elephants share a habitat with giraffes, zebras, and other savanna animals.
- Getting there: DART’s Red Line stops at Dallas Zoo Station, a short walk from the entrance — the easiest way to skip parking.
- Parking: $14 per vehicle. Free for members.
- Hours and tickets: Hours change by season, so check dallaszoo.com before you go.
Dallas Zoo Lights: Last season ran select nights Nov 14–Jan 4, 5:30–9 p.m., from $18. The zoo hasn’t posted 2026 dates yet — we’ll add them here when it does.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
66 acres on the shore of White Rock Lake, with the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden built just for kids. Families should park at Entry 3 (8657 Garland Road), which drops you right at the Children’s Adventure Garden.
- Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
- Tickets: Adults $21.95 Mon–Thu, $25.95 Fri–Sun. Kids 3–12 $17.95 Mon–Thu, $21.95 Fri–Sun.
- Parking: $15 per vehicle.
| Season | Dates | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn at the Arboretum | Through Nov 1, 2026 | Fall displays and the pumpkin village |
| Holiday at the Arboretum: The 12 Days of Christmas — One Final Chorus | Nov 11, 2026–Jan 3, 2027 | The last season for the 12 Days of Christmas gazebos. Holiday at Night runs 5–10 p.m. ($35–$40, ages 2+) |
Dallas World Aquarium
More rainforest than aquarium. You enter at the treetop canopy and walk down through the levels — past sloths, howler monkeys, and giant otters — to an underwater tunnel where sharks and sawfish swim overhead. It sits at 1801 N. Griffin St. in the West End, an easy walk from the Sixth Floor Museum.
- Hours: Daily, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., last entry 4 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas; Christmas Eve last entry is 2 p.m.
- Tickets: $34.95 adults, $24.95 ages 3–12, $28.95 seniors 65+, plus tax. Ages 2 and under free.
- Parking: The aquarium’s own lot is next door; nearby lots and meters run $8–$15.
Six Flags Over Texas
The original Six Flags park, in Arlington between Dallas and Fort Worth, with more than 100 rides and attractions and 14 roller coasters. New for 2026: Tormenta Rampaging Run, which the park bills as the tallest, fastest, and longest giga dive coaster in the world. There’s no DART rail to Arlington, so plan to drive or rideshare.
Fright Fest: Select nights through November 1, 2026. Six Flags says it’s not recommended for kids under 13 — go during the day if you have little ones. Holiday in the Park usually follows in late November; check sixflags.com/overtexas for this year’s dates.
Staying the night? See things to do in Arlington and hotels near AT&T Stadium, which is next door.
Klyde Warren Park
A free 5.4-acre park built over Woodall Rodgers Freeway, linking downtown and Uptown. Kids head for the Sheila and Jody Grant Children’s Park and the Nancy Best Fountain, and the park runs free programming year-round. It pairs well with a Perot Museum or Arts District day, since all three are close together.
Mesquite Championship Rodeo
A true Texas night out at 1818 Rodeo Drive in Mesquite, east of Dallas. The rodeo runs Saturday nights in summer, so the 2026 season is over. Check mesquiterodeo.com in spring for next year’s schedule.
Save with Dallas CityPASS
Dallas CityPASS is $64 for adults and $46 for kids 3–12. It covers your choice of 4 of 6 attractions: the Perot Museum, Dallas Zoo, Reunion Tower GeO-Deck, George W. Bush Presidential Museum, Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, and AT&T Stadium Tours. Use it within 9 consecutive days of your first visit. It pays off if you’ll hit at least three of those; skip it if you’re mostly doing the Arboretum, the aquarium, or free parks, since those aren’t included.
Planning the Trip?
Family-Friendly Places to Stay
A VRBO with a kitchen and separate bedrooms makes a multi-day family trip much easier. Downtown and Victory Park hotels put you near the Perot, the aquarium, and DART. See Dallas hotels by neighborhood.
Browse Family VRBOs → Search Hotels →Family-Friendly Dallas — FAQ
What is the best thing to do in Dallas with kids?
The Perot Museum is the top all-weather pick: 11 permanent exhibit halls plus the Moody Family Children’s Museum, with tickets at $27 for adults and $17 for kids 2–12. For outdoor days, the Dallas Zoo and the Arboretum’s Children’s Adventure Garden are favorites.
Can you take DART to the Dallas Zoo?
Yes. The DART Red Line stops at Dallas Zoo Station, a short walk from the entrance. Parking at the zoo is $14.
Is the Perot Museum open on Tuesdays?
No. The Perot Museum is closed Tuesdays through April 7, 2027, except some holidays. It’s open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday–Saturday, and 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday.
When is Christmas at the Dallas Arboretum in 2026?
Holiday at the Arboretum runs November 11, 2026 through January 3, 2027. It’s the final season of the 12 Days of Christmas gazebos.
Is Dallas CityPASS worth it for families?
If you’ll visit at least three of its six attractions, usually yes. It’s $64 for adults and $46 for kids 3–12, for 4 attractions used within 9 days. The Arboretum and Dallas World Aquarium aren’t included.
Is Six Flags Fright Fest OK for kids?
Six Flags says Fright Fest isn’t recommended for children under 13. It runs select nights through November 1, 2026; daytime park hours are the better choice for younger kids.
More Dallas Guides
- → State Fair of Texas with Kids
- → Things to Do in Arlington
- → Dallas Hotels by Neighborhood
- → Downtown Dallas Parking
- → Dallas Parking Guide
Dallas Unscripted is an independent guide, not affiliated with any attraction listed. Hours, prices, and exhibit dates change — verify on each attraction’s official website before you go. This post contains affiliate links; if you book through our links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.