Planning a trip to DFW, but not sure how to fit everything in? The vibrant metroplex is packed with culture, cool sites, and fabulous food. In my weekend guide, I’ll share with you how best to explore Dallas-Fort Worth in just a couple of days so that you can enjoy all the area has to offer!
I’m talking about the best cocktail lounge we’ve ever visited, expectation-exceeding outings, can’t-miss coffee shops, views to go viral on Instagram—the works. I’ve also thrown in the helpful, logistical tips along the way, too, including the parking situation (surprisingly above-average), dealing with Dallas traffic (bearable), where to stay (to minimize drive time, of course), and more.
We truly loved our time in Dallas-Fort Worth. I’m confident this guide will help you love your trip as well! For more details on the restaurants mentioned in this post, stay tuned for my next post, Best Restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth, where I’ll dive deeper into the details, review what we ate, and more—coming soon!
How to Explore Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
I’m just going to say it, and I’m sorry in advance if you’re a Type-B traveler: trips are so much better when they’re well-planned.
I don’t mean you can’t be flexible or easy-going, but when everyone’s stressing last minute about plans and no one can decide where to go and all the restaurants are 45 minutes away and booked up weeks in advance and everyone’s hangry… well, everyone’s going to wish someone made a plan.
I’m someone. I always have a plan. And, now you can, too. (At least, for Dallas, that is!)
In this guide, I’ll walk you through our itinerary for four nights/five days spent in DFW, but you can adapt it to your trip length. I organized each day by location to minimize redundant drive time and maximize exploration of each area.
Under each subheading, I’ve linked the relevant locations so you can check out the destinations for yourself. (You know, if you’re like me and look at restaurant menus weeks in advance.)
At the end of this guide, I included some additional ideas that are highly rated, but we, unfortunately, couldn’t fit them into our timeline. Well, at least until next time!
Throughout the post, you’ll also find general tips that will help you explore Dallas-Fort Worth and make the trip even more enjoyable. So, let’s get into it, starting with a few FAQs.
What is DFW? Is Dallas-Fort Worth One City? Or Two?
DFW is an abbreviation for Dallas-Fort Worth, and also the corresponding IATA airport code. It refers to a huge metroplex (an area made up of multiple cities) in Northern Texas, comprised of two major divisions: Fort Worth-Arlington, to the west, and Dallas-Plano-Irving, to the east.
According to Wikipedia, it’s the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the US. And, judging by the highway system, I believe that statement is accurate. Speaking of…
Is Driving in Dallas Difficult?
I’m not someone who gets nervous behind the wheel, so I didn’t find driving in Dallas too tricky. Without using GPS, it may have been impossible, but thankfully, that’s one of the benefits of cellphones. Shout-out to my girl, Siri.
However, I would say that driving in Dallas is a bit… complex. The highway design is intricate, and there are A LOT of on-ramps and exits on both left and right sides in quick succession. It was actually kind of cool, from an infrastructure viewpoint.
So, if you tend to be a nervous driver, don’t worry, but be aware that you may find navigation a little confusing. Stay calm, review the route in advance, and be alert. If you miss an exit, don’t panic—GPS will readjust.
Siri gave us super helpful instructions, such as “remain in the second or third lane from right.” On an 8-lane freeway with two exits on either side, that came in clutch many times! So, make sure you have your navigation alerts on and turned to the highest sensitivity, and pay attention to its cues.
DFW Weekend Guide—4 Nights in Texas
- Thursday Evening: Check-In & Dinner
- Friday: Fun in Fort Worth
- Saturday: Plano, Frisco, Grapevine
- Sunday: A Day in Dallas
- Monday Morning: Brunch & Depart
First Evening: Check-In & Dinner
DFW > Delta Hotels Dallas Southlake > Taqueria Taxco > Cidercade
Our flight landed at DFW late in the afternoon, so we knew we wouldn’t have a ton of time to explore this first evening. (Depending on how much time you have, consider some of the options in the final section, More Things to Do, at the bottom of this post.)
That ended up working out great because navigating to the rental car center, waiting in line (despite booking ahead of time), and getting to the car took a lot longer than anticipated. The airport itself isn’t difficult to navigate, though—it’s just large.
Tip: DFW is a big airport. The on-site rental car center requires a 10-15 minute bus ride. Allot extra time in your plans if you’re renting a vehicle!
Wheels, acquired—next stop, hotel. Our stay at Marriott’s Delta Hotel in Southlake was everything we expected!
A main priority when choosing our hotel was location, so after a lot of research, I found that this property was situated centrally within a half hour of all the cities that we wanted to visit. Plus, it boasted a nice, big, free parking lot—something many hotels don’t offer.
Where To Stay in DFW: Delta Hotels Dallas Southlake—it is centrally located, comfortable, and easy to access.
Checked in and charged up for some Texas fun, we decided to head out for some Mexican food. The first place on our list to try was called Taqueria Taxco, a casual, local chain serving up fresh, authentic Mexican meals. It was delicious, and after a long day of traveling, the spicy, zingy flavors hit the spot.
We had planned to spend the rest of the evening at the Cidercade with some friends, enjoying some craft bevvies and all-you-can-play arcade games. However, the night got away from us, and, after a long day of traveling and bellies full of Trompo tacos, we decided to call it a night in anticipation of a fun day to come.
Day One: Fun in Fort Worth
Bricks and Horses > Fort Worth Botanic Garden > Ascension Coffee > Fort Worth Historic Stockyards > Ático > Panther City BBQ
We started off with a sophisticated chophouse breakfast at Bricks and Horses, located in the stunning (two syllables: STUN-NING) Bowie House, an Auberge Resorts Collection hotel and recipient of two Michelin keys—yes, that’s a thing, and if any hotel is deserving, this one definitely is.
It’s worth a visit to take a walk around the property and enjoy an absolutely delicious, elegant Texas-style brunch. (Plus, they have free valet parking.) It’s a fantastic foray into historic Fort Worth.
Next, pop down the road (about ten minutes) to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. The grounds are meticulously curated and offer a gorgeous, peaceful respite from city life.
The Butterfly Enclosure—A Special Exhibit 
Gorgeous Flowers at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden 
The Butterfly Enclosure—A Special Exhibit 
Gorgeous Flowers at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden 
Koi Fish at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden 
Gorgeous Flowers at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden 
The Butterfly Enclosure—A Special Exhibit 
Gorgeous Flowers at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden 
The Butterfly Enclosure—A Special Exhibit 
Gorgeous Flowers at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden
There are special rotating exhibits, ponds, bridges, trees, benches, open fields, and, of course, loads of stunning flowers. Our expectations were exceeded, and we both agreed it was a great addition to the itinerary.
Tip: Walking the full path (1.75 miles) takes about an hour. Wear comfy shoes and feel free to bring something to drink or snack on, if you’d like. Parking is free, and you can save on admission buying online in advance.
After walking the gardens, rest your feet and enjoy a cup of coffee while overlooking the beautiful Clear Fork Trinity River at Ascension Coffee’s Fort Worth location, in the plaza on River Run.
Enter the (free) parking lot, then head between the buildings, around back, toward the river, where you’ll find a cozy (read—air conditioned!) cafe with relaxed outdoor seating on the water.
Once rested, it’s time to giddy-up! The Historic Fort Worth Stockyards transport you back in time for a true Western experience. We paid about $20 to park in a lot right in the middle of the main street, so we didn’t have to stress about street parking or walk too far.
However, once parked, you can meander the cobblestone block, chock-full of authentic Western shops, saloons, music halls, and more. Perhaps you’ll leave with a custom cowboy hat or a new, shiny pair of boots!
Tip: Find a spot along the street in front of the Livestock Exchange Building for the best view of the twice-daily (11:30 & 4) cattle drive. The crowds fill up about an hour beforehand, so get your spot early!
Just around the corner from the Stockyards, rest your legs at Ático, a stylish, comfy rooftop bar serving Spanish tapas. (It’s about a five-minute walk; since we paid for all-day lot parking, we left our car where it was.) Refresh yourself with one of their delicious cocktails and enjoy the cool view overlooking Fort Worth—hopefully your day is a little sunnier than ours!
Head back to the stockyards to grab your car or do a little more shopping. Then, conclude your Texan adventures for the day with award-winning, Michelin-recommended Panther City BBQ.
Before our trip, I scoured the internet to find what was truly considered the best BBQ in Dallas-Fort Worth—everyone and everything pointed to Panther City. (And, we all know Reddit doesn’t lie!)
Located on the south side of Fort Worth, Panther City just does it right—tender, juicy meat, flavorful sides, great sauce. Despite its high accolades, the establishment is casual, quick-service-style, with additional picnic tables for outdoor dining to accommodate the hordes of hungry eaters who know where to get good soul food.
Day Two: Plano, Frisco, Grapevine
Biscuit Bar > Lemma Coffee Co > Frisco Discovery Center > OMG Tacos > Grapevine Lake > Buon Giorno > Grapevine Historic Main Street
Day Two took us north of Dallas to Plano and Frisco. On this evening, we attended a wedding, so we actually visited the Grapevine spots on Sunday morning (opting to spend just the afternoon and evening in Dallas, not the whole day). However, for the sake of readers without nuptial festivities, it makes more sense to visit as I’ve written below.
Anyway, back to breakfast. We chose The Biscuit Bar at the Granite Park Boardwalk, a charming yet small smattering of waterfront restaurants in Plano. Hands-down: best biscuit sandwiches ever. It was easy to find with a free parking lot behind the buildings.
Full of mimosa and hands smelling like butter, we drove about 10 minutes north to the Frisco Discovery Center. Our primary interest was the National Video Game Museum, featuring a very cool display of historical and rare gaming memorabilia.
However, if video games aren’t your thing, consider the Sci-Tech Discovery Center (highly rated for families with children), Art Galleries, or the Black Box Theater, all at the same location.
(Psst—need some pre- or post-discovery center caffeine? We popped into Lemma Coffee Co, just a few minutes away in Frisco, for a delicious craft latte!)
Once you’ve enriched your artistic side, stop for lunch at OMG Tacos in the Colony, about 15 minutes away. This casual, quick-service shack has outdoor seating that overlooks a charming dog park. Don’t be fooled by its humble setting—these tacos deliver big flavor. Get the tacos al pastor—a rec from my BIL that did not disappoint!
Travel Tip: OMG Tacos is open late (2-3 AM) so if you’re not hungry yet for lunch, you can go later! (We actually went after the wedding on Saturday night.)
Next up—Grapevine, a quaint, charming town known for its artisanal shops, vintage railroad, and 8,000 acres of beautiful lakefront property. I’d recommend doing some research to find the lake access point that works best for you—there are plenty!
The parks offer playgrounds, walking paths, campgrounds, sports fields, water activities, rentals, camping, and other amenities. Some do require payment to enter/park, so check in advance if you’re curious.
Since our Saturday afternoon plans were to get wedding-ready, we visited the lake on Sunday morning via Oak Grove Park. It was a peaceful spot to walk with coffees we scooped around the corner from Buon Giorno Coffee, a delicious Italian shop with super cozy vibes.
However, Buon Giorno stays open until the evening. So, I’d recommend visiting the lake on Saturday afternoon, then swinging by the coffee shop for an afternoon espresso as a little pick-me-up, before heading to Grapevine’s Historic Main Street for shopping, dinner, and dessert!
Boutiques often have limited hours, so plan ahead to make sure any shops that interest you will be open. Alternatively, you can always go to Main Street first, then hit the lake last to watch sunset!
Day Three: A Day in Dallas
The Porch > Henderson Avenue > The Dallas World Aquarium > Fountain Place/Coffee > Dinner on Greenville Avenue > Apothecary Cocktail Bar
We began our sunny Sunday morning (post-wedding) slowly, with coffee in Grapevine, as mentioned above, before making our way to brunch reservations at The Porch in Dallas. The relaxed atmosphere was comfy, and, again, here too, valet parking was free.
Plus, situated on Henderson Avenue, the casual, breezy brunch spot offered a great starting point for our day in Dallas. Henderson Ave is, as proudly proclaimed on their website, “a vibe, y’all.” It’s a cute little street with “old haunts, hot eateries, cool shops.”
From there, we drove a couple of minutes to the Dallas World Aquarium, which was more like a zoo, to be honest, in a completely awesome and unexpected way. We were surprised at how many animals (both aquatic and otherwise) we observed.
The aquarium entry fee was a little pricey, but completely worth it, considering how well-planned and immersive the experience proved to be. It’s not quite like a standard aquarium—we loved it! Plus, it’s a great way to escape the Texas heat.
Parking in lots connected to the aquarium is easy, but you do need to pay. Plan for more time than you’d think—we stayed much longer than we expected!
If you’re looking for a place to sit for a minute and recharge before dinner, pop around the corner to the Fountain Place. These residential and commercial buildings beautifully open up to feature a variety of sleek water fountains.
It’s nothing outlandish enough to go out of your way to see, necessarily, but within the plaza are two great coffee options, Tierra a Taza and Fountain Place Cafe. So, if you have a little downtime and want to explore a bit of urban architecture or get a small refreshment, check it out.
Once refreshed, it’s time to move along. Grab your car and head over to the Lower Greenville area of Dallas, a trendy couple of blocks nestled with stylish restaurants, bars, and shops. You will most likely have to find street parking and walk a little ways, especially on a nice night. There is so much to do here that it could constitute its own blog post—the options are plenty!
If you take one piece of advice from this post, make it this: be sure to end the night at Apothecary on Greenville Avenue for some of the best cocktails of your life. I’m not exaggerating.
I could go on and on about how much we loved Apothecary, but I’ll save the really gushy stuff for my restaurant-specific round-up of DFW. Just know, it was fabulous. The delicious, complex drinks; the attentive, kind, and helpful mixologists; the romantic, intimate vibe and cozy seats—it was all perfect.
Tip: As semi-finalists for a James Beard award, Apothecary fills up quickly. The cozy lounge is small, which adds ambiance to the intimate setting, so you’ll want to make a reservation in advance!
We’ve been to craft cocktail lounges around the world and have some really great ones here in Cleveland, too, so don’t take my words lightly. Apothecary was a highlight of our trip, and I really encourage you to check it out.
Tip: Apothecary’s food kitchen is in the restaurant next door, and that restaurant is closed on Sundays. So, be aware that if you’re headed to Apothecary on a Sunday, you can’t order from the food menu.
This shouldn’t stop you from going if your only availability is on a Sunday. However, their food menu also sounds fabulous, so we might be making our way back to Dallas sooner than anticipated!
And, if you’re looking for a sweet snack after your delicious cocktail, there’s a doughnut shop a few doors down that stays open late! You’re welcome in advance.
Final Morning: Check-Out & Brunch
Ida Claire > Depart
For our final morning, we reserved a late brunch at Ida Claire in Addison, which is on the north side of Dallas. We filled up on delicious craft coffee drinks and mouth-watering Southern cuisine before saying a bittersweet “goodbye” to a weekend thoroughly enjoyed.
More Things to Do in Dallas-Fort Worth
Looking for more DFW excitement? Have days left in your itinerary to fill? Consider these fun things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth:
- Crown Block at Reunion Tower (Dallas)—dine above the Dallas skyline. We really wanted to fit this into our itinerary, but just didn’t have the time!
- Dallas Museum of Art (Dallas)—this museum is highly rated and offers some unique ways to enjoy the art—at brunch, with jazz, and after-hours!
- Highland Park Village (Dallas)—luxury shopping and upscale dining options (tea rooms, bistros, bakeries, and even Cafe Dior!)
- In-N-Out Burger (Multiple Locations)—popular Southern/Cali fast food joint (we tried it in California, so we skipped it this time around) that’s worth a try for a quick meal.
- Oak Cliff/Bishop Arts District (Dallas)—unique boutiques, eclectic cafes, and more.
- Swiss Pastry Shop (Fort Worth)—renowned for its Black Forest Cake, but call first and go early because they run out of single slices quickly (as we learned the hard way).
- Tatsu (Dallas)—Michelin-starred sushi restaurant with an intimate seating capacity of ten. We tried to book, but reservations sold out seconds after they opened. I was PREPARED and still didn’t move my mouse quickly enough. You’ve been warned!
- Texas Whiskey Ranch (Fort Worth)—tour the expansive ranch, sample some Texas whiskey, or order a cocktail.
- Vetro Art Glass Blowing Class (Grapevine)—learn a skill and take home a truly one-of-a-kind souvenir.
Safe Travels & Enjoy Your Trip
I hope you have a great time in Dallas and Fort Worth! Be sure to leave a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts on DFW, especially if you try out one of my recommendations.
For more details on the restaurants mentioned in this post, stay tuned for my next post, Best Restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth, where I’ll dive deeper into the details, review what we ate, and more.
To find out when I publish that guide, connect with me on Instagram or enter your email below:
XOXO,
