Of course, being born in Texas, I might be a little biased, but Dallas is hands-down one of the best spring break destinations. The city kind of blossoms during this time of year with blooming floral gardens, themed spring break events, and endless outdoor adventures to make the most of this quick break. From feeding giraffes at the Dallas Zoo to diving into interactive exhibits at the Perot Museum, strolling through art-filled streets in Deep Ellum, or enjoying a picnic in Klyde Warren Park, Big D truly knows how to offer spring to its visitors.
To help you plan your perfect spring break, I’ve rounded up some of the best things to do for spring break in Dallas.
Fun Things To Do in Dallas This Spring Break
From lush gardens in full bloom to action-packed museums and lively neighborhoods, here’s your ultimate guide to the best things to do in Dallas this spring break!
Springtime in Dallas means the Dallas Blooms Festival (February 22 to April 3, 2025) at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden! As the nation’s largest spring floral festival in the Southwest, this event showcases over 500,000 varieties of spring bulbs, including vibrant tulips, cherry blossoms, and azaleas.
Families can enjoy themed activities, live music, and hands-on gardening workshops, making this a must-visit destination for a picturesque spring break outing. Kids will love the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, where younger guests will learn about life and Earth sciences.
With more than 2,000 varieties of azaleas, along with daffodils, tulips, and pansies, the 6.5-acre Margaret Elizabeth Jonsson Color Garden stands as a breathtaking highlight of springtime at the Arboretum. Before you leave, indulge in a delightful grilled cheese sandwich or a cup of elote from the onsite Grilled Cheese Kiosk, open exclusively in spring and fall.
For an up-close experience with wildlife, head to the Dallas Zoo, which often hosts special spring break safari-themed activities. Feed the giraffes by hand on the Diane and Hal Brierley Giraffe Ridge, watch spectacular animal encounters, or explore the Giants of the Savanna, home to elephants, giraffes, and lions.
Dallas Zoo is an ideal destination for families eager to connect with exotic animals and deepen their understanding of wildlife through engaging field trips and educational programs. Spring Homeschool Day on March 6, 2025, offers homeschoolers and their families a day filled with discovery, engaging hands-on learning experiences, and unique opportunities to connect with wildlife in enjoyable and educational settings.
Dallas Zoo also hosts other spring events for children of all ages, such as Thursday Safari, Friday Safari, Stroller Buddies (10 to 35 months), and WildLife Heroes Club. Check out the Zoo’s spring spring schedule and select the perfect event for your little adventurers.
Fair Park, spanning 277 acres, is more than just the venue for the State Fair of Texas; it’s a lively hub of special events, seasonal festivals, and outdoor concerts that create unforgettable memories year-round. Families can connect with a multitude of aquatic wonders at the Children’s Aquarium, where the beauty of sharks, loggerhead sea turtles, cownose stingrays, and vibrant fish await alongside axolotls and even a majestic giant octopus.
Don’t miss the chance to wander through the 7.5-acre Exotic Butterfly House to discover exotic butterflies and insects. With authentic Texas BBQ, delectable seafood, and cozy coffee cafes just across the street from Fair Park, your spring adventure will be invigorating and energizing. Check out the park’s events calendar for the upcoming spring events.
Spring break calls for sunshine, and Klyde Warren Park is ideal for picnics and outdoor fun in the heart of Dallas. This urban park offers free fitness classes, yoga, lawn games, live performances, outdoor movie nights, and a rotating selection of food trucks to satisfy every craving.
This year, Klyde Warren Park’s events calendar is packed with spring break fun for the whole family, where Spring Celebration Ballet Performance (March 8, 2025), Spring Break Printmaking Party with hand-carved stamps and ink (March 10, 2025), and Witty Kids Discovery Walks (March 15, 2025) are just a few highlights. Here’s the park’s event calendar if you want to check out the full lineup of spring break activities at the venue.
For a break from city life, head to White Rock Lake Park for spring kayaking, paddleboarding, or biking along scenic trails. This 1,015-acre park is perfect for nature lovers looking to spend spring break outdoors. Pack a picnic lunch, watch migratory birds, rent kayaks or bikes to explore the 9-mile trail, or relax by the water and breathe fresh spring air.
The park also features a dog park if you travel with your furry companions and picnic areas with pavilions available for rent.
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Stunning prairie views, five miles of hiking trails through the Great Trinity Forest, a diverse community of plant, animal, and migrating bird species, a unique mixture of bottomland hardwoods, wetlands, and grasslands, and excursions on the Trinity River. Spring break in Big D becomes a slice of paradise if you take a 10-minute drive from downtown Dallas to Trinity River Audubon Center.
The Center’s Spring Break Camp (March 11 to 14, 2025) will bring four exciting days of hands-on adventures and nature exploration for young campers aged 8-12 who will explore ponds, rivers, and the creatures inside them. Best of all, you can enjoy free admission to TRAC throughout the spring until June 30, 2025! However, it’s recommended to reserve a ticket online before your visit.
Ranked among the 10 largest museums in the United States, the Dallas Museum of Arts is the largest museum in the Dallas Arts District. The museum’s collection of 25000 artworks spans over 5,000 years of human creativity, offering a glimpse of the centuries-old cultures of Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Spring Break Family Fun at DMA (March 12 to 14, 2025) invites kids and families to engage in free programming that sparks creativity, including drop-in art-making, sensory play, and story time in the galleries.
With general admission to DMA free for all, DMA is one of the best places to visit for anyone looking for free spring break activities in Dallas. Don’t forget to check out their calendar to uncover even more unique events.
History buffs can dive deeply into one of America’s most significant moments at The Sixth Floor Museum. Housed in a historic Texas School Book Depository building, the Museum presents programs, events, and special exhibits reflecting on the social and political landscape of the early 1960s.
This is presented through immersive exhibits and historical artifacts that narrate the story of President Kennedy’s assassination and its aftermath and reflect on his impactful contributions to our nation and the world. Spring break visitors can also participate in special film screenings and discussions to enhance their experience.
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a wonderland for curious minds, from dinosaur skeletons to interactive STEM exhibits. Although not quite in spring this year, the museum frequently offers Discovery Camps for children, along with live science demonstrations and special exhibitions, making it an exceptional destination for families and students eager to learn and explore the answers.
Spring brings extended hours to the museum (March 31 to May 31, 2025), when the museum opens early at 9 am so that school groups can access increased learning opportunities.
Spring weather is perfect for exploring the Nasher Sculpture Center, where art lovers can wander through stunning outdoor exhibits admiring the finest collections of modern and contemporary sculptures worldwide. The Galleries and Gardens showcase rotating exhibitions from the Nasher Collection and special exhibitions sourced from other museums and private collections.
Be a part of Spring Break at the Nasher this season (March 12 to 16, 2025), and let your imagination soar during a week of free programming at the Nasher featuring guest artists, tours, collaborative projects, and more. Let your little ones engage in creative play with blocks and games while you create your own art pieces with featured guest artists, or sketch your surroundings and find inspiration in the Nasher collection.