VISITING Dallas–Fort Worth · The Metroplex

Visiting Dallas–Fort Worth with toddlers and little kids: the plan.

Downtown Dallas holds the Perot Museum and the Central Library, the Arboretum sits on White Rock Lake, and the Fort Worth Zoo, Botanic Garden and Science and History museum are all on Fort Worth’s west side. Here’s a day on each side, with nap time built in.

Top 2 can’t-miss spots

#1Victory Park, 2201 N. Field St.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Closed Tuesdays through April 7, 2027.
Kids $17Adults $27MembersIndoor
See it in the guide
#2Forest Park, 1989 Colonial Pkwy.
Fort Worth Zoo
Opens at 10.
Kids $18Adults $222 and under
See it in the guide
Nap breaks built in

One day or two in Dallas–Fort Worth

A couple of big stops, a real lunch and a nap in the middle. Tap a stop for the full listing.

If you have one day
MORNINGPerot Museum of Nature and ScienceOpens at 10 (11 on Sunday) · Victory Park, 2201 N. Field St. · $17 kids, $27 adultsLUNCHDallas Farmers MarketFood hall downtown · Farmers Market District
NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPDallas Arboretum and Botanical GardenGardens until 5 · White Rock Lake, 8525 Garland Rd. · $17.95 Mon–Thu; $21.95 Fri–Sun kids, $21.95 Mon–Thu; $25.95 Fri–Sun adults
If you have two days

Day 1 is the one-day plan above. Day 2:

MORNINGFort Worth ZooOpens at 10 · Forest Park, 1989 Colonial Pkwy. · $18 kids, $22 adults
NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPFort Worth Museum of Science and HistoryScience in the Cultural District · Cultural District, 1600 Gendy St.
Where to stay

Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions

Pick the area by the stops you’ll make most, then plan around nap.

FORT WORTHCultural DistrictThe Science and History museum and the Botanic Garden are a short drive apart, and the zoo is 10 minutes south.Near Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and Fort Worth Zoo
DALLASDowntown and Uptown DallasThe Perot Museum and Klyde Warren Park are side by side, and the Central Library is downtown.Near Perot Museum of Nature and Science and J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
NORTH DALLASHillcrest and ArapahoNear Kids Empire Hillcrest, with easy highway access to the northern suburbs.Near Kids Empire Dallas Hillcrest
Before you go

Practical tips

Parking, strollers, changing tables and the best times to go.

Distance
Downtown Dallas to downtown Fort Worth is about 35 miles, so do one side per day.
Tuesdays
The Perot Museum is closed Tuesdays through April 7, 2027.
Food trucks
Klyde Warren Park’s food trucks run 11am to 2:30pm on weekdays and until 7:30pm on weekends.
All-day pass
bb piñata’s day pass is good all day.
Visiting in November or December?

Santa and Christmas lights in Dallas–Fort Worth

If your trip lands in the holiday season, these two pages have the dates, prices and booking links.

Santa in Dallas–Fort WorthBreakfast with Santa, Santa photos and Santa trains, with 2026 pricesChristmas lights in Dallas–Fort WorthDrive-thru and walk-through displays, start times and 2026 prices
On a budget

Free and cheap wins for visitors

Spend less without skipping the good stuff.

Downtown Dallas, 1515 Young St.J. Erik Jonsson Central LibraryFree.FreeIndoor
All free things to do in Dallas–Fort Worth →
This week

Happening while you’re here

This week’s top events in Dallas–Fort Worth. The full list, with hours and the forecast, is on the this-week page.

#1Sat 4–7pm
Trick or Treat on Downtown Streets
Downtown Dallas turns into one big trick-or-treat route on Halloween afternoon, with Main Street Garden as home base. A Día de los Muertos parade follows.
Main Street Garden · Dallas
Free
Hours, food & parking
#2Sat 5:30–8:30pm
BOO on The Boardwalk
Halloween night by the water in Plano, with a DJ, photo spots, a kids’ Halloween hat bar, a claw machine with free prizes and a treat bar.
The Boardwalk at Granite Park · Plano
Free
Hours, food & parking
#39am–5pm
Autumn at the Arboretum: last week of the Pumpkin Village
More than 100,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash fill the garden, and the Pumpkin Village houses this year take their cue from modern artists. It closes for the season on Sunday.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden · Dallas
Mon–Thu $21.95 adults
Hours, food & parking
#4Sat 11am–1pm
Halloween Sensory Play and Kids’ Costume Contest at The Shops at Park Lane
A free Halloween morning of sensory play stations, run by MyFestiGoodies. Kids who come in costume are entered to win a $200 gift card.
The Shops at Park Lane · Dallas
Free
Hours, food & parking
#5Sat 11am–2pm
Tricks & Treats at Arlington Highlands
Midday trick-or-treating around the Arlington Highlands shops, so little ones can be home well before dark.
Arlington Highlands · Arlington
Free
Hours, food & parking
See everything this week →
Good questions

Visiting Dallas–Fort Worth with toddlers: the FAQ

Is Dallas–Fort Worth kid-friendly?

For a family with kids under 6, yes. Our Dallas–Fort Worth guide lists 14 places we checked for little kids, plus 1 free place and 7 picks for babies and toddlers. This page adds 3 easy restaurants near the big stops and free storytimes at 3 library systems. This week’s list has 45 dated outings for ages 0–6. See free things to do in Dallas–Fort Worth and this weekend’s list.

How many days do you need in Dallas–Fort Worth with a toddler?

Two: one in Dallas for the Perot Museum and the zoo or the Arboretum, and one in Fort Worth for the zoo and the museum district.

Where should we eat near the Perot Museum?

Klyde Warren Park is next door, with food trucks at lunch every day.

Where should we stay in Dallas–Fort Worth with a toddler?

Pick the side you’ll spend more time on. Downtown Dallas is close to the Perot Museum, and Fort Worth’s Cultural District is close to its museum and the zoo.

Get the list every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the five things we’d leave the house for in Dallas–Fort Worth.