Dallas and Fort Worth — often referred to together as the DFW Metroplex area — combine big-city gloss with deep-rooted Texan character. This is where glass skyscrapers, oil money history, championship sports teams and world-class museums meet honky-tonks, rodeos and serious barbecue.
Dallas feels modern, ambitious and fast-growing — all wide highways, corporate towers and upscale neighbourhoods. Fort Worth, just 30 miles west, leans more traditional and proudly embraces its “Cowtown” heritage. Together, they offer a surprisingly varied city break: culture, food, sport, history and unapologetic Texas scale.
It’s not a walk-everywhere European-style city — distances are big — but if you embrace the car culture and the bold personality, Dallas–Fort Worth delivers far more than many expect.
Why Visit Dallas?
- Excellent museums and galleries
- World-class sport
- Outstanding barbecue and Tex-Mex
- A genuine taste of Texas identity
Getting There
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world and serves as a major hub for American Airlines. It offers direct connections across the US, Europe, Latin America and beyond.
Dallas Love Field is a smaller, centrally located airport primarily served by Southwest Airlines and is convenient for domestic flights.
From the UK and Europe, nonstop services operate to DFW, making it an easy entry point to Texas.
If you are travelling by car, Dallas–Fort Worth makes an excellent stop on a wider Texas road trip itinerary. The Metroplex sits at the crossroads of several major interstate highways and is easily accessible from Austin (via I-35), Houston (via I-45), San Antonio (via I-35) and Oklahoma City (via I-35). It’s also a straightforward drive from New Orleans via I-20, making it a natural hub in a southern US itinerary.
For rail travellers, Amtrak serves both Dallas and Fort Worth. Dallas is on the Texas Eagle route, which connects Chicago to San Antonio (with through cars to Los Angeles), while Fort Worth is served by both the Texas Eagle and the Heartland Flyer, linking to Oklahoma City. While train travel in Texas is slower than flying or driving (and prone to delays), it can be a relaxed and scenic way to arrive, particularly if incorporating the city into a longer US rail journey.
Getting Around
This is car territory. While Dallas has a light rail system operated by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and Fort Worth has more limited public transport via Trinity Metro, you will realistically need a car to explore properly.
Highways are wide and efficient, fuel is cheap, parking is generally straightforward, and most attractions are designed with drivers in mind. Traffic can be heavy at rush hour, but outside peak times driving is generally uncomplicated.
Ride-share services are widely available, but distances can make them expensive if used as your main form of transport. Walking is impractical in many areas given the scale of the Metroplex and the intense summer heat, though neighbourhoods such as Uptown Dallas and Sundance Square in Fort Worth are more pedestrian-friendly.
Where to Stay
Both cities offer a wide range of accommodation, from business-focused downtown hotels to boutique properties and rental apartments.
Popular areas include:
- Downtown Dallas – Close to museums and historic sites
- Uptown Dallas – Trendy restaurants and nightlife
- Bishop Arts District – Independent shops and local feel
- Downtown Fort Worth / Sundance Square – Walkable, lively and close to cultural sights
- Fort Worth Stockyards – For a more immersive Western experience
Hotel pricing is generally reasonable by major US city standards, though rates increase during major sporting events and conventions.
What to See & Do
Dealey Plaza & The Sixth Floor Museum
One of the most historically significant sites in the United States is Dealey Plaza, where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963.
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza provides a detailed and thoughtfully curated account of the events, the investigation and the legacy. It’s sobering, well presented and arguably Dallas’s most important attraction.
Dallas Arts District
The largest contiguous urban arts district in the United States, it includes:
- Dallas Museum of Art
- Nasher Sculpture Center
- AT&T Performing Arts Center
Even if you’re not attending a show, the architecture and public spaces are worth exploring.
Reunion Tower
Reunion Tower is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. The observation deck offers panoramic views over the skyline — particularly impressive at sunset. That said, Dallas doesn’t have the most dramatic or architecturally distinctive skyline compared to cities like New York or Chicago. The appeal here is more about gaining perspective on the sheer scale and sprawl of the Metroplex rather than seeing an instantly iconic skyline silhouette.
Fort Worth Stockyards
Fort Worth Stockyards is where Fort Worth fully embraces its cowboy identity. You’ll find wooden boardwalks, Western stores, saloons and twice-daily cattle drives.
Rodeos are held regularly at Cowtown Coliseum, offering a genuine taste of Texas ranching culture rather than a theme-park imitation.
If you’re not able to time your trip around a major rodeo event in rural Texas, Cowtown Coliseum provides a very close substitute. The surrounding Fort Worth Stockyards are an excellent place to experience a truly Texan atmosphere — with live country music, barbecue joints, longhorn cattle and plenty of Stetsons on display.
Fort Worth Cultural District
Fort Worth’s museum scene is excellent and far less crowded than many expect. Highlights include:
- Kimbell Art Museum
- Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
Both are architecturally striking and house impressive collections.
Sport in Dallas
Dallas takes sport seriously. Depending on the season, you could catch:
- Dallas Cowboys (NFL) at AT&T Stadium
- Dallas Mavericks (NBA)
- Texas Rangers (MLB)
Game days bring a lively, all-American atmosphere. Tickets range in price, but you can usually find reasonably priced seats (certainly in comparison to Premier League games), especially if you book early.
American sports events are very family-friendly, with a strong focus on entertainment — expect music, big screens, cheer squads and constant crowd engagement. Even if you don’t fully understand the rules, the games are generally easy to get into, and the atmosphere alone makes it a worthwhile experience.
Practical Information
- Currency: US Dollar (USD)
- Language: English
- Payment: Cards accepted almost everywhere, cash can still be useful
- Getting around: Car highly recommended
- Safety: Generally safe in central areas; as with any large US city, stay aware in quieter districts at night
- Tipping: Expected (15–20% in restaurants and bars)
- Weather: Very hot summers, mild winters, occasional thunderstorms
Best Time to Visit Dallas
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the most comfortable temperatures.
Summers are extremely hot, with temperatures regularly exceeding 35°C (95°F). Winters are generally mild, though occasional cold snaps occur.
Major sporting events and the Texas State Fair in autumn can push hotel prices higher.
Food & Drink in Dallas–Fort Worth
Texas cuisine is the star here.
Must-try dishes:
- Texas brisket barbecue
- Smoked ribs
- Tex-Mex enchiladas
- Breakfast tacos
- Chicken-fried steak
- Barbecue is taken seriously — slow-smoked, peppery brisket is the benchmark.
The region also has a growing craft brewery scene and a strong margarita culture.
48 Hours in Dallas & Fort Worth: The Perfect Itinerary
Day 1: Dallas Highlights
Morning
- Visit Dealey Plaza and The Sixth Floor Museum
- Explore the Dallas Arts District
Afternoon
- Visit Reunion Tower
- Optional: Catch a Mavericks game or live music in the evening
Day 2: Fort Worth & Western Heritage
Morning
- Head to Fort Worth Stockyards
- Watch the cattle drive
- Explore Western shops and Cowtown Coliseum
Afternoon
- Visit Kimbell Art Museum or Modern Art Museum and Sundance Square
Final Thoughts
Dallas and Fort Worth aren’t subtle. They’re bold, sprawling and unapologetically Texan.
Some travellers find the scale overwhelming. Others love the space, confidence and authenticity.
What the Metroplex does exceptionally well is combine serious culture with genuine Western heritage — all wrapped in big skies and bigger portions. It may not have the walkability of New York or the glamour of Los Angeles — but for a deep dive into modern Texas identity, Dallas–Fort Worth is hard to beat.
Holiday Nerd 