Best day trips near DFW for a family?

Posted by pearls_mama@reddit | Dallas | View on Reddit | 32 comments

Hi all! For context, we have an 8 year old and a 4 year old. We usually travel a lot during the summer, but one of our kiddos recently received an organ transplant, so we’re pretty stuck in place at the moment (have to be back at Dallas Children’s 2x a week for follow ups, and her transplant team requires that we don’t go farther than 2 hrs away from the hospital in case of emergencies). Looking for any fun day trips that we can take around the area; besides from travel, we don’t really have any other restrictions (she can swim, run, etc). I know that this summer is obviously going to be very different for them, but I’m really trying to make it as fun and special as possible! Any suggestions are appreciated. Thank you all so much 🩷

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Environmental-Fox961@reddit

Heard Museum up in McKinney

Yesterland Farms

Fruit farms east of DFW (assuming y’all don’t have any restrictions with immunosuppression).

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ExampleLow4715@reddit

Yesterland can get VERY busy

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Dull-Exercise8095@reddit

Great wolf lodge for an indoor water park

Dallas museum of art is free

The Dallas zoo has really stepped up and most of the animals are active right now

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Outrageous-Power5046@reddit

If you are looking for a short, free, half day trip, there is an observation area just north of DFW Airport open to the public. You can watch airplanes take off and land.

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truth-4-sale@reddit

If the wind is out of the South, that's best to see planes close up as they land and take off.

The large airport could use an observation area on the North side, for when the wind is out of the North, to view planes close up, taking off and landing.

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Outrageous-Power5046@reddit

Is there one also on the south side? That's cool! I only know of the one on the north side! :)

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truth-4-sale@reddit

I got my directions messed up. I've corrected my post. Observation Area is on the North side of the DFW Airport.

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AdInner2733@reddit

Where is this exactly?

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Severe-Post3466@reddit

it's called dfw founders plaza!

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Outrageous-Power5046@reddit

thank you, Severe. I went through the trouble of screencapping the image only to realize we can't post images.

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Admirable_Bad_5192@reddit

Lavender Ridge Farms near Denton is perfect for a relaxing trip with kids! Plus, the birds and lemurs are sure to be a hit.

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curiosity_2020@reddit

Caddo Lake State Park is probably a little outside your range at just over 3 hours. Maybe in the fall if she is less restricted by then . It will be cooler and the fall colors will be in season. Rent a canoe and bring a picnic lunch. One of the largest natural lakes in Texas with huge Cypress trees growing out of the water.

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caphair@reddit

Hi friend. Just wanted to say thanks for posting this. We have to be at Children’s Plano at least once a week and were just talking about doing something like this.

Kiddo is immunocompromised from the chemo so largely in the same boat.

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pearls_mama@reddit (OP)

Of course! It’s a super tough spot to be in. Hope your kiddo is doing well :)

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ExampleLow4715@reddit

We really enjoyed the Lavender Farms by Denton They have some birds and Lemurs you can see, beautiful grounds and an outside cafe. Great for kids

https://www.lavenderridgefarms.com/

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pearls_mama@reddit (OP)

This looks so cool! Thank you!

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geoffsykes@reddit

Burgers Lake can be pretty fun.

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cantstandthemlms@reddit

Maybe a resort day pass to a hotel with a nice pool like the Omni PGA. They have an outdoor putty green every can use. Lots of space to burn off steam!

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brobradh77@reddit

Dallas Children's Aquarium they even have dragon boats https://www.childrensaquarium.com/

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haleywaley16@reddit

Blueberry picking at Blueberry Hills Farm in Edom, TX! This is the prime time of year for it! I used to go here every year for my birthday. It’s one of my favorite memories. When you finish, cool off on the porch with some blueberry ice cream and blueberry lemonade!

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txnewsprincess@reddit

If you get a membership, the Arboretum and the Zoo open earlier for members on certain days. That might help with the crowd issue. Frontiers of Flight is a fun morning, and if you call ahead I am sure they can tell you the times it's less crowded.
Top Golf in Dallas has an open miniature golf area.

I agree with Fossil Rim - you'd be in your car, and if you don't do the gift shop or the snack bar, you'll be fine.

And here are some ideas if you want to plan a trip around a drive-in movie: https://www.dmagazine.com/guides/the-best-places-to-see-a-drive-in-or-outdoor-movie-in-north-texas/

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iamatran@reddit

Turner falls is neat but might be a bit outside your travel radius, around 2 hours away. Fort Worth nature center has nice trails and a nice lotus marsh, stock yards in Fort Worth are also worth a visit.

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truth-4-sale@reddit

Turner Falls would be a great overnight stay. You can see the Milky Way at night, or you used to could, from there.

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pearls_mama@reddit (OP)

Thank you!! We are allowed to do overnight stays, luckily, and my oldest is super into astronomy so this would be awesome :)

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Holiday-Search1147@reddit

Dinosaur Valley state park

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anti_xine@reddit

Dinosaur Valley State Park is always a fun time! There's the park itself, which has hiking and swimming, as well as Dinosaur World nearby. There are usually tons of families at Dinosaur World, if crowded spaces are a consideration for your kiddo's post-op care. Most activities are outdoors.

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pearls_mama@reddit (OP)

Thank you! I should have mentioned — we can’t do heavy crowds because of immunosuppressants, unfortunately. But Dinasour Valley looks great, thank you so much!

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DeepYogurtcloset3235@reddit

Fossil Rim is great because you do the safari from the comfort of your own car. Highly recommend!

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rgg40@reddit

I’ll second this, my kids loved going down there and having a picnic. The water level is really high right now, though, and the tracks are not visible. Hiking trails are also closed temporarily.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/dinosaur-valley

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Waco bullshit - Magnolia, Cameron Park Zoo, Mammoth National Museum, Branch Davidian Compound