15 Indoor Activities in Dallas

Located in the heart of the Arts District in downtown Dallas, the Dallas Museum of Art is a must-see destination for any visitor to the city. The Dallas Art Association that would become the Dallas Museum of Art started life in 1903 and initially displayed paintings in the Dallas Public Library. The collection quickly expanded, and the museum had to change locations twice to accommodate the expanding roster of museum artworks. Nowadays, more than 25 000 artworks from different periods and regions are on display at the Dallas Museum of Art, including Asia, Africa, Europe, America, and Oceania.

Specialization
Arts & Culture

Perfect for
Art lovers

Despite the name, the Dallas World Aquarium is also a zoo, housing a wide variety of threatened or endangered animals. Visiting this attraction is also one of the best indoor activities on a rainy day in Dallas. The Dallas World Aquarium features several exhibitions dedicated to a specific environment like Orinoco, Borneo, South Africa, Mundo Maya, Aquarium, and Cloud Forest Trek. If you enjoy exploring the animal kingdom inside beautiful simulated environments, then this place is worth a visit.

Specialization
Nature & Entertainment

Perfect for
Animal lovers, families, couples, and children

Another museum in the Arts District of Dallas, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a fun and engaging experience for visitors of all ages. Inside, you will find a treasure trove of knowledge on the natural world, technology, and plenty of exciting activities. There are several areas in the Perot Museum, including Rose Hall of Birds, Expanding Universe Hall, Tom Hunt Energy Hall, Being Human Hall, and Discovering Life Hall. The Perot Museum also has a dedicated space for toddlers and small children: the Moody Family Children's Museum.

Specialization
Nature & Science

Perfect for
Everyone, from families with children to science and natural history buffs

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza resides on the sixth floor of the Dallas County Administration Building overlooking Dealey Plaza, hence the name. This museum details the life and legacy of the revered US President John F. Kennedy, his assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, and the abundant conspiracy theories surrounding this momentous event in American history. The choice of the sixth floor as the location of this museum isn't accidental: after the Kennedy assassination in 1963, this floor of the Texas School Book Depository was the primary crime scene for the assassination.

Specialization
History

Perfect for
History buffs

If you're traveling with a child or two, one of the best things to do in Dallas when it rains is to watch a performance at the Dallas Children's Theater. The goal of this place is to foster creativity and artistic self-expression in children via the medium of theater. Throughout the year, the Dallas Children's Theater lets you experience classic and new children's stories in an exciting and engaging format. Current plays on offer include Last Stop on Market Street and Charlotte's Web. This place is the perfect destination for families with kids who enjoy theatrical performances, and it may inspire them to start an acting career of their own.

Specialization
Art & Entertainment

Perfect for
Families with children

This next attraction is a must for aviation fans: it's the Frontiers of Flight Museum! Visiting this museum is one of the most exciting indoor things to do in Dallas. Here, you can see countless artifacts, spare parts, costumes, missiles, and, of course, a vast collection of aircraft. The Frontiers of Flight Museum has sections dedicated to each era of aviation, from its beginning to WWII to the modern day. This museum also hosts several spacecraft like the Apollo 7 Command Module, the model of Beal Aerospace BA-2C, and the replica of Sputnik 1.

Specialization
Aviation & History

Perfect for
Aviation enthusiasts and children

Located within one of Dallas' neighborhoods, Victory Park, the American Airlines Center is one of the busiest arenas worldwide. The American Airlines Center is home to two Dallas sports teams – Dallas Mavericks (NBA) and Dallas Stars (NHL). Apart from various sports events, this arena is home to concerts by famous musicians like Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Madonna, Elton John, Billy Joel, Justin Timberlake, and many more. If you want to go to a concert or a sports match, look no further than this great arena.

Specialization
Sports & Entertainment

Perfect for
Sports fans and music lovers

If you're looking to spend an evening watching an opera or a musical, our next recommendation is perfect. The Winspear Opera House is an opera house in the Arts District in downtown Dallas. It maintains the "horseshoe" shape traditional for opera houses, but its creators put a spin on it by optimizing the space for opera and musical performances. Visiting this opera house is a must for any opera lover since it's a rare opportunity to enjoy mesmerizing performances in a place specifically designed to enhance the experience.

Specialization
Art & Entertainment

Perfect for
Opera and theater buffs

When it comes to indoor activities in Dallas for adults, there are many appealing options. One of them is the Mercy Wine Bar, which offers visitors a staggering array of over 300 wines in a cozy and pleasant atmosphere. Aside from the impressive roster of wines and cocktails, this bar regularly hosts live music evenings on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. If wine is your favorite drink and you want to spend a rainy summer evening in a warm and friendly atmosphere, welcome to the Mercy Wine Bar!

Specialization
Recreation & Entertainment

Perfect for
Couples and groups of friends

Our next entry on this list has a bit of everything: whether you want shopping, art, or entertainment – Galleria Dallas got you covered! Located in the North Dallas neighborhood of the city, this shopping mall opened its doors in 1982 and has been steadily expanding and upgrading itself ever since. Nowadays, Galleria Dallas features many shops, an ice rink, art from local artists decorating its walls, and several cafes and restaurants. This mall regularly hosts events like music performances, art exhibitions, and markets with goods from local businesses.

Specialization
Shopping, Entertainment, & Art

Perfect for
Families, couples, and groups of friends

Located on the campus of Southern Methodist University, the Meadows Museum features one of the largest collections of Spanish art outside of Spain. This museum aims to promote, research, and popularize Spanish art through its collection. The Meadows Museum is home to an impressive array of paintings, lithographs, prints, sculptures, and other decorative objects. This museum also hosts temporary exhibitions; the current event is In the Shadow of Dictatorship: Creating the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art.

Specialization
Spanish art

Perfect for
Art lovers

The name of our next entry is self-explanatory – it's a diner that takes you back to 11th-century Spain. What's less expected is the fact that there is a live show that will make for a very entertaining dinner. During the show, you can enjoy a marvelous feast while several brave knights clash with each other in a magnificent tournament. Before the show, you can explore the Hall of Arms and take a few commemorative photos with a collection of medieval weapons, suits of armor, and other artifacts on display.

Specialization
Food & Entertainment

Perfect for
Medieval history lovers, families with children, couples

This visitor attraction combines fun and learning into a mind-boggling and exciting experience. Here, you can examine over 80 installations that will challenge and twist your senses. The Vortex Tunnel, Infinity Well, Clone Table, and Tilted Room are just some of the mind-bending exhibits you can experience at the Museum of Illusions Dallas. Even though this museum is less massive than the Perot Museum or the Dallas Museum of Art, it's still worth a visit since it will give you a unique and unforgettable experience.

Specialization
Entertainment

Perfect for
Everyone

If you're feeling nostalgic about old arcade cabinets, then you can scratch that itch at Cidercade Dallas, an arcade that gives you access to 140+ games for only $10. All the classics like Donkey Kong, Galaga, Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, and many others are here and ready to test your muscle memory and reflexes. There is also a pleasantly diverse drinks menu, mainly consisting of different cider flavors. So, if you find yourself in the Design District and want to try to beat your high score in Tetris, you know where to go.

Specialization
Recreation & Entertainment

Perfect for
Everyone, from arcade game lovers to families with children

The full title of our last entry on this list is a bit of a mouthful, but it's an exciting destination for fans of samurai armor and equipment. This museum is a relatively new addition to visitor attractions in Dallas, but it's the only museum in the city with a focus on samurai armor. Here, you can examine suits of armor, masks, helmets, horse armor, and samurai weapons. The collection focuses on equipment from the Edo period, although the museum features items from the 12th to 19th centuries. Although it's a relatively modest museum, its collection is worth a look for fans of all things samurai.

Specialization
History

Perfect for
Fans of samurai weapons and armor