It’s Fall, Y’all! 20 Must-Do Activities for Dallas Families

1. Plan a fall family road trip to nearby Fredericksburg. From hiking to local history and even a kid-friendly winery or two, there's plenty of adventure to be had in Hill Country. 

2. Cozy up with your family at home and watch a football game or cheer on the Cowboys when they have home field advantage. Maybe your little one will want to be a Cowboys football player or cheerleader this Halloween. 

3. Get everyone out to explore some of the beautiful waterfalls that the Dallas area has to offer. The area has more than you'd expect and Prarie Creek tops the list. 

4. Head to the Texas State Fair, which should be brimming with fun fall activities in the barns, on the rides, and onstage. It's in town through October 23 so you have plenty of time to get in on the action. 

5. Pick the perfect gourd at one of these local pumpkin patches. We know the kids will go wild for the one that offers face painting and shave ice along with Halloween activities. 

6. While you are there, run through a corn maze and see how fast you can make it out! YEsterland Farm in Canton, TX opens for the season on Sep. 17 and the whole family will love it. 

7. Then snag one of these pumpkin carving templates and go to town! Will your pumpkin be a cowboy or a minion this year? 

8. Enjoy the cooling fall weather (and a bit of people watching!) by sitting outdoors at these restaurants with patios. Rockwall's Standard Service has live music while is the perfect excuse to get out there. 

9. Build a bonfire and make s'mores. While you can do this anytime, there's something about those chilly nights that really make this a special fall activity. Amp up your s'mores game with these unique takes on the classic treat.

10. Plan out a day of fall science experiments. 

11. Tea parties are always fun. But, an apple cider tea party? That screams fall all over.

12. All aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad! This train offers special rides in the fall season. 

13. Build a fort outside. The weather is still nice enough for long outdoor afternoons. Take advantage and help your kids get set up with their own pad. 

14. Watch the birds fly south for the winter. Look up to see those V-shaped groups of feathered friends heading for warmer pastures.

15. When the days cool down a bit, it's the perfect time to head out on a family hike. 

16. Shop your local farmer’s market. Glossy red apples, stew-worthy root veggies, and a cornucopia of squashes are waiting for you at your local farmer’s market in autumn. Get yours before the markets go on hiatus for the winter.

17. Spend a day at the Dallas Zoo. This 106-acre spot is the oldest zoo in Texas and full of fall activities with its family programs, giraffe feeding, reptile house, and so much more. You might have to come back for another day!

18. It's a crime to miss the fall season at the Dallas Arboretum. Autumn is arguably the best season there with autumnal flowers, gourds, and pumpkins all over the place. 

19. Find constellations in the night sky. Fall’s shorter days and longer nights mean kids don’t have to stay up too late to find dazzling patterns overhead. Here's our step-by-step guide to stargazing with kids.

20. Enjoy autumn views from the top of the Reunion Tower.  This iconic building offers a 360-degree perspective of Dallas and its surrounding areas from a glassed-in open-air observation deck.