Location: Dallas
Top Things to do in Dallas
Countries
Top 10 Specialty Museums in Dallas, Texas (TX)
You may have all heard that everything is bigger in Texas. Well, Dallas does its best to fulfill that promise. You'll find several museums with vast art collections and fascinating specialty museums like The Sixth Floor Museum/Texas School Book Depository, which, though small in size, offers an immense amount of information about the assassination of John F. Kennedy. And of course, visit a local steakhouse for a terrific (and enormous) meal.
Restaurants in Dallas
1. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,127 reviews
One of Texas’ most visited historic sites, The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza chronicles the life, death and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. The Museum is in the former Texas School Book Depository building, where evidence of a sniper was found after the assassination of President Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Much of the exhibit space looks as it appeared in the 1960s. Highlights include a sniper’s perch, the FBI model used by the Warren Commission, an original teletype machine that first transmitted news of the president’s death, Oswald’s wedding ring, historic films, photos and more. An interactive display overlooks Dealey Plaza. Admission includes an audio guide, available in eight languages including ASL. The museum is open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas. RECOMMENDED: Buy timed-entry tickets in advance at jfk.org. The most convenient paid parking is adjacent to the building; stay in the far right lane of Elm Street to enter the parking lot.
Reviewed By jennlovesfood - San Diego, United States
I have always, always wanted to visit Dealey Plaza. I was not alive when President Kennedy was assassinated, but I am a history teacher and I have studied the Kennedy Assassination extensively because it is one of the most fascinating turning points in American history. We arrived in Dealey Plaza very early (about 8:30am) which was absolutely fabulous because we had time to explore the ground before the crowds of visitors arrived and before our Sixth Floor Museum entrance time. As a matter of fact, we pretty much had the place to ourselves for awhile so we could explore every inch of this fascinating historical landmark. We had the first time slot into the museum that morning so we met our tour group ahead of time. The audio tour and visual historical accounts on the displays were phenomenal. It was creepy to walk through this building but also incredibly interesting. The spot where Oswald fired the fatal shots that killed JFK is behind glass but you can stand at the windows next to it and see what the shot looked like. Not much has changed in Dealey Plaza except for the trees growing taller so it was a good representation of what the area looked like in 1963. Standing in that spot answered the question I always wondered - could Oswald have made the shots from that window. Just BEING in Dealey Plaza and standing on the 6th floor of the former Texas School Book Depository answered all the questions I ever had about this mystery. The other coolest thing EVER was seeing the actual suit worn by the police officer who was handcuffed to Oswald when Jack Ruby shot him. And there was Jack Ruby's hat on display - gave me chills. I had seen the pictures so many times but to see the actual artifacts in person was just awesome. I highly recommend this spot to ANYONE - not just history teachers or die hard history buffs. American history changed in this spot back in 1963 and it is worth exploring.
2. African American Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
A museum celebrating the contributions of African Americans to the arts.
Reviewed By droddy112 - Leesville, United States
Lots of exhibitions that expand lots of African American eras. Defiantly worth visiting if in Dallas.
3. Dallas Heritage Village at Old City Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 219 reviews
Located on the grounds of Dallas's first city park, Dallas Heritage Village is the perfect place to step back in time. You can immerse yourself in the lives of Texans during the pioneer and Victorian eras. The buildings are all part of North Texas history and give you the opportunity to see and experience nineteenth century life. As you stroll through the grounds, you'll discover how crops were grown, how animals were cared for, how family life progressed, and how the sense of community developed for ordinary Texans over 100 years ago. The Village hosts multiple family events throughout the year and visitors can participate in daily activities led by History Hosts.
Reviewed By patricialF2081TB - DeSoto, United States
Highly recommend. Bought groupon for 4 and there were guides in some of the buildings. It was an overcast day and very few visitors. Remember schools come there so be careful. Covers 1840 to 1899 in Texas history. Paid extra $5 for guided tour in Miller house. Covers log cabins to Victorian homes to shot gun houses. Walking necessary, if disabled would not recommend it.
4. Museum of Biblical Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 163 reviews
Reviewed By jbwhitehouse - Dallas, United States
This museum is open their normal hours-- they are closed Monday and Tuesday--in these Covid-19 days of getting-more-relaxed social distancing. The museum is located west of and adjacent to North Park Mall. Lots of free parking on the museum grounds. As its name implies, the museum is a treasure of Biblical art. Though there is a strong concentration on the Old Testament, Judaic ritual objects, Judaic-themed sculptures, the Holocaust, Israel, certainly the New Testament is well-represented and highlighted. There are numerous videos explaining displayed art ranging from Michelangelo sculptures to the Holocaust exhibit. Frequent changing exhibits complement the truly extensive and wonderful permanent displays. Thus, even after one visit, there are many reasons to return for a subsequent experience. The museum grounds showcase more sculpture.
5. Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 504 reviews
Get ready for an immersive, interactive journey unlike any other. The new Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum features state-of-the-art technology and a permanent exhibition focused on Holocaust/Shoah, Human Rights, and Pivot to America. The Museum brings to life the tragic history and consequences of the Holocaust, other genocides, and our own country’s journey for civil and human rights. It’s also one of only two Museums in the world that offers Dimensions in Testimony where visitors can interact with holographic images of Holocaust Survivors. Make sure to book tickets online at dhhrm.org to ensure your requested time and date.
Reviewed By travelerewl - Dallas, United States
This museum opened its new exhibition building in September 2019. A group of friends attended a private event, having an introduction to how the museum was conceived and built, before taking a tour through the museum. While visitors won’t have the talk, the tour showed us what a magnificent this museum is at so many levels. It’s so much more than a history museum about a dreadful time. While the world said “Never Again” after WWII, the museum shows us through impactful exhibits that we, citizens of the world, continue to conduct genocide. Each of the exhibits addresses a different component of genocide and uses a genocide from different parts of the world or history. Lest you thinking this is a depressing museum, it’s not. Rather, the museum brings in an outstanding exhibit of people who have stood up to genocide across the globe and then asks us what we would do. I wouldn’t bring children younger than middle school age, many of the films are grim. But tweens and teens can learn a lot. The museum is working to bring school groups in to learn about the Holocaust and genocide, challenging the young people to stand up against social injustice. The museum is located close to the school book repository museum making it easy to have a deep dive into our history.
6. Bath House Cultural Center
7. Frontiers of Flight Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 399 reviews
This museum memorializes the pioneers of flight, from the 1920s and 30s, through World War II and up to the jet and rocket age of today. The museum also showcases the Dallas/Fort Worth area, known today as the Aviation Capital of the World, played in aviation history.
Reviewed By Elvie66 - Prosper, United States
This museum is very close to Love Field, so we visited prior to picking up family at the airport. It was a great way to spend an hour or more. The museum is laid out to reflect the history of flight, from the Wright Brothers through space travel, which includes the Apollo VII spacecraft and a full size model of the 1903 Wright Brothers airplane. One of our favorites is the opportunity to climb aboard a Boeing 737 Southwest Airline nose, and aircraft. There is also a nice gift shop for souvenirs. This is a great museum to learn the history of flight.
8. Museum of Geometric and MADI Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
9. Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,546 reviews
Inspiring minds through nature and science.
Reviewed By JulieLoganClaudia - Minneapolis, United States
A huge thank you to the Dallas chapter of NACE for hosting the progressive happy hour at the museum. We enjoyed dinosaurs, cocktails, minerals and gems and living statues, great appetizers, dazzling DJs and did I mention the cocktails?!? Interactive exhibits, good signage and plenty of open spaces for your event combine to offer you THE perfect venue for your next Tyrannosaurus-sized party in Dallas!
10. The Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum : The Samurai Collection
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By veeolette - Colorado Springs, United States
This is a small but truly excellent collection! One could tour this collection while spending time in the downtown area visiting other attractions as well. All interesting pieces, I found the pieces for horses especially interesting. In addition, they have a “sedan chair” which is really small. I would be claustrophic if I had to ride in it. They also had a nice reading room that included a video on the making of a sword and case. This exhibit does not take very long but it is worth it!
