We have almooooost survived another brutal Texas summer with (kind of) cooler Fall weather creeping in. As someone who did not grow up in North Texas, I struggle in the heat and look forward to Fall Festivities as soon as May comes along.
Even though fall in Dallas, Texas may equate to the same vibrant leaf colors that the East Coast gets to experience, that is no excuse for not getting festive. North Texas is still home to many different Fall Festivities. The cooler weather is the perfect excuse to get out and about and explore locally!
So when you are not watching Hocus Pocus (anyone else??)… venture out to experience all the Fall Festivities Texas has to offer.
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Table of Contents
Things to do this Fall near Dallas, TX (and the greater North Texas Region)
Stroll through a Pumpkin Village at Dallas Arboretum
The Dallas Botanical Gardens transforms into a magical pumpkin village every autumn from September 16th to November 5th. Featuring almost 100,000 pumpkins throughout the park, you will sure feel festive.
There are different weekly events, food trucks/restaurants, and occasional live music. Be sure to check their website for more details and to book your ticket.
The 2023 theme is Charlie Brown!
Cost: 12 dollars (child) 20 dollars (adult) + 10 dollars for parking.
Go on a Safari at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
This is the COOLEST drive-through zoo ever! Located only 1 hour from Dallas (in Glen Rose, TX) Fossil Rim will make all your (Texas) safari dreams come true.
You are able to choose between driving your own car or taking a guided tour. Either way, you will see zebras, giraffes, bison, wolves, and MORE! There is also a children’s nature center, nature store, and cafe on-site.
You can book your tickets here. You currently have to book them online.
Tip:: Be sure to stop at Dinosaur Valley State Park for a picnic and hike after your safari!
Cost: 29.95 dollars (adult ticket), 24.95 dollars (child ticket) for the self-guided tour.
Be super Festive at Yesterland Farm -Canton, TX
If you want to step into the perfect Fall festive world, you need to visit Yesterland Farm. They have a corn maze, pumpkin patch, pig races, petting zoo, food trucks, live music, and the best decorations.
To make the event even more festive, everything turns haunted at night. There are multiple haunted houses, a hayride, and of course the haunted corn maze.
Cost: 34.95 dollars at the gate, but be sure to check their website for deals and discounts!
Hang out with the animals at Fort Worth Zoo
Fall in North Texas is the perfect time to visit a zoo. With temperatures cooling down, more animals will be active (and you won’t be covered in sweat).
Fort Worth Zoo is home to over 540 species and is open 365 days a year. There is a petting zoo, live shows, and more interactive exhibits. Be sure to check the website for more special events!
Cost: 13 (child) 17 dollars (adult)– Make sure you make a reservation online as the ticket booths are currently closed.
Tip! Wednesdays are half off 🙂
Go Ziplining (and climbing) at Go Ape- Plano, TX
If you are searching for an adventure, look no further than Go Ape in Plano, TX. Fall is the PERFECT time to visit as the weather is much cooler, but still enjoyable to be outside. If you time it right, you may even see a glimpse of the Texas Fall colors 🙂
Anyways, Go Ape is a 2-3 hour adventure through different obstacles and ziplines. There are choices to take the “easy” or “hard” route. Honestly, it was a great workout and such a fun and unique way to enjoy the outdoors!
Cost: 64.95 dollars
Chow down during a Picnic in the Park
For all my budget-savvy, money savers a picnic in the park is the BEST fall activity. Like I said before, the temperature in North Texas in the fall are typically
This particular picture was taken at Colorado Bend State Park, which isn’t exactly North Texas but makes for a WONDERFUL weekend getaway.
If you are looking to have a fall picnic in Dallas, I suggest Klyde Warren Park! It’s located right down town, there’s food trucks, a fountain, tables, and plenty of room to lay a blanket down.
And a cool picnic basket makes this waaaaay more fun 🙂
Cheer on your favorite team at AT&T Stadium
Okaaaaay so we might not get to go to football games this year, but it’s a definite Fall bucket list item.
Check out the ginormous AT&T stadium in Arlington, TX, and cheer on your favorite team (with caution if it’s not the cowboys…).
Tip::: You can get affordable tickets by purchases “standing room only”. It’s not the most ideal but can work if on a budget.
Shop ’til you drop (then ride some rides) at Trader’s Village- Grand Prairie, TX
With the weather cooling down, it is the perfect time to shop outside. Trader’s Village is a HUGE flea market located in Grand Prairie, TX. You can shop, grab a snack from the many food trucks, or try out some of the rides.
While shopping you will find jewelry, toys, hand-made art, furniture, pet supplies, and so much more! Then you can buy a 13 dollar all-day pass for your kids (or yourself) to enjoy the rides.
Cost: Free to enter- Open Saturdays and Sundays
Get Lost in a Corn Maze
Does it get any more festive than a gold ol’ fashioned corn maze??
North Texas has several corn mazes to explore. Check them out below!
- Hall’s Pumpkin Farm– Opens September 29th, 2023
- Yesterland Farm– Opens September 23rd, 2023
- Shadow Creek Farm– Opens September 30th, 2023
- Mainstay Farm– Opens September 23rd, 2023
Compete in a Pumpkin Carvin’ Contest at Home
Show off your carving skills and have a fun competition at home. Order your carving supplies beforehand and plan the perfect festive night.
End your night by baking some cookies and watching Hocus Pocus or Harry Potter!
TIP! Want to switch up your pumpkin decorating contest?! Check out this DIY painting kit and have a painting contest instead!
Bonus! Go Trick-or-Treating (or admire the decorations BEFORE Halloween)
If you are close to Dallas, be sure to check out the Swiss Avenue Historic District. Their houses are BEAUTIFULLY decorated, and they were happily waiting outside for all the trick-or-treaters.
Otherwise, be sure to drive around your neighborhoods and find the best decorations!
Other Fall Festivities to add to your bucket list!
- Make caramel apples
- Bake an apple pie
- Tell Scary Stories (build a fort to make it more fun)
- Have a bonfire
- Decorate your home
- Go on a colored leaf scavenger hunt (or a nice relaxing hike)
- Roast Pumpkin Seeds
- Visit a haunted house
- Plan (or make) your Halloween costume
- Harry Potter Movie Marathon
Do you have any other fall festivities to add to my North Texas Bucket List?
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