Dallas in 2 Days for Families - Perot Museum of Nature and Science (interactive exhibits)
A relaxed, stroller-friendly 2-day itinerary for families with young children (toddlers to pre-teens). Focuses on hands-on museums, shady gardens, safe play areas, and animal encounters with realistic pacing, naps/snack buffers, and family-friendly dining.
Highlights
- Perot Museum of Nature and Science (interactive exhibits)
- Klyde Warren Park (playground & shaded picnic spots)
- Dallas World Aquarium (close-up animal exhibits)
- Dallas Arboretum & Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden
- Dallas Zoo (children's zoo & train)
Itinerary
Day 1
Downtown/Arts District day: hands-on science museum in the morning, relaxed park lunch, aquarium in the afternoon, skyline view and family-friendly dinner.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science — interactive exhibits for kids
Start with the Perot Museum's hands-on halls and discovery center. Best for ages 3–12. Exhibits are stroller-friendly on most floors with elevators; plan ~2.5–3 hours to let little ones explore, take snack breaks, and nap if needed.
Tips from local experts:
- Accessibility & stroller hack: Use the South Entrance elevator (near the parking garage) to avoid stairs; there are family restrooms and changing tables on multiple floors.
- Nap & snack buffer: Bring a small, quiet snack and a travel blanket — there are benches in the Moody Family Children's Museum area for a short rest if a child needs a nap.
- Crowd timing: Arrive at opening (10:00) to avoid school groups and long lines at popular interactive stations; use the museum app/activity map to prioritize the T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now Hall and the Moody Family Children's Museum.
Lunch & play — Klyde Warren Park (food trucks and shaded tables)
Relaxed picnic-style lunch at Klyde Warren Park. The park has a large, fenced children’s playground, plenty of shade, family restrooms and stroller-friendly paths. Good for ages 1–10. Expect 45–75 minutes for food and play.
Tips from local experts:
- High-chairs & menus: Food trucks/nearby restaurants often have kids' options; if you need a high chair or allergy accommodation, head to one of the sit-down restaurants bordering the park (e.g., Savor area) — they typically offer high chairs.
- Stroller parking: Use the paved paths around the playground to park strollers in the shade; bring a lightweight sunshade or stroller cover for spring sun.
- Quiet spot hack: If the playground is busy, the west side of the park has more lawns and shaded benches for a snack and a quieter nap/diaper-change break.
Dallas World Aquarium — close-up animal exhibits and shaded pathways
Afternoon visit to the Dallas World Aquarium in the West End — ideal for ages 2–12. Exhibits are mostly indoors (good if a spring shower appears), with accessible routes and benches for rest.
Tips from local experts:
- Stroller routing: Enter from the main entrance and take the right-hand route for gentler slopes and easier stroller navigation; the exhibits have benches where toddlers can rest.
- Sensory & crowd tip: The rainforest section can be humid and a bit noisy; bring a small pair of quiet headphones for sensitive children and plan a calming bench break after the big tanks.
- Feeding & allergy note: There are snack-friendly areas just outside — bring hypoallergenic snacks and check the aquarium café menu (staff can usually advise on simple, allergy-safe options).
Reunion Tower — short skyline visit (GeO-Deck)
Quick, stroller-friendly skyline view from Reunion Tower's GeO-Deck. Good for ages 3+ who enjoy looking at cityscapes. Keep this visit to ~45–60 minutes in the early evening to avoid tired meltdowns.
Tips from local experts:
- Stroller & elevator tip: Use the accessible elevator and keep strollers folded in tighter areas; the GeO-Deck has family restrooms nearby.
- Timing hack: Visit around 17:00–18:00 when the light is softer and crowds are often smaller than sunset rush — gives great photos without long waits.
- Short visit plan: If kids are tired, skip the audio tour and let them point out landmarks — bring a small binocular or printed city map to make it an interactive 10-minute game.
Dinner — El Fenix (family-friendly Tex-Mex)
Early family dinner at El Fenix (downtown location) with a kids' menu and friendly staff used to families. Expect quick service and hearty portions—good for ages 2–12.
Tips from local experts:
- Kids' menu & allergies: El Fenix offers standard kids' options and is generally accommodating for common allergies — tell staff on arrival so they can guide safe choices.
- High-chair & quick-service: Request a high chair when you check in; service is family-paced so ask for quick plating if kids are tired.
- Noise & timing: Early seating (18:15) avoids the dinner rush and reduces loudness for sensitive children.
Day 2
Gardens, mall comfort, and animals day: shady Arboretum morning with the Children's Adventure Garden, a calm mall lunch and art stroll, then an afternoon at the Dallas Zoo with a late-afternoon wind-down.
Dallas Arboretum & Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden — outdoor play and discovery
Spend the morning at the Dallas Arboretum exploring kid-focused gardens and the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden. Best for ages 2–10. Plenty of stroller-accessible paths, shaded spots, and family restrooms — plan 2.5–3 hours with time for snacks and a short nap on the lawns.
Tips from local experts:
- Stroller-friendly routes: The main paths around the Rory Meyers Garden are paved and stroller-friendly; bring sunscreen and a brimmed stroller cover for spring sun.
- Changing & rest: There are family restrooms and changing tables near the Children’s Adventure Garden entrance — use the shaded benches by the lawn for a quiet snack/nap break.
- Play & learning: Let toddlers try the interactive water-play (seasonal) and scavenger cards available at the entrance; pick up the family map to plan a short loop so little legs won't get overtired.
Short snack & diaper break — arboretum café or shaded lawn
Half-hour calm break after garden exploring: use the Arboretum’s café or a shaded bench for snacks, hydration, and a quick diaper change/nappy nap if needed.
Tips from local experts:
- Snack & allergy tip: The on-site café usually carries simple snacks (fruit, crackers) — bring any specialty allergy-safe snacks you prefer to avoid long food-prep waits.
- Shade & nap spot: The east lawn has big shade trees perfect for a 20–30 minute quiet rest while others explore a nearby sculpture.
- Timing buffer: Use this 30-minute buffer to switch a tired child into fresh clothes and apply sunscreen before heading to the next stop.
Drive to NorthPark Center & lunch at Maggiano's (NorthPark)
Short drive to NorthPark Center for an indoor lunch at Maggiano's Little Italy (family-friendly, kids' menu). Good for ages 1–12: indoor seating, high chairs, and predictable allergy-friendly pasta options.
Tips from local experts:
- High-chairs & menu flexibility: Maggiano's is well set up for families — ask for a high chair and request plain pasta or grilled options if children have food sensitivities.
- Quiet seating hack: Request a table away from the main mall-facing windows for a calmer environment if a child needs to nap after lunch.
- Stroller parking: Fold or park strollers near the table — the restaurant is adjacent to stroller-friendly mall corridors for quick exits if needed.
NorthPark Center — calm art stroll & kid-friendly spaces
Short, climate-controlled visit to NorthPark Center: see kid-friendly sculptures and the mall’s family restrooms. Good for ages 2–12 and useful if spring weather turns uncertain.
Tips from local experts:
- Art & short legs: NorthPark has accessible public art perfect for a 20–40 minute stroll — pick one or two pieces to keep the walk short for little legs.
- Facilities: Use NorthPark’s family restrooms and nursing rooms for a private diaper change or feeding — ask guest services for the nearest location.
- Snack & allergy options: If a child needs a special snack, the mall vendors and nearby cafés are usually quick to prepare simple, allergy-friendly items.
Dallas Zoo — children's zoo, train ride & shaded trails
Afternoon at the Dallas Zoo with the Children’s Zoo, camel rides (seasonal), and the zoo train. Best for ages 2–12. Plenty of shaded walkways, family restrooms, and stroller-friendly paths. Plan 3 hours to see key habitats without rushing.
Tips from local experts:
- Stroller route & transport: The zoo is large — bring a lightweight stroller and use the tram for longer transfers within the zoo to save little feet (check tram schedule on arrival).
- Quiet & sensory breaks: Use the shady picnic areas near the Children’s Zoo for snack and calm-down breaks if the crowds become overwhelming.
- Ticket & timing hack: Buy timed-entry or advance tickets online to avoid ticketing lines; arrive early in the zoo's afternoon session for cooler temperatures and more animal activity.
Itinerary Attributes
| Days | 2 |
| Highlights | 5 |
| Season | - |
| Month | - |
| Persona | Families |
| Transfers | - |
| Restaurants | 3 |
| Total Activities | 10 |
| Total Places | 10 |
| Activities Types | Culture, Meal, Attraction, Restaurant, Outdoor, Break, Shopping |
