The Best Hidden Gems in Dallas for Kids to Discover This Summer
Cool and unusual kid-friendly places in Dallas to earn you major parent brownie points.
If you're planning a trip to Dallas, there are fantastic parks, world-class museums and plenty of big attractions to keep the kids busy.
However, if you want to find the best local gems and some of the less touristy places that locals love, head off to some of these lesser-known hidden gems of Dallas to enjoy with your family this summer.
Best to cool off
Klyde Warren Park
While not technically hidden, Klyde Warren Park is a Dallas gem. The children’s area recently underwent a renovation with new play pieces and water features. Additionally, an impressive new fountain – that lights up at night – opened on the east end of the park. A splash of cold H2O after lunch and lawn games will be just what you need before heading to the Dallas Museum of Art or the Nasher Sculpture Center. Pack a towel and change of clothes; the kiddos will definitely get wet.
![Food trucks line up next to Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, Texas](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/Klyde-Warren-Park-Skyline-View-with-Food-trucks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.88%2088.11&q=80&w=320&s=21066333196e2643254fcf793afcbd45 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/Klyde-Warren-Park-Skyline-View-with-Food-trucks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.88%2088.11&q=80&w=540&s=f94233a3731d109a76e4951b36514d61 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/Klyde-Warren-Park-Skyline-View-with-Food-trucks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.88%2088.11&q=80&w=768&s=e2dba070980d1a74880ff402f871ea5c 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/Klyde-Warren-Park-Skyline-View-with-Food-trucks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.88%2088.11&q=80&w=1024&s=e9c982a3d961bb82e39a514d84c743a1 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/Klyde-Warren-Park-Skyline-View-with-Food-trucks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.88%2088.11&q=80&w=1200&s=26587e61c26e25d8a82ed6cd8c0cc134 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/Klyde-Warren-Park-Skyline-View-with-Food-trucks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.88%2088.11&q=80&w=1440&s=8a1e4a7f717f39468332cf1a9e747f2f 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/Klyde-Warren-Park-Skyline-View-with-Food-trucks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.88%2088.11&q=80&w=1920&s=24c0709295a1ccb11b86da6d071e8a9d 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/Klyde-Warren-Park-Skyline-View-with-Food-trucks.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.88%2088.11&q=80&w=2560&s=09f352d4615edc184f1af689a677252c 2100w)
Bahama Beach
Bahama Beach is Dallas’s family waterpark and is more affordable and less crowded than the big parks. Get refreshed while standing under the park’s 1,000-gallon dumping bucket or zipping down the Riptide Slide. The park’s water playground, Coconut Cove, offers tons of activities to keep your kids busy (and tire them out)! It’s open Memorial Day through mid-August annually.
Best off the beaten path museums
Frontiers of Flight Museum
Aerospace enthusiasts will love the Frontiers of Flight Museum, where kids can explore and learn about cool aircraft and spacecrafts. There’s an area for kids to play in and an actual Southwest Airlines plane that kids can explore the inside of!
Dallas Firefighters Museum - South Dallas
Little firefighters in the making can explore the exhibits, engines, facts and faces of Dallas fire fighters and learn about the history of firetrucks at the Dallas Firefighters Museum. Touring the museum allows you to explore authentic firefighting equipment through the ages. It opens the door to opportunities for fire prevention and safety education, especially for children. Open Wednesday through Saturday.
The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum: The Samurai Collection
One for the older kids and lovers of weapons and swordcraft, the Samurai Collection offers centuries of Samurai masterpieces, including suits of armor, helmets, masks, horse armor and weaponry. The private collection is one of the largest collections of Samurai armor outside of Japan. Best part? Admission to the museum is always free!
![A samurai collection at the Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum in Dallas, TX.](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/Neighborhoods/2400x1600-Ann-and-Gabriel-Barbier-Mueller.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=82152939f0155b851362e02a461dd79e 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/Neighborhoods/2400x1600-Ann-and-Gabriel-Barbier-Mueller.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=f928a6e3cc008ac7b603e78f989fe4d3 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/Neighborhoods/2400x1600-Ann-and-Gabriel-Barbier-Mueller.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=19f80400a8fe2c0208b5f7bf63d46f35 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/Neighborhoods/2400x1600-Ann-and-Gabriel-Barbier-Mueller.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=29b726174558764d515d25ad09ceabf4 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/Neighborhoods/2400x1600-Ann-and-Gabriel-Barbier-Mueller.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=2eff54045d53eb4508ecdb3329c8f05d 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/Neighborhoods/2400x1600-Ann-and-Gabriel-Barbier-Mueller.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=95573a3184468646a8ba064d4e305aa6 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/Neighborhoods/2400x1600-Ann-and-Gabriel-Barbier-Mueller.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=20e8a4627cd2419ed040d5566b15aa50 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/Neighborhoods/2400x1600-Ann-and-Gabriel-Barbier-Mueller.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=abb1d54d0eee6b9e89121b1b405438f6 2400w)
Best Grounds
![A scenic angle of Fair Park during the evening with a skyline of Dallas's buildings.](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/Fair-Park-Esplanade-with-Skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=ec2ea6fccbf92a9cdb1abf56c59dc906 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/Fair-Park-Esplanade-with-Skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=86f15d689c572d91deaec206f0ccb88f 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/Fair-Park-Esplanade-with-Skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=903c76c5689659879f17299853ceacfd 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/Fair-Park-Esplanade-with-Skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=15e5185a37f43b3c59a340649fd65c2f 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/Fair-Park-Esplanade-with-Skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=cb58e3381ece0e127653645885bfe411 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/Fair-Park-Esplanade-with-Skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=590b76d272118b94da9fbe00bf9cc790 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/Fair-Park-Esplanade-with-Skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=edf179d6d8db23b9079cef3d0b14dd41 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/Fair-Park-Esplanade-with-Skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=260c29bd271ac214ad8607a5d42c01f5 2560w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/general/Fair-Park-Esplanade-with-Skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=f74011962104c7bda7c62c97624a1123 3300w)
Fair Park
While Fair Park is hardly a secret spot, it gets more attention as the site for the annual State Fair of Texas and football games at Cotton Bowl Stadium. However, Fair Park also offers excellent attractions and museums all year to keep the family entertained. Located on lush grounds perfect for a picnic, Texas Discovery Gardens has an axolotl tank for your Minecraft-loving kiddos and a beautiful butterfly house. Hand feed stingrays at the small but interactive Dallas Children’s Aquarium, and then take in culture and history at the African American Museum. Fair Park is the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world, so there’s plenty to learn by just walking the grounds and admiring the art and buildings.
Best free programming
Dallas Cultural Centers
Dallas offers an abundance of culture, and you can explore it all through our city’s cultural centers. The Latino Cultural Center, Oak Cliff Cultural Center and South Dallas Cultural Center all offer a range of excellent exhibitions, workshops, and art for all ages. Take the family to the Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House to learn about an important piece of Dallas history. It’s the preserved home of and iconic African-American woman who helped define the modern Civil Rights Movement. Currently open by appointment only.
Dallas Public Library
The J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, located Downtown, is an interesting stop for history buffs. An original copy of the Declaration of Independence is on permanent display on the seventh floor. Sometimes referred to as the “Lost Copy,” it was re-discovered in 1968 during the closing of Leary’s Book Store in Philadelphia, where it languished in storage for more than 100 years. It is the only copy located west of the Mississippi and is considered one of the finer examples available to the public to view because of its condition.
![](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/J-Erik-Jonsson-Central-Library-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=3ef425acc441722745dea6be23047dcf 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/J-Erik-Jonsson-Central-Library-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8946477e37d9ac80d616df9bf4852d8c 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/J-Erik-Jonsson-Central-Library-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=5597dab199e4f37a56592fb96bcfeb68 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/J-Erik-Jonsson-Central-Library-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=15bd97ce125ae495141616a62775f38c 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/J-Erik-Jonsson-Central-Library-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=50bdd3e1f5e4cf150a91b8884dc9d5d5 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/J-Erik-Jonsson-Central-Library-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=1cb9b153739aaf83c262f4e9925facf4 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/J-Erik-Jonsson-Central-Library-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=2f0e07fb3bfc7d693d094d67f670d407 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/J-Erik-Jonsson-Central-Library-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=6f3b94cd274cecc40911277299c0cc6f 2560w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/J-Erik-Jonsson-Central-Library-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=5f7bf46e13232fc08dfe6c2b4e338235 3000w)
Best venue with games
Bishop Cidercade
The Cidercade brings out the nostalgic kid in everyone. With vintage arcade games for the kids and local cider on tap, it's a win-win for everyone. Children are welcome until 8 p.m., and the $10 cover charge provides unlimited play and eliminates squabbling over quarters.
![](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Cidercade-People-playing-Hoop-games.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=76651efca689cb867d7b0f8af1a074c0 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Cidercade-People-playing-Hoop-games.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=4016e297131150cad974d0bf82752fe3 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Cidercade-People-playing-Hoop-games.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=9201af7ad0be6e0c0f80c25d2b98f3bc 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Cidercade-People-playing-Hoop-games.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=25508d4b5187ca58f05253cf39015505 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Cidercade-People-playing-Hoop-games.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=60eb9e13ddeaf9177dddd0074ea8bb2f 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Cidercade-People-playing-Hoop-games.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=c12493970101a56bc1f45dd31719cccd 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Cidercade-People-playing-Hoop-games.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=94778e83dbb3b410b8bbd6580c658ae4 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/attractions/Cidercade-People-playing-Hoop-games.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=ace4266d713850f2f74ae9a4fb43b621 2400w)
The Grove
Parents love taking their families to places where they can eat and drink while the kids can be entertained with games and activities. The Grove at Harwood is a spacious outdoor destination with sand volleyball courts, bocce, and giant Jenga and Connect Four. There are cocktails for the parents, snow cones for the kids, and happiness for the whole family.
Best Photo Op
Teddy Bear Park
Located at Lakeside Park, across a footbridge, are a collection of giant granite teddy bears. Once you discover them tucked away across the small lake, you’ll find that this whimsical area is perfect for a sweet photo moment. Beautiful Lakeside Park sits on over 14 acres of exceptionally landscaped grounds along Turtle Creek, located between Beverly Drive and Armstrong Parkway.