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While there's plenty of excitement within city limits in Dallas, many people like to celebrate the summer with a day trip to a nearby locale. Whether you're an outdoorsman with a penchant for long hikes and cool waters or a city-slicker looking to shop and eat your way through a different downtown, there are plenty of great destinations within a few hours of Dallas.
If you're looking for a sleek, head-turning sedan or a new family-friendly SUV to break in this summer, Planet Ford Dallas can help you find the right vehicle and the right trip. We've gathered some of the best day trips from Dallas, Texas.
In just over two hours, you can cross state lines into Oklahoma and find yourself at the home of the state's largest waterfall, Turner Falls Park. This nationally renowned park is a testament to the natural beauty of Oklahoma, with a picturesque waterfall, three caves, centuries-old sandstone, limestone, and granite rocks. Be sure to pack swimsuits because Honey Creek is a popular swimming destination at the base of the 77-foot fall. Surrounded by mountains, caves, and wildlife like turkeys and deer, the area's two natural swimming pools offer plenty of unique views.
Head to one of the park's sandy beaches when ready to dry out in the sun. With bathhouses and concession stands on the beach, you can take a break from the natural wonders to enjoy shade and snacks. During the summer, admission costs $9 per person. If you drove family or friends to the park in a spacious and adventure-ready Ford vehicle, be prepared to pay an additional $10 to $20 for parking.
If you're a nature lover looking for a romantic destination for a weekend trip, consider nearby Tyler, Texas, the rose capital of the country. Consider visiting in the fall to attend the annual Texas Rose Festival, a ceremonial event featuring a parade, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a tea party. Fashion fans might appreciate the ornate costumes locals wear during the Coronation of the Queen, a pageant-like event where locals elect a woman to honor Tyler.
October isn't the only time of year you can enjoy roses in Tyler. The Tyler Rose Garden, which hosts the annual festival, is the biggest of its kind in the country, and it's open year-round for free. You can stroll through over 32,000 rose bushes in various captivating colors. Once you've walked enough flower-lined walkways to work up an appetite, fuel up with some local Texas barbecue. Before heading back to Dallas, catch an outdoor concert at Tyler's Bergfeld Park, a bustling community park with an open-air amphitheater seating 750.
If you're looking for your next camping spot, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is a four-hour drive from the Dallas area. The park's name references the sizeable pink granite rock at the center of this picturesque Central Texas paradise. Outdoorsy types will have plenty to explore with eleven miles of hiking trails that offer stunning views of Texas sunsets. Locals flock to Enchanted Rock for bouldering and rock climbing if you're feeling adventurous.
You can enjoy the peace and serenity of the wilderness with quieter activities, like a bonfire, a picnic, or a night spent stargazing. Enchanted Rock welcomes furry friends, but they're only allowed in some areas, so research the restrictions before making plans to bring a pet. The park features mesquite grassland, flood plain, open oak woodland, and granite rock, four different natural communities that capture the beauty and variety of the Central Texas environment. If you're up for an adventure, strap your favorite outdoor gear into your new Ford and head to the park.
You might be enjoying plenty of modern technology during your two-and-a-half drive to Jefferson, Texas, but once you step out of the car, it's like you've traveled back in time. If you're a history buff, you'll love spending the day touring this scenic town and its many historical sites. Jefferson boasts a list of nearly 100 landmarks with historical significance, including famous homes, factories, cemeteries, and businesses. Wander through the charmingly antique downtown area, which features plenty of relics of the wealth the area held in the 19th century due to its location as a river port.
Today, it's full of idyllic local businesses like shops, saloons, inns, and restaurants. If you're interested in offbeat history you might not find in a textbook, you can visit the town's bigfoot statue. In 2018, the local government dubbed the city the Bigfoot Capital of Texas due to ongoing claims of bigfoot sightings. Whether or not you believe in the legend, the statue offers a one-of-a-kind photo opp.
If you're hoping to save on gas and maximize your fun day, take a day trip to nearby Fort Worth, Texas, just 45 minutes outside Dallas. For a day of family fun, plan on visiting the award-winning Fort Worth Zoo. Famous for being one of the best zoos in the country, the Fort Worth Zoo features over 5,000 different animals, including flamingos, elephants, giraffes, kangaroos, penguins, and monkeys. Little ones can get up close and personal with goats, donkeys, pigs, and sheep at the petting zoo.
After exploring the majestic wildlife that calls the Fort Worth Zoo home, head to the Stockyards National Historic District, a collection of brick-lined streets that look like a western movie set. Explore the lone star state's history with museums, rodeos, and daily cattle drives, and enjoy the best cuisine Texas has at a local restaurant like Lonesome Dove Western Bistro. Finish the night with a movie at Coyote Drive-In, a retro-inspired theater showing modern movies with plenty of options for the whole family.
That concludes Planet Ford Dallas's roundup of day trip destinations near Dallas, Texas. If you know of a great spot within driving distance, send us a message to check it out. If you're ready for a new fuel-efficient and available vehicle you can use to explore Dallas and beyond, our expansive inventory at Planet Ford Dallas might have the perfect car or SUV for you. Contact us today to learn more about our vehicles and schedule a visit to our Dallas, Texas dealership.
