Family-Friendly Activities in Dallas
Ready to take your family out for a big time in Big D? There are almost too many family-friendly senior activities in Dallas to count, but some stand out from the rest for convenience, fun, and all-ages appeal. Round up your buckaroos and head out to these crowd-pleasing Dallas attractions.
Old-Fashioned Sightseeing on the McKinney Avenue Trolley
Show your family around town the nostalgic way on the M-Line, also known as the McKinney Avenue Trolley. This fun streetcar adventure provides hop-on, hop-off service so you can check out the West End Historic District in Uptown, the Dallas Museum of Art in the downtown arts district, and lots of restaurants, movie theaters, and shops in between.
Frequent departures mean your family won’t have long to wait when you’re ready to move along. Riding the M-Line is free, and its central route makes it convenient to residents from all over Dallas, especially North Dallas communities such as Emeritus at Preston.
Healthy, Tasty Fun at the Dallas Farmer’s Market
Whether you’re a family of foodies or you just enjoy shopping and strolling, the Dallas Farmer’s Market is a tempting destination year-round. You’ll find enough fresh seasonal fruits, veggies, and herbs to entice all but the pickiest eaters, and you can pick up locally prepared foods to enjoy later, such as artisanal cheeses, cakes, pastas, and fudge.
You can dine while you shop, too. Stop by Shed 2 at the market and treat your crew to European style soups and sandwiches, barbecue, deli treats, and more. On the weekends, the farmer’s market hosts “pop-up” vendors serving Creole dishes, Philly-style cheesesteaks, Polish pierogies, and other foods.
Other vendors offer jewelry, quilts, furniture, and art. Pets are welcome, and parking is free. The market is open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Located in the Dallas Arts District, the farmer’s market is near other popular attractions such as the Dallas World Aquarium and Fair Park. Its location just off Interstate 30 provides easy access from Garland-area senior communities like Montclair Estates.
A Wild Day out at the Dallas Zoo
Animal-loving families will find at least a day’s worth of things to do at the Dallas Zoo, where more than 2,000 animals—including the only koalas in Texas—offer plenty of entertainment and education. Feed the giraffes, take a monorail tour of half a dozen African wildlife habitats, be enthralled by a bird show, and let the little ones ride ponies in the children’s zoo area. Put the teens in charge of navigating with their smartphones and the Dallas Zoo app; it helps locate popular animal exhibits and provides show schedules.
When you need to refuel, 3 onsite restaurants serve up traditional zoo food such as hot dogs and pizza for the kids along with salads, barbecue, and Starbucks coffee for the grownups. Wheelchair and stroller rentals make it a snap to keep everyone comfortable and mobile. The Dallas Zoo is located just east of Interstate 35 near the Bishop Arts District, making it a convenient outing for residents of the Meridian at Kessler and other Dallas assisted living communities.
Casey Kelly-Barton
Casey Kelly-Barton is an Austin-based freelance writer whose childhood was made awesome by her grandmothers, great-grandmother, great-aunts and -uncles, and their friends.