10 Things to Do This Spring in DFW

I love spring. It’s the time when wildflowers are in full bloom along the Texas highways, we are able to enjoy some lovely sunshine before the scorching heat of summer arrives, we keep the windows open to let in the cool breezes, and it’s the perfect temperature for running outside. Fall is still my favorite season, but there’s something about spring that makes me feel like a kid again. I remember when I was little and tried to be outside every chance I had, playing baseball with my big brother or drawing on the sidewalk with chalk. I also went through a phase where I would catch butterflies and keep them in a jar as pets, and I always loved getting to ride my bike around the block. My birthday is in April, and I always thought I was lucky to be born in the spring.

So, as you can tell, I try to enjoy spring as much as I can before summer gets here- and I heard it’s going to be a doozy this year! I love getting out as much as possible when the weather is beautiful, and I decided to look around for some interesting things to do and places to visit in the DFW area this spring. I was surprised by how much there is to do, and I had fun finding things that I hope you want to try out too!

Denton Arts and Jazz Festival (website)- April 29-May 1

Isaac and I have gone to this festival every year since our senior year in high school to celebrate my birthday. There is live jazz playing all around Quakertown Park in Denton, all kinds of foods you can buy and booths set up selling pieces of art, pottery, clothes and everything in between. It’s also pet friendly, so Lillie gets to go for her second time this year. We love the Arts and Jazz Fest, and I look forward to it every year… Especially the strawberry lemonade and deep-fried treat we get while we’re there!

Kwestival at Klyde Warren Park (website)- April 23

Kwestival is a giant pop up event that brings together a ton of local vendors at Klyde Warren Park. There will be people there from all over Dallas, with booths set up where you can check out their foods, drinks or merchandise. It’s free to attend and you’ll get to support local Dallas businesses at the same time. It sounds like a lot of fun, especially because I am a sucker for small businesses and free things!
As I said, Kwestival will be held at Klyde Warren Park, but that’s not all you’ll find there! Klyde Warren Park is a cute little park in the middle of Dallas that you need to visit. There are so many things you can do there! Food trucks show up daily for lunch and on weekends for lunch and dinner. They have fitness classes, outdoor movies, dancing classes, a dog park, a playground and even a little library where you can sit and read some of the books they have out. There’s always something fun going on at the park, and with the weather as beautiful as it’s been lately, this is the perfect time to check it out.

 

Texas Discovery Gardens (website)

I recently went on a field trip with my 3rd graders to the Texas Discovery Gardens and it was so much fun. It’s a great place to take kids, and they host a lot of events and classes for families and date nights. There is a butterfly conservatory (which was my favorite part, hands down!), as well as a snake house, bug exhibit and multiple gardens to explore. It is $8 for adults, $4 for children (ages 3-11) and free for children under 3.

 

Dallas Farmers Market (website)

I actually wrote an entire blog post about the Dallas Farmers Market a while ago, and I think this would be a great place to visit while the weather is still nice. While there you’ll find a ton of locally grown produce, small businesses selling organic, natural and homemade items, and a huge building full of restaurants that sound (and smell) amazing. I plan on going back soon to show Isaac how cool it is!

 

Big D BBQ Battle (website)- April 29-30

We Texans love our barbecue and we take it very seriously. On April 29th dozens of teams will gather together to battle for the best barbecue in town. For $30 (or $40 at the gate) you will have access to all the fall-off-the-bone mouth-watering meat you can eat. The ticket includes barbecue brisket, ribs, beans, etc., refreshments, access to the kids zone, live entertainment and parking. It’s a meat lover’s dream come true! The Battle will take place at Valley View Center at Midtown in Dallas. This sounds like an event you don’t want to miss!

 

Stockyards Station (website)

If you’re into Texas history, this would be the perfect place to visit! The Stockyards Station is located in the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards, and while there you can go on walking tours along the Texas Trail of Fame, visit The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and so much more. There are a ton of shops where you can buy just about anything from cowboy boots to burgers and jewelry. It’s also the home of Billy Bob’s Texas, known as the world’s largest honky-tonk. Isaac and I used to go dancing there a lot when we were in college, and my favorite part of the place was the disco ball saddle above the dance floor!

 

Coyote Drive-In (website)

I have been to a drive in theater only once before, and got so excited when I realized there was one nearby! The Coyote Drive-In is located on Panther Island in Fort Worth. They are open 7 days a week (they open Monday-Thursday at 6 and Friday-Saturday at 7) and show a double feature every night. Your ticket covers the cost for both movies, and you can buy them at the gate or online at their website. And best of all… They ticket price is only $6! That’s WAY cheaper than a regular movie ticket and you get the added bonus of getting to watch a movie outdoors.
I’m already thinking about going on a date night with some friends to watch The Jungle Book (the previews look awesome!) while the weather is still perfect. I also saw that they are pet friendly, so you know I’ll be taking Lillie with us!

 

Fort Worth Botanic Garden (website)

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden is such a cool place to visit, especially during the spring when the flowers are in full bloom. They offer a lot of events for families, and best of all, admission into the main garden is free! There is also a Japanese Garden that is gorgeous (which you can visit for $7). It’s the perfect place to take your family, friends or significant other for a picnic, and you will love the walk around the gardens.

 

Fort Worth Water Gardens (website)

The Fort Worth Water Gardens are right next to the Fort Worth Convention Center and they are absolutely beautiful! The water gardens are made up of three pools of water (the aerating, the quiet and the active pools) that you can explore. It’s free to visit and you will love the gorgeous waterfalls and calming feel to the place. It’s a great way to enjoy a beautiful spring day, especially after visiting the Botanical Gardens or Stockyard Station!

 

El Fuerte Fort Worth Taco Fest (website)- May 7

Before doing my research, I had never heard of the Fort Worth Taco Fest, but now that I have, I really want to go! It sounds like so much fun, and who doesn’t like the sound of unlimited tacos?  El Fuerte is not just a celebration of Cinco de Mayo, but also of the incredible Latin influence on Fort Worth.
At El Fuerte, there will be dozens of local restaurants and food truck serving up some yummy food (that is also entered into a celebrity judged competition), as well as live music to enjoy. If you sign up early it’s $25, $30 at the gate or $50 for VIP. The taco fest is located at the Shack at Panther Island Pavilion and will run from 12-9PM. I know this event is one I would love to go to!

Well there you are! 10 fun, interesting things to do or visit in the DFW area this spring. If you have any you’d like to add to the list, let me know! I love trying new things.