It’s been an amazing week in Dallas. Every day has been clear and cool with low humidity and crispness in the air that feels like fall. This is not normal for Texas in September, usually the temps are still in the 90s. I swear, if I close my eyes I can imagine I’m in California.
If you’re in Dallas this weekend, you got lucky. You can enjoy the great outdoors and some fun activities. Here are some ideas on how to take in a little culture, people watching, movie watching, and the amazing weather. Worst case scenario, find a restaurant with an outdoor patio and soak up some Texas hospitality. People are usually friendly here.
1. Dallas Museum of Art. Friday night, September 21st is late night. The museum is free and open until midnight. Lots of activities for both kids and adults. Music, games, lectures, and it’s across the street from the next spot I’m going to recommend.
2. The Nasher Sculpture Center, ’til Midnight at the Nasher. (third Friday of every month). There is an outdoor cafe and dining, a live band, and a movie. This week it’s Raising Arizona.
Not to mention, it’s pretty cool to just stroll through the beautiful outdoor sculpture garden.
I borrowed some details about the sculpture gardens from the Nasher website:
In addition to more than 10,000 square feet of indoor gallery space, the one and a half-acre sculpture garden will feature settings designed to frame outdoor works. More than 170 trees, including cedar elms, live oaks, crepe myrtles, weeping willows, and magnolias, together with stone pathways, pools, and fountains, define intimate landscapes for quiet reflection and contemplation of works, and create a verdant oasis in downtown Dallas.
Approximately 25 large-scale sculptures from the Nasher Collection are on view in the garden at any one time.
3. Oktoberfest in Addison. Addison is really it’s own city, just north of Dallas, about six miles. Their annual Oktoberfest is happening this weekend.If German food and yodeling is your thing, this is the place. There are rides and games for the kids and remember it’s outdoors. Enjoy a hefewiezen and pretend you’re in Bavaria.
4. The Dallas Arboretum. There is so much going on at the Arboretum, right now, I think it’s a must see if you are in the area. The annual Pumpkin Village officially opens tomorrow thru November 21st. There are also storybook houses for the kids. Orange is one of my favorite colors, so I never miss the Pumpkin Village. Then there’s the Chihuly Glass exhibition thru November 5, 2012. If you can, plan a visit at night. The grounds are lit to highlight the Chihuly glass, and it’s really magical.
The Dallas Museum of Art, The Nasher Sculpture Gardens and the Arboretum are good choices year round. And the third Friday of every month, the Nasher and the DMA host a late night event and they are free. The Arboretum hosts outdoor concerts that are included in the price of admission to the gardens and all other special exhibitions.
Let me know if you make it to any of these venues or events.
©pennysadler 2012
All materials ©pennysadler 2012.
Adventures of a Carry-on 
Saw your post on ProBlogger, so I thought I’d drop by. Glad I did. Yes, the weather has been awesome in Dallas (I live here) lately. So glad you mentioned the Arboretum. It’s a great place to take the family, especially on free concert nights (Thursdays). They feature a bunch of local bands like the Spazmatics, an 80’s band. Addison’s Oktoberfest is always fun too. Great post.
-Brian
Hi Brian. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment and visit my blog. And thanks for adding info on the bands at the Arboretum. I think there’s a lot more that could be added for each venue but added the link backs so people can easily find info on their own.
Enjoy the weekend and the weather. See you at the Arboretum. 🙂
Halloween has to be around the corner, I guess 🙂 Nice blog and nice pictures!
Hi Andreas, How’s it going? Thanks for visiting the blog. How’s your music?
Yes Halloween is 31st Oct.