Once the Texas summer rolls around, it can be really tempting to stay inside, where air conditioning is plentiful and the oppressive heat and humidity stay out.
Still, as nice as that may be for an afternoon or two, there’s only so much time one can spend on the couch. Luckily, the D-FW area has lots to keep you entertained and stay cool during the long, hot summer months.
Here are some options for those looking to get out of the house and stay safe from the heat:
Go for a walk
If you want to get your steps in, indoor malls in Dallas are a great place to do so during the summer.
NorthPark Center, located just off U.S. 75, is a great option for walking during the summer months. The mall’s first floor is a loop, letting you continue walking indefinitely without hitting a dead end. Plus, walkers can enjoy the nearly 50 pieces of art on display at NorthPark, which include works from artists like Andy Warhol and Joan Miró.
NorthPark even caters to walkers by having early opening hours at certain mall entrances and offering a helpful map that details how far a lap around the mall is at each level.
Swim at a public pool or nearby lake
If you want to spend some time in the summer sun, swimming in a public pool or lake is a great way to get outside. Just make sure you’re wearing sunscreen.
Dallas has nine aquatic centers across the city and nine other community pools that have swim lessons, open swim and other programs.
Related: Dallas offers more than community pools. Here’s all the water play available to residents
There’s also a variety of man-made lakes in the region where you can swim. Joe Pool Lake is about 15 miles south of Dallas and accessible through Cedar Hill State Park. Amother area lake where you can swim is at Lake Ray Roberts State Park about 45 miles north of downtown.
Swimming is prohibited at White Rock Lake in East Dallas, but you can enjoy other water sports like rowing, sailing and fishing at the urban oasis.
Many theaters around town, like the Texas Theatre in Oak Cliff, show classic films in addition to new movies. (The Texas Theatre/Mona Reeder)
Catch a movie
While D-FW has no shortage of big chain movie theaters like AMC, Cinemark and Regal, there are also some smaller chains and independent theaters worth checking out to escape the summer heat for a couple hours.
Top of that list is Oak Cliff’s Texas Theater, which dates back to 1931. The theater found its place in American history in 1963 when Dallas police arrested Lee Harvey Oswald at the site following the murders of police officer J.D. Tippit and President John F. Kennedy. Today, the theater shows new releases and a varied repertoire of classic movies at its two screens.
Another historic theater you can visit is the Inwood Theater on Lovers Lane near Love Field. Opened in 1947, it is now owned by national chain Landmark Theaters and shows mostly new releases. On occasion, the theater screens old hits and hosts live events.
The Angelika Film Center at Mockingbird Station is another great option. This chain has eight theaters nationwide that show new releases but have plenty of love for smaller independent and international films. It regularly hosts classic movie screenings, black and white film screenings and its “Musical Mondays” series. Featured classic movies include Singin’ in the Rain, Jaws and The Wizard of Oz as well as more beloved modern flicks like Mamma Mia! and Spirited Away.
Stroll through a museum
D-FW has a variety of excellent museums, including some with free admission, that can offer respite from the summer heat.
The Dallas Museum of Art in the downtown Arts District offers free general admission. Special exhibitions, which are usually paid admission, are free on the first Sunday of every month. The museum features a vast collection of global art with more than 25,000 works spanning 5,000 years of human history. The nearby Crow Museum of Asian Art is also always free to visitors.
Fort Worth’s Kimbell Art Museum and Amon Carter Museum of American Art also offer free admissions. The Kimbell, similar to the DMA, has a free permanent collection, but special exhibitions require paid entry. Half-price admission is available to the Kimbell’s special exhibitions all-day on Tuesday and on Friday evenings.
The Dallas Contemporary in the Design District features free admission through 2026. While more of a gallery than a traditional museum with a permanent collection, the space features exhibitions, performances and public programs with the aim “to present the forefront of contemporary artistic practice,” according to its website.
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