Looking for a quick getaway over spring break? With the kids’ activities and/or work obligations, sometimes it can be hard to take a full week off, and a day trip or easy weekend within driving distance from Dallas can be just as fun and relaxing. Here’s a roundup of easy spring break day trips and weekend adventures in Texas.
Gaylord Texan, Grapevine Aquarium, & LegoLand
Gaylord gets a lot of praise over the holiday season as they bring in ICE and their atrium decorated to the nines; however, a quick getaway during the warmer seasons is always fun, too! Did you know they have a SummerFest? With a Peter Pan theme, families can enjoy SummerFest starting May 11, where 4.5 acres of indoor gardens under glass are transformed into a plethora of Pan-themed décor, escape rooms, canvas painting, scavenger hunts, dance parties, junior chef camps, and more. This is just inside the resort!
Outside, resort guests have access to Paradise Springs, a 10-acre outdoor water park featuring four slides and a lazy river! Kid-friendly restaurants and activities line the hotel. Plus, the Gaylord’s proximity to Grapevine’s Aquarium and Legoland make it a great place to stay overnight while you check out local attractions.
Medieval Times
For older kids, Medieval Times is a happening place to go in Dallas. Dinner is provided as you watch a real-life, on-horse jousting match. Get knighted, walk through the stables, and then find your seat for the show. This place hasn’t changed a bit, except now we (as parents) can head to the bar before the show! Fun for the entire family, stay awhile after and get your kiddos knighted before you leave.
Dallas Zoo
The zoo is a favorite in our house. Feeding the giraffes lettuce is the highlight of the show there. They have conservation and animal shows around the clock and feedings at every corner. There are a few times we’ve gone and it has been crazy crowded with field trips, but for the most part as long as you arrive early, you shouldn’t have any wait time for lines.
Dallas World Aquarium & Klyde Warren Park
I couple those together because they make the most perfect Dallas day trip. A few hours at the aquarium followed by food trucks, park time, and maybe even a little splash in the fountains make Klyde Warren a favorite for toddler and kiddos alike. In the spring, be sure to bring a change of clothes for splash pad playtime and sticky ice cream or snow cone messes!
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a not-for-profit 501c3 entity, specializing in captive breeding programs for indigenous and exotic endangered and threatened species. While your trip will provide funding for this incredible non profit, you will also create lasting memories as your kids lean out the window and feed everything from Zebras to ostrich. Probably the most memorable day trip I’ve had with our babies, Fossil Rim is an unforgettable experience. Our kids had a ball feeding giraffes, opening up the sunroof and taking in all of the exotic animals. It is quite the trek out there; however, there are lots of places to stop and eat or use the facilities along the way. The park is very kid centered, with picnic tables available to rbing your own lunch as well as a restaurant at the top of the “mountain.”
JW Marriott San Antonio
Close but not too far of a drive (about 4 hour drive) sits the JW Marriott San Antonio. 3 pools, a sandy beach and lots of kid friendly restaurants, we will definitely be going back sometime in the next year. The lazy river occupied our family for hours. Lounge chair, food and drink service made meal time a breeze. Offerings include live music, kids crafting hours, life vest, life guards, towel service and more.
Broken Bow, Oklahoma
Nestled in a small city in southeastern Oklahoma, Broken Bow has become a destination for “glamping” and vacationing in cabins with wildlife, trails, water sports, and more. Plan for about 4 hours to arrive as its about 200 miles from Dallas.Cabins include hot tubs, outdoor grills, firepits, wifi, with cabins available from 1 to 6 bedrooms! Minutes away from Beaver Bend State Park, Cedar Creek Golf Club, Broke Bow Lake and Ouchita National Forest, there is no shortage of scenery and activities for the entire family. Cabins are available within most budgets ranging in price from 150-1000 per night. More on Broken Bow tips and tricks from another Collin County Mom!
Waco & Magnolia Market at the Silos with your GIRLS
Last year, we took a girls trip to Waco. My mom, daughter and I had a graduation event at Baylor and decided to hit up Magnolia on our way home. It was a wonderful experience full of bustling stores, incredible food trucks, shopping, bakery and tons of photo opps. I recommend bringing a stroller if your child is under 5 as well as a sun hat and sunscreen as the pavilion tables in the shade fill up fast during peak hours. You won’t need too much time here. A few hours will do!
