Best Things to Do in Fall in Dallas

We can't think of a better way to enjoy the cooler weather than with a cruise aboard a stunning 40-foot-long by 25-foot-wide wooden catamaran on Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall. Options include a daily 90 minute sunset cruise as well as 60-minute moonlight and daytime cruises on weekends. Passengers are encouraged to bring their own food and beverages, or they can also order delivery to the boat from one of the restaurants around the lake. The 2021 season runs from April 16 through the end of October, and ticket prices range from $25-$35 per person. Note that for the daytime cruise, children's tickets are $15.

For all things pumpkin, head to Howell Farms in Arlington where you can venture along a half-mile walking path showcasing six fantastical lands filled with over 3,000 hand-carved pumpkins in dazzling larger-than-life displays. See 10-foot-tall Jack-o-Lanterns, the world's largest pumpkin guitar, a flying 40-foot handmade dragon and a life-size pumpkin pirate ship, plus there will be real-life fire dancers, live pumpkin carving, pumpkin games, and a variety of treats from local vendors. The event runs every evening from September 23 through Halloween 2021. Weekday/weekend ticket prices are $18-$23 for adults; $14-$16 for kids (4 to 12); and free for ages 3 and under.

Experience Vincent Van Gogh's greatest hits presented in 360 degrees. Running daily from August 19 to November 28, 2021 at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, the exhibit features 20,000 square feet of floor-to-ceiling digital projections made possible by state-of-the-art video mapping technology. In addition to the central area, the experience includes larger-than-life galleries displaying panels, re-creations and interactives chronicling Van Gogh's life. Also find a VR experience offering a voyage through "A day in the life of the Artist," as well as a drawing studio for young artists. The visit takes around 60 to 75 minutes, and tickets start at $36.00 for adults and $19.90 for children.

From October 17, 2021 to February 6, 2022, the Dallas Museum of Art, in collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, will present "Van Gogh and the Olive Groves." It is the first exhibition showcasing the legendary artist's complete olive grove series, which he produced in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence during the final year of his life. Considered to be among Van Gogh's finest works, the series features 15 paintings highlighting the changing colors of olive trees during various times of day and in different seasons. Ticket prices for the special exhibition range from $20-$24. The exhibition is free for DMA members and children 11 and under.

It's a given that the autumn season is also the Halloween season. So those who have a plight for fright may want to hit up this 30,000-square-foot house of horrors located in Plano. With elaborate sets, high-tech special effects and professional-grade actors, it's no wonder this haunt is consistently ranked as one of the nation's scariest. The best part is that Dark Hour ups the creep factor by offering two different haunted attractions in one location. General admission starts at $15 per person. Open select nights from September 24 through Halloween 2021.

If your idea of celebrating the season includes frightfully fun Halloween activities for the entire family, then Fright Fest at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington is just the ticket. Happening every weekend between September 18 and October 31, 2021, the park offers family-friendly attractions during the day, then turns up the fear factor after the sun goes down with everything from haunted houses to scare zones and spooky performances. And, of course, there's always a slew of terror-inducing rides, but don't be surprised if you find a monster in the seat next to you. Admission starts at $34.99. Note that some Halloween attractions require an additional fee.

For those who want a spooky adventure that includes more treats than tricks, Dallas By Chocolate is offering several Halloween themed tours, ranging from a progressive Halloween dinner tour to a Halloween chocolate tour where guests can come in costume and even trick-or-treat. The company also features walking food tours; barbecue & brewery tours; tacos & margarita excursions and more. Guests have the option to go by motorcoach (capacity restricted to 20 maximum and all seating socially distanced) as well as via their own vehicle. Ticket prices range from $31 to $70 per person.

Considering that Texas is the fifth-largest wine-producing state in the nation, it's only fitting that a Texas town named after grapes would be the setting for the biggest wine festival in the Southwest. Taking place September 16-19, 2021, the event showcases premium wines from Texas, California's Napa Valley and South Australia's Barossa Valley. There will be everything from wine tastings to grape stomping and a champagne cork shoot-off. Bringing the kiddos along? No worries, there's a slew of fun activities on offer for the entire family, including carnival rides, games, crafts, food booths and non-stop live music. General admission is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and children ages 6-12.

Leaf peeping in Dallas? Yes indeed. There's not a better place to experience the colors of the season than at this 66-acre oasis during the Arboretum's annual fall festival. Held September 18 to October 31, 2021, the event features chef demonstrations, animal presentations, live entertainment and a nationally acclaimed Pumpkin Village made up of more than 90,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash. This year's theme is "Bugtopia" so expect to find everything from hands-on demos of living specimens to massive insect topiaries and bugged-out pumpkin houses. Did we mention that on Halloween weekend, there will be trick-or-treating throughout the garden? General admission is $17 for adults and $12 for children ages 2-12.

For Dallasites, fall means the arrival of the State Fair of Texas, one of the country's largest and longest-running state fairs, attracting over 3 million visitors each year. Held in Dallas' historic Fair Park, the event runs for 24 consecutive days (September 24 through October 17, 2021), and features competitions, livestock shows, concerts and exhibitions as well as a jam-packed midway with the largest Ferris wheel in North America. And then there's the food. We're talking everything from corn dogs and turkey legs to deep-fried everything under the sun. Must-sees include the new State Fair of Texas Rodeo and the All-Star Stunt Dog Show to name a few. Ticket prices start at $15 for adult tickets and $10 for child and senior tickets.