Best Time to Visit Dallas

Often described as a colorful city that is brimming with culture and teeming with life, Dallas is truly a year-round destination. No matter what time of year you choose to visit, you will find that the views from the iconic Reunion Tower are simply spectacular and the local residents are incredibly inviting.

While there's no wrong time to plan a trip, most will tell you that the best time to visit Dallas is during the spring and fall. In the summer, the high temperatures can push people indoors, while the cool and cloudy days of winter can be a bit deflating. However, spring and fall offer the perfect balance of balmy temperatures and abundant sunshine.

Dallas in Bloom: What to Expect During the Spring

Spring is endlessly pleasant in Dallas, with the temperatures steadily rising throughout the months of March, April and May. Most days the high temperatures will range between 68 and 83 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity levels typically remain low. Springtime rain is not out of the question, but it typically comes in short bursts during quick yet mighty thunderstorms.

The reward for all of this rain, however, is the bright blooms of wildflowers. In fact, the city celebrates the arrival of the spring flowers with the Dallas Blooms festival, which kicks off the season in late February and lasts through the end of April. Known as the largest annual floral festival in the Southwest, Dallas Blooms brings in visitors from around the country who want to experience the brightest blossoms in the South.

The near-perfect temperatures of springtime are practically begging you to get outside and soak up the fresh air at one of the open-air museums in Dallas. Some options to consider include:

• Nasher Sculpture Center
• Old City Park

April is more than just a celebration of springtime in Dallas — it's also a celebration of the arts. The city is proud to be home to the largest urban arts district in the country and it has declared April as Dallas Arts Month in order to solidify its commitment to the arts. Throughout the entire month, you can enjoy live performances, exhibitions and art fairs. Events are scheduled all month long in various locations throughout the city, making the arts accessible for locals and visitors alike.

Need a few more reasons why you should visit Dallas in the springtime? Here are a few of the advantages to booking a spring trip to Dallas:

• The temperatures are mild and comfortable.
• The sun shines nearly every day, except for a few pop-up thunderstorms.
• Many events are scheduled during the spring due to the idyllic weather.

Of course, there are a few drawbacks to keep in mind as well:

• Spring weather can be volatile at times — those storms can seemingly arrive out of nowhere.
• It can be a crowded time of year to explore the city, as everyone is coming out of hiding after the cooler winter months.

Crank Up the Heat: Summer in Dallas

Stifling is the word that comes to mind when attempting to describe a Dallas summer. The heat can be oppressive in the summer months, with temperatures rising between 92 and 96 degrees Fahrenheit throughout June, July and August. And that's just the temperature — the humidity takes the heat to a whole new level.

However, heat notwithstanding, summer may still be the best time to visit Dallas for you and your family. Summer is the season when the fun really begins in the city, with vacationers crowding the downtown area in order to take in the sights and experience the city's vibrant atmosphere.

The sky-high temperatures may leave you craving some air conditioning and fortunately, there are plenty of indoor attractions to enjoy during your summer vacation in Dallas. One of the most popular family-friendly attractions in Dallas is the Dallas World Aquarium, which is situated in the heart of the city's downtown. With multiple stories and several distinct exhibits to explore, a trip to this aquarium can feel akin to taking a trip around the world. It's the perfect way to while away a steamy afternoon in Dallas.

Other museums that are worth a visit during the summer include:

• Dallas Museum of Art
• Perot Museum of Nature and Science

While Dallas celebrates plenty of holidays throughout the year, nothing quite compares to the Fourth of July festivities in the city. Hosting two official celebrations, Dallas is a favorite destination among those who love to don their red, white and blue to celebrate Independence Day. Fair Park Fourth is a free, family-friendly event that is open to the public, best known for its live entertainment, kids' activities and food trucks — and of course, its spectacular fireworks display. In addition, the Klyde Warren Park's Independence Day Celebration also takes place in the city on the Fourth of July and it features patriotic music, children's activities and a glittering fireworks show once dusk arrives.

Considering a Dallas summer getaway? Here's why Summer might work for you:

• Summer is the peak travel season in Dallas and there's so much to see and do at this time of year.
• The summer heat is perfect for cooling off in the hotel pool.
• Summer is notoriously dry, with only a few thunderstorms popping up occasionally. You can count on sunshine and warmth this time of year.

It's important to be aware of summer's limitations in the city though:

• The high temperatures and excessive humidity levels can be quite uncomfortable, especially if you aren't used to it.
• Many people take to the indoors during the summer, so it may not be the best time to explore the city's parks and outdoor attractions.

Refreshing and Rejuvenating: A Dallas Autumn

As the heat of summer begins to recede, the balanced, comfortable days return once again, leaving many to claim that fall is the best time to visit Dallas. From early September until late October, the temperatures begin to slowly drop to a more manageable level — with average highs ranging from 79 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit. It's just as comfortable as the springtime, but locals appreciate the fact that fall is a tamer season — there are far fewer storms and sunshine is more or less guaranteed.

During this time of year, you might feel compelled to reflect and unwind, which makes it the perfect time to enjoy patio dining in Dallas. The patio dining scene thrives in this city, thanks to its year-round warmth and eternal sunshine. However, the crisp and cool evenings of fall are particularly refreshing, making the local restaurants with outdoor dining even more inviting.

Some of the best patio dining in Dallas can be found at:

• Odelay Tex-Mex
• The Ivy Tavern

The leaves begin to turn in Dallas by the end of October, with fall colors on full display throughout the month of November. As the seasonal shift begins to take place and nature paints its masterpiece across the city, you are invited to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, where the annual Autumn at the Arboretum festival takes place. For nearly two decades, the festival has been a time-honored tradition in the city. Locals come year after year, while travelers appreciate having the opportunity to experience it just once and everyone in attendance loves the gourd show, pumpkin hikes, fall craft fairs and more. With more than 100,000 pumpkins and gourds on display, there's truly no better place to experience fall in Dallas.

Looking to experience all that fall has to offer in Dallas? Here's why you should go during this season:

• Fall is calm, quiet and comfortably warm.
• It rains less than it does during the spring — and the weather is far more predictable.
• The crushing crowds of summer will start to subside, giving you more room to roam.

Nothing is perfect, however, so you may want to keep this in mind for your fall trip:

• Fall is typically more rainy than the summer months, so you will need to pack your umbrella.
• Outdoor attractions may be more crowded, due to the improved weather conditions.

Whimsy and Wonder: Experience Winter in Dallas

While it's noticeably cooler during the winter months in Dallas — and the summer sunshine can seem nonexistent — it's still a very comfortable and enjoyable time of year to visit the city. Dallas is known for its mild winters, with temperatures hovering between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. To the surprise of some travelers, January and February are the driest months of the year in Dallas, so if you are looking to avoid the rain, winter is the best time to visit Dallas.

Throughout much of the country, snow blankets the ground during the winter and outdoor activities include sledding, skiing and ice skating. That's not the case in Dallas, though, where snow is quite rare. If you are looking to enjoy some of those quintessential winter experiences in Dallas, consider heading to the Galleria Ice Skating Center, which is a massive indoor skating rink known for its elegant architectural design.

The holiday season kicks off in Dallas each year with the Dallas Holiday Parade, which always takes place on the first Saturday in December. Complete with floats, marching bands and more, this parade draws more than 450,000 spectators who are looking to soak up the spirit of the season. Another option for enjoying the holidays in Dallas could be A Dallas Christmas Lights Tour.

Winter in Dallas could be the perfect season for your trip. Here's why you should consider going to the city in December, January or February:

• Temperatures are cool — yet comfortable. There is virtually no humidity during the winter months.
• Winter is dry in Dallas, you won't have to worry too much about rain.
• It's the best time of year to explore the city's parks in peace and privacy.

If you are looking for sunshine and pool time, however, Dallas may not be the southern destination you are looking for. Some downsides to visiting Dallas in winter include:

• There is less sunshine during winter.
• Some of your favorite outdoor activities may not be as enjoyable in the cooler temperatures.

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