Dallas/ Fort Worth with a toddler

[MinnieSweetheart]

We're going to spend a few days in Dallas this summer. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for things to do that a 2 year old would also enjoy.

Has anyone been to the Perot Museum? I'm reading mixed feedback about if preschoolers enjoy it or not. Any input?

Thank you!

 

[2TxAgs]

Perot is great. As for a 2 yr old enjoying it - who knows? Do 2 yr olds enjoy much for long? It's indoors, which is key, as it's terribly humid and hot, even for the locals, and you won't want to be outside for long, unless there is water involved. The zoo is good, as is the Ft. Worth zoo if you want to travel that way. The Children's garden at the Arboretum is awesome, but go early and plan lots of breaks in the shade.

 

[Jake&IzzyLand]

I second the zoo and the gardens!

 

[supersnoop]

Dallas World Aquarium. It's expensive, but worth it.

 

[Aristocath]

The Perot Museum is fun. I highly recommend the Fort Worth Zoo and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Also, if you go to Grapevine the Legoland Discovery Center is good for a two year old.

 

[gopher101]

The Perot Museum is fun. I highly recommend the Fort Worth Zoo and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Also, if you go to Grapevine the Legoland Discovery Center is good for a two year old.

Grapevine Mills Mall also has a small aquarium in it. It is across from the Lego land.

Indoors is key, we are getting up there in temp and it is humid. So if you do a zoo (I would recommend Ft Worth), go early.

 

[scanmom]

Grapevine mills mall is awesome for a toddler. We took my grandson when he was 3,and toured the aquarium, did legoland,rode the carousel, ate at rainforest cafe, and just walked around and shopped. We had fun, in the ac(it was July) and didn't spend too much money for the weekend. However.... I don't think I would do legoland with a toddler again. It's really geared for more the 6-10 year old age group. There were several activities that my GS wasn't big enough for.
Now, several years ago, we took my kids to the Dallas Zoo, and later to the Ft.Worth zoo. The Ft. Worth zoo is far superior. If you try a zoo, make the trip to Ft. Worth.

 

[ktlm]

The Ft Worth Zoo is a great zoo, and we really enjoyed the Sea Life Aquarium at Grapevine Mills Mall. It was much larger than we expected for a mall aquarium. I second the not bothering with LEGOLAND at Grapevine Mills-- everyone I know who has been there has said "never again". Grapevine Mills also has a Rainforest Café, but at 2, that one scared my DD.

 

[princessesintraining]

We did A few days in Dallas with a 7 and 10 year old last year. They enjoyed the Fort Worth stockyards, the aquarium in downtown Dallas, and the Hyde(?) park that is above the freeway. The park was nice and had a playground, splash fountains, and delicious food trucks. It can get a little hot the park, but that made splashing in the fountains more fun. We also did the art museum, which was free and a great place to cool off. It had a great kids area too.

 

[tiggerluver12]

and the Hyde(?) park that is above the freeway.

Clyde Warren Park, sits above Woodall Rogers Expressway.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

if you are going to do the Grapevine Mills route, stop by the Gaylord Texan. It's less than a mile away. When my daughter was that age, she loved to walk around that place. It's nice and cool inside and you feel like your outside. Plus, there are several places to eat inside.

 

[duffybear32830]

I second the Dallas World Aquarium. It is inside - has an aquarium and a nice rainforest area - don't miss the sloth!
The gardens are nice, it really depends on the weather. I wouldn't want to be there if it were over 90 degrees or so.
Fort Worth zoo is super nice. I wouldn't drive all the way from Dallas for it necessarily though. DFW is BIG and has lots of traffic.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

if you are going to do the Grapevine Mills route, stop by the Gaylord Texan. It's less than a mile away. When my daughter was that age, she loved to walk around that place. It's nice and cool inside and you feel like your outside. Plus, there are several places to eat inside.

We stayed there at Christmas time in 2011 before we had kids. It was spectacular!!

 

[jeaneg]

The Perot has a fun play area for toddlers. It was really the only thing my younger son enjoyed there at that age.

 

[PollyannaMom]

We went years ago when my DS was three. He loved:

the Dallas World Aquarium,
the Aboretum (especially the pioneer village display),
The Science Place and the Railroad Museum @ Fair Park,
Pioneer Plaza (with the big cattle statues),
the Stockyard area in Fort Worth, and
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Arlington.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

Thank you all so much!! We think we will focus on indoor activities.

I think the Dallas World Aquarium will be one. It looks HUGE. Depending on if we stay near grapevine or not, we may also check out the mall.

I think we will hold off on the Perot museum for now.

Thanks for all the reviews!