DFW Spring Break Staycation Ideas

Posted by Jennifer Carles on Sunday, March 18th, 2018 at 11:40 AM
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Spring Break Staycation Ideas Dallas and Fort Worth

Spring Break Staycation Ideas

It’s hard for many of us to take a fun road trip or vacation with the kids over Spring Break. If you don’t have travel plans and need to keep the kids busy during spring break, consider a “stay-cation”!

Note: If you do plan to take a mini-vacation, make sure and check out Ways to Save on Travel!  And don’t forget about our Top 10 Weekend Getaways Near Dallas (all within 4 hours) post, too.

Here are some great affordable ideas for a spring break stay-cation with the kids.  And remember, many memories are built with your children doing the “little” things.  I bet you could build some great memories with some of these ideas…its all about “time” with your children in my opinion!

If you are thinking of doing multiple activities, consider buying the Dallas CityPass (GREAT SAVINGS!)- read all about it here.  You can buy it here too!

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Another option is the Pogo Pass.   It is a year long, family based entertainment pass, that gets pass holders into some of the best venues in Dallas. If you’re staying in town and looking for fun stuff to do, get a Pogo Pass. Or if you’re going to San Antonio, Austin or Waco this is a super hot deal too!

Head over here and use code MYDFWMOMMY and get 60% off (you’ll pay $49.98 instead of $124.95). Just Hawaiian Falls and the Fort Worth Zoo are over $40 by themselves!

What does the pass include?  Check this out!

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This is truly one of the best deals in family entertainment out there. You’ll enjoy a FULL YEAR of admissions to places all over town (each place has their own details about how many times you get in with the pass).

A different pass is needed for use in each city  (someone with a DFW Pogo Pass can’t use that in San Antonio, for example.  They would need a San Antonio Pogo Pass.)

Groopdealz

Be a local tourist

Tackle the local tourist attractions. Sure you know they’re there, but, often times, things are just simply too busy for you to go and check them out.  Check out our post – 10 FREE Things to Do in Dallas, too! If you have kids, be sure to read our post about 10 Fun Things to Do With Kids in Dallas. Some key fun attractions in the area include:

Geo-Deck at Reunion Tower– Atop that big ball at the west end of downtown, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view, 470 feet above the ground, of downtown and farther afield. It’s one of the best places to see the layout of Dealey Plaza, and you’ll also get a great view of the Trinity River.

Enjoy free activities and entertainment, including bingo, Tall Tales story time, and activity sheets with your general admission ticket purchase for the GeO-Deck. Make new furry friends with special sky-high appearances by some of the Dallas Zoo’s residents. The Animal Adventures team will bring a variety of mammals, birds and reptiles for an up-close encounter on the GeO-Deck. For more information call 214-712-7040 or email info@reuniontower.com.

Celebrate Spring Break at the Most Beautiful Place in Dallas

For families planning a staycation or visitors coming to Dallas for spring break, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden has something for everyone. Encounter 100 varieties of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, pansies, violas, poppies and thousands of other spring-blooming annuals and perennials. The entire family will enjoy getting to experience what Southern Living boasts as one of the “South’s Best Botanical Gardens.”

Dallas Blooms: Peace, Love and Flower Power

Through April 8

Dallas Blooms is in full swing with the theme Peace, Love and Flower Power showcasing an explosion of color with a peace sign and vintage VW Bug and Beatle floral topiaries. As the largest floral festival in the Southwest, Dallas Blooms explodes with color from more than 500,000 spring-blooming blossoms throughout the gardens. The festival is sponsored by IBERIABANK. Dallas Blooms features unique weekends that highlight a different 1960s theme and incorporate headlines, music, TV, fads and fashion.

For more information about the Dallas Arboretum, call 214.515.6500 or visit www.dallasarboretum.org.

George W. Bush Presidential Center– A look at the eight years when the 43rd president was in office, including an especially poignant section on 9/11. 2943 SMU Blvd. (near the intersection of Mockingbird Lane and North Central Expressway), University Park.

AT&T Stadium–  3 million square feet! You might be surprised by the beauty of the place and by the collection of world-class art inside. Take a tour to see the field, the Cowboys’ and Cowboys Cheerleaders’ locker rooms, postgame interview room and more.

Goldstar has a ton of great deals available right now when you’re looking for things to do ~ most tickets are half price!

SEA LIFE & LEGOLAND® Discovery Center

Did you know that LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Dallas / Ft Worth is just next door to the aquarium? Buy a Combo Annual Pass and enjoy 12 months of unlimited entry to both attractions!

SEA LIFE Grapevine is located at 3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine, Texas 76051.  For more information visitwww.visitsealife.com/grapevine or call 817-819-7677.

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! 5-Way Super Combo Tickets – Save $47!!

INCLUDED IN THIS COMBO

  • RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT! ODDITORIUM- features the largest collection of the odd and unusual from all corners of the world.
  • LOUIS TUSSAUD’S PALACE OF WAX- Experience the world of movie stars and historical figures, past and present. Over 200 life-like figures in amazing detail from the famous to the infamous!
  • RIPLEY’S IMPOSSIBLE LASERACE- Can you beat the race? Navigate the maze of lasers without breaking a beam. The more lasers you miss, the higher your score!
  • RIPLEY’S ENCHANTED MIRROR MAZE- Can you find your way out? With over 100 mirrors with LED lighting and digital sound, it’s a different experience every time! Compete for the fastest time through the maze.
  • RIPLEY’S MOVING THEATER- State-of-the-art motion simulator where you are actually in the movies!

Children 3 & under are FREE!

601 East Palace Parkway
Grand Prairie, TX 75050

Explore new and local restaurants  

With busy schedules, many families are stuck in a routine and don’t have time to explore new places to eat. Use your Spring Break as a way to discover new restaurants in your area.  Take advantage of restaurants where Kids Eat Free. I think this would be a great time to introduce new and exciting foods for the kids.  Who knows, you might just find your next new favorite restaurant.

Check out our suggestions:  

*Top 10 Places for Brunch in Dallas

*Top 10 Burger Joints in Dallas

*Top 10 Places in Dallas for Lunch

Also, don’t forget to check out GrouponLiving Social and AdPages for restaurant deals to your local favorites.  And, here are even more resources for you to save more when you eat at Restaurants:

Gain some culture

We have a wide variety of museums, many of which include free admission and some beautiful exhibits.

Free Admission MuseumsThe Dallas Museum of Art is completely free and features more than 22,000 works of art spanning all mediums and time-periods, from ancient civilization to modern art. The Dallas Museum of Art presents a week full of hands-on activities that cater to all ages. Create masterpieces out of household items, use flashlights and laser pointers to draw in the air, wiggle and giggle your way through the galleries—the sky is the limit. Festivities will be held daily Tuesday through Friday, March 15–18, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All Spring Break programs are included in the Museum’s daily free general admission; some may require a free ticket the day of the program to reserve a space.

Other must-see museums include The Samurai Collection at The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller MuseumCrow Collection of Asian ArtAfrican American Museum and the Museum of Geometric and MADI Art. The Meadows Museum of Art, with one of the largest Spanish art collections outside of Spain, at Southern Methodist University is free on Thursdays after 5 p.m.

Here are other local museums and attractions. The best advice I can give you is to go to the website or call ahead and ask for specials or discounts.

Amon Carter Museum – The Amon Carter Museum of American Art announces the return of Family Fun Week. This free public program for children and their families is held during the week of Tuesday, March 15–Friday, March 18, from 10:30 a.m.–noon, and brings the museum’s collection to life through art exploration and art-making activities. Parents are encouraged to call 817.989.5030 or email visitors@cartermuseum.org for helpful information and parking tips.
Dallas Arboretum
Fort Worth’s Botanic Gardens
Fossil Rim
Klyde Warren Park
Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park
Dallas World Aquarium
Louis Tussaud’s Wax Museum/Ripley’s Believe it or Not
The Old Red Museum
Perot Museum of Nature and Science – From March 5-20 at select times, children can enjoy daily spring science crafts, bookworm readings, science trivia, slinky spring science, live “science on the spot” demos and drop-in activities involving making clouds, rainbows, egg dyeing, pinwheels/wind energy, marshmallows, mammoth/dinosaur toothpaste and mini kite flying, to name a few.
Sci-Tech Discovery Center
Sixth Floor Museum
Dallas Zoo
Dallas Museum of Art
Reunion Tower Observation 
Grapevine SEA-Life Aquarium
Grapevine Vintage Railroad

Library or Parks

Just because the kids are away from school doesn’t mean you the can unplug the brain. Many area libraries are holding activities through the break.

Better yet, get out of your local “hood” and show the kids the Dallas Public Library!

If you’re a suburbanite, get the kids downtown and check out Klyde Warren Park or take them to another one out of your area so they can see new things.  KLYDE WARREN PARK is the Dallas version of Central Park, built atop a busy downtown freeway. The $110 million park offers games (pingpong tables and equipment on-site, for instance), a reading area with magazines and books, a dog park, a special kids’ area and oodles of activities and performances by local musical, theater and dance troupes. 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway (between Pearl and St. Paul streets on the northern edge of downtown), Dallas.

movieTake in a movie “on the cheap”

Whether it’s cuddling up with some popcorn for a good movie at home or capitalizing on inexpensive matinee pricing at the theater, catching a good flick is always fun.

Many cities have discount theaters in the area where you can pay as little as $1 a movie. If the weather isn’t nice, now might be a good time to have a movie marathon with you children!  At $1-$1.25 per movie, you can’t go wrong!  In my area, Cinemark offers movies during the day for $1!

Want to go at night? Right now, go here where you can pay $5.00 for a movie ticket at Studio Movie Grill!

Make sure and check out our Ways to Save at the Movies section so you aren’t spending a bundle!

Take in a Spring Break Camp

Let’s face it, sometimes you just can’t keep your kids entertained all day, right?  That’s when I check out local spring break camps.  They are a great break for the kids and for mom! Most are VERY reasonable.  My daughters gym offers a Best Gymnastics Spring Break Camp or just $25 for 5 hours of jumping & fun!  That’s $5 an hour!!!  We can pick and choose which days she wants to go. I would suggest calling your neighborhood gym, art studio or whatever it is your child likes do to see if they offer spring break camps.

Here are some other great Spring Break Camps you might want to check out:

Fort Worth Dallas Farmers MarketMake it “learning time”

Visit a pond, go to the Farmer’s Market, stage your own neighborhood production.  Do things with the children that you never seem to find the time to do. Ask the kids what they would like to learn more about and “just do it!”

Forth Worth & Dallas Area Farmers Markets
Heritage Farmstead
Dallas Heritage Village
Dallas Farmer’s Market

+ Go HERE to view a comprehensive list of Forth Worth & Dallas Area Farmers Markets

Plan a day at the lake

Texas has some absolutely gorgeous lakes to enjoy with the family. Take a dip and cool off, plan a picnic to enjoy, go fishing, haul the boat out or explore the shoresides!  This is a great way to get out and enjoy some of the beautiful features Texas has to offer, without spending a bundle! Find lakes near you at the Texas Lake Finder.

Things to do in….

Lastly, be sure to browse our must see places and activities that happen in our metroplex suburbs- you are sure to find something you and your family will have fun doing!

Things to Do in Arlington, TX ~ City Spotlight

For example, Art on the Greene Art FestivalEach March, you will be able to see the Caelum Moor sculptures, a lake on the north side, Rangers Ballpark on the east and Cowboys Stadium on the west plus 80 incredible artists from across the country showcasing their work inside the park….it makes for one great art festival that you don’t want to miss!
Things to Do in Carrollton, TX ~ City Spotlight

For example, Sandy Lake Amusement Park– Walk back in time and have fun at this old fashioned amusement park that offers rides, swimming, games, mini golf, large group picnics, company event hosting and more!
Things to Do in Frisco, TX ~ City Spotlight

For example, Central Park~ Cattle sculptures, waterfalls and native Texas landscaping offer a perfect setting for walking, picnics and biking in this beautiful native landscape.

Texas Sculpture Garden & International Art~ You’ll find the largest private collection of Texas sculptures on public display without a charge. Forty large-scale pieces, all owned by Craig Hall, are featured in the sculpture park with an additional 100 pieces of artwork presented in and around the Office Park.
Things to Do in Garland ~ City Spotlight

For example, Landmark Museum–  This cute little train museum is housed in the former Santa Fe depot. It displays some early settlers artifacts, old newspapers, farm tools and quilts.
Things to Do in Grand Prairie, TX ~ City Spotlight

For example, Lynn Creek ParkOn the northwest shore of Joe Pool Lake, Lynn Creek Park amenities include a new white sand swimming beach, playground, restrooms, showers, two boat ramps with eight lanes, a concession stand, almost 100 picnic sites, group picnic pavilions, and a sand volleyball court!

Ripley’s Believe It or Not!~ The Odditorium boasts 11 galleries of interactive exhibits, featuring rare and bizarre artifacts inspired by the oddball collection of worldwide explorer Robert Ripley. Glimpse inside the Taj Mahal of the bizarre with astonishing and outlandish displays including odd inventions, ancient gewgaws, a conjoined calf, metallic prehistoric monsters, and a chance to spot a mermaid.
Things to Do in Grapevine, TX 

For example, Grapevine Botanical Garden~ The Grapevine Botanical Gardens at Heritage Park is a beautiful park with trails, streams, ponds, sitting areas and hundreds of varieties of plants for viewing. This garden really is a hidden gem in Grapevine that does not get the appreciation it deserves.

Grapevine Museums & Galleries~ Every month, the Grand and Tower Galleries host a variety of art, cultural, historical and educational exhibitions. The exhibitions offer a chance learn something new, to see something innovative or interesting and to be exposed to a wide variety of mediums and artists. Offering a mix of exhibits, one month we might display a traveling Smithsonian exhibition, the next month, a contemporary art show.
Things to Do in McKinney, TX ~ City Spotlight

For example, Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife SanctuaryFounded in 1967, the Heard consists of a 289 acre wildlife sanctuary and a natural science museum for the primary purpose of educating children about nature. The Heard exists to bring nature and people together to discover, enjoy, experience, restore, and preserve our priceless environment.

Erwin Park Hike & Bike Trail~ Locals call this the best kept secret in TX. This is a great place to go mountain biking, hiking, and camping!
Things to Do in Plano, TX ~ City Spotlight

For example, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve~ Features many acres of open space in its 200-acre boundaries. People can use the pavilions, jog on the track, hike, play on the playground, bike, and climb the observation tower.

Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve~ Over 800 acres are waiting to be explored and the park features 8.5 miles of hiking trails, bike trails, an amphitheater, and a pavilion.

See what else is going on around town HERE!

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