Fun Activities To Do in the DFW Area When You Retire

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Dallas-Fort Worth has been named one of the best places to live in the United States, and it’s among the top 100 places to retire. The metroplex is home to a large population of active adults over the age of 55 and has many fun activities for retirees, including excursions and day trips. The list of things you can do in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is endless. Here are a few highlights.

Museums in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area

As far as fun activities for retirees go, museums are a timeless option, and Dallas-Fort Worth is no exception. If you’re a history aficionado, you can visit the George W. Bush Presidential Center. Forums and lectures will deepen your insights into what it means to be at the helm of a nation at that time in history. 

You might consider going on a tour of Fort Worth’s Cultural District, where you can visit some of the most intriguing museums, including

• Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
• Kimbell Art Museum
• Thomas Kinkade Gallery
• Texas Civil War Museum
• National Cowgirl Museum

If you prefer not to have a set itinerary and would rather randomly explore the area, consider going on the Cultural District Walking Tour. Check out the Fort Worth Stockyards and find everything from modern dining to throwback events that hearken back to the Old West. Here are a few stops you won’t want to miss:

• Vintage Flying Museum
• Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame
• Military Museum of Fort Worth
• Adobe Western Art Gallery

Of course, what’s a visit to the Fort Worth Stockyards without the cattle drive, which happens every day between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Check out the animals at the Dallas World Aquarium. This interactive museum might be a great place to visit with your grandchildren. It features exhibits with different themes, such as sharks, mammals, ducks and fish of various sizes. You can all get something to eat from the exceptional restaurants at the museum.

Stroll through the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) to view an excellent collection of American, African, and contemporary art. It also hosts many limited-time exhibits. You can volunteer at the museum to explore the world of art even further.

Spend a day at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. If you’re a botany enthusiast or enjoy gardening, you’ll love the year-round exhibits. You can also dine amid a lavish backdrop of early spring blossoms like tulips at the annual three-day Food and Wine Festival.

Other Fun Activities for Retirees in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area

1. Join a Senior Meetup Group. Connect with other seniors on Meetup and plan for in-person meetups. They’re usually small, casual gatherings. Consider joining a Meetup group that matches your interests and connect with like-minded people, even on days when you can’t leave the house. You can find Meetup groups for volunteering, social events, religion, politics, art, and so on.
2. Check Out the World-famous Dallas Cowboys in Action. The world-renowned AT&T Stadium features comfortable seating, quality food, interactive exhibits, and a tribute to Texas Stadium, home of the adored Cowboys from 1971 to 2008.
3. Plan a Visit To Thanks-Giving Square. This beautiful square is situated near downtown Dallas’s shops and restaurants. It pays tribute to universal Thanksgiving traditions. Besides exhibit art, Thanks-Giving Square features a wonderful mosaic, several events and festivals, and a multidimensional chapel. It’s a multicultural celebration of the noblest human impulses.
4. Spend a Day in CitySquare. Find opportunities to volunteer and fight poverty at this community development organization. It has a café with a dynamic menu. CitySquare routinely hosts galas, community events, lectures, and discussions that raise the community’s awareness of poverty and propose ways to combat it.
5. Denton Horse Country. Denton is a must-see if you’re a horse lover. You could go on a self-guided driving tour or plan a horseback riding trip at one of the legendary horse farms in Denton. The most fun time to visit is April when the annual Arts and Jazz Festival is at its peak.
6. Kilgore Oil Country. Once the Texas oil country capital, Kilgore is also revered as home to the “world’s richest acre.” Take a day trip to Kilgore if you’re curious about the oil wells that power the nation’s industries. It may not be as affluent as it once was, but this town will still intrigue you with its historic sites, such as the East Texas Oil Museum.
7. Outlet Shopping. Some of the country’s most affordable and best-stocked malls are in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Consider planning a shopping excursion at one of these outlets, including Grand Prairie Premium Outlets, Tanger Outlets, Allen Premium Outlets, and Grapevine Mills.
8. Cedar Hill. Cedar Hill is a great option for a weekend or day trip by boasting several outdoor activities throughout the year. You can go camping at Cedar Hill State Park, where you can explore the hiking or bike trails, try lake fishing and marvel at the spectacular limestone hills.

Fun Activities for Retirees at Ladera Communities

Each Ladera Community has a HUB that offers a place to gather, socialize, play games and just relax with other people in your same stage of life. It features numerous amenities, including:

• Exercise classes
• A fitness center
• A swimming pool
• Pickleball courts
• Walking trails
• Putting greens

Furthermore, your Ladera Community can serve as your home base if you like to travel. You can pack up, lock your doors and head out to your next adventure. Visit Ladera Texas, to learn more.

If you’re an active adult in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the activities listed above can be fun and meaningful ways to make memories with friends and family. When you are part of a Ladera Community, you will have the DFW metroplex and so much more to participate in right at home.