Categories > Guides and Tips

girl-walking-inside-garden

The 7 Best Things to Do Alone in Dallas When You Need Me-Time

| Last Updated: November 2024

I once tried to have a “me-time” day in our city and ended up getting a little too cozy with the mall’s food court pretzel stand… I mean, it’s a valid form of self-care, right? 

But, after realizing I was one cheese sauce away from becoming best friends with the pretzel guy, I figured it was time to explore some of the other solo-friendly activities Dallas has to offer. 

If you’re in need of some quality me-time, skip the carbs (for now), and let’s dive into the best things to do alone in town. 

Whether you’re all about relaxation or you’re looking for a little adventure, trust me, I’ve got the perfect guide for your “me, myself, and I” day!

1. Explore the vibrant art at Rainbow Vomit.

Media credit: rainbowvomitdallas

Location: 3609 Parry Ave 

Website: https://rainbowvomit.com/ 

Phone: +14692480953

Operating hours: 

  • Monday and Thursday: 2 pm – 8 pm 
  • Friday: 2 pm – 9 pm 
  • Saturday: 12 pm – 9 pm 
  • Sunday: 12 pm – 6 pm 

For something totally out of the ordinary, you have to check out Rainbow Vomit. It’s this quirky, vibrant art space that’s all about color and playfulness—a real treat for anyone who loves engaging experiences! 

They’ve packed 2,500 square feet with every kind of creative explosion you can imagine. As soon as you walk in, you’re hit with a giant inflatable rainbow slide—yes, an actual slide—where you can unleash your inner kid. 

Then there’s the ball pit; it’s like they threw a whole kaleidoscope in here—ideal for a fun photo or just diving in. 

Speaking of photos, they also have a photo booth with some of the wildest props, so go nuts! But my favorite part? The blacklight room! Everything glows with neon paint, giving it this trippy vibe that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a comic book. 

2. Immerse yourself in the interactive world of Meow Wolf Grapevine.

Media credit: meow__wolf

Location: 3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy Suite 253 

Website: https://meowwolf.com/visit/grapevine

Phone: +18666369969

Operating hours: 

  • Monday to Wednesday: 12 pm – 9 pm 
  • Thursday and Friday: 12 pm – 10 pm 
  • Saturday: 10 am – 10 pm 
  • Sunday: 10 am – 9 pm 

Meow Wolf in Grapevine is actually the second largest Meow Wolf location in the world, right after the original one in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It is packed with immersive, mind-bending art installations that go way beyond anything you’d expect.

Here, you’ll go through the Kaleidoscopic Portal. It’s just as wild as it sounds, with lights and mirrors everywhere, giving you this dizzying, otherworldly aura right from the start. 

After that, there’s the Dark Room, which honestly feels like something out of a dream (or maybe a slightly trippy nightmare, depending on how you feel about pitch-black spaces!). 

In the middle of it all is this giant disco ball—seriously huge—that’s spinning, shifting colors, and throwing light in every direction. It’s mesmerizing!

And if you’re feeling adventurous, they have a massive climbing wall inside that stands a whopping 50 feet tall. It’s built out of over 1,000 climbing blocks, so you can scale it if you’re up for the challenge.

3. Wander through the stunning landscapes of The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.

Media credit: thedallasarboretum 

Location: 8525 Garland Rd 

Website: https://www.dallasarboretum.org/ 

Phone: +12145156615

Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 8 am – 5 pm 

You’re going to love the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden! It’s a lush 66-acre wonder that sits along White Rock Lake.

You’ll find all sorts of gardens here, like the Rory Meyers Children’s Garden (kids absolutely love it), the Pecan Grove, and the Rose Garden, which is perfect for some floral eye candy.

Now, the Arboretum’s not just about plants (although, trust me, the plants alone are worth it). They’ve got this lineup of events that keep things lively all year—concerts on the lawn, festivals that celebrate each season, and workshops where you can pick up everything from gardening tips to flower-arranging skills. 

And if you’re up for stretching your legs a bit more, you can take a scenic walk or bike ride around the lake, right next door. It’s got a view that really makes you forget you’re in the city.

4. Relive gaming history at the National Videogame Museum.

Media credit: nvmusa

Location: 8004 Dallas Pkwy, Frisco 

Website: http://www.nvmusa.org/ 

Phone: +19726688400 

Operating hours: 

  • Tuesday to Friday: 10 am – 5 pm 
  • Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm 
  • Sunday: 12 pm – 5 pm 

If you’re a video game fan, then the National Videogame Museum here in Frisco is a must-see! It’s a treasure trove of gaming history, packed with interactive exhibits and an impressive collection of old-school consoles. 

What makes it even more exciting is that you can actually play these classics. Eever tried an Atari 2600? Or the original NES? They’ve got a whole line-up of those and more, with over a thousand games in the collection—Sega Genesis, PlayStation, you name it. 

Plus, there’s a game development studio in the museum where you can see what goes into making a game from scratch. You might even catch a developer in action!

They do special events, too, like gaming tournaments, screenings, and even lectures for real enthusiasts.

5. Get lost in creativity at the Sweet Tooth Hotel.

Media credit: sweettoothhotel

Location: 1511 Elm St #100 

Website: http://sweettoothhotel.com/ 

Phone: +14699294844

Operating hours: 

  • Tuesday to Thursday: 4 pm – 9:30 pm 
  • Friday and Saturday: 12 pm – 10:30 pm 
  • Sunday: 12 pm – 7 pm 

This place isn’t just your average hotel; it’s basically a sugar-fueled dream come to life. 

They’ve got rooms that’ll make you feel like you’re living inside a candy store—there’s the Lollipop Room, the Gummy Bear Room, and my favorite, the Candy Cane Room. Each one is decked out with the most colorful, candy-themed décor you can imagine. 

And yep, you get your very own candy bar to nibble on during your stay!

But it’s not just the rooms that make this place special. They also have a candy shop where you can load up on sweets, a rooftop bar with great views of the city, and even a pool for cooling off in the Texas heat.

They keep things interesting too, with events like candy-making classes (yes, you can actually learn to make your own sweets!) and fun cocktail parties.

6. Enjoy scenic views and outdoor activities at Rockledge Park.

Media credit: rockledgepark

Location: Rockledge Park, 3600 Pilot Point, Grapevine 

Website: http://rockledgepark.com/ 

Phone: +18174541058

Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 8 am – 6:30 pm 

Rockledge Park is one of those spots you might just keep coming back to—especially when you want to escape into nature without going too far from the city. The lakefront views are a dream, and there’s a good variety of things to do.

If you’re looking to cool off, there’s a big swimming area where people love to splash around. And right by the water, there’s a grassy area dotted with picnic tables and chairs—perfect if you just want to lay back and enjoy the scene after a swim.

For the more active side of things, there are trails all over the place—some wind through the woods, others run along the lake, so you get the best of both worlds: the shade of the trees and that refreshing lake breeze. 

Oh, and don’t worry, these trails work for all skill levels, whether you’re a casual stroller or a serious biker.

7. Challenge your perception at the Museum of Illusions Dallas.

Media credit: museumofillusions_dallas

Location: 701 Ross Ave

Website: https://moidallas.com/ 

Phone: +12144321582 

Operating hours: 

  • Sunday to Thursday: 10 am – 8 pm 
  • Friday and Saturday: 10 am – 9 pm 

If you’re into mind-bending visuals and unique photo ops, go to the Museum of Illusions. They’re all about playing tricks on your brain and making you question what you’re really seeing.

First off, the Vortex Tunnel—this one is a wild ride. Picture a walkway surrounded by rotating cylinders that make you feel like you’re spinning right off your feet. You’ll probably hold on to the rail, but it’s all part of the fun!

Then there’s the Infinity Room. Here, you’ll step into a space where mirrors go on and on, giving you that endless reflection effect. You’ll feel like you’re floating in another dimension with nothing but your reflections stretching into infinity.

And don’t miss the Upside-Down Room! It’s exactly what it sounds like: the room is flipped upside down, and you get to walk around like you’re defying gravity. 

For a serious head trip, the Vortex Chamber is where the lights spin around you, making everything feel dizzying and disorienting. If you’re into that feeling of being slightly off balance, you’ll love this one.

Lastly, the Ames Room is a classic—it’s all about playing with your perception of size. Walk from one end to the other, and suddenly you look either way too tall or hilariously tiny. 

Related topics