We all know how wild Dallas weather can be, whether it's the insane summer heat or the annual winter freeze! Luckily, there are tons of ways to have fun while staying inside, away from the elements! Check out the best indoor activities you can do with your crew, from museums to mini golf and beyond!
Updated August 2024
WINSTAR WORLD CASINO & RESORT
Just 1.5 hours outside of Dallas, WinStar World Casino & Resort has over 20 restaurants, 400,000 square feet of gaming, a luxury spa, plus weekly shows and concerts! Make it a day trip or stay for the weekend, we love how close we are to the world’s BIGGEST casino! And PS, if you are still craving some sun, they also have multiple pools with their own bars and poolside service!
THRILL-SEEKING ACTIVITIES
Epic Waters
Nothing says beating the Texas heat like an indoor waterpark! Epic Waters caters to thrill-seekers of all ages with 11 enticing water slides and 3 “first of their kind” slides, setting them apart from other parks in the DFW area. Grab a mat as the E-Racers take you through exciting twists and turns to find out who the fastest slider is! Need a break? Float down the Rio Grande, Texas’ longest indoor lazy river!
Grand Prairie | Directions
Escapology
Can you beat the game? Escapology is a unique escape room experience where you can put your and your group's analytical skills and team-building skills to the ultimate test! The Victory Park location has a fun vintage feel and features various games for teams of 2-8 players. It’s such a fun high adrenaline activity where you get to solve puzzles, crack codes and find clues to escape in time!
Victory Park | Directions
iFLY
Get ready to fly with iFLY's indoor skydiving stimulators with state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnels! Their facilities are open to all ages, and you don’t need to have any experience either — they'll teach you. Unleash the daredevil within and experience the pure bliss of flight!
Frisco | Directions
Lone Star Axe Throwing
The Lone Star Axe Throwing is an immersive axe-throwing experience that promises Texas-sized fun, with axe throwing, arcade games, shuffleboard, and more! It's a great spot for a date night or a night out with friends where you can grab a couple of cocktails, grub on some comfort food, and have a little fun competition! (Pictured)
Trinity Groves | Directions
Red Door Escape
Known as the largest escape room in DFW, Red Door Escape is another fun escape room activity for groups! Try your luck at escaping in under 60 minutes with exciting episodes to choose from like Prison Break, Confinement, Once Upon a Time, and more!
Multiple locations | See locations
Whiskey Hatchet
Whiskey Hatchet brings you a fun night of axe-throwing while sipping on delicious cocktails. Trained axe throwers walk you through how to throw your axe so you are safe and get those points racking on the scoreboard!
Deep Ellum | Directions
COMEDY
Four Day Weekend
Four Day Weekend has comedy shows Friday and Saturday nights - sounds like a great date night idea! The show is entirely based on audience suggestions and participation. Before the show starts, write down topic suggestions on index cards then watch as they get utilized throughout the show. If you ever loved Whose Line Is It Anyway? This one’s for you! They also offer comedy classes for those wanting to improve their improv skills!
Lower Greenville | Directions
Dallas Comedy Club
In the heart of Deep Ellum, the Dallas Comedy Club is a great source of entertainment with its comedy shows and themed events! If you're looking to grow your entertainment skills, try one of DCC's classes! They host sketch, musical improv, stand-up, and storytelling classes that last a little over a month-long, and they have a couple of day classes too. Kids and teens camps are available as well. It's a great place to learn and perfect your skills before hitting the stage! (Pictured)
Deep Ellum | Directions
TK's Comedy
TK's is known for its comedy shows and fine dining experience! You can reserve dinner before a show, or eat while you enjoy your night. TK's has shows almost every night of the week, and live music after shows on Fridays and Saturdays! Enjoy the chic and moody Art Deco decor on their patio or in their underground speakeasy.
Addison | Directions
MUSEUMS
Arlington Museum of Art
The Arlington Museum of Art has an exclusive exhibition all about Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, from Swift’s own private collection! Explore her evolution featuring her original costumes, photos, videos, and more across her various “eras!” After seeing the Eras collection, head upstairs for “Girl in a Country Song” featuring intimate photographs of legendary female country artists, and “Hometown Harmonies” all about three women whose careers began in Arlington!
Arlington | Directions
Dallas Museum of Art
The DMA is perfect for art lovers! This art museum has many unique traveling exhibits like the Cartier and Islamic Art exhibitions. It's the perfect place for a date night or a day out of the Texas heat! Unleash your creativity and get inspired by walking through the halls filled with stunning art pieces from around the world. (Pictured)
Downtown | Directions
National Video Game Museum
The NVM is a museum all about the history of video games and the video game industry! Explore classic video game arcade machines in an arcade setting, games on different video game consoles in a living room setting, games on historic computers, exhibits on the history of the industry, artifacts, and memorabilia about the video game industry! One of the museum's goals is to have visitors experience the games, so there are many interactive displays that feature playable games for you and your crew to play with.
Frisco | Directions
Perot Museum
The Perot is great for the family or for a date night! This science museum has interactive kid exhibits and also weekly wine nights for adults. Experience the Museum after hours featuring live music, food trucks, drinks, and outdoor games with their Thursdays on Tap program. Plus, get full access to the Museum and all its exhibit halls! This program is for ages 21+, so it is the perfect opportunity to experience the Museum without the daytime crowds or kids.
Victory Park | Directions
MINI GOLF, BOWLING, & GAMES
Another Round
Another Round features 12 of the funkiest indoor mini golf holes you’ve ever seen! Guests can also go work on their swing with the big-screen golf simulator, or simply sip drinks from the bar. Grab a drink and get playing! (Pictured)
West Dallas | Directions
Bowl Games
Bowl Games is all about playing Pin-toss, which is played similarly to corn-hole but you use a football instead of bean bags. After your game, stay for some food and drinks at their bar!
Design District | Directions
Bowl & Barrel
Bowl & Barrel is an upscale boutique bowling alley with a modern American restaurant and bar featuring house-made specialties, classic cocktails, and craft beer on tap! Stop in for their happy hourly specials with $3 drinks at 3 pm, $4 drinks at 4 pm, and $5 drinks at 5 pm every day!
Park Lane | Directions
Bowlounge
Bowlounge is part sports bar, part restaurant, part beer garden and patio, part old-school bowling alley. This funky warehouse space offers vintage-style bowling lanes alongside a bar with craft beers and cocktails!
Design District | Directions
Bowlski's
Bowlski's is a historic movie theatre that has been renovated into a bowling alley. It features music videos behind 10 Steampunk-style Bowling Lanes. The live music venue hosts shows on their historic stage and has a full-service restaurant, bar, candy shop, 4 pool tables, gaming suites, an arcade, a Projector Room lounge, and a bar! They also have live music on the weekends!
Lakewood | Directions
Electric Shuffle
Try out a modern game of Shuffle Board at Electric Shuffle in Deep Ellum! Enjoy food and cocktails while you compete in high-tech shuffleboard with all your friends! They also have a full-service bar you can hang out at.
Deep Ellum | Directions
EVA ESPORTS
Eva Esports is a virtual reality esports platform that started in France in 2019. It features two giant 5,600 square-foot arenas where you can face off against other players, retro arcade games, and a full-service bar to make it even more entertaining! Plus, they have a Cyber Bar with fabulous cocktails and an upscale menu with options including brisket tacos, ahi tuna & more!
It’s the perfect activity for a girls' night out, corporate groups, team building, parents' night out, or just a fun day activity for a group!
Flower Mound | Directions
iCompete Experience
Calling all sports lovers! iCompete has many different types of sports simulators. It is a massive 30,000-square-foot interactive sports and gaming venue! They have a range of games from golf, baseball, axe-throwing, darts, and more! Plus, they’ve got tons of screens for watching sports and you can eat and drink all while you play!
Lewisville | Directions
Pinstack
Pinstack isn't just bowling! With many locations throughout DFW, try out a ropes course, laser tag, a rock climbing wall, bumper cars, an arcade featuring the newest video games, and simulator technology.
Multiple Locations | Directions
Puttery
As a 21+ spot, Puttery is grown-up mini golf! Say goodbye to mini pencils and windmills and hello to digital scorecards, craft cocktails, and culinary creations! Enjoy a unique round of mini golf in a fun modernly decorated space.
The Colony | Directions
ENTERTAINMENT
American Airlines Center
With concerts and sporting events, visit the AAC year-round for fun! Great, affordable season package deals are available for the Stars and Mavs, so rep your team's colors and cheer Dallas on to victory!
Downtown | Directions
Angelika Film Center
Angelika has just about every movie you can think of at some time or another. From blockbuster hits to indie films, check out their schedule to find something you like and stop by their cafe for great food and drinks!
Mockingbird Station | Directions
Cidercade
Voted the best arcade bar in Dallas by the Dallas Observer, this fan favorite down offers an open play of 140+ arcade games for just $10 and a wide selection of in-house crafted ciders, seltzers, and wines to try! Grab a cold one with your pals and enjoy a fun-filled night of endless entertainment.
Design District | Directions
COSM
The newly-opened Cosm Dallas is a 65,000-square-foot complex featuring an immersive dome and sports-watching hall! With their 87-foot LED-dome screen, you won’t miss a second of the action, and with servers to grab you food and drinks, you won’t even have to leave your seat. All fans of sports, arts, entertainment, and food alike, should add this mind-blowing entertainment complex at Grandscape to their must-visit list!
The Colony | Directions
Evo Entertainment
EVO has it all! Try rock climbing, arcade games, bowling, a luxury dine-in cinema, and more at this lively, family-friendly space! (Pictured)
Southlake | Directions
Free Play Arcade
Free Play is a retro arcade featuring pinball machines and vintage video games, while also serving pizzas, sandwiches, and boutique beers. Head here for the free play of 95+ games for $12 and a large menu of specialty cocktails and bar bites to keep the fun going!
Multiple Locations | See Locations
IPIC Theaters
If you are craving some air conditioning, visit IPIC for a dine-in movie option! Get cozy in their plush seating, enjoy gourmet light bights and cocktails, and relax with their in-theatre service.
Fairview | Directions
Look Cinemas
Look Cinemas is another Dallas favorite dine-in theater! A fun group idea would be to rent out a theater and play one of your movie favorites!
Dallas | Directions
Medieval Times
Medieval Times is just as iconic as it sounds. Book your tickets for dinner and a medieval show and you will surely be entertained. Cheer on your knight in staged medieval-style games, sword-fighting, and jousting while enjoying a family dinner!
Dallas | Directions
Pete's Dueling Piano Bar
What is not to love about a dueling piano bar!? Visit Pete's for live music and cocktails, and be ready for a rowdy crowd on the weekends!
Fort Worth & Frisco | See locations
Studio 22
If you are looking to work on your dance skill, visit Studio 22 for a ballroom class or a more spicy adult dance lesson! They also provide private lessons, so if you're wanting to show off and out at the next dance floor you hit, you'll definitely be set here!
Prestonwood | Directions
The Dinner Detective
Can you solve the mystery? The Dinner Detective is a fun comedy murder mystery interactive dinner experience. Solve the mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it!
Dallas | Directions
Two Bit Circus
Ever wanted to be served a cocktail made by a robot, dabble in virtual reality, or get lost in the story of an escape room? Now you can, and all under one roof! Two Bit Circus has everything from classic cult hit arcade games to classic carnival games, and a fast-paced gameshow for you and your crew to enjoy!
Dallas | Directions
INTERACTIVE
Galleria Ice Skating
Craving something cold in the summer heat? Visit the Galleria for some indoor shopping and ice skating! Whether you want to learn how to skate for fun or are a serious skater, the Galleria Ice Skating School also has classes for all ages and abilities.
Galleria | Directions
Fuzz Lab
This adorable crafting and DIY studio is the perfect creative outlet! Design and tuft your own rugs from scratch, customize claw clips and phone cases with adorable charms, or take workshops and classes to improve your crafting skills. It's a great spot for a girl's day, and the options are truly endless.
Far North Dallas | Directions
The Dallas World Aquarium
The Dallas Aquarium is famous for its expansive animal exhibits at this indoor aquarium. Explore the rainforest exhibit, where exotic birds and many species of toucans can be seen. Observe sloths, crocodiles, giant river otters, manatees and several species of monkeys! The aquarium portion displays interesting marine life, including Japanese crabs, jellyfish, seadragons, and more. Penguins can also be seen swimming at the outdoor South Africa exhibit!
Downtown | Directions
The Cookery
For all the foodies, try a cooking class! Each class at The Cookery is led by an engaging culinary instructor who guides participants through the creation of a three course dinner! Enjoy a complimentary snack and beverage before the class, then put on your apron, and then let the fun begin! This is perfect for a date night or a night out with friends.
Design District | Directions
Trade Oak Cliff
If you are feeling artistic, schedule an art class at Trade Oak Cliff! They teach weekly ceramics, painting, fibers, and craft classes. Make sure to see their schedule ahead of time, because their fun classes tend to sell out pretty quickly!
Oak Cliff | Directions
MYX Blend Bar
Get the girls together and head to MYX Blend Bar to make your lipsticks, glosses, and now foundation and concealer! Your product is completely customizable, including color and scent, and they even have add-ons like lip plumper, moisturizer & sunscreen! A MYXologist will walk you through all the steps until you have your perfect lip product! It’s ideal for a girl’s night out or a fun activity with friends!
West Village | Directions
Cowboys Red River
Get ready to dance and dust off those cowboy boots! Cowboys Red River is a country dance hall where you and your friends can two-step and dance the night away. This spot is for 21+ after 9 pm! (Pictured)
Northwest Dallas | Directions
Painting With A Twist
Painting With A Twist is a fun, creative activity as you paint a piece of art and drink some wine. Check the schedule beforehand to see what you will be painting and get ready to take home a masterpiece!
Multiple locations | Directions