You don’t have to leave Dallas to switch things up. You'd be surprised that sometimes, the best day trip is just a quick drive east on I-30! We headed over to The Bush Center on the SMU campus in Dallas and found enough to fill an entire day, from museum exhibits to lunch to a walk through the park. Here’s how we’d do it!
Updated October 2026
START WITH THE PERMANENT EXHIBIT
Kick things off inside the museum’s permanent exhibit, where you can walk through the decisions, moments, and history of the Bush presidency. Don’t miss the Oval Office replica, one of our favorite stops of the day!
CATCH SOME FOOTBALL HISTORY
Next, swing by the sports exhibit! The soccer display has rotated out, and in its place is a brand-new look at SMU football and Cotton Bowl history right here in North Texas. With football season in full swing, it’s the perfect excuse to plan your visit now before it’s gone.
LUNCH AT CAFE 43
Refuel at Cafe 43, the center’s on-site restaurant named for the 43rd president. It's a Texas-influenced restaurant with seasonal, locally sourced dishes and a terrace overlooking the park! We tried the salmon, and it’s a must! Reservations are strongly encouraged, but same-day reservations are available, and there’s a special brunch menu on Saturdays.
END WITH A WALK THROUGH THE PARK
Finish the day outside in the Native Texas Park, a 15-acre park at the center. It’s pet-friendly and the perfect way to wrap up before heading back west to Fort Worth. It's open daily from sunrise to sunset. With walking paths, bridges, water features, and native landscaping, it’s a peaceful spot many Dallasites don’t even realize is there!
The George W. Bush Presidential Center is open Monday-Saturday from 9-5pm and Sunday from 12-5pm. Plan your visit and experience this unique daycation trip!
