The Best Times to Visit Dallas, According to Locals

From its sporting events and world-class museums to an ever-growing roster of restaurants and luxury hotels, Dallas is one of those destinations that can confidently — and accurately — claim it has something for everyone. That also means, like most large cities, it has a variety of reasons to visit all year round. Still, there are better times to explore Dallas than others, and we asked a couple of locals to give us the lowdown.   

“I don’t believe there is any time [to] avoid Dallas, but most of the time weather is the biggest deterrent,” JonPaul Barnes, chef concierge at The Joule, tells Travel + Leisure. Yes, summer gets hot, with temperatures regularly reaching the mid-90s, and the winter months are considered chilly — at least if you ask a Texan. Weather aside, Barnes says there’s still magic to be found during these seasons: “As a Dallas resident… the summer and the holidays are my favorite times of the year in Dallas.”

If you’d prefer to bypass the sweltering heat or a nip in the air, book your trip during the fall. “October is truly the sweet spot to visit, as the weather is perfect, all of the sports teams are playing, and the State Fair of Texas is rocking Fair Park and putting the entire city in a great mood,” says Jonathan Thompson, the Dallas-based host of Adventure Cities on Discovery.

• High Season: Dallas doesn’t have a specific high season, but it’s common for waves of tourism to occur from March through October.
• Shoulder Season: Early spring and late fall can be considered shoulder seasons in Dallas, although this can shift based on weather and large events.
• Low Season: December to February.

If a trip to the Lone Star State is in your future, read on to discover the best times to visit Dallas for fewer crowds, lower prices, and more. 

Related: Travel + Leisure’s Guide to Dallas

Best Times to Visit for Smaller Crowds

To avoid the crowds, you’ll want to check the city’s calendar of events. Generally, the fall tends to attract a large number of travelers, due to the “incredible weather, events like the Texas State Fair, and, most importantly, Cowboys football resuming,” says Barnes. Thompson echoes his sentiment, noting that you’re more likely to run into highway traffic, busy restaurants, and longer lines “on big game days, usually when the Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, or Dallas Cowboys are at home.” 

That said, consider the winter for a trip with smaller crowds. “Dallas is probably the least crowded during the winter months, which are December, January, and February,” says Barnes. “We've had quite a few bad ice storms the last few years, so guests do not want to get caught in those.”

Best Times to Visit for Good Weather

Unsurprisingly, Dallas experiences its best weather in the spring and fall. “March to May and September to October are the best months when the weather is beautiful,” says Thompson. Barnes highlights October, in particular, sharing how travelers can “enjoy not sweating from Texas' sweltering summer temperatures while still being able to wear shorts.” This mild, enjoyable weather arrives in parallel with outdoor events like Dallas Blooms and Autumn at the Arboretum.

Best Times to Visit for Lower Prices

To find better offers on Dallas hotels, your best bet is to travel in the wintertime — and check the calendar before booking. “Prices fluctuate as they are based on occupancy levels,” says Barnes, so you may want to avoid booking your trip over a popular weekend. Nightly rates do, however, “tend to be lower toward the end of the year due to lower occupancy.”

It’s also important to note that Dallas’ incredible access to cities around the world provides a bit of flexibility when it comes to saving money on travel. “We're lucky to have two big airports here  and to be a hub for both American Airlines and Southwest Airlines,” says Thompson, “so there are always great deals to be had when you're planning a visit to Dallas.”

Best Times to Visit for Sporting Events and Festivals

You won’t grow bored in Dallas, especially if you’re a fan of sports, art, and food. “There are a lot of events in the DFW metro, from professional sports teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, and Dallas Stars to major music artists and festivals like the Texas State Fair,” says Barnes. The best time to visit for these types of events varies depending on what you’re interested in. 

The NFL, NBA, and NHL schedules vary, but games typically start in the fall and go into early spring (the NHL and NBA regular seasons run until April). Once winter comes to an end, the Dallas International Film Festival and Dallas Arts Month encourage both locals and visitors alike to take the town, and Dallas Pride and Taste of Dallas mark the calendar in June. As mentioned above, the State Fair of Texas, held from late September to mid-October, is one of the biggest events of the year. 

Related: This District in Dallas Is Full of Unknown Gems — Including a Brand-new Luxury Hotel

Worst Times to Visit 

Is there a bad time to visit Dallas? It depends on who you ask. “Three of the best reasons to visit Dallas are shopping, sports, and the incredible restaurant scene we have here, and none of those are weather dependent,” explains Thompson, “so I'd say all 12 months are great times to lean into the Big D.” If you do come in the summer, though, be ready for the heat. There’s a good chance you’ll be spending most of your time in air-conditioned spaces, but you’ll still want to have sunscreen, breathable fabrics, and sunglasses on hand as you navigate between restaurants and tourist attractions.