10 things to do in Dallas that are off the beaten path

From buildings people regularly pass by to attractions tucked away from the hustle and bustle, here are 10 things to do in Dallas you may have missed.

There’s no shortage of things to do in Dallas, though sometimes, you might want something a little off the beaten path. Residents and visitors know about mainstays like the Dallas Museum of Art or heading to a Cowboys game, and some of Dallas’s free things to do might draw larger crowds.

Whether you’re searching for unique looks at the city or finding a hidden gem in the area, we’ve got you covered. Here are ten things to do in Dallas you may not have tried. 

1. Ride the M-Line Trolley

Okay, the M-Line Trolley isn’t necessarily off the beaten path since it runs through the heart of downtown and uptown. You’ll likely see these vintage streetcars—originally built in the 1920s—traveling down the 4.6-mile route around the city. But did you know they’re completely free to ride?

That’s right. The non-profit McKinney Avenue Transit Authority runs these cars seven days a week, and it costs zero dollars to ride. The trolley makes 38 stops, so it’s a nice way to get around the city and find a few of these other hidden gems.

2. Catch some air at 4DWN Skate Park

Like many millennials, I played the “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” video game series. I do not know why I still remember the location of all the collectible tapes in the Warehouse, the game’s first level, yet can’t recall vital information that would actually benefit my well-being. 

Nevertheless, the game had a profound enough impact on me that I went out and bought—a.k.a. asked my parents to buy—a skateboard. I quickly learned I was not coordinated enough for the skating life, but I’m still always stunned watching people pull off tricky moves. 4DWN is an international skate destination that also supports the local community.

Pros often hit the ramps at 4DWN, so you can learn a thing or two from folks like two-time Olympic gold medalist Keegan Palmer. In between runs, visitors can join service projects such as food donations and recycling. Additionally, 4DWN is constructing the first vertical ramp vertical farm for self-sustaining production.

3. Gaze upon a wall of toilet seat art at Barney Smith’s

I have lived in a handful of different apartments, dorm rooms, and homes over the years. There may have been the occasional toilet seat cover here and there, but for the most part, the seat was just whatever came with the toilet. It was either white, off-white, eggshell, cream, or a similar shade, and that was it. Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum in The Colony will change the way you think about toilet seats (which is probably very rarely, if at all).

Barney Smith opened the museum in his home garage in 1992 as an homage to the fantastic toilet seat art he’s amassed. As that collection grew, he needed a larger space to display it. Today, you can find over 1,400 seats proudly displayed on a massive wall. Since the museum is in the Truck Yard, grab a brew or a bite and enjoy some tunes. And be sure to use the bathroom before you head out.

A wall of unconventional art at Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum. (juliegomoll/CC BY 2.0)

4. Walk through the Nasher Sculpture Garden

A museum oasis in the middle of downtown, the Nasher Sculpture Center is easy to miss. It’s in a fairly nondescript building with a few swivel chairs (the ones that really work your core) out in front. If you didn’t know any better, you might think it was the headquarters for a hot new startup.

Instead, it’s home to the most impressive sculpture gathering in Dallas, primarily located in a lovely garden full of gorgeous trees and plants. Learn about the backstories of the pieces and artists as you take in the array of sculptures along the grounds.  

Admission is already very manageable at $10 or less. There are also occasional free entry periods, like the first Saturday of every month and from 6 p.m. to midnight on the third Friday of the month from March through October. 

With trees, a pool, and a ton of marvelous creations, the Nasher Sculpture Garden is always a walk in the park. (Joey Held)

5. Hand it to the Adrian Flatt Collection

Dr. Adrian Flatt was an orthopedic surgeon who primarily worked on hands. He first started casting the hands of infants with congenital hand deformities so he could study them and prepare for surgery. Later, he cast the hands of some of his fellow medical surgeons. Eventually, he started casting famous people, including U.S. presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower and wrestler/actor André the Giant.

Over the years, Flatt amassed quite the collection, which is now on display at Baylor University Medical Center. Visitors can see over 120 hands cast from bronze and plaster and learn the stories behind the individuals attached to—or, in this case, detached from—those hands.

6. See a show at Uptown Players

Uptown Players has a mission to represent life experiences of their audiences on the stage, with a focus on building positive public awareness and acceptance through performances. The shows often have characters and storylines that highlight LGBTQIA+ communities, and the theatre is a great way to discover new shows with professional casts.   

The Uptown Players theatre has presented many world premieres, including “Gilligan’s Fire Island” and “Crazy Just Like Me.” The group also regularly participates in events around the community, including Razzle Dazzle Dallas, Gay Bingo, and Black Tie Dinner. Go, have a terrific time, and enjoy this slice of culture hidden in Dallas.     

7. Hop across the pond at British Emporium

Sporting groceries and gifts, British Emporium is a cheeky way to experience English vibes without leaving the greater Dallas area. Both locations in Grapevine and Richardson are stocked to the brim with goodies from England, as well as locations like Scotland and South Africa. You’ll easily find tea to make a cuppa or treats like Tim Tams and Wagon Wheels.

You can also pick up a ton of knick-knacks, from Royal Family regalia to pop culture classics like “Doctor Who” and the “Harry Potter” crews. There’s no shortage of Corgi and cat items, either. Alas, you won’t find anyone from the King’s Guard, but that simply means you have more time to browse the ace selection.   

Embrace the UK way of life at British Emporium. (Kevin Trotman/C BY-NC-ND 2.0)

8. Pause for somber reflection at Pioneer Cemetery

Some people find cemeteries discomforting, but they can be very peaceful to walk around and pay homage to those who have died. Pioneer Cemetery is the final resting place for several Dallas County pioneers. The cemetery began in the churchyard of the Duck Creek Methodist Church, a congregation founded in the 1850s, with the earliest marked burials dating back to the 1870s. 

As you walk around, you may spot grave markers for elected officials at local, state, and national levels, war veterans, and victims of a 1927 tornado. Perhaps most unique is that the cemetery, combined with Garland Memorial Park, is diagonally split by railroad tracks. You’ll need to cross the rails to wind your way to the other part of the cemetery.

9. Press your luck at the Good Luck Gas Station

In 1936, A.E. “Amos” Wilemon, who owned the Good Luck Oil Company (GLOCO), attended the Texas Centennial at Fair Park. Wilemon and his twin brother found some architectural inspiration at the event. Three years later, they built an Art Deco gas station in Dallas.

The gas station closed down in 1973. In its heyday, it featured the Good Luck name in bright red lettering and the horseshoe portion of the company’s logo. However, it’s still an impressive building today. It sports a 35-foot stair-stepped tower, stucco masonry paired with black ceramic tile, and neon lighting that caught customers’ eyes, popularized by the Art Deco design wave. Arsonists destroyed the building in 1992. Since then, it has been restored and is now a designated Dallas landmark.     

10. Hit the sauna at Russian Banya

One perk of visiting Europe is the abundance of saunas. These differ from your typical American spas, where you might get a pedicure or a facial. Of course, traveling to Europe for an authentic sauna experience can be kind of pricey—and give you jet lag—but luckily, Russian Banya of Dallas delivers. Carrollton is a much more convenient trip than Europe, anyway.

You’ll bounce around four different hot rooms (or saunas), each with a distinct style. Finnish is your more traditional sauna, while Russian cranks up the heat to over 200 degrees and produces a scent of smoky oak wood. You can also test out Venik, where you’re hit with burning oak leaves to improve your circulation and blood flow.

When hitting the hot rooms works up an appetite, stop by the restaurant to indulge in some classic European items, including vodka and borscht. It’s a truly unique experience. 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.