The 2026 international soccer tournament brings visitors from around the world to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. If this is your first time in Texas, there is a lot more to do between matches than sit in your hotel room. DFW is a sprawling metro with world-class museums, some of the best barbecue on the planet and a sports culture that goes far beyond soccer.
Here are 15 things worth your time.
Globe Life Field sits within walking distance of AT&T Stadium in the Arlington Entertainment District. A live baseball game is one of the most authentically American experiences you can have. The ballpark has a retractable roof and air conditioning, so the Texas heat is not a factor inside. Try the Boomstick (a two-foot-long loaded hot dog) and Hurtado Barbecue at Section 141. Get tickets to see the Rangers in 2026.
The Fort Worth Stockyards are 30 minutes west of Arlington. The longhorn cattle drive along East Exchange Avenue runs twice daily at 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. CT and costs nothing to watch. It is the only daily cattle drive in the world and one of the most photographed moments in Texas.
Texas barbecue is slow-smoked meat, and brisket is the star. Hurtado Barbecue in Downtown Arlington is about a half-mile from the stadiums. Terry Black’s Barbecue and Pecan Lodge in Dallas’ Deep Ellum neighborhood are both top-tier. Order the Texas Trinity: brisket (moist), pork ribs and sausage.
The museum covers the assassination of President Kennedy on the site where it happened in Dallas. It is one of the most significant historical sites in the United States and takes about 90 minutes to walk through.
The 200,000-square-foot dining and entertainment complex sits between Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium. A 100-foot LED screen, restaurants, bars and live music make it the hub of the Arlington Entertainment District on both match days and non-event days.
The official tournament fan zone at Fair Park in Dallas spans over one million square feet. Free entry. Giant screens, live music and international food vendors run on all match days from June 11 through July 19.
Deep Ellum is the creative center of Dallas. Street art, live music venues, craft breweries and some of the best restaurants in the city fill the neighborhood. It comes alive at night and is worth an evening even if you are not a nightlife person.
Reunion Tower offers 360-degree panoramic views of the Dallas skyline from the GeO-Deck at 470 feet. The observation deck includes interactive displays, and the views at sunset are worth the timing.
The Dallas Museum of Art sits in one of the largest urban arts districts in the country. General admission is free, and the collection spans thousands of years. The Nasher Sculpture Center is just down the street.
A five-acre green space built over a highway in Dallas with food trucks, outdoor seating and free programming. It is a good place to slow down between sightseeing stops.
Billy Bob’s Texas in the Fort Worth Stockyards calls itself the world’s largest honky tonk. Live country music, indoor bull riding and a massive dance floor make it unlike anything you have back home.
AT&T Stadium offers guided tours that take you through the field level, locker rooms and the art collection. Even if you are attending a match there, a tour shows you parts of the building you will not see on game day.
Tex-Mex is its own cuisine, distinct from Mexican food. Start with queso and chips, order cheese enchiladas or a fajita plate and get a frozen margarita. Mariano’s Hacienda Ranch in Arlington and Mi Cocina in Dallas are reliable choices.
Meow Wolf at Grapevine Mills (20 minutes north of Arlington) is an immersive art experience that defies easy description. Walk through surreal, interactive rooms and installations. It is unlike any museum or gallery you have visited before.
The Nolan Ryan statue at the North Entrance, the Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez statue at the Southwest Entry and the Adrian Beltré statue at the Northeast Entrance are all outside the gates and accessible year-round without a ticket. Each honors a Rangers legend, and they make for a good photo stop while walking the Entertainment District.
The Arlington Entertainment District is about 25 minutes from Dallas and 30 minutes from Fort Worth by car. Within the district, everything is walkable.
Dallas has the DART light rail system, which connects downtown to several neighborhoods and Fair Park. Arlington does not have a public mass transit system, so a car or rideshare is needed for travel between cities.
A Rangers game at Globe Life Field, Texas barbecue and the Fort Worth Stockyards cattle drive are the three experiences unique to this part of Texas.
Yes. All 15 items on this list are family-friendly. The Dallas Museum of Art and Klyde Warren Park are free, and Globe Life Field is comfortable for visitors of all ages.
June and July temperatures in DFW regularly reach 93 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit (34 to 37 degrees Celsius). Plan outdoor activities for the morning or evening and use air-conditioned venues during the hottest hours.
The Grand Slam Team Store at Globe Life Field is open on non-game days. Online orders are available at the MLB Shop.
