What to Do in August in Dallas

Shop, sip and sing your way through the finale of Summer.

There's no doubt about it - August in Texas is still pretty hot, y'all. So why do we still love August? It's the last full month of summer to dive into the best pools, drinks and summer attractions before school schedules begin again. The State Fair of Texas and Autumn at the Arboretum begin again soon and we're excited for Dallas to turn into full fall mode. Whether you're going back-to-school shopping, taking one last summer vacation, avoiding the heat, or catching some rays, we have you covered with the must-dos of August in Dallas!

Pictured Karaoke at Casablanca

Drinks and dishes that taste like summer in Dallas

  • For fun summertime drinks head to the outside Palm Bar at Casablanca and dine in for craft cocktails and shared plates that will transport you to an other-worldly oasis. You can also rent out a room for Karaoke! Around the corner, Bar Eden is a paradise for pre or after-dinner cocktails, then head to Paradiso to see their swoon-worthy redesign of the dining room. Swim over to their Mermaid Raw Bar and Champagne Room for a little piece of underwater paradise.
  • Live music and margaritas... say less! A frozen margarita from The Rustic on the Margarita Mile. The Legendary Rustic Rita - a frozen margarita featuring Osadia Blanco and a house-made mango popsicle with Patrón Citrónge - will cool you down on those summer nights. Try Ruins on the Margarita Mile in Deep Ellum for the perfect summer drink, Azteca 666, and a more underground music venue.

  • It's the last days of the season for fresh summer fruits and veggies! Get your fix at Bonton Farms and their two full farms, a farmer's market, cafe and coffee house! They grow organic food while supporting their neighbors and community. Pro tip: don't leave Bonton without a jar or two of their unbelievable honey butter!
Pictured Paradiso

Go Back-to-School Shopping

  • For upscale shopping, check out exclusive shopping experiences like NorthPark Center or Forty Five Ten during your next retail outing. Dallas offers one-of-a-kind shopping experiences, brands and boutiques which are like no other.

  • Stroll through three levels of shopping with stores for every budget at the Galleria Dallas. There's also an ice-skating rink and about 30 dining options on the property.

  • If finding hidden gems more sustainably and on a budget through thrift or vintage shopping is more your speed, check out this guide on where to find oldies but goodies in Dallas. The Bishop Arts District is also a great place to look for those one-of-a-kind gifts.

No matter how or where you shop, you can take advantage of back-to-school savings during Texas' tax-free weekend, August 11-13, 2023.

Pictured Eataly in Northpark

Take that Last Summer Vacation

  • Swim, float or take a lap in Dallas' best hotel pools. Lee Harvey's Dive In is a new swim club in the Cedars neighborhood of Dallas. Soak up the sun at Hotel Zaza's, secluded, Mediterranean-vibe pool with a delicious Summertime Shine cocktail in one hand and crispy jalapeno calamari in the other from their incredible in-house restaurant, Dragonfly. For a summer staycation, The Stoneleigh offers day passes to their pool and cozy cabanas through ResortPass! But trust us, you'll want to extend your pool day into an overnight visit at this historic Uptown gem!

  • If you are looking for a Broadway production, Book of Mormon at Broadway Dallas is Aug. 1-6. there's truly something for everyone. Want more experimental and immersive things to do? Try Dining in the Dark - A Unique Blindfolded Experience on Aug. 12 or 26, or Jurassic World: The Exhibition on Aug. 11-13, for an immersive experience for audiences of all ages in scenes inspired by the beloved film. Check out our events calendar to see what live shows are going on in August!

  • Not up for vacationing abroad just yet? Stay stateside while you explore the world through the international cuisine of the Bishop Arts District. Indulge your taste buds with cuisines like Afghan from Nora, Italian from Lucia, French from Boulevardier, Japanese from Zen Sushi, Argentinian from Chimichurri and Mexican from Veracruz Cafe. We'll take all of the above, s'il vous plaît! Find other diverse flavors in Dallas here!

For more ways to keep it cool during peak Texas heat, check out our guide, How to Beat the Heat in Dallas.

Pictured The Stoneleigh

Three Fun Days to Celebrate (and ways to enjoy them!)

  • August 6 - International Beer Day. With many local breweries and great pubs, there's no better place to celebrate.
  • August 24 - National Waffle Day. Shameless plug - Dallas is truly a brunch-lovers paradise.
  • August 26 - National Dog Day. Take your furry friend exploring with our Dog-Friendly Dallas itinerary.

And many, many more! Check out our events calendar to find more can't miss August events!

Pictured Deep Ellum Brewing Co.

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