# State Fair of Texas: what to do between sessions in Dallas

Source: https://eventweekends.com/culture/state-fair-of-texas/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 24 September to 17 October 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** Fair Park, Dallas, United States, about 3 km from the centre
- **Free time:** Gaps of two to four hours between screenings or shows, and whole days for companions.
- **Best base:** Uptown: Walkable bars and restaurants.
- **Getting there:** DFW is 30 minutes from downtown by DART or car; Love Field (DAL) is 15 minutes.
- **Weather:** In September and October, Dallas averages highs of about 32°C and lows of 13°C, with roughly 102 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 12 h 01 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Sixth Floor Museum; Fort Worth Stockyards; AT&T Stadium tour

## Weather and what to pack

In September and October, Dallas averages highs of about 32°C and lows of 13°C, with roughly 102 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 12 h 01 min of daylight.
- Sun hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle.
- A rain jacket or umbrella: it rains often in this month.
- Comfortable walking shoes and a small day bag.

## Airport to venue

DFW is 30 minutes from downtown by DART or car; Love Field (DAL) is 15 minutes.

DART Green Line to Fair Park.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Richardson and Plano. Chains near many fields.
- **mid:** Uptown. Walkable bars and restaurants.
- **luxury:** Downtown and Turtle Creek. Rosewood Mansion.
- Hotels we would book: Hampton Inn Dallas-Richardson (budget), Canopy by Hilton Dallas Uptown (mid), Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Between screenings or shows

A two- to four-hour gap: something close by.
- Half-day: Dallas food tour. Tex-Mex and BBQ.
- Eat: Klyde Warren Park food trucks, Downtown park

### A free day

For companions without a pass, or attendees taking a day off.
- Free idea: Dallas Arts District.

### Evenings

After the last show of the day.
- After dark: Deep Ellum.
- Eat: Pecan Lodge, BBQ in Deep Ellum

### Rainy day

Indoor backups.
- Rain or heat backup: Sixth Floor Museum. JFK assassination history.
- Free: Klyde Warren Park.

## Tours worth booking

- [Sixth Floor Museum](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Sixth%20Floor%20Museum&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-state-fair-of-texas): JFK assassination history.
- [Fort Worth Stockyards](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Fort%20Worth%20Stockyards&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-state-fair-of-texas): Cattle drive twice a day.
- [AT&T Stadium tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=ATT%20Stadium%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-state-fair-of-texas): Dallas Cowboys stadium.
- [Dallas food tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Dallas%20food%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-state-fair-of-texas): Tex-Mex and BBQ.

## Where to eat

- Pecan Lodge: BBQ in Deep Ellum
- Joe T. Garcia's: Tex-Mex in Fort Worth
- Klyde Warren Park food trucks: Downtown park

## With kids

- Perot Museum of Nature and Science.
- Dallas Zoo.

## Rainy-day backups

- Dallas Museum of Art (free).
- Perot Museum.

## Getting around

- DART light rail; a car helps for spread-out fields.

## Questions people ask

### When is State Fair of Texas 2027?

The next edition is 24 September to 17 October 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during State Fair of Texas?

In September and October, Dallas averages highs of about 32°C and lows of 13°C, with roughly 102 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 12 h 01 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to Fair Park?

DFW is 30 minutes from downtown by DART or car; Love Field (DAL) is 15 minutes. DART Green Line to Fair Park.

### Where should I stay for State Fair of Texas?

For most visitors the best base is Uptown: Walkable bars and restaurants.

### What can we do between sessions at State Fair of Texas?

Good short outings in Dallas include Sixth Floor Museum, Fort Worth Stockyards, AT&T Stadium tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near State Fair of Texas?

Family-friendly picks: Fort Worth Stockyards, AT&T Stadium tour. Perot Museum of Nature and Science.

### How far is Fair Park from Dallas centre?

About 3 km in a straight line. DART Green Line to Fair Park.

More in Dallas: https://eventweekends.com/city/dallas/