# Cotton Bowl Classic: what to do between sessions in Dallas

Source: https://eventweekends.com/us-sports/cotton-bowl/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 30 to 31 December 2026 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Dallas, United States, about 28 km from the centre
- **Free time:** Most fans arrive the day before and leave the day after, with the match-day morning free.
- **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 December, Dallas averages highs of about 13°C and lows of 2°C, with roughly 61 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 10 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 December, Dallas averages highs of about 13°C and lows of 2°C, with roughly 61 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 10 h 01 min of daylight.
- A warm coat, hat and gloves: nights can drop close to freezing.
- A light rain jacket, just in case.
- Check the stadium bag policy: clear bags or small bags only at many venues.

## Airport to venue

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

You need a car or shuttle; Arlington is between Dallas and Fort Worth.

## 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

### Arrival day (Tuesday 29 December)

Fan zones open the day before. Take the afternoon for the city.
- Half-day: Fort Worth Stockyards. Cattle drive twice a day.
- Eat: Klyde Warren Park food trucks, Downtown park

### Match day morning (Wednesday 30 December)

Free until you head to the stadium. Avoid anything far away or tiring.
- Easy outing: Dallas food tour. Tex-Mex and BBQ.
- Free: Dallas Arts District.

### The day after (Friday 1 January)

A full free day before you fly.
- Free idea: Klyde Warren Park.
- Eat: Pecan Lodge, BBQ in Deep Ellum

### Evening plans

For the night before or after the match.
- After dark: Deep Ellum.

## Tours worth booking

- [Sixth Floor Museum](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Sixth%20Floor%20Museum&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-cotton-bowl): JFK assassination history.
- [Fort Worth Stockyards](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Fort%20Worth%20Stockyards&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-cotton-bowl): Cattle drive twice a day.
- [AT&T Stadium tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=ATT%20Stadium%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-cotton-bowl): Dallas Cowboys stadium.
- [Dallas food tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Dallas%20food%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-cotton-bowl): 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 Cotton Bowl Classic 2026?

The next edition is 30 to 31 December 2026, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during Cotton Bowl Classic?

In December, Dallas averages highs of about 13°C and lows of 2°C, with roughly 61 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 10 h 01 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to AT&T Stadium, Arlington?

DFW is 30 minutes from downtown by DART or car; Love Field (DAL) is 15 minutes. You need a car or shuttle; Arlington is between Dallas and Fort Worth.

### Where should I stay for Cotton Bowl Classic?

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

### What else can we do around Cotton Bowl Classic?

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 Cotton Bowl Classic?

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

### How far is AT&T Stadium, Arlington from Dallas centre?

About 28 km in a straight line. You need a car or shuttle; Arlington is between Dallas and Fort Worth.

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