Best Time to Visit Dallas for Weather, Prices, and Crowds

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Dallas is one of Texas's largest and most populated cities and one of the region's most popular tourist destinations.

Founded in 1841, Dallas became part of the United States in 1845 with the annexation of the Republic of Texas.

Since then, Dallas has grown into one of the south's most significant transportation hubs and developed a thriving cultural scene. Today, it has the largest arts district of any city in the United States.

Combined with the neighboring community of Fort Worth, the area's metro region is the largest in Texas. There's no shortage of museums, attractions, and other famous landmarks for travelers to check out in Dallas.

While there's never a wrong time to travel to the city, choosing the best time to visit Dallas can make or break your trip.

Keep reading to learn more about Dallas' weather and how the tourist season affects crowds and prices in the area.

• 4 Dallas best time to visit tips

Best Time to Go to Dallas

Dallas Vacation Planning Questions

When is the best time to visit Dallas?

For most travelers, the best time to visit Dallas is during either the spring months of March and April or the fall months of October and November.

The summer (June-September) is the city's busiest time, as the temperature outdoors can be pretty unbearable by most standards.

Expect July and August to have afternoon highs of around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. It's not uncommon to see some days that peak above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you visit during the summer, consider taking a guided Dallas and Fort Worth tour that breaks the day up into outdoor and indoor attractions with comfortable, air-conditioned transportation.

You miss the harsh temperatures and extreme crowds by visiting in the spring or fall. Prices are down, too, although Dallas still has plenty to offer during the off-season months.

Planning a romantic getaway? Here are some fun date ideas in Dallas to think about while you're there.

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When is the cheapest time to visit Dallas?

You can have a reasonably priced vacation in Dallas during any month. If you want to get the lowest cost flights and hotels, however, avoid the summer (June-September) months.

By the end of September, prices are starting to fall as most kids have begun to return to school, and the peak busy season is winding to a close.

This leads to October, which many budget travelers consider the best month to visit Dallas. Prices are down from their summer highs, and the weather is also more comfortable.

The early months of the year, January and February, offer cost-effective airfare prices and cheapest hotels in Dallas. These months can be cold, though, by Dallas standards at least, and be prepared for temperatures around 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Want to save more on your trip? Consider staying outside of the expensive city center. The efficient DART Light Rail runs throughout Dallas and neighboring Fort Worth, with plenty of affordable accommodation near rail stations.

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When is the cheapest time to fly to Dallas?

If you're looking for the cheapest flights to Dallas, plan your travels for January. Passenger volume is down, and airlines are lowering prices to keep their bookings up.

December can be a busy time in Dallas with the holiday travel season, but you'll find much better rates on flights and accommodations after the beginning of the year.

February remains low as well, although prices begin to rise toward the end of the month. Flights get expensive in March as the school holiday brings more travelers.

The summer, from June until September, is the busy season for the city. Avoid these months if you're looking for the cheapest time to fly to Dallas.

There's a drop in visitors to Dallas in late October and early November as the summer peak season has officially passed.

You can usually find great-priced flights during this period, although fares go up around Thanksgiving and stay high through the end of the year.

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What is the cheapest way to get to Dallas?

For most people, flying is the only practical way to get to Dallas. Sure, you could drive. But that will be a long trip from anywhere outside of Texas.

The cost of gas and the wear-and-tear on your vehicle, or renting a car, could be comparable to flights for smaller groups, especially those coming from more than a state or two away.

If you're visiting Dallas from within Texas, bus services like Greyhound and Megabus provide comfortable transportation that's far cheaper than intrastate flights.

Then there's Amtrak's Texas Eagle Train, which runs between Chicago and Los Angeles with a stop in Dallas. This is a cheaper and unique travel experience for anyone who lives near any station along the line.

If you do end up flying, the best time to travel to Dallas, Texas on the cheap is during the colder off-season months of November or January. Avoid December as prices rise for the holiday travel period.

When is the rainy season in Dallas?

Dallas gets its fair share of rainfall throughout the year. Even in August, the driest month, the city sees an average of nearly two inches.

But the rainy season in Dallas falls in the spring from March until June. At its peak in May, frequent storms bring almost five inches over the month.

If you plan to travel later in the year, watch for precipitation in October. A close second to May's rainfall levels, October brings autumn (September-December) showers in full force.

June might be wet, but the rest of the summer (June-September) is one of the best times of the year to avoid overcast skies.

Be warned that the temperature can be sweltering over the summer, with August peaking at an average high of 96 degrees Fahrenheit.

Rain is a possibility in Dallas regardless of when you travel. Thankfully the area offers plenty of indoor things to do, like visiting the Dallas World Aquarium or taking a guided tour of the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.

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Does it snow in Dallas, Texas?

With its humid, subtropical climate, Dallas rarely gets cold enough for snow. Even in the middle of winter (December-March), daily highs average above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

But it does occasionally snow in Dallas, Texas. The city sees, on average, more than an inch annually. While it doesn't happen every year, Dallas has a couple of snowy winter nights.

If you're choosing when to visit Dallas based on the snow, the highest likelihood is from mid-December to mid-February.

Although average lows sit just under 40 degrees Fahrenheit during these months, seasonal storms can bring evening temperatures below freezing.

Snowfall in Dallas has an excellent chance of falling in January, but early-season storms can sometimes roll in by the holidays. Snow on the ground is not unheard of between Christmas and New Year's Eve.

By and large, however, travelers hoping for snow are likely to be disappointed. But those hoping to avoid it are unlikely to have any issues, even during the peak winter months.

When is the best time to visit the Dallas Arboretum?

The Dallas Arboretum features 19 unique gardens spread across 66 acres along the shoreline of White Rock Lake. Because of its diverse collection of plants, seasonal decorations, and events, there's no wrong time to visit.

Dallas gets hot in the summer (June-September), so while the botanical garden and its shaded walkways offer some reprieve from the heat, you'll probably find visiting during the cooler months more enjoyable.

The Dallas Blooms festival takes place every February through April as the Dallas Arboretum comes to life with over a half-million blooming bulbs, as well as blossoming azalea bushes and cherry trees.

Autumn (September-December) is another popular time to visit the Dallas Arboretum, as the roses are in full bloom, and the grounds are decorated with nearly 100,000 pumpkins, hard squash, and other types of gourds.

If you're traveling around the holidays, don't miss the 12 Days of Christmas event bringing the classic song to life through a dozen intricate and ornately decorated Victorian gazebos.

Weather, Prices, and Crowds in Dallas

Dallas in winter

Dallas experiences pretty mild winters (December-March) compared with many other locations. The average high in January stays above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, with the rest of the season even warmer.

Rainfall is below average during the winter, with January and February among the driest months of the year.

Tourism in Dallas remains slow throughout the winter, except for holiday travel during the end of December and the beginning of January.

After the first week, many repeat travelers consider January the best month to visit Dallas if on a budget. This is when area hotels publish some of their best deals and rates.

Visiting Dallas in February? Expect similar prices and few crowds, although Valentine's Day can be a little busier than the rest of the month.

The slower winter season creates the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with local flavors on a Dallas Food and Culture Tour.

Major events aren't as common during the winter, but annual draws include the KidFilm Family Festival in January and the North Texas Irish Festival in early March.

Dallas in spring

The spring, from March until mid-June, is a wonderful time to visit Dallas. Crowds are minimal, and that's reflected in the low accommodation prices.

May and June can get pretty warm, but you'll find Dallas in March much more comfortable, with daily highs averaging around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

In addition to warmer weather, May is also the rainiest month of the year. But no matter when you vacation in Dallas, there's bound to be something fun to do indoors or out.

April is Dallas Arts Month, with local artists and organizations putting on events and performances at venues all around the city.

The Dallas International Film Festival is held in the spring, typically in April or May, and is the most popular film event in North Texas.

Visitors love the Taste of Dallas, which takes place every June at the Dallas Market Hall. Attendees get to sample some of the most delicious bites and cocktails from top local restaurants and chefs.

Dallas in summer

Summer (June-September) is the busiest time of the year in Dallas, and it's the peak travel season, so crowds are out in full force.

Airfare costs are usually the highest during these months, while Dallas hotel residents are plagued by some of the priciest rates of the year.

If you're visiting in the summer, be prepared for the heat. Dallas in July can be pretty unbearable outdoors, with daily high temperatures around 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

August isn't much better when the lowest temperature doesn't dip below 80 degrees Fahrenheit some nights.

The Riverfront Jazz Festival takes place in Dallas every Labor Day Weekend featuring performances from some of the world's best jazz artists. You'll also find a range of other genres, including Blues, Soul, and R&B.

For many families, the summer is the best time to travel to Dallas because of the school break. However, if you are flexible, you may be better off visiting during the spring (March-June) or autumn (September-December).

Dallas in fall

The fall, from September to December, is one of the best times to visit Dallas. Summer has ended, the crowds have thinned, and the weather has grown milder.

Long gone are the August days, with highs reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Instead, the fall becomes much more pleasant by mid-October as the average temperate dips below 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

It can be wet in Dallas in October, with just under 5 inches of precipitation falling most years. However, if you plan around the storms, you'll likely find clear blue skies and one of the best times to visit the Reunion Tower Observation Deck.

Fall hosts one of the Dallas area's most significant can't-miss events, the State Fair of Texas. An annual tradition since 1886, the fair kicks off on the final Friday of September and runs for a little over three weeks.

Taking place in early December, the BMW Dallas Marathon attracts participants for a full weekend of events and races.

In Summary

Dallas is a wonderful city to visit at any point in the year. The summer (June-September) is the busiest, even though temperatures can sometimes top 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

For most vacationers, however, the best time to travel to Dallas, Texas is during the spring months of March and April or the autumn months of October and November.

Prices are better during these shoulder seasons, and the weather is much more comfortable for outdoor activities. Most of the city's big events are held during these periods.

But visitors will find even winter (December-March) travel enjoyable in Dallas, where snow is rare, and the city always offers a warm welcome.

This article was edited by Henry Grahame.

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