Here are 20 of the best places to visit for families across Garland, Sachse, Wylie, Murphy, and the greater Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.

East DFW & Local Gems (Garland, Sachse, Wylie & Murphy)

1. Side Quest Arcade (Garland)

Located in Firewheel Town Center, Side Quest Arcade is an ultimate destination for retro gaming and family fun. With an affordable admission entry, families get free-play access to almost 200 pinball and classic arcade games—no quarters or tokens needed! It's an ideal spot for parents to share nostalgia with their kids while enjoying unlimited play and fresh popcorn.  

2. Play Street Museum (Murphy)

Tailor-made for toddlers and young kids (ages 1–8), Play Street Museum in Murphy features an interactive mini "town square". Children can engage in imaginative role-play as doctors, shopkeepers, or builders in a safe, clean, educational play space designed just for their scale.  

3. Hawaiian Waters (Garland)

When Texas summer temperatures rise, Hawaiian Waters Garland provides total aquatic relief. From multi-story speed slides and tube rides for older kids to zero-entry splash areas, lazy rivers, and wave pools for little ones, it’s a staple for summer family day trips.  

4. In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue (Wylie)

Located in nearby Wylie, In-Sync Exotics is a dedicated non-profit sanctuary providing care for rescued big cats and exotic felines—including lions, tigers, cheetahs, and cougars. Kids love learning about wildlife conservation during walking tours and weekend feeding times.

5. Historic Downtown Garland & Square (Garland)

Recently revamped, Downtown Garland features a beautiful family-centric urban park and lawn space. Kids can run on the grass, enjoy nearby ice cream shops, grab a bite at Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery, or catch a family-friendly theater production at the Granville Arts Center.  

6. Founders Park & Splash Pad (Wylie)

A go-to community hub in Wylie, Founders Park boasts large playgrounds, sports fields, walking trails, covered picnic pavilions, and a popular, free public splash pad during the warm summer months.

7. Salmon Park & BOHO Trails (Sachse)

For a low-key afternoon outdoors in Sachse, Salmon Park offers shaded playgrounds, baseball fields, walking tracks, and plenty of green space for picnics and outdoor play.

8. Lake Ray Hubbard & Bass Pro Shops (Garland/Rowlett)

Situated on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard, the Garland Bass Pro Shops is an attraction in itself. Kids can explore massive indoor aquariums, check out taxidermy wildlife exhibits, try the arcade shooting gallery, and watch live fish feedings. Afterward, take a stroll along the waterfront.  

Outdoor Adventures & Attractions Across DFW

16. Dallas Zoo (Dallas)

As the oldest and largest zoo in Texas, the Dallas Zoo spans 106 acres and is home to over 2,000 animals. Highlight experiences include feeding giraffes by hand, exploring the Giants of the Savanna exhibit, and riding the Wilds of Africa monorail.  

17. The Dallas World Aquarium (Dallas)

Located in historic Downtown Dallas, The Dallas World Aquarium takes families on an immersive journey through a multi-level rainforest canopy filled with exotic birds, sloths, monkeys, manatees, and sharks swimming through underwater tunnels.  

18. Dallas Arboretum & Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden (Dallas)

Set along White Rock Lake, the Dallas Arboretum offers breathtaking plant collections year-round. Its dedicated 8-acre Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden features over 15 interactive indoor/outdoor fun stations teaching earth and life science through hands-on play.  

19. Klyde Warren Park (Dallas)

Built directly over a freeway, Klyde Warren Park connects downtown and uptown Dallas. It offers an incredible children’s park with splash pads, climbing structures, a storytelling tree, daily free programming, games on the lawn, and a fleet of local food trucks.

20. Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark (Grand Prairie)

If you want water park thrills year-round, Epic Waters is an 80,000-square-foot indoor water park enclosed under a massive retractable roof. It features Texas's longest lazy river, intense body slides, a FlowRider wave simulator, and a massive arcade.

Quick Summary Guide

Attraction	City	Highlight Feature	Best For
Side Quest Arcade	Garland	All-you-can-play retro arcade & pinball	All Ages / Gamers
Play Street Museum	Murphy	Educational mini town role-play	Toddlers to 8
Hawaiian Waters	Garland	Outdoor water slides & lazy river	All Ages / Summer
Perot Museum	Dallas	Interactive STEM & science labs	School-age & Teens
Dallas Zoo	Dallas	Giraffe feeding & savanna exhibits	All Ages
Crayola Experience	Plano	Hands-on craft & coloring stations	Young Kids