Ultimate Dallas Seafood Boils

Sometimes the most spontaneous trips turn out to be the most memorable. When my husband had a business trip to Dallas, we decided to tag along and turn it into a family adventure. We packed up the car, brought the dogs, and headed north from Houston for four days of exploration. Having only visited Dallas for work before, I was excited to experience it as a tourist. Here are some of the highlights from our trip that I think you'll love too.

Traveling with Dogs: Tips from Our Trip

Many of you asked how we manage to travel with our dogs. In the past, we used a kennel, but our pup Izzy always got car sick. This time, I tried something different: I set up a cozy dog bed with towels and secured them with seat belts. They slept the entire ride and had no issues at all! It made the drive from Houston to Dallas (about four hours) much more pleasant for everyone.

Dogs comfortably settled in the car during road trip

AT&T Stadium VIP Tour: A Must-See in Dallas

If you're looking for things to do in Dallas, the AT&T Stadium VIP tour is an absolute must. My husband booked it for us, and even though we're not die-hard Cowboys fans, it was an incredible experience. The stadium is massive—3 million square feet—and feels more like a luxury hotel than a sports venue. The tour lasts about an hour and includes access to locker rooms, VIP lounges, and the field itself, where you can hang out as long as you like. It's suitable for all ages, and at just per person, it's a bargain. You can even book private events there!

Six Flags Over Texas: Fun in the Sun (and Heat)

Our boys chose Six Flags Over Texas for Saturday's adventure. They were thrilled to see the towering roller coasters from the highway the day before. We bought our tickets online early and upgraded to the Gold Flash Pass, thinking it would be packed—but it wasn't. That was a 0 mistake! The general admission is .99, and the Flash Pass added another 0 per person. My advice: skip the upgrade until you see the actual wait times. Even with some rides and food stands closed and the temperature soaring above 100°F, we had a blast. The boys rode everything, including the Titan and Batman, and we enjoyed a surprisingly good cheese pizza at the All American Restaurant. Free water stations helped us cool off. Overall, it's worth the .99, but not the extra for Flash Pass.

A Culinary Highlight: The Boiling Crab in Plano

When it comes to food in Dallas, I have one standout recommendation: The Boiling Crab in Plano. We ordered the crawfish boil with the Whole Sha-Bang sauce at medium heat—it was delicious! The crawfish were small but packed with flavor, and we added potatoes and boiled eggs (trust me, you're missing out if you haven't tried boiled eggs in your boil). The potatoes were huge, slightly undercooked, but still tasty. The boys had fried catfish and Cajun fries, which had a nice kick. We also shared the Sha-Bang shrimp, which was flavorful and satisfying. Hubby and I each had a margarita—nothing special, but refreshing. If you love seafood boils, this place is a must-visit.

Final Thoughts on Dallas

Despite the intense heat, we loved our time in Dallas. The city is clean and well-maintained, and our hotel was dog-friendly, which was a plus. The drive from Houston was easy, and we made some great family memories. If we ever find ourselves back in the area, I'll definitely be heading to The Boiling Crab again. For more Texas travel inspiration, check out our trip to Lost Pines.