NorthPark Center

NorthPark Center is a Dallas institution that happens to be a shopping mall. What sets it apart for families is that a visit costs nothing unless you want it to: the museum-quality art, the garden courtyards, and the room to roam make it a genuinely pleasant free outing on a hot or rainy day, whether or not you buy a thing. It regularly ranks as North Texas’s number-one visitor destination for exactly this reason.

An Art Collection Disguised as a Mall

More than 50 museum-quality artworks are displayed throughout the property, so a walk here doubles as a free art tour. Point kids toward the big, playful pieces: Buckyball, a glowing geometric light sculpture by Leo Villareal, and Skittles, a site-specific blown-glass installation by Dallas artist Simon Waranch, are the kind of works that stop children in their tracks. Turning the visit into a hunt for the sculptures is an easy way to keep young legs moving.

For Kids: The Garden, a Play Area, and a Movie

Beyond the art, NorthPark keeps families in mind. The CenterPark garden is a 1.4-acre green courtyard in the middle of the mall, and there is a small kids’ play area for a break from strolling. When you need to sit down, the AMC NorthPark 15 offers a movie without leaving the building. The light-filled walkways and garden spaces make it far more comfortable with a stroller than a typical mall.

Hours and Practical Info

The center is anchored by Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Dillard’s among some 200 retailers. Guest Services runs Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m., though individual store hours vary. The mall is fully climate-controlled and stroller-friendly, with ample free parking in the surrounding garages.

Seasonal Highlights

NorthPark is famous for its seasonal displays. The holiday decorations in particular draw families from across the region, and each summer the mall hosts the Dallas CASA Parade of Playhouses, a display of elaborately themed child-size playhouses that kids love to walk through. Check the events calendar before you visit to catch what is on.

Nearby Activities

NorthPark is centrally located in Dallas, close to many family favorites. Art-loving families can visit the free Dallas Museum of Art or the Nasher Sculpture Center in the nearby Arts District. For outdoor time, White Rock Lake Park offers trails and picnic spots a short drive away.

Planning a Dallas day out? Browse our full directory of family-friendly attractions across DFW to build the perfect itinerary.