Texas and Oklahoma share more than a border—think intertwined histories of cattle trails, oil booms, and resilient cities that constantly reinvent themselves. In three days, you’ll sample Dallas’ heady mix of modern art and timeless barbecue before tracing I‑35 north to Oklahoma City for stirring memorials, revitalized districts, and wide-open parkland.

In Dallas, stand in Dealey Plaza where U.S. history pivoted, stroll the Dallas Arts District (the largest contiguous urban arts district in the U.S.), and picnic in Klyde Warren Park above a freeway—an urban planning marvel. In Oklahoma City, the National Memorial offers quiet reflection, while Bricktown and Scissortail Park brim with restaurants, murals, and music.

Spring and fall bring the best weather; summer heat is real (hydrate, plan indoor museums midday). A car offers maximum freedom on this route, yet quick flights are easy, too. Fly into Dallas (DFW/DAL) and out of Oklahoma City (OKC) with Trip.com or Kiwi.com, and reserve popular restaurants in advance on weekends.

Dallas

Glass-and-steel towers meet cowboy grit in Dallas, where cutting-edge galleries nestle next to honky-tonks and pitmasters treat brisket like sacred craft. Beyond big personalities and big steaks, you’ll find world-class museums, pocket neighborhoods full of indie shops, and a serious cocktail scene.

• Don’t miss: Dealey Plaza and the Sixth Floor perspective, the Dallas Museum of Art and Nasher Sculpture Center, Klyde Warren Park food trucks, and Deep Ellum’s murals and live music.
• Where to eat & drink: Barbecue at Terry Black’s (try the mammoth beef rib); Tex-Mex at Mi Cocina; Italian at Lucia (book far ahead); sushi and seasonal plates at Uchi; soba perfection at Tei‑An; cocktails at Midnight Rambler or Apothecary; live music at Adair’s Saloon.
• Coffee & breakfast: Houndstooth Coffee for meticulous pours, La La Land Kind Café for bright lattes and pastries, Maple Leaf Diner for chicken-and-waffles and Canadian comfort plates.

Where to stay (Dallas): Browse vacation rentals on VRBO Dallas or hotels on Hotels.com Dallas. Standouts: The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas (Arts District access, polished spa), Omni Dallas Hotel (skybridge to convention center, rooftop pool with skyline views), and La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Dallas Downtown (value stay near Dealey Plaza).

Getting there: Fly into DFW or DAL with Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Domestic roundtrips commonly range $150–$350 from major U.S. hubs; rideshares from the airport to downtown run ~25–40 minutes depending on traffic.

Oklahoma City

Born overnight in the 1889 Land Run and shaped by energy and aviation, Oklahoma City today feels fresh and creative. Slick new parks, an easy-to-use streetcar, and neighborhoods like Bricktown, Plaza, and Paseo make it ideal for a short, satisfying city break.

• Don’t miss: The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, Myriad Botanical Gardens and Crystal Bridge, Scissortail Park, Bricktown Canal, and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
• Where to eat & drink: Cheever’s Café (Southwestern comfort—order the chicken-fried steak), The Mule (inventive grilled sandwiches and tomato soup), Hatch Early Mood Food (brunch hits), Frida Southwest in Paseo (mezcal and modern plates), Bar Arbolada for refined cocktails.
• Cafés: Elemental Coffee Roasters (house-roasted beans), Stitch Café (Midtown; great breakfast burritos), Not Your Average Joe (mission-driven with solid espresso).

Where to stay (Oklahoma City): See VRBO Oklahoma City and Hotels.com Oklahoma City. Favorites: The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City (grand, historic lobby), 21c Museum Hotel Oklahoma City (industrial-chic with rotating art), and Embassy Suites by Hilton Oklahoma City Downtown/Medical Center (spacious suites, good for families).

Getting from Dallas to OKC: Depart Dallas in the morning. Drive 205 miles via I‑35E/I‑35 (3–3.5 hours plus stops; rental cars typically $60–$90/day). Or fly (~1 hour in the air; total ~3 hours including security) for ~$100–$220 one-way using Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Dallas — JFK history, parks, and Deep Ellum after dark

Morning: Travel day. Land at DFW or DAL and head to your hotel for an early check-in or luggage drop. If you’re hungry, swing by Maple Leaf Diner for a hearty brunch (chicken-fried steak and eggs or towering pancakes) or grab a latte at Houndstooth Coffee.

Afternoon: Start at Dealey Plaza to contextualize the city’s modern history. Then take the concise 1-Hour JFK Assassination Walking Tour to hit the key sites while your guide unpacks timelines and theories.

Afterward, decompress in Klyde Warren Park—food trucks, lawn games, and skyline views—or pop into the Dallas Museum of Art for a free dose of culture.

Evening: Dinner options: Terry Black’s BBQ (go early; the line moves fast—get the thick-cut beef rib and jalapeño-cheddar sausage) or Tei‑An (house-made soba and pristine sashimi; reservation recommended). Follow with a mural stroll and live music in Deep Ellum—classic dive vibes at Adair’s Saloon, or cocktails amid whimsical glassware at Apothecary. Night owls can ride into the neon with the Downtown Dallas Night Sightseeing 2 Hour E-Bike tour for an illuminated look at the skyline and arts district.

Day 2: Morning transfer to Oklahoma City — memorials, Bricktown, and a flavorsome evening

Morning: Depart Dallas around 8:00 a.m. Drive I‑35 north (3–3.5 hours) or catch a quick flight (~1 hour) with Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Check into your hotel—classy history at The Skirvin Hilton or contemporary art vibes at 21c Museum Hotel. Brunch at Hatch Early Mood Food (carnitas hash and blueberry streusel pancakes hit the spot).

Afternoon: Pay your respects at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum—allow 60–90 minutes for the museum plus time at the outdoor Field of Empty Chairs. Then get your bearings with the Guided Streetcar Tour that blends walking and streetcar hops through the Memorial, Downtown, and Bricktown.

You’ll hear origin stories of OKC and see how old warehouses transformed into today’s canal-side district.

Evening: Make it a culinary crawl with the Plaza District Food Tour—five tasty stops paired with local art and neighborhood lore.

Prefer a seated dinner? Go to Cheever’s Café (jalapeño cornbread and shrimp & grits) or Frida Southwest (tableside guacamole and a deep mezcal list). Cap the night with cocktails at Bar Arbolada or live shows at The Jones Assembly.

Day 3: Gardens, Western heritage, and departure

Morning: Coffee at Elemental Coffee Roasters (try a seasonal pour-over), then wander Myriad Botanical Gardens. If time allows, step inside the Crystal Bridge to see tropicals under a soaring dome. Next, head to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum—Remington bronzes, rodeo history, and the evocative Prosperity Junction “nighttime” streetscape.

Afternoon: Lunch in Stockyards City at Cattlemen’s Steakhouse (since 1910—order the lamb fries if you’re adventurous, or the classic ribeye). If you want one last thrill before leaving, book Oklahoma City Indoor Skydiving with iFLY for the feeling of freefall without jumping from a plane.

Depart from Will Rogers World Airport—check fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. For a no-fuss ride to OKC airport, consider this private transfer.

Evening: If your flight’s later, stroll the Bricktown Canal one last time for photo ops and a quick scoop at Roxy’s Ice Cream Social (cookies & cream is a local favorite). Pick up snacks for the plane at Stitch Café or pop back to Scissortail Park for sunset skyline views before you head out.

Optional Dallas add-on (if you arrive early on Day 1): See both Dallas and Fort Worth highlights in one go with the Dallas and Fort Worth City Sightseeing Tour Small-Group.

It’s a smart orientation if you have extra hours and want Stockyards flavor without driving yourself.

That’s your I‑35 sampler: Dallas’ head-turning arts and live music paired with Oklahoma City’s powerful memorials, parks, and evolving food scene. With short drives, resilient stories, and plates piled high, this two-city itinerary makes a long weekend feel delightfully full.