As temperatures cool and fall colors gradually pop, Dallas becomes an enticing destination to savor autumn in all her bright, festive glory. Enjoy a warm Texan welcome in the city’s many varied neighborhoods, from Uptown to Lower Greenville. Soak in the best of the season at tranquil parks and animated sports stadiums, and in enticing boutiques and bustling restaurants that showcase the region’s most distinctive flavors.

Celebrate history along the Margarita Mile — in reality, measuring far more than a mile — a festive route that pays homage to the fact that local restaurateur Mariano Martinez invented the frozen margarita machine in Dallas 50-plus years ago. Say “cheers” with friends old and new along this free, self-guided tour showing off the city’s tastiest specialty margaritas at 20-plus restaurants and bars. This mobile-exclusive digital pass allows you to check in at participating venues, sip delicious creations and earn cool swag as you go. This year, from October 1 to November 5, a pop-up at Sweet Tooth Hotel joins in on the fun by offering an immersive experience with plenty of photo opps.

Many are pleasantly surprised by the lushness of Dallas, and Autumn at the Arboretum, proves one of the best ways to ogle the changing colors in a lovely lakeside setting. Come mid-October, this is a prime spot to absorb the fall foliage. This year from September 16 through November 5, the 8th annual iteration of this anticipated event once again features a maze for younger visitors, the acclaimed Pumpkin Village and a dazzling display of 100,000-plus pumpkins, gourds and squash hailing from the pumpkin capital of Texas, Floydada, plus 150,000 fall blooming plants beautifying the garden. This year’s theme ‘It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown’ welcomes back the beloved Peanuts Gang.

No Dallas autumn feels complete without a visit to the State Fair of Texas, one of the longest-running fairs in the U.S. and one of the country's largest. New additions this year range from a bubble circus and massive water balloon fight to the Dinosaurs at the Lagoon display, featuring 10 life-sized dinosaurs found in Texas. Get wowed nightly (at 7:15 p.m.) by the Starlight Parade, and on weekends in the historic Fair Park Coliseum, watch events from cattle round-ups to Mexican Rodeo Fiesta festivities. Other fair draws: Stunt dog shows, pig races, a petting zoo, an auto show and live entertainment galore, including concerts (from country and hip-hop to rock and Tejano) held on Chevrolet Main Stage; catch acts like Lonestar, Ceelo Green, Chrisette Michele, Braxton Keith, Outlaw Mariachi, The War & Treaty, Forever Motown and more. Then, of course, there’s the bounty of delicious food, from fried fair standards to more inventive delicacies like Deep Fried Cheesy Crab Tater Bites, Deep Fried Pho and Loaded Fries Pizza.

No matter your sports team loyalty, you’ll likely find fellow fans to cheer with at spirited pubs and restaurants around town. While experiencing five-time Super Bowl Champions the Cowboys first-hand at the animated AT&T Stadium tops many visitors’ list, don’t forget about all the other athletic talents playing their hearts out here too. This destination also hosts several major sporting events like the Mexico National Team, college football games and e-sports competitions.

Regardless of how you fill your fall days here in Dallas, we guarantee the warm welcome and wealth of rich culture, culinary flavors and fun will leave you wanting to come back again — and soon.