The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is a hidden gem for DFW. With 289 acres to explore, there’s plenty to do and see. Starting with the indoor exhibits, we walked the halls reading about various artifacts, with a surprising number of them being found locally. Armed with two maps, we headed outside.

We were lucky enough to catch the dragon exhibit and loved walking the winding path, reading the origin stories of each dragon. There were over six miles of trails, and we managed to see each one. I might have done a dramatic hop onto the trailhead of the last one and called it good. We spotted deer walking through the tall grass on the prairie and turtles in the wetlands on the further trails. Guided canoe tours are also available and are a great way to see the scenery. We also toured through the outdoor wildlife exhibits and walked through the variety of flowers around the butterfly garden. One could easily spend all day here and still not see everything. The park does offer memberships, and the hiking trails alone are a great incentive to join.

After a full day of exploring, we stopped off for a late lunch at The Yard. The food is amazing, with a surprisingly diverse menu, and the frozen lemon-blueberry cocktail is an immediate favorite. The staff are warm and welcoming, giving the open space a comfortable vibe for hanging out with friends and family.