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Dallas and Houston are getting ready to welcome the world in 2026. With the FIFA World Cup coming to town, these two major Texas cities will host international matches, festive events, and an electric atmosphere that goes far beyond the stadiums. They’ll be in the spotlight, making it the perfect time to discover everything they have to offer.
But beyond soccer, Dallas and Houston are both fascinating destinations to explore. Dallas attracts visitors with its modern architecture, rich history, renowned museums, and vibrant arts districts. Houston charms with its cultural diversity, unique connection to NASA, award-winning restaurants, and spectacular urban parks. In this guide, you will discover what to visit in Houston and Dallas, including must-see sites, neighborhoods to explore, and unmissable activities.
You will find: what to do, how to get there, where to stay according to your budget, and especially how to save on your travel and accommodation thanks to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card.
Home of the Dallas Cowboys, this impressive stadium offers guided tours and hosts major sporting events. Even when there’s no game, its architecture and sheer size make it a must-see attraction.
This is the largest urban arts district in the United States. Here, you’ll find the Dallas Museum of Art, featuring masterpieces by Monet and Van Gogh, as well as the Nasher Sculpture Center, known for its contemporary exhibitions. It’s a must-visit for art lovers.
This museum recounts the history of John F. Kennedy’s assassination and its impact on American history. Located in the former Texas School Book Depository, it offers immersive exhibits and fascinating historical archives.
A sprawling park that’s home to museums, performance venues, and the iconic Texas Star Ferris wheel, which stands 65 metres tall. It’s also the site of the Cotton Bowl, hosting sporting events and concerts.
An iconic Dallas plaza famous for its bronze sculptures depicting cowboys and longhorns in motion. It’s a must-visit for photos and to experience the city’s cowboy spirit.
Don’t miss Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse, a Texas BBQ classic. For a lively atmosphere, check out the Margarita Mile, a collection of bars famous for their frozen margaritas.
The Official NASA Center in Houston, the Space Center allows visitors to admire space shuttles and discover interactive exhibits on space exploration. It is one of the best sites to visit in Houston, offering a fascinating experience for space enthusiasts of all ages.
Houston has about a dozen museums to visit, including The Menil Collection, Rothko Chapel, Museum of Fine Arts, and the Asian Society Texas Center. The city’s cultural diversity is reflected in these institutions, offering a rich artistic and historical experience.
Midtown attracts with its lively atmosphere and numerous restaurants. The Heights is more residential, ideal for strolling through streets lined with parks and charming cafes. For upscale shopping and nightlife, head to Uptown / The Galleria.
Buffalo Bayou Park is perfect for walking, cycling, or enjoying the waterfront. The botanical gardens and arboretum offer quiet spaces to relax away from the urban hustle and bustle.
If your trip coincides with the event, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo is an immersion into traditional Texan culture with shows, rodeo, and local cuisine.
Dallas is served by two main airports: Dallas-Fort Worth International (DFW) and Love Field.
Depending on your origin, particularly from Canada, DFW Airport is generally preferred for international or transborder flights, thanks to its extensive network of connections and numerous transfers.
Once there, the DART public transport network (trains and buses) allows for efficient travel within the city, particularly between the airport, downtown, and areas like Fair Park.
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW):
Houston is primarily served by George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), the city’s largest and a major international hub. William P. Hobby (HOU), a smaller airport, mainly handles domestic flights and offers easy access by taxi, Uber/Lyft, or public transport.
From IAH, bus line 500 connects directly to downtown, an economical and convenient option to reach your accommodation.
Houston – George Bush Intercontinental (IAH):
With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, you earn up to 4 Scene+ points per dollar spent on Expedia bookings for Scene+, no foreign currency conversion fees, and six complimentary airport lounge visits per year.
To concretely illustrate the value of points, here is an example of a flight search with Aeroplan. A one-way flight between Montreal (YUL) and Dallas (DFW) on June 19 costs 12,500 Aeroplan points, plus $172 in fees and taxes. The return flight between Dallas (DFW) and Montreal (YUL) on June 26, meanwhile, requires 30,200 points, in addition to $94 in fees and taxes.
On the other hand, Scene+ points work differently and offer even more flexibility. Let’s take a concrete example: a Montreal (YUL) – Dallas (DFW) flight on June 19 with Air Canada costs $637. By paying for this ticket with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, it is then possible to fully reimburse it with 63,700 Scene+ points, based on the redemption of 10,000 points = $100.
The Scotia Passport Visa Infinite Card offers exclusive benefits for frequent travellers. By enrolling in the Visa Airport Companion program, you gain access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, including six complimentary visits per year.
At Dallas-Fort Worth International (DFW) and George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), you can access partner lounges, such as Plaza Premium Lounge, offering amenities such as meals, beverages, showers, and comfortable workspaces.
In addition to lounge benefits, you can redeem your points for travel to Dallas, Houston, or any other destination, without restrictions. Book your next getaway through Scene+ Travel, Scotiabank’s dedicated travel agency, to maximize your points and benefit from preferential rates.
Renting a car in Dallas or Houston can quickly become expensive, especially if you want to explore the surrounding area at your own pace. Fortunately, there is a simple solution to reduce your costs: use the points accumulated through your credit cards.
All major Canadian loyalty programs allow you to earn points redeemable for car rentals, offering not only savings but also additional benefits, such as insurance or status-related privileges.
Scotiabank’s Scene+ program is particularly convenient for car rentals. You can redeem your points directly to reduce the cost of your rental: 1,000 points = $10.
With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, you get exclusive benefits with Avis Preferred Plus, including:
By combining your Scene+ points with these benefits, car rental becomes not only more affordable, but also more convenient and enjoyable for exploring Dallas, Houston, and their surroundings.
Airbnb is an official partner of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and will offer accommodations in all host cities, including Dallas and Houston. It’s an excellent solution for having more space, cooking on site, being close to stadiums or in lively neighborhoods, often for a better price than a hotel, especially during such a popular event.
The major advantage? Airbnb bookings can be paid for and then reimbursed with flexible points, such as Scene+ points, thanks to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card.
Here’s how to maximize your points:
Thanks to the Scene+ program, the points you earn with your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card can be easily used to reimburse your Airbnb accommodation. The redemption is easy to understand: 10,000 Scene+ points are equivalent to $100 in travel credit.
Specifically, if your stay in Dallas or Houston costs $550, you could fully reimburse it with 55,000 Scene+ points, without restrictions on dates, platform, or provider. This is total flexibility: you choose your accommodation, you pay, then you apply your points, and your stay is settled with your rewards.
For those who prefer traditional hotels, Marriott Bonvoy is an excellent choice in Dallas and Houston. The chain offers a wide selection of well-located establishments, ranging from budget-friendly options to luxury hotels, while allowing you to earn and redeem points for free nights, upgrades, or exclusive benefits.
With the Marriott Bonvoy program, travelers can enjoy benefits such as early check-in, late check-out, access to member-exclusive lounges, room upgrades, or even complimentary breakfasts depending on their status.
To quickly earn points redeemable for free nights, several Canadian credit cards are particularly advantageous:
These cards offer benefits that allow you to quickly earn points on your travel, hotel, restaurant, or transportation purchases. They also provide welcome offers that can enable you to accumulate the equivalent of several hundred dollars in points. These points can then be transferred to hotel programs or used to pay for your overnight stays.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card allows you to make the most of your accommodation expenses in Dallas and Houston:
Advantageous multipliers: 3 points per dollar at partner grocery stores, 2 points per dollar at restaurants, entertainment centers, and public transportation.
By combining the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card with points programs like Scene+ or Marriott Bonvoy, you can book your accommodations in Dallas and Houston while saving and accumulating benefits for your next trips. It’s a practical and flexible solution to fully enjoy your stay, whether to visit the city, attend a FIFA World Cup match, or explore the surroundings.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026 and will bring together 48 teams for 104 matches spread across 16 host cities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Among them, Dallas and Houston will host several matches, offering North American fans a unique experience of the world’s greatest soccer tournament.
Dallas will host 9 matches, including a semi-final, at AT&T Stadium (dubbed “Dallas Stadium” for the occasion). The stadium, famous for its impressive size and modern architecture, will become the focal point of the action and football atmosphere.
Dallas Match Schedule:
Houston will host 7 matches at NRG Stadium, including several group stage matches and knockout games. Both cities will offer fans a complete tournament experience, blending sports, culture, and festivities.
Houston Match Schedule:
Demand for tickets and accommodation will be extremely high, especially near stadiums and in central Dallas and Houston areas. To plan strategically:
Book your accommodation now, whether it’s an Airbnb or a hotel, especially if you want to be close to AT&T Stadium or NRG Stadium.
Airbnb, an official partner of FIFA 2026, offers accommodation in all host cities. Simply book normally, pay with a flexible points card, then apply your points to cover your stay, an ideal option to save money while staying close to the matches and fan zones.
To complete your planning, consider optimizing your flights, accommodation, and transportation by combining your rewards programs and points cards, to fully enjoy Dallas and Houston during the 2026 World Cup.
To get tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, check out our complete guide.
Pay for your tickets and accommodation with a flexible points card. For example, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card allows you to earn up to 3 Scene+ points per dollar and use your points to reimburse your World Cup-related expenses (flights, hotels, transportation, tickets). With 10,000 points = $100, your purchases can be quickly covered.
Dallas and Houston form an ideal duo for a Texan trip: Dallas impresses with its art, history, and modern attractions, while Houston captivates with its cultural diversity, museums, and close ties to NASA. With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card, you can maximize your benefits (flights, lounge access), especially if you take advantage of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Renting a car, choosing your neighborhoods wisely for accommodation, and anticipating bookings during the World Cup period will allow you to have a smooth and memorable experience.
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