DALLAS
Travel Guide
Visiting Dallas
Planning a trip to Dallas? This Dallas travel guide will give you the full city run down! Home to more than 1.3 million people and spanning almost 400 square miles, Dallas is truly a city that has it all! Between the impeccable food scene, lively nightlife, endless outdoor activities, sporting events, gorgeous parks, and super cool music scene, planning a trip to Dallas can be a bit overwhelming. So, we decided to write this Dallas travel guide in collaboration between us, two New Yorker’s who love visiting Dallas, and our Dallas-native best friends! This guide will offer you multiple perspectives, showing you the best things to do, best places to eat, and drink, and all the places to explore in Dallas, Texas.
Quick Tips
FUN FACT
The term “Super Bowl” was coined in Dallas. It was originally called the ‘AFL-NFL Championship Game’.
WHEN TO VISIT
Best time to visit Dallas – Fort Worth is between Sept-Nov when the temperatures aren’t too hot.
TIME ZONE
Dallas is in Central Standard Time (GMT-6) or one hour behind New York City.
Getting There
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field (DAL) are the two large airports in Dallas, TX. Both are great options, but DAL is more centrally located, which is often times more convenient. Another consideration is that DAL is the headquarters of Southwest, and DFW is the headquarters of American Airlines. Often times you will be able to find fairly cheap, direct flights to these airports as a result. Once in Dallas, the next question is how should I get around? Overall, Dallas is fairly spread out and generally has accessible parking, so renting a car is a great idea. If you decide not to rent a car, Uber and Lyft are very accessible and affordable.
What to Expect
WILL I NEED AN EXTRA LAYER?
Dallas truly has all 4 seasons, so be sure to pack appropriately! In the winter, we recommend layers, as it can be hot during the day and chilly at night.
HEELS OR NO HEELS?
As our Dallas-native girls would say – always dress to impress! Heels are acceptable to wear practically everywhere, so pack a few pairs.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Dallas is a great destination year round. But two especially great times to visit include fall for football season or summer for the lakes!
Neighborhood Guide
KNOX HENDERSON
This trendy and pedestrian-friendly area is nestled between Uptown, Lower Greenville Avenue, and the town of Highland Park. The central Dallas location is filled with shops, bars, and eateries, providing fun, cozy, and friendly vibes.
UPTOWN
Located in the heart of the city, this lively area is considered the home of Dallas’s premiere nightlife and restaurant scene! The area is extremely convenient if you want to plan on not renting a car, as it is very walkable and offers a myriad of public transit lines.
DEEP ELLUM
This lively and vibrant neighborhood is located just east of downtown and serves as a hub for entertainment and live music. The neighborhood is pedestrian-friendly and one of our favorite places to hang out. Between the live music, incredible restaurants, and some of the best nightlife in the city, this neighborhood is a must-not-miss while visiting Dallas.
DOWNTOWN
Being the most central neighborhood in Dallas, downtown is generally recommended as the place to stay when you visit for the first time, due to its prime location. Downtown Dallas is home to the most important attractions, the best museums, and the best public transport connections – truly offering something for everyone.
Where To Stay
Home to more than 100 vibrant neighborhoods, Dallas is massive and offers numerous great areas to stay! Our favorite neighborhoods to stay in include Knox Henderson and Uptown. We have included some of our favorite hotels in our Dallas travel guide below…
THE CRESCENT COURT
This 5-star uptown hotel boasts extreme elegance and ultimate relaxation. It features a gorgeous outdoor garden, outdoor pool, a pool bar, a luxurious spa, and is een home to the on-site Nobu restaurant.
THE STONELEIGH HOTEL
HOTEL ZAZA
Hotel ZaZa is a modern and luxurious four-star hotel in Dallas’ Uptown neighborhood. It offers a myriad of health and wellness facilities, including a spa, an outdoor pool, and even a golf course. This hotel has 167 cozy room, an on-site restaurant, and a stylish lounge bar.
THE STATLER DALLAS
The Statler hotel is located in lively and vibrant downtown Dallas. It is within walking distance of delicious restaurants, boisterous bars, and incredible shops. It also has an outdoor pool and a great on-site restaurant. All of these things combine to make it our choice for the best hotel in Dallas.
W DALLAS
This upscale boutique hotel is in the Victory Park district of Dallas, Texas. In line with most W hotels, this spot spoils its guests with a breathtaking, rooftop infinity-edge swimming pool, a 3,000 square-foot fitness center, as well as relaxing steam rooms at the on-site Bliss Spa.
Things to Do
Take a day trip to fort worth
Put on your cowboy hat and boots and take a day trip to Fort Worth, TX! Here you can visit the largest honky tonk in America, eat at one of the original Tex Mex spots, and visit a number of rodeos – all via the train from Dallas!
Billy Bobs
Known as ‘The World’s Largest Honky Tonk’, this 100,000 square fleet entertainment center is a must-not-miss! While visiting, you can expect more than 30 bar stations, country music’s biggest stars, real Pro Bull Riding, and massive dance floors. Billy Bob’s is a true Texas experience!
Joe T Garcias
Known as one of the most beloved eateries in the nation, this iconic Tex-Mex restaurant is another must-not-miss while visiting Fort Worth! Be prepared that they do not take reservations and the line is always out the door. But trust us, it’s for good reason. We recommend heading to Joe T. Garcias as early as possible, and ordering margaritas to drink in line while you wait!
Go SHOPPING
Even from NYC dwellers, our Dallas travel guide would not be complete without discussing the shopping! There are so many boutiques, malls, and upscale stores to shop at in Dallas, you are bound to find so many great things. Here is a list of our favorite places to shop:
North Park Mall
This 2,000,000 sq. ft. shopping center offers everything from high-end shops, like Versace and Gucci, to more reasonable shops, like H&M and Nordstroms. The mall, which consistently ranks among the top shopping destinations in the country, is complete with a 16-screen movie theater, 235+ retail stores, and 30 restaurants!
Highland Park Village
As the oldest open-air shopping center in the country, Highland Park Village is definitely worth a visit. However, be prepared to spend a pretty penny, as it is one of the most expensive shopping areas in the city. Here you can expect to find names like Chanel, Fendi, Ralph Lauren, Jimmy Choo, Anthropologie, and Rag & Bone.
Bishop Arts
Located southwest of downtown, this hip and trendy neighborhood has cool shops and fashionable boutiques. It is the perfect place to find unique, trendy items.
West Village
Located in the heart of uptown, this gorgeous outdoor mall and village is one of the newest neighborhoods in Dallas. The mall offers a great mix of everything and is a gorgeous area to wander around.
TRY AUTHENTIC FOODS
Dallas has thousands of life-changing dishes to try, but for the sake of our Dallas travel guide we have narrowed it down to our favorites. A stop at the legendary Jimmy’s Food Store for an Italian Stallion sandwich is a must-not-miss! This food store is a Dallas staple and will change the way you look at a sandwich forever. Another absolute food staple to try is Tex Mex, which is said to have been invented right in Dallas itself! The city has an endless supply of wonderful Tex Mex restaurants, which you will find below!
SPORTING EVENTS
There is no shortage of sports in this lively town, so you may want to consider booking your trip accordingly! Be sure to check out Texas Live!, which is nestled between the Cowboys stadium and the Rangers ballpark. This two-story, 200,000 square foot venue is the perfect place to hang out and watch your favorite sports teams! The venue features over 20 bars, 7 restaurants, 12 patios, 130 TVs, and even arcade games! The various teams you can support include, Stars, Mavericks, Cowboys, and Rangers!
VISIT THE ARBORETUM
This 66-acre botanical garden sits off of White Rock Lake and rotates exhibits throughout the year. Year-round events include tulips in the Spring, pumpkins in the Fall, 12 Days of Christmas in the Winter, and concerts on the lawn in the Summer.
EXPLORE DEEP ELLUM
As we mentioned before, Deep Ellum is one of our favorite areas to hang out in. Between the gorgeous murals, lively bars and restaurants, boutique shopping, and breweries, it is hard to get bored wandering around.
DALLAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra is a tradition dating back to 1900, and is a cornerstone of the unique, 68-acre Arts District in Downtown Dallas.
PEROT MUSEUM
This state-of-the-art, hands-on museum is one of our favorite museums in the country! The museum focuses on natural history and science, featuring giant dinosaur fossil skeletons, several 3D films, robot building, an indoor nature walk, and countless other exhibitions.
KLYDE WARREN PARK
Located right in the heart of Downtown Dallas, this 5.2 acre park offers a unique escape from the city. We recommend packing a picnic or grabbing food from a nearby food truck, then enjoying a sunny day in the park! The park is dog-friendly, provides gorgeous views of downtown Dallas, and is conveniently located near multiple museums.
DALLAS FARMERS MARKET
Featuring over 150 stalls, this is one of our favorite farmers markets to date! Located in the heart of downtown Dallas, you can expect to find everything from local produce, fresh meats, and all ingredients for a farm to table meal, to Mexican imports, Dallas souvenirs, and Cowboys apparel!
Live Music
The Rustic
This unique indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar offers great, free live music seven days a week. It is well-known for its family-style brunch, draft beer from local breweries, and farm-to-table ingredients.
Bomb Factory
This live music venue and event space in Deep Ellum is one of the most common venues for concerts! Expanding over 50,000 square feet and holding a capacity of up to 4,300 people, the venue includes five bars and an 8-foot disco ball. In fact, it’s one of the largest disco balls in the country!
Revelers Hall
Take a step back in time at this 1920’s inspired music venue, located in the Bishop Arts District. Get ready to dance the night away with the festive New Orleans-style house band!
Clover Club
An ultra-swanky wood-paneled restaurant & craft cocktail lounge in Uptown. The venue is divided into two stories with unique vibes. The first story offers a swanky, low-lit lounge with great live music, and the second is a gorgeous rooftop patio with stunning views and live DJs.
Texas Truck Yard
This ‘come-as-you are beer garden and adult playground’ gave us total Austin, TX vibes. It’s a great outdoor venue made up of bars, tree houses, and food trucks, and featuring live music a couple times a week.
House of Blues
This classic venue is one of the best places to see established artists in Dallas. This Rock & Blues themed chain offers southern-inspired cuisine and live music.
Restaurants
HUDSON HOUSE
A lively seafood spot with one of the best happy hours in town! The menu features everything from jumbo lump crab cakes and lobster rolls to seafood specialty towers. You can expect raw bar favorites, such as oysters, tuna tartare, salmon crudo, cracked king crab, shrimp cocktail and lobsters.
HG SUPPLY CO
This classic Lower Greenville spot has a unique paleo-inspired menu, but the main reason to visit is for the scene! Between the expansive rooftop patio and the top-notch cocktails, the restaurant arguably has the best rooftop bar in Dallas. Be sure to secure a reservation Monday-Friday for sunset to take part in the restaurant-wide toast.
DRAKE’S
This glamorous, Old Hollywood-inspired steakhouse serves up lavish multi-course meals, in a swanky and sophisticated atmosphere. With dim-mood lighting, red interiors, and a large, central, circular bar, this elegant space provides the perfect opportunity to try on that new dress and head for a fancy night out!
THE CHARLES
Located in Dallas’s Design district, The Charles features decadent, over-the-top décor and utterly delicious food. You can expect a delicious spin on Italian cuisine, featuring a lineup of house made pastas, wood-fire-grilled fish and steak, all served in a lively environment!
THE PORCH
This popular gastropub features upscale, delicious comfort food, along with a strong selection of creative cocktails, wine & brews. Ranked as one of the best patios in Dallas, this restaurant is a great spot for enjoying outdoor dining, drinking, and people-watching on Henderson Avenue.
MESO MAYA
This contemporary Mexican eatery, from the well-known Chef Nico Sanchez, has been awarded best regional Mexican food, best brunch, best chef, and top 100 best restaurants numerous times! Head here for an incredible brunch, delicious cocktails, and a true culinary experience.
Best Tex Mex
Javier’s Gourmet Mexicano
This upscale Highland Park staple celebrates the rich culinary heritage of Mexico City. The restaurant trades in the Tex Mex staples for complex spice blends and masterful pairings of authentic continental Mexican cuisine. Keep your eyes peeled for A-list celebrities while there, and if cigars are your thing, be sure to check out Javier’s super swanky cigar bar after dinner.
Joe T Garcia’s
Known as one of the most beloved eateries in the nation, this iconic Tex-Mex restaurant is another must-not-miss while visiting Fort Worth! Be prepared that they do not take reservations and the line is always out the door. But trust us, it’s for good reason. We recommend heading to Joe T. Garcias as early as possible, and ordering margaritas to drink in line while you wait!
E Bartex Mex
Considered one of the finest Tex Mex restaurants in Dallas, this Uptown spot boasts consistently solid renditions of beloved dishes – cheese enchiladas, tacos de carnitas, crispy flautas, and carne asada. The food is indulgent while still being tasteful. We highly recommend getting the E Bar queso as an appetizer!
Nightlife
KNOX HENDERSON
The go-to area for a laid-back, fun evening out with the locals! Recommendations include:
| Skellig | High Fives | KSP |
| Meyer’s Garden | Chelsea’s Corner | Old Monk |
DEEP ELLUM
Full of art, rooftops, & breweries. Recommendations include:
| Dots | Stirr | Vidorra |
| Harlow MXM | Bottle Blonde | Deep Ellum Brewing |
DOWNTOWN DALLAS
The perfect area for a fancier night out, but plan to take an Uber! Recommendations inclulde:
| Virgin Hotel | Hero | |
| Happiest Hour | Burgundy Swine |
Billy Can Can |
Conclusion
We hope you have enjoyed our Dallas Travel Guide! Be sure to head to our Destinations page to access many more worldwide comprehensive travel guides!
