Dallas is no longer just the place for cowboys, families fighting over oil, and amazing BBQ. With its bustling art scene, fantastic music venues, and activities for even the most obscure of hobbies, Dallas has something for everyone. Plan a visit!
Begin by choosing the area you want to stay in; there are over 80,000 hotel rooms in the Dallas area! The best hotel for you depends not only on your price point but also on what you want to see.
Downtown Dallas
For the history buff, a hotel in the historic West End is perfect. You’ll have easy access to the Sixth Floor Museum, where you can see the book observatory from which Lee Harvey Oswald shot President John F. Kennedy. Once you’re done with the inside of the building, take a stroll down the grassy knoll and see the exact spot the presidential blockade was on Elm Street when history changed forever. Learn about Dallas’ early history at The Old Red Museum, and then get lost in the makeshift Amazon waiting for you at the Dallas World Aquarium.
Sports and popular music fans will want to stay in the Victory Park neighborhood, located just off 35E. Within it is the American Airlines Center, the venue that hosts basketball’s Dallas Mavericks, hockey’s Dallas Stars, and the large concerts that come through every year. From Katy Perry to Kiss, if you want the stadium experience within Dallas city limits, the AAC is where to go. For those who prefer a smaller, more intimate affair, look down the street to the House of Blues.
Deep Ellum
While it’s easy to get drawn into the gorgeous multi-colored skyline and want to spend all of your time downtown, make sure to take the DART Rail to Dallas’ Deep Ellum neighborhood. The DART is cost effective and safe and keeps you from having to pay for parking multiple times during your trip. Deep Ellum was once a stagnant neighborhood, but it is now brimming with music venues, art galleries, and breweries guaranteed to keep you occupied. The club Trees is where Nirvana played their one and only gig in Dallas, and it’s still bringing in the newest and best bands to the Lone Star State.
If you’re pressed for time and can’t make room for the full experience of an art gallery, simply walking down the street will give you an insight into what you’ll want to see on your next trip. Deep Ellum is covered in murals from some of the most brilliant and prolific artists working today and can be enjoyed while walking between the many breweries. You’re going to want to take pictures of these, so visit one of the many AT&T stores in Texas to make sure your cell phone will be able to take the perfect shot. You can later make prints of your shots to have a bit of mural in your own home.
You can’t leave Deep Ellum without trying local favorite Pecan Lodge. The BBQ is well worth the line that goes out the door, and to complete the experience, order a beer from one of local breweries. Once finished with your meal, walk down to Deep Ellum Brewing Company, Braindead brewery, or Westlake Brewing. For those who prefer to be out later, don’t miss Buzzbrews. It’s a 24-hour coffee house complete with brunch meals and a full bar. After a night taking in Trees or hitting up one of the many clubs, Buzzbrews is a great place to refuel before heading back to the hotel.
The Arts District
Last, but not least, make a visit to Dallas’ Arts District a priority. See a touring Broadway show or the Dallas Black Dance Theatre at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Take in not just the beauty of the orchestra at the Meyerson Symphony Center, but of the building itself. Designed by I.M. Pei and Russel Johnson, the Center is considered one of the premier venues for musicians.
An art lover will find themselves in Heaven at the Nasher Sculpture Center. Visiting the Nasher, you’ll forget you’re in a bustling city and you will leave feeling refreshed and ready to see what else Dallas has to offer.
No trip to the Arts District is complete without seeing Klyde Warren Park. It’s a sprawling 5.2-acre park settled on an overpass above Woodall Rodgers Freeway. Let the kids work off some energy at one of the playgrounds, do yoga on the lawn, have a drink at the bar, or patronize one of the many food trucks that make stops there daily. Take in the sights and architecture surrounding you, regardless of your activity.
Whether you’re in town for business, pleasure, food, a concert, or just to explore, you can find exactly what you’re looking for within Dallas.
