Travel Guide · Texas
Dallas
World-class arts, exceptional food, and a cosmopolitan energy that surprises every first-time visitor.
Overview
The City That Rewrites Expectations
Dallas has a reputation problem — and it's entirely undeserved. The city that most visitors expect (sprawling, car-dependent, culturally thin) is not the city they find. What they find instead is one of the great American food cities, a world-class arts district, a thriving independent retail and gallery scene, and a cosmopolitan energy that reflects the extraordinary diversity of modern Texas.
The key is knowing where to go. Dallas rewards the visitor who ventures beyond the obvious — who trades the Galleria for the Bishop Arts District, the chain steakhouse for Lucia or Bullion, and the hotel gym for the Katy Trail at sunrise. That Dallas — the one its residents actually inhabit — is one of the most rewarding cities in the American South.
Suggested Itinerary
4 Days in Dallas
Arrive & Explore Uptown
Land at DFW or Love Field and head straight to Uptown — Dallas's most walkable neighbourhood, dense with restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Check into your hotel, walk the Katy Trail, and end the evening at one of the neighbourhood's excellent cocktail bars. Dinner at Monarch, the rooftop restaurant atop Hotel Crescent Court, for sweeping city views.
The Arts District
Dallas has one of the largest urban arts districts in the United States — 19 contiguous blocks anchored by the Nasher Sculpture Center, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Winspear Opera House. Spend the morning at the Nasher, whose outdoor garden is one of the finest sculpture spaces in America. Lunch at the DMA's Forty Five Ten café. Afternoon at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.
Deep Ellum & the Bishop Arts District
Deep Ellum — Dallas's historic entertainment district, east of downtown — is the city's creative heart: murals, live music venues, independent restaurants, and the best bar scene in Texas. Morning coffee at Cultivar; lunch at Pecan Lodge for the finest barbecue in Dallas. Afternoon in the Bishop Arts District, Oak Cliff's collection of independent shops and restaurants. Dinner at Lucia, the neighbourhood's celebrated Italian restaurant.
Highland Park & the Design District
Highland Park Village — America's first planned shopping centre, opened in 1931 — is still one of the most elegant retail destinations in the country. Morning shopping, then lunch at Café Pacific. Afternoon in the Design District, Dallas's gallery and showroom neighbourhood, which has evolved into one of the city's best dining destinations. Dinner at Bullion, the French-American restaurant in the former First National Bank building.
Where to Stay
The Best Hotels in Dallas
The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
$$$$$The grande dame of Dallas hotels — a 1925 Mediterranean-style mansion converted into one of the finest hotels in Texas. The rooms are exceptional, the service is impeccable, and the restaurant remains one of the best in the city. The most prestigious address in Dallas.
Best for: Special occasions & business travel
Hotel Crescent Court
$$$$A landmark Uptown hotel with 218 rooms, a beautiful spa, and the rooftop Monarch restaurant. The location — at the heart of Uptown, steps from the Katy Trail — is ideal for exploring the city on foot.
Best for: First-time visitors & leisure travellers
The Joule
$$$$A converted 1920s neo-Gothic bank building in the heart of downtown, with a cantilevered rooftop pool that extends over the street below. The art collection throughout the hotel is exceptional, and the retail concept — including a Forty Five Ten boutique — is the best in Dallas.
Best for: Design lovers & art enthusiasts
Where to Eat
The Dallas Table
Bullion
Downtown
French-American · $$$$
Set in the gilded former First National Bank building, Bullion is the most dramatic dining room in Dallas. Chef de cuisine Austin Samson's menu — French technique applied to Texas ingredients — is exceptional. The wine list is one of the finest in the city.
Must Order
The wagyu beef tartare and the duck confit
Lucia
Bishop Arts District
Italian · $$$
A tiny, neighbourhood Italian restaurant in Oak Cliff that has been named one of the best restaurants in Texas every year since it opened. Chef David Uygur's handmade pasta and wood-fired dishes are extraordinary. Book weeks in advance.
Must Order
Whatever pasta is on the menu that night
Pecan Lodge
Deep Ellum
Texas Barbecue · $$
The finest barbecue in Dallas — brisket, ribs, and pulled pork smoked over post oak, served on butcher paper with pickles and white bread. Arrive early; the line forms before opening and the best cuts sell out.
Must Order
The brisket and the jalapeño cheddar sausage
Monarch
Uptown
Contemporary American · $$$$
The rooftop restaurant atop Hotel Crescent Court, with panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. The menu is seasonal and ingredient-driven; the cocktail programme is exceptional. The best view in the city.
Must Order
The dry-aged beef and the seasonal vegetable tasting
Insider Knowledge
What the Guidebooks Miss
Dallas is a car city — rideshare is the most practical way to get between neighbourhoods. The DART light rail connects downtown to Uptown and the Arts District.
The best time to visit is October through April. Dallas summers are brutal — 100°F+ temperatures make outdoor exploration uncomfortable.
The Nasher Sculpture Center is free on the first Saturday of every month. The outdoor garden is worth visiting even if you skip the galleries.
Deep Ellum's live music scene is best Thursday through Saturday. The venues are small and the talent is exceptional — check listings before you arrive.
Highland Park Village is closed on Sundays. Plan your shopping for weekdays or Saturday.
Related Reading
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Who Loves Dallas
Food Lovers
One of the great American food cities — from world-class barbecue to exceptional fine dining and a thriving independent restaurant scene.
Art & Culture Enthusiasts
The Arts District is one of the finest in the country, and the city's gallery scene — particularly in the Design District — is exceptional.
Business Travellers
Dallas is a major business hub with excellent hotels, restaurants, and infrastructure. The Rosewood Mansion is the city's premier business address.
Weekend Escape Seekers
Three to four days is enough to cover the highlights. Fly in Friday, leave Monday — Dallas rewards the long weekend.