Everything’s bigger in the Lone Star State—one reason the “Big D” holds a special place in the hearts of Texans. The term’s no idle homily, though; the “Big D” really is. Surrounded by a Metroplex that covers 12 counties and spans nearly 9,000 square miles, Dallas lives up to its new tourism slogan: “Live Large. Think Big.” As home to the country’s largest urban arts district, the city is also undergoing a downtown renaissance with $1 billion in improvements underway, all resulting in a chic new image that highlights the fine dining, cultural opportunities and world-class shopping for which the city is known. It all goes hand in hand with a city that’s famous for both its oil business and convention business.
For all its city slicker image, however, a true Texas atmosphere is never far away. Not only is Dallas home to the month-long State Fair but nearby Fort Worth is a cowboy capital nicknamed “the place where the West begins.” This city’s Western heritage is seen in everything from its artwork to its shopping to its downtown nightlife.
The “Best of” Dallas
Perhaps more than any other Texas city, Dallas seems familiar even to first time visitors. As home of the Dallas Cowboys, the city where President Kennedy was assassinated, and the home town of the longtime “Dallas” television series, this destination is no stranger.
You’ll find plenty of options in Dallas starting with the Dallas Arts District, the nation’s largest. With institutions such as the Dallas Museum of Art and the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, home of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Arts District is among the largest and most significant in the US.
Dallas has long been known as an excellent shopping destination for both consumers and retailers, thanks to the Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale merchandise market, and the original Neiman-Marcus department store, a true symbol of Texas wealth.
Smaller and less hurried than its neighbor to the east, Fort Worth offers a diverse array of attractions from the Fort Worth Stockyards with its historic hotels, rodeos, and western shopping to a first-rate zoo and a cluster of excellent museums in the Cultural District. Halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth, Arlington is home of the American League’s Texas Rangers baseball team and the region’s theme parks, earning it the slogan “Fun Central.”
Best Web Sites and City Information
Dallas: www.visitdallas.com
Texas Tourism: www.traveltex.com/
Arlington: www.arlington.org/
Fort Worth: www.fortworth.com
Grapevine: www.grapevinetexasusa.com
Irving: www.irvingtexas.com
Fast Facts
Geography and Landscape
Dallas is located on a sprawling expanse of prairie in North Central Texas. Dallas itself is just one of many cities in the area called the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex or just DFW. Fort Worth sits 35 miles to the west of Dallas’s high rises. Rolling hills break up some parts of the prairie, resulting in an elevation that ranges from 450 to 750 feet above sea level.
Although the Gulf of Mexico’s waters lie over 300 miles away, water is found throughout the Metroplex thanks to many rivers and lakes. Dallas is located in the headwaters of the Trinity River and is also home to the expansive White Rock Lake.
General Orientation
The Metroplex, officially named the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area, is composed of Dallas to the east and Fort Worth to the West, cities divided and surrounded by an array of smaller communities including Irving, Grapevine, Grand Prairie, Plano, and more. Nearly 5.6 million residents live in Metroplex with about 1.1 million of those living in Dallas alone.
Safety
As the country’s ninth largest city, Dallas has its share of big city crime but the city is generally a safe destination for tourists. Like other destinations, visitors are encouraged to remain in well-lit areas at night. At night, South Dallas is an area to be avoided and even in the daytime, travelers should be aware of their surroundings in this district.
Weather
Weather is a hot topic in Dallas; summer days average in the upper 90s with 100-plus degree days not uncommon with humidity levels making it feel even hotter. Air-conditioning (and sometimes a little too much air-conditioning) is a part of life here. Late spring marks the time for the chance of severe weather in the region with the best chance for tornados in May and June. Winters are mild with January averages ranging from 33 to 54 degrees, although ice storms and occasionally snow are not out of the question.
Getting In, Getting Around
From the Airport
Here’s a trivia question for your next road trip: is DFW International Airport (www.dfwairport.com) located in Dallas or Fort Worth? Well, actually neither. The massive airport, with flights of four hours or less to every major city in the US, Canada and Mexico, is located in the community of Grapevine. The airport is larger than the island of Manhattan.
From the airport, taxi and shuttle service provide service to the region’s communities; another option is the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system’s Trinity Railway Express (TRE) commuter line, Monday through Saturday only. Car rental agencies at the airport also make it easy to get around the Metroplex.
Dallas is also home to Love Field Airport, located within the city limits and within a few minute’s taxi ride from downtown.
Driving In
With its myriad of interstate highways, maneuvering Dallas requires a good map. Traffic can be fierce during rush hours. One project that has helped Dallas traffic on the interstate highways in the city was the addition of the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. You’ll find the lanes clearly marked; driving in one of these lanes requires at least two people in the car.
Getting Around
You’ll find good signage throughout most of the region but heavy traffic and continual road name changes can make it smart to have a pre-planned route. Basically Dallas and Fort Worth are connected by I-20 and I-30, both east-west routes. Both cities are sliced north to south by I-35; I-35 East runs through Dallas while I-35 West goes through Fort Worth.
Public Transportation
Dallas has expanded its DART Light Rail System (www.dart.org) to serve Richardson, Garland, and Plano as well as downtown Fort Worth. You’ll find free parking at most of the rail stations.
For travel in downtown Dallas, the historic McKinney Avenue Trolley is a fun option. The state’s only historic streetcar system is now called the “M-Line” and offers free service to Dallas’s entertainment districts and the downtown Arts District, Uptown and the West Village dining and shopping area.
What to See and Do
Special Events & Attractions
Overview
With 30 percent of the region’s residents born either out of the country or of parents of foreign birth, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex boasts a diversity that’s reflected in its special events. Because of mild weather, spring and fall are the top months for festivals that range from the Asian Festival to the Diwali Festival. Areas such as DFW China Town and the Asia Trade District offer visitors cultural performances, shopping and dining options with a uniquely Asian flair.
Thanks to its Dallas Cowboys connection, the city is synonymous with sports action. College games also draw a serious crowd especially to the season’s three big events: the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic in January, Grambling University vs. Prairie View A&M State Fair Classic in late September or early October, and the University of Texas vs. University of Oklahoma rivalry every October, all events that pack area hotels.
Not forgetting its Texas roots, equine sports are crowd pleasers as well. Dallas is home to the Interstate Batteries Texas Stampede every November. Mesquite’s Resistol Arena hosts the Mesquite Championship Rodeo every Friday and Saturday night from April through September. Fort Worth is home to many rodeos including the Stockyards Championship Rodeo at the Cowtown Coliseum, holding the title as the world’s first indoor rodeo.
“In the Know” and Best of
TV viewers know Dallas from the long-running TV show where some scenes were filmed at Southfork Ranch located, not in Dallas, but in nearby Parker; the ranch still welcomes visitors from around the world. A far darker side of Dallas history is recalled downtown at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza (www.jfk.org) , housed in the former Texas School Book Depository building from which investigations believe a gunman killed President Kennedy on November 22, 1963.
Dallas is synonymous with the Dallas Cowboys (www.dallascowboys.com) but the city is home to many types of sports. Spectators can cheer for NBA’s Dallas Mavericks (www.nba.com/mavericks/), NHL’s Dallas Stars (www.dallasstars.com), baseball’s Texas Rangers (http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/), and more. For horseracing fans, Grand Prairie’s Lone Star Park (www.lonestarpark.com/ ) includes a glass-enclosed grandstand; car racing buffs head to Fort Worth’s Texas Motor Speedway (www.texasmotorspeedway.com), the country’s second largest sports facility.
Fort Worth is best known for its “Cowtown” image, bringing its Old West heritage to life for visitors in its restored downtown Sundance Square and Stockyards National Historic Center districts. Smaller and less hurried than its neighbor to the east, Fort Worth also offers a surprisingly diverse array of attractions beyond its Wild West flavor, including a first-rate zoo and a cluster of excellent museums in the Cultural District.
Despite its “aw, shucks” image, Fort Worth also has an enviable collection of cultural venues for a city its size. The Cultural District, located just off the Trinity River, is home to many of the city’s museums and gardens. Downtown lies historic Sundance Square, a 20-block area named for the famous Western bandit the Sundance Kid who, along with partner Butch Cassidy, spent time in the area. Just over two miles north of downtown stands the Stockyards National Historic District, once the second largest stockyard in the country with cattle pens that extended nearly one mile. Today the area is a favorite tourist stop with Western shopping, a twice-daily cattle drive, rodeos, and dining.
Just about any weekend, the Metroplex is celebrating with a festival but some are so well established they hold positions as attractions themselves. The year always kicks off with the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo; the country’s oldest livestock show also includes musical performances and draws about one million visitors a year. The largest music festival in Texas is March’s North Texas Irish Festival, held in Fair Park, when the city comes alive with Celtic song and dance plus plenty of traditional food and drink. Late March and early April bring Dallas Blooms, held at the Dallas Arboretum, and considered one of the country’s top five floral events, exploding with the color from 400,000 spring bulbs, 80,000 pansies and violas, and 20,000 azaleas. Late September means it’s time for Dallas’s State Fair of Texas (www.bigtex.com), the country’s largest. The event includes rides and shows plus a chance to see Big Tex, the inflatable cowboy icon that stands 52 feet tall.
Suggested Itineraries
1 day:
One day to cover the sprawling Metroplex is a Texas-sized challenge but start your day in the 60-acre Dallas Arts District, beginning at the district’s anchor, the Dallas Museum of Art (if it’s the third Friday of the month, save this until last and enjoy a late night in the museum until midnight). Other good options are either the Margaret and Trammell Crow Collection of Asian Art, or the Nasher Sculpture Center. From there, it’s a visit to Dallas’s best known site, The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, housed in the former Texas School Book Depository from which Lee Harvey Oswald took his fateful shot. Exhibits include still photos showing the motorcade’s approach to Dealey Plaza. Nearby stands the corner window, the vantage point from where the assassin allegedly shot the President. Today the corner is recreated to look as it did when investigators discovered it, with cardboard boxes used to store schoolbooks pushed to create a hiding place in the southeast corner.
You can’t leave the Metroplex with some Western culture, so mosey over to Fort Worth’s Stockyards Historic District. Do some western shopping, belly up to the bar at the White Elephant Saloon (dating back to 1884), do some boot scootin’ at Billy Bob’s Texas, and maybe even catch a rodeo at the Coliseum. Twice a day, at 11:30 and 4, you can experience the Fort Worth Herd, the world’s only daily cattle drive. Cowboys drive the longhorns along the streets of the Stockyards, a must-see event.
2 days:
Even if it’s not time for the State Fair of Texas, you’ll find plenty of reasons to spend a morning in Fair Park (www.fairpark.org), the city’s largest cultural center. With a minimum of driving, you can pick a museum to fit your interest, from the Texas Hall of State to the new Women’s Museum to family favorites like the Dallas Aquarium and Museum of Nature and Science. (If you’re a museum fiend, purchase a Fair Park Passport for a 40 percent savings.)
Spend an afternoon at Fort Worth’s Cultural District, home of the Kimbell Art Museum, considered on of the world’s finest small public art museums, the expansive Fort Worth Botanic Gardens with its peaceful Japanese Garden, and the Fort Worth Zoo, housing both Texas and exotic species.
3 days:
Spend a day concentrating on Metroplex fun. Depending on the season, opt for a day at Six Flags over Texas in Arlington (and cool off at the Six Flags Hurricane Harbor) or take in a sports event. Even if it’s not football season, you can check out the Dallas Cowboys with a guided stadium tour in Irving (soon in a few years to Arlington).
Of course, an extended visit in the Metroplex has to include a stop at Southfork Ranch, located about half an hour north of Dallas in Parker. Tours include the “Ewing” house as well as the “Dallas Legends” exhibit with the gun that shot J.R., Lucy’s wedding dress, and other props from the popular show.
Arts and Culture
Overview
Dallas has become a center of culture. With institutions such as the Dallas Museum of Art and the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, home of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Arts District is among the most significant in the US. Highbrow visual and performing arts are just one aspect of the city’s art scene, however; smaller galleries and affordable art festivals play an important role as well. Uptown Dallas is home to a growing number of small galleries, most within walking distance of each other, and many galleries have extended hours the first Friday of every month. Several arts festivals draw a crowd as well; the fairly new Dallas CityArts Festival in June, held in the Arts District features fine art displays and multicultural performances, is growing in popularity while April’s Deep Ellum has featured three days of cutting edge artwork for over a dozen years.
“In the Know” and Best of
The well known Dallas Museum of Art (1717 North Harwood), founded in 1903, is home to an expansive collection of ancient American, African, Indonesian and contemporary art ranging from Renoir and van Gogh to O’Keefe and Wyeth. The museum is the anchor of the Dallas Arts District; other neighbors include the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center (2301 Flora St. ) which serves as the permanent home of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
Fort Worth’s own Cultural District is another favorite with art lovers; the district houses five top museums including the Kimbell Art Museum, often called “America’s best small museum,” the Amon Carter Museum and its collection of American art, and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Suggested Itineraries
1 day:
The Dallas Art District can easily fill a day (and much more). Begin your day at the Dallas Museum of Art (although try to avoid the first Tuesday of the month when admission is free and crowds can be fierce.) Some of the museum’s best-known works include Frederic Church’s The Icebergs and sculptor James Earl Fasier’s End of the Trail. When it’s time for a break, grab lunch at the casual (and family-friendly) Atrium Café or opt for the trendsetting Seventeen Seventeen restaurant.
Near the Dallas Museum of Art, stroll to the Nasher Sculpture Center (www.nashersculpturecenter.org) , the world’s first museum focusing on modern and contemporary sculpture, housed both indoors and outside. More sculpture can be seen at the Trammell Crow European Sculpture Garden, part of the Trammell and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art, showcasing a permanent collection from China, Japan, India and Southeast Asia and the country’s largest collection of jade.
2 days:
Today, branch out to Fort Worth’s Cultural Center, home to three art museums as well as the city’s largest concentration of art galleries. Start your visit at the Kimbell Art Museum (www.kimbellart.org), known not only for its survey collection but also for its modern building. Along with top names like Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Picasso, you’ll find one of the largest collections of Asian art in the Southwest here.
Next, check out the collection at the Amon Carter Museum (www.cartermuseum.org), founded by Fort Worth publisher Amon G. Carter for his collection of Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell paintings and sculptures. Today the museum has grown to almost 240,000 objects focusing on many types of 19th and 20th century American art. Two rooms are devoted to Russell and Remingston; other collection areas include works by Winslow Homer, Eliot Porter, and Thomas Eakins as well as a strong collection on American photography, started when Dorothea Lange offered the museum her studies of Charles M. Russell.
Don’t miss the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (www.themodern.org) , the oldest art museum in Texas. Founded in 1892, the houses a collection of works by Picasso, Pollock, Lichtenstein, and others. At the museum, grab some lunch at Café Modern, known for its seasonal menu with dishes like jerk pork tenderloin and King Ranch chicken casserole.
Before you leave the Cultural District, save time to visit the area’s art galleries. Both Texas artists and nationally known names are represented at William Campbell Contemporary Art (4935 Byers Avenue) or visit the Galerie Kornye West (1601 Clover Lane), specializing in 19th and 20th century fine art.
Downtown Fort Worth holds another local treasure: the Sid Richardson Collection of Western Art (www.sidrmuseum.org). After closing for a year for a renovation and expansion, the Sundance Square museum continues to show Frederic Remington and Charles Russell as well as pieces by several other Western artists.
3 days:
Begin at the quiet Meadows Museum (www.meadowsmuseumdallas.org/) , located on oak-shaded streets on the campus of Southwest Methodist University. The interior of this facility was inspired by Madrid’s Prado; the museum highlights Spanish art beginning with medieval and Renaissance paintings and continuing through Picasso.
From the campus, head to the art galleries of Uptown Dallas. Art and antiques are the focal point of many galleries including Gallery 2520 (2520 Fairmount St.), showcasing the work of Dallas contemporary artists, and David Dike Fine Art (2613 Fairmount St.), tempting serious shoppers with late 19th Century and early 20th Century European and American oil paintings. You can stop for dinner at the Capital Grille (500 Crescent Court). Located in the Crescent Shops and Galleries, the elegant restaurant is known not only for its dry aged steaks but also seafood including fresh lobster.
Architecture and Landmarks
Overview
As a booming corporate capital, Dallas has long been a showcase for important architecture, starting with the construction of the Old Red Courthouse in the late 1800s that signaled the creation of a justice system to move beyond the area’s Wild West days. In 1912, the city’s Adolphus hotel with its Edwardian Baroque ornate style would capture the attention of Dallas visitors just as it continues to do today.
The 1930s brought art deco architecture to Dallas and today the city is home to Fair Park, at 277 acres the country’s largest collection of 1930s art deco architecture at one site, a favorite spot for visitors to stroll from museum to museum and admire the stylish exteriors. Along with architectural styles, Dallas also showcases the works of some of the country’s best known architectural names: Frank Lloyd Wright, I.M. Pei, and Philip Johnson, each creating unique facilities.
“In the Know” and Best of
A 68-second ride sweeps you up 55 stories to the top of the symbol of Dallas: the soaring Reunion Tower, a column topped by a geodesic and glass dome complete with an observation tower, restaurant, and lounge. Although one of the most recognized landmarks in the Metroplex, it is joined by a host of other notable buildings ranging from historic to modern.
The internationally-known I.M. Pei, famous for his addition of the Louvre’s pyramid, has created several projects in downtown Dallas. One of the most notable is the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, built in 1989 as the permanent home of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The building is the only symphony center designed by Pei. The architect’s Dallas City Hall, noteworthy for its cantilevered facade, is a modern landmark. Another Pei landmark is downtown’s Fountain Place (1445 Ross Avenue), a green glass tower that rises from a base of waterfalls and fountains including one considered to be one of the world’s most complex computer driven waterspray.
Other must-sees in the area include the Kalita Humphreys Theater designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, one of only three theaters designed by the famous architect. Philip Johnson’s work also plays a prominent role in the Metroplex, from Dallas’s peaceful Thanks-Giving Square, known for its cascading fountains and interfaith chapel inspired by an Iraqi minaret, to Fort Worth’s Amon Carter Museum and the Fort Worth Water Gardens, a cascade of water down terraced steps.
Suggested Itineraries
1 day:
The early morning hours are a good time to start a visit at Fair Park, the National Historic landmark that’s chock full of art deco allure. Built to host the 1936 Texas Centennial Exhibition and now home to the State Fair of Texas in late September and October, many of the park’s buildings showcase an Art Deco style. One of the most notable buildings is the Hall of State (when it was built the most expensive building per square foot ever constructed in Texas); look for the bas relief carvings portraying soldiers as well as a dramatic entrance.
While you’re downtown, visit the I.M. Pei-designed Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. The notable building offers free tours on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 1pm. About the unique structure, Pei said, “The plan of the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center is a combination of overlapping geometric forms. It starts with a rectangle set at an angle within a square and is enveloped by segments of circles.”
As the day draws to a close, catch an elevator up Reunion Tower (300 Reunion Boulevard East) for a birds’ eye view of the Metroplex and either a drink at the Dome cocktail lounge or an elegant dinner at Antares, rotating one revolution every 55 minutes.
2 days:
Western history stands side by side with modern history in Fort Worth. Start your visit at the Stockyards National Historic District. Here a symbol of the Stockyards (and of Fort Worth) is the Livestock Exchange Building (131 East Exchange Ave), constructed in 1902 and for decades used as offices of the stockyards (the Swift and Armour plants once covered acres here, shipping beef around the country.) Today the Spanish-style building is used for offices and is also home to the small Stockyards Museum, tracing the history of the district. Wander among the historic streets of the district, making a stop at the Stockyards Hotel, celebrating nearly a century in Fort Worth and boasting a Western atmosphere. Saddle up—literally—on a hotel barstool topped with a saddle or mosey over to the city’s best known Mexican restaurant, Joe T. Garcia’s (known to locals as Joe T’s), located just a few blocks away and known for its frosty margaritas and enchiladas. (2201 N. Commerce).
Further downtown, history and culture meet in the Sundance Square, named for frequent visitor the Sundance Kid (partner of Butch Cassidy). You can’t miss the Jett Building, constructed in 1907; the building boasts an enormous Chisholm Trail Mural by Richard portraying the Fort Worth stretch of the Chisholm Trail cattle drives. Sundance Square is also home to one of the city’s architectural gems, the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall. Completed in 1998 and designed by David M.Schwarz, the massive concert hall encompasses an entire city block. At the entrance to the hall, you’ll see two 48-foot-tall limestone angels sculpted by Marton Varo; the artwork has become a symbol of the region’s growing cultural offerings.
3 days:
Near Fair Park you’ll find Old City Park, a reminder that, for all its modern high-rises, Dallas as well is deeply rooted in history. Take a look back at the city’s early days at Old City Park (1717 Gano Street). The 13-acre park, located just south of downtown, is filled with restored buildings dating back as far as 1840. Costumed docents carry on chores and offer a peek back to the city’s early days.
Downtown, the Old Red Courthouse is presently under renovation, bringing the landmark back to its historic look; the renovated building will be home to the Old Red Museum of Dallas County History & Culture, completing a project begun in 2001. The Courthouse is located downtown on a block formed by Houston Street, Main Street, Commerce Street, and the JFK Memorial Plaza.
Further east on Commerce, you can end your day at the Adolphus Hotel (1321 Commerce Street ). The antiques-filled 1912 hotel contains an eclectic mix of treasures ranging from early Flemish tapestries to a Victorian Steinway (once owned by the Guggenheims, no less). Dining at the hotel’s Dallas French Room restaurant showcases both culinary and architectural masterpieces including fresco-covered ceilings and hand-blown chandeliers.
Shopping
Overview
Shopping is more than an activity in Dallas; it’s almost elevated to sport status. In spite of fierce competition from Houston and San Antonio, the Big D remains the capital of Texas’s shopping scene with mega-malls as well as specialty shopping. The city draws both consumers and retailers, thanks to the Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale merchandise market, and the original Neiman-Marcus department store, a true symbol of Texas wealth. Fort Worth also tempts shoppers with malls and specialty shopping, especially for Western wear while Grand Prairie is home to Traders Village, one of the area’s largest flea markets, open every weekend.
“In the Know” and Best of
Several Dallas malls draw travelers including NorthPark Center (www.northparkcenter.com), fresh with a $170 million expansion and renovation and tempting with its day spa and high end shops like Neiman Marcus and Tiffany & Co; Highland Park Village (www.hpvillage.com), the nation’s first shopping center and still ultra-elegant with boutiques featuring everything from Chanel to Jimmy Choo; and the elegant Galleria Dallas (www.dallasgalleria.com), known for its sculpture and high-end stores.
For all its mall offerings, however, the city also offers many trendy options including West Village (www.westvil.com) in Uptown Dallas, and Knox-Henderson, named for two streets near the Southwest Methodist University campus. Along with its dining options, the district is known for its furniture stores and antiques galleries, many located behind 1920s storefronts.
Suggested Itineraries
1 day:
There’s no better place to start a Dallas shopping excursion than the iconic Neiman Marcus store (1618 Main Street, www.neimanmarcus.com). The posh store has a retro feel and is oh-so elegant, a place to put on your best duds (and diamonds) and shop for the latest designer looks. When it’s time for lunch, the in place to go is the store’s The Zodiac® where meals begin with the Neiman Marcus tradition of hot chicken consommé, popovers and strawberry butter. Reservations are suggested. After lunch, it’s time to hit the mall with a start at the nation’s first, the always elegant Highland Park Village. Valet parking is complimentary, all the better to free up your time for perusing the latest scarves from Hermès or must-have dinnerware at Williams-Sonoma. Save some time (and money) for one more mall stop, though; NorthPark Center is that state’s largest and a pleasant visitor experience even for non-shoppers. Watch for the mall’s trademark sculpture displays which have featured names from Andy Warhol to Frank Stella. Shoppers have another chance to visit a Neiman Marcus as well as international names like Burberry and David Yurman. If all this shopping leaves you tired, pop in one of the spas at Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom.
2 days:
Western shopping is the name of the game in downtown Fort Worth, home to Fincher’s White Front Western Wear (115 E. Exchange Ave. in the Stockyards, www.fincherswhitefront.com). Since 1902, this shop has outfitted cowboys with everything from hats to belt buckles. Also in the Stockyards, you can take home boots—or even a saddle—over at ML Boots and Saddlery (2455 N. Main St., www.leddys.com). Boots range from ostrich to stingray and are accompanied by western wear that designed for everything from cocktail parties to calf roping. While you’re on the western side of the Metroplex, stop by Grapevine Mills (www.grapevinemills.com ) . The mall (the largest value retail and entertainment mall in the Southwest) includes 15 anchor stores and over 200 specialty shops as well as 30 movie theaters and GameWorks.
3 days:
Bargain hunters won’t want to miss Grand Prairie’s Traders Village (www.tradersvillage.com), a 3500-vendor flea market held every Saturday and Sunday. The state’s largest flea market includes everything from comic books to ceramics, jewelry to junk. A market atmosphere also prevails at the Dallas Farmers Market (1010 South Pearl Street, www.dallasfarmersmarket.org). Open-air sheds feature everything from produce to potted plants plus the International Market showcases the work of artisans from around the US and Mexico. Saturday shoppers can also take part in a cooking class featuring a local chef. Bargain hunters also can’t miss the Dallas-based Half Price Books (www.halfpricebooks.com), which started in 1972 in a converted laundromat and has now grown to include stores in 14 states, ranking as the country’s largest new and used bookchain. You’ll find locations throughout the Metroplex but the flagship store is located at 5915 E. Northwest Highway, just east of Central Expressway.
Nightlife & Entertainment
Overview
As the iconic Lone Star anthem declares, “The stars at night, are big and bright/Deep in the heart of Texas,” and their celestial glow illuminates the way as revelers roam the various districts of the Big D each evening. When the chic boutiques and antique shops of the Knox-Henderson district close their doors for the day, the neighborhood pubs and upscale restaurants get ready for a deluge of customers, while at Mockingbird Station the “in” crowd indulge themselves with iced lattes and espressos as they enjoy a late night showing of the latest foreign release or indie flick at Angelika Film Center (5321 E. Mockingbird Lane, www.angelikafilmcenter.com), an eight-screen arthouse. After an afternoon spent touring the Sixth Floor Museum and the Dallas World Aquarium visitors watch the sun go down as they travel through the streets of the historic West End district in a horse-drawn carriage before embarking on an epicurean adventure at one of the area’s upscale restaurants. In the heart of Deep Ellum, the mournful tone of a blues trumpet wails until the city shuts down at 2 A.M.
“In The Know” and Best of
Texas tunesmiths perfect their craft at Poor David’s Pub (1313 South Lamar St., www.poordavidspub.com), a haven for the music connoisseur looking to discover artists on the rise.
The preferred hangout for the football fanatic, patrons of Frankie’s Sports Bar and Grill (3227 McKinney Ave, www.frankiesbar.com) can root for their favorite team in front of 26 screens or cheer on their friends as they belt out a tune every Wednesday during karaoke night.
After watching the latest arthouse offering at the Angelika Film Center, movie buffs flock to Trinity Hall Irish Pub and Restaurant (5321 E. Mockingbird Lane, www.trinityhall.tv), a family-friendly watering hole where spirited conversations are served along with the spirits on tap. The city’s sole establishment to feature live music from the Emerald Isle, this cozy retreat offers a heart-felt “failte” to all who enter.
The city’s most unique drink is served at The Absinthe Lounge (1409 South Lamar, Suite 008, www.absinthelounge.net), an uber-hip hideaway where a legal, Americanized version of The Green Fairy flows freely as riffs from a jazz band drift through the venue.
Suggested Itineraries
1-Day
If nightlife in the Metroplex means boot-scootin’ to you, two big names stand out: Gilley’s Dallas and Fort worth’s Billy Bob’s Texas. Travelers can fulfill their “Urban Cowboy” fantasies every Friday and Saturday night on the 10,000-square-foot dance floor at Gilley’s Dallas (1135 South Lamar, www.gilleysdallas.com), a honky tonk heaven that rose like a phoenix from the ashes of the original Pasadena, Texas structure, which was destroyed in a fire in 1989. Courageous cowpokes can test their mettle on “El Toro,” the actual mechanical bull that John Travolta and Debra Winger rode into cinematic history, or enjoy performances from top country and western, rock and Tejano recording artists.
Over on the western side of the Metroplex, Billy Bob’s Texas (2520 Rodeo Plaza, www.billybobstexas.com) is a 127,000-square-foot Fort Worth wonderland dubbed “The World’s Largest Honky Tonk.” Here 2,000-pound bucking bulls meet their match in pro bull riding exhibitions, top country crooners take to the stage, and the stomp of cowboy boots sound like a stampede on the dance floor of this former open-air barn.
2-Day
In days gone by the haunting melodies of such blues legends as Blind Lemon Jefferson and “T-Bone” Walker echoed throughout the streets of the Deep Ellum District, and today their spirits seem to linger at the club that pays homage to the area’s rich musical heritage, Deep Ellum Blues (2612 Main Street, www.deepellumblues.com). Follow the bohemian beat to Art Bar (2803 Main Street, www.clubclearview.com/artbar.html), which offers a feast for the eyes to patrons who peruse the ever-changing displays of artwork on the walls as local musicians play an eclectic mix of styles and poets bear their souls at an open mic. Nearby, The Gypsy Tea Room (2548 Elm Street, http://asp6.catalog.com/gypsytearoom.com) showcases both local talent and touring national acts.
3-Day
Dia de los Muertos figurines and colorful Talavera dinnerware adorn the shelves at La Mariposa (2813 North Henderson Ave., www.lamariposaimports.com), just one of the myriad specialty stores and antique shops which dot the Knox-Henderson area. At the end of the shopping day, drink a toast to your purchasing prowess at the Barley House (5612 Yale Blvd., www.barleyhouse.com), a bar and restaurant where beer is revered every night of the week, or order a draft of imported Belgium beer to wash down the award-winning pub grub at The Old Monk (2847 North Henderson Ave., www.oldmonkdallas.com).
For an authentic taste of the Lone State State, Primo’s Bar & Grille (3309 McKinney,www.primosdallas.com) tempts the tastebuds with such Tex-Mex treats as chalupas, chimichangas and chile relleno, all prepared from recipes held dear by the two cousins who operate the Uptown eatery. Continue the celebration of Latin culture at Club Babalu (2910 McKinney Ave., www.babaludallas.com), a nighttime hot spot that pulsates with the rhythms of salsa, merengue and rock en español.
Following a day seriously contemplating the masterpieces displayed at The Dallas Museum of Art, have your funny bone tickled at Ad-Libs Improvisational Comedy Theater (2613 Ross Ave., www.ad-libs.com), located in the Arts District.
Relax and Unwind
Overview
The DFW Metroplex is a beehive of corporate activity but all that wheelin’ and dealin’ calls for some serious relaxation options now and then. For some, that takes the form of a lazy stroll with some Uptown window shopping. For others, it means a jog around White Rock Lake, considered the city’s urban oasis, or, for the less energetic, an afternoon of birdwatching or sailing on the lake waters. Regardless of weather conditions, the atmosphere is oh-so relaxing at Dallas’s top of the line spas where pampering treatments reenergize tired bodies.
“In the Know” and Best of
White Rock Lake is a focal point for East Dallas, a place to enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon relaxing in whatever form you see fit: playing with your dog at the Dog Park, fishing for bass or crappie, or just enjoying the 9.5 miles of shoreline. Near DFW International Airport, Grapevine Lake is tops for windsurfing and sailing, as well as fishing for largemouth bass.
There’s no shortage of spas in the Metroplex; top hotels like Crescent Court and Irving’s Four Seasons at Las Colinas are top choices for locals and visitors alike; NorthPark Center’s Estee Lauder rejuvenates with plenty of facials and other beauty treatments as does the mall’s Spa Nordstrom, well-known for its aromatherapy treatments.
Suggested Itineraries
1 day:
Start your day with a lazy stroll along the banks of White Rock Lake, and have a picnic on the lakeshores and enjoy some people watching or bird watching. Stroll to the Dallas Arboretum (www.dallasarboretum.org) for an afternoon of flower gazing in one of the country’s foremost floral gardens and drop by the Arboretum’s 1.8-acre formal “A Woman’s Garden,” notable for its reflecting pool and the view beyond to White Rock Lake. Wrap up your lazy day with a massage at The Spa at Crescent Court (www.crescentcourt.com) followed by a luxurious Crescent Herbal Bath, soaking in botanicals including wildflower to ease your aching muscles and pine to invigorate you once again.
2 days:
Head to the western portion of the Metroplex for a round of golf at the Grapevine Golf Course (3800 Fairway Drive) , designed by Byron Nelson, or the Dallas Cowboy’s Golf Club (1600 Fairway Dr.) , the course of the football franchise known as America’s Team. Save the afternoon for wine tasting; you can sample the fruit of the Texas plains at downtown wineries like Su Vino Winery (120 South Main Street) or nearby at Delaney Vineyards (2000 Champagne Blvd.). If you’re flying home that afternoon, you’re covered as well; one of Grapevine’s wineries has locations in DFW International Airport. Look for La Bodega Winery and Tasting Room in Terminal A and D at the airport. During the warm weather months, end your day with an evening cruise on Grapevine Lake aboard the open-air Ducks (www.grapevineexcursions.com), departing from Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center.
3 days
Let someone else take the wheel for a while; hop the M-Line Trolley and ride uptown for a leisurely breakfast or brunch at Bread Winners Restaurant (3301 McKinney Ave.) with favorites like breakfast tacos and stuffed croissants. Window shop at the galleries of Uptown or stroll to the Dallas Museum of Art for some serious eye candy. End the afternoon with a slow carriage ride at West End Historic District, admiring the red brick buildings that date back to Dallas’s early days.
Organized Tours Overview
Art lovers enjoy Dallas’s free Arts District Stroll, held on the first Saturday of the month, meeting at The Trammell and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art. Romantics favor the monthly “Dine-A-Round” aboard Dallas’s McKinney Avenue Trolley (www.mata.org); it takes up to 30 couples to three different restaurants for appetizers, entrees, and dessert, serving wine on the trolley between stops.
A unique way to tour the western portion of the Metroplex is aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad (www.tarantulatrain.com/) which runs from Grapevine to the Fort Worth Stockyards from April through Labor Day. While at the Stockyards, you can also take a guided talking tour (www.stockyardsstation.com/walkingtours.php) offered daily; the tours include stops at Cattlemen’s catwalk for a view of the cattle pens, the Cowtown Coliseum that’s home to the world’s first indoor rodeo, Mule Alley which was once called the world’s finest stables, and Billy Bob’s Texas, still holding the record as the world’s biggest honky tonk.
Hotels and Lodging Overview
Thanks to its booming corporate and convention business, Metropolitan Dallas has more hotels than New York City. You’ll find many high-rise luxury options including Texas’s only Mobil Five-Star hotel: The Mansion on Turtle Creek, an Italian Renaissance-style mansion. When Hollywood visits Dallas, one preferred accommodation is the chic Hotel ZaZa in the swank Uptown district, also home to the romantic favorite, Hotel St. Germain.
Beyond Dallas but within the Metroplex, accommodation options include the historic Stockyards Hotel in Fort Worth, swaggering with an Old West atmosphere. A Texas theme is central at Grapevine’s Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, from its nine-story oil derrick to mission square. Golf’s the name of the game at Irving’s Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas.
Remember to take into account room tax in your accommodations budget; in Dallas, the hotel tax is 15 percent.
Restaurants Overview
At the mention of Texas dining, you might picture chicken fried steak or barbecue; Dallas has all that but a whole lot more. In fact, the Big D boasts four times more restaurants per person than New York City. The Texas-sized selection ranges from Asian fusion to Southwestern to French and everything in between. Best Bets include sampling the fusion called “New Millennium Southwestern Cuisine” at Stephan Pyles, the first eatery named for the notable chef. Southwestern fusion is also the name of the game at the elegant Restaurant at the Mansion on Turtle Creek. A spectacular view—both of the city and the veritable art gallery that surrounds diners—shares the spotlight with dishes like venison loin and prosciutto wrapped chicken breast at Nana’s, located on the 27th floor of the Hilton Anatole.
Of course, no Texas dining experience could be complete without at least sampling the state’s legendary barbecue. Dallas has its fair share of top contenders including Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse. The popular eatery has many locations throughout the Metroplex but for a true Dallas experience, head to the original location at 2202 Inwood; you’ll enjoy your sliced brisket and sausage sitting at old schooldesks in the always-packed restaurant.