Dallas Texas Deep Ellum Arts District Tex-Mex and Barbecue

Why visit Dallas

Dallas rewards curious travelers with an unusual mix of history, art and food. The city's museums are excellent and many sit side by side in walkable districts.

The city is also a practical base for exploring North Texas. Fort Worth, with its Stockyards and museums, is reachable by commuter rail, and stadiums for major professional sports sit in Dallas and nearby Arlington. Whether you come for a conference, a game or a long weekend, Dallas has enough depth to fill several days.

Downtown and the West End

The western side of downtown holds the city's most visited historic sites, all within a short walk of each other and of the DART light rail.

Dealey Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated as his motorcade passed through Dealey Plaza.

John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza

A block east of Dealey Plaza, architect Philip Johnson's open-roofed cenotaph frames a simple granite slab bearing Kennedy's name.

Pioneer Plaza

Southeast of the convention center, dozens of bronze longhorn steers driven by trail riders flow down a rocky hillside and across a stream, commemorating the cattle drives that passed through North Texas in the nineteenth century. It is one of the largest bronze monuments of its kind.

Reunion Tower

The lighted sphere on the western edge of downtown is the city's best-known landmark. Its observation deck, called the GeO-Deck, offers sweeping views over the skyline, the Trinity River and Dealey Plaza, with interactive displays identifying what you see.

The Arts District, Klyde Warren Park and Victory Park

On the northern edge of downtown, the Dallas Arts District packs museums, concert halls and theaters into a compact grid designed by some of the world's leading architects.

Dallas Museum of Art and its neighbors

The Dallas Museum of Art holds a wide-ranging collection spanning ancient Mediterranean, African, Asian, European and American art, and general admission is free, though special exhibitions are ticketed.

Klyde Warren Park

Built on a deck over the sunken Woodall Rodgers Freeway, this green space stitches together downtown and Uptown. Expect lawns, shaded walkways, a children's area, a dog park, free events such as yoga and concerts, and a line of food trucks on most days.

Perot Museum of Nature and Science

In Victory Park, west of the Arts District, this museum fills a striking cube-like building with dinosaur skeletons, gems and minerals, an earthquake simulator and hands-on engineering exhibits. Families can easily spend a half day here.

Neighborhoods, Fair Park and green spaces

Some of the best Dallas experiences are found in its neighborhoods, each easy to reach by car, rail or streetcar.

Deep Ellum

East of downtown, Deep Ellum began as a commercial district and became a center for blues and jazz in the early twentieth century.

Bishop Arts District

In the historic Oak Cliff area southwest of downtown, Bishop Arts is a walkable cluster of independent boutiques, galleries, coffee shops and restaurants in low-rise early twentieth century buildings. Allow two to three hours.

Fair Park

Built for the Texas Centennial Exposition of 1936, Fair Park has one of the largest collections of Art Deco exposition architecture in the United States, with murals, sculptures and a long reflecting pool on its Esplanade.

Dallas Arboretum and White Rock Lake

Northeast of downtown, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden spreads across dozens of acres on the shore of White Rock Lake, with seasonal displays such as spring tulips and a famous fall pumpkin village.

Katy Trail

Following an old railroad corridor through Uptown and nearby neighborhoods, the Katy Trail is a popular paved path for walking, running and cycling, lined with trees and patios. Allow an hour or two.

Food and local flavors

Tex-Mex is a cornerstone of Dallas dining, from sizzling fajitas and cheese enchiladas to chips with queso. The frozen margarita machine was invented in Dallas in 1971, and margaritas remain a local ritual.

Chicken-fried steak with cream gravy, Gulf seafood and steakhouses round out the classics, while Lower Greenville, Uptown and Bishop Arts offer a broad range of cuisines.

Where to stay

Downtown suits first-time visitors and business travelers, with major sights, light rail and the convention center close by. Uptown suits couples and nightlife lovers, with walkable streets, the Katy Trail and the free M-Line trolley. Deep Ellum suits music fans who want to be near the venues.

Best time to visit

Spring is lovely, with mild temperatures and wildflowers, though it is also storm season, when strong thunderstorms and hail can roll through.

Other highlights include the arboretum's spring blooms, college football at the Cotton Bowl during the fair, and holiday lights across the city in December.

Getting there and getting around

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is one of the busiest in the world and a major hub, connected to downtown Dallas by the DART Orange Line light rail.

DART runs an extensive light rail network plus buses, the Dallas Streetcar links Union Station with Oak Cliff, and the vintage M-Line trolley serves Uptown.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Start at the Sixth Floor Museum and Dealey Plaza, then visit the Kennedy Memorial and Old Red Museum.

Second day

Spend the morning at the Dallas Museum of Art and the Nasher Sculpture Center, then eat lunch from the food trucks at Klyde Warren Park.

Third day

Visit the Dallas Arboretum and White Rock Lake in the morning, then head to Fair Park to see the Art Deco buildings.

Practical tips

• Book timed tickets for The Sixth Floor Museum and popular special exhibitions ahead of time.
• Check the official websites for current hours and fees, since many museums close one day a week.
• Use DART for Deep Ellum, Fair Park and the airport to avoid parking hassles.
• Carry water and sunscreen in summer, when heat can be dangerous for long walks.
• Watch the forecast in spring for severe thunderstorm and hail warnings.
• If you rent a car, ask how the rental company handles toll charges, since many roads are cashless.

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