Whether you’re booking a trip to Big D or playing tour guide, here are fourteen cultural highlights — including crispy cornmeal pickles, milk punch, and cowboy boots.
Stella, Surls, Moore, oh my! The Dallas art landmark holds all of the contemporary giants close to its chest, as well as various mediums of Asian, African, European, and Pacific Islands talents. Go Thursday night for live jazz.
Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 North Harwood Street (214-922-1200 or dm-art.org).
After a worldwide bidding war, Big D scored this intimate sculpture museum that includes works by Judd and Giacometti. On a nice day, soak up the sun in the outdoor garden decorated with world-class installations and enjoy bites from the Wolfgang Puck-catered cafe.
Nasher Sculpture Center, 2001 Flora Street (214-242-5100 or nashersculpturecenter.org).
Wake up and smell the roses — and tulips, gardenias, etc. — at this outdoor flower fest that butts up to White Rock Lake. Aim for an afternoon stroll to enjoy a glass of vino on one of the outdoor patios overlooking acres upon acres of impeccably manicured floral and water gardens.
Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road (214-515-6500 or dallasarboretum.org).
Perched on a hilltop overlooking downtown, this boutique hideaway has one of the best Dallas skyline views. Even if you don’t stay the night, sidle up to the cozy Moroccan-inspired lobby bar for a view of local art and a Belmontini (with a solid splash of bubbly).
Belmont Hotel, 901 Fort Worth Avenue, Oak Cliff (214-393-2300 or belmontdallas.com).
Pack your sassiest stilettos for this swanky hotel, which has sultry decor (there’s a pole in one room) and a French parlor-inspired restaurant. Good to know: The pool gathers a crowd in the summer and on weekends, so don’t forget a suit if that’s your style. If not, the second-floor spa is a relaxing getaway.
Hotel ZaZa, 2332 Leonard Street (214-468-8399 or hotelzaza.com).
The American bistro tucked inside tony Highland Park Village was built in 1931 (hence the moniker). Stay for a champagne cocktail from the adjacent lounge and rub elbows with the Hermès crowd.
Bistro 31, 87 Highland Park Village, suite 200 (214-420-3900 or bistro31dallas.com).
Since this restaurant sits on the Katy Trail, expect foodies sporting bike shorts or Balenciaga (this is Dallas, after all). The rustic-contemporary decor is the perfect complement to the gluten-free menu.
Company Cafe on the Trail, 3136 Routh Street (214-468-8721 or companycafe.net).
Unpack your fedora for this hipster hangout, popular for its simple breakfast fare and cool crowd. If there’s a wait for a table, order a latte from the fancy Italian coffee machine and admire the prettiest foam designs in town.
Oddfellows, 316 West Seventh Street, Oak Cliff (214-944-5958 or oddfellowsdallas.com).
Tejas meets Mama’s cookin’ at this indulgent resto, where sweet potato fries and crispy cornmeal pickles are standard starters. Leave room for dessert after your shrimp ’n’ grits. Tableside s’mores are a must if you’re with a crowd.
Tillman’s Roadhouse, 324 West Seventh Street, Oak Cliff (214-942-0988 or tillmansroadhouse.com).
Get ready to repeat the F word — fried, silly — inside this chic, low-country diner, where buttermilk-soaked chicken is served in old-school metal buckets. Cocktails can get quite fancy, from milk punch (bourbon, scotch, brandy) to sweet tea vodka concoctions.
Sissy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar, 2929 North Henderson Avenue (214-827-9900 or sissyssouthernkitchen.com).
Brooklyn, meet Dallas. The neighborhood cafe and market serves serious lattes, sandwiches, and grab-bag dinners. Produce, cheese, gelato, and grits are just a handful of local loot lining the shelves.
Bolsa Mercado, 634 West Davis Street, Oak Cliff (214-942-0451).
Boho-country best describes the vibe at this popular clothing and home decor boutique. Channel your inner hippie cowgirl with the shop’s stock of peasant blouses, breezy dresses, fringed scarves, and Western boots.
The Gypsy Wagon, 2928 North Henderson Avenue (214-370-8010 or the-gypsy-wagon.com).
Indie fashion crème de la crème (for men and women) served here. Hang back for lunch in the cute cafe known for its chicken salad and champagne cocktails.
Forty Five Ten, 4510 McKinney Avenue (214-559-4510 or fortyfiveten.com).
A paved path in the city offers a fun scenic tour of Dallas from SMU to downtown. All walks of life welcome, from Rollerbladers to retrievers.
Location online at katytraildallas.org.
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