24 Hours in Dallas
The Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex is one of the largest and fastest-growing in the United States. Dallas has plenty to offer visitors – a booming restaurant scene, professional sports teams, music venues and hiking trails – all of which can be enjoyed in our three seasons of patio weather.
A day in Dallas is a vibrant blend of culture, history and modernity. Start your morning with a visit to the Village Bakery Co., for a delightful pastry or a cup of artisanal coffee, followed by a stroll down the picturesque Katy Trail. This is a 3.5-mile running trail (that actually extends much further) in the heart of downtown Dallas, where you'll always find people walking, biking and rollerblading. If you need a bit longer trail, White Rock Lake is a man-made lake just five miles northeast of downtown Dallas with a 9.33-mile trail. It's home to the Dallas Arboretum, which offers seasonal installments that include a summer concert series, an autumn pumpkin patch, a winter holiday stroll and spring botanical gardens – a great place for everything from first dates to family outings.
Food, artisans and music
Once you've worked-up an appetite and if the weather (that is, the heat) permits, grab a bite at a historic staple like Oddfellow's for brunch/lunch and spend the afternoon walking around the Bishop Arts District. Here you'll find a neighborhood littered with side streets filled with local small-business-owned shops that offer everything from artisanal home goods, clothing boutiques, record shops and plant shops. Once you've worked-up your second appetite, check out Reveler's Hall – known for its live music and great cocktails.
Non-native Texans who find the weather too hot can grab a bite at Pecan Lodge – a renowned barbecue joint that serves mouthwatering brisket and ribs – located within the Deep Ellum neighborhood of Dallas. Then hop over to explore downtown Dallas and the Museum District (all air-conditioned, of course), where you'll find the iconic Reunion Tower. Ride the elevator to the GeO-Deck for panoramic views of the city, including the sprawling Trinity River and the impressive skyline that symbolizes Dallas's growth. Just across the street you can spend the afternoon at the Dallas Museum of Art and the Nasher Sculpture Center, which you can follow with a stroll through Klyde Warren Park – an urban oasis where you can catch a food truck meal, enjoy live music or simply relax under the Texas sun.
Evening attractions
As evening falls, satisfy your shopping desires at the upscale NorthPark Center and then head to
the Carrollton/Plano area for your choice of Korean barbecue and dumplings. If shopping isn't your thing, explore the vibrant nightlife of Deep Ellum, known for its live music venues and eclectic bars – maybe try Café Salsera to show off your dance moves, or tickle your funny bone at the Dallas Comedy Club. For our more low-key friends, Dallas is a city of craft breweries. You can spend your entire evening checking-out local options such as White Rock Brewing, Peticolas Brewing, Community Brewing or Manhattan Project Beer Co., near downtown.
A little of everything
There's something for everyone in Dallas in the evening. The city has a diverse and ever-expanding restaurant scene, and residents love to meet after work for cocktails and appetizers at Beverley's or happy hour and oysters at Hudson House. Checkout Invasion on the east side for one of the city's award-winning fried chicken sandwiches that's artery-clogging but worth every bite. While over on the East side, stop by Crywolf for an intimate cocktail setting or Jimmy's Italian market – you'll find some of the best Italian subs and frozen meatballs you'll find in Dallas. Or stick with a Dallas staple at Mi Cocina for some Texas queso and famous mambo taxi.
No matter what you decide to explore in Dallas – take your time. We have a little of everything for every visitor. Explore on your own terms and find your home with us in Dallas.
Dr. Bailey is PGY-6; Dr. Davis is PGY-5; and Dr. Mathews is PGY-2; at UT Southwestern Medical Center.