Dallas has been my home since I was born, and I wholeheartedly believe that it is the best city in the world. It's a city that accommodates the young and the old with one of the strongest local economies, liveliest entertainment districts, and happiest residential communities (with great schools). Dallas is a place for all. It has a ton of cool places that everyone should check out at least once while they're here. I've compiled a list of the 10 best places to see in Dallas while you're here, whether you live in the area or are just visiting.
In no particular order:
1) Deep Ellum - Deep Ellum is an entertainment district that has a lot of bars and nightclubs where you can indulge in live music shows that range anywhere from cool jazz to punk rock to mainstream pop. Deep Ellum is also home to many art installations including murals and statues that you'll come across as you wander the unique neighborhood. If art and music isn't your thing, Deep Ellum is home to plenty of fantastic restaurants such as Twisted Root Burger Co., Cane Rossa pizzeria, Chills 360, and Glazed doughnuts.
2) Klyde Warren Park - Built on top of a highway, Klyde Warren Park serves as one of the most popular afternoon and evening destinations for Dallas residents. The park is the perfect place to grab a bite from a food truck and just relax in the nice Dallas weather. The park hosts events almost every day from "Yoga in the Park" to live music to late night programs in conjunction with the adjacent Arts District museums.
3) Dallas Arts District - Consisting of a variety of Art museums, Science museums, performance theaters, opera houses, and symphony halls, the Arts district is a must-see in Dallas because of all of the talent that is showcased within this small area of Downtown. Many of the museums have free entry, and you can come back every few weeks and experience brand new exhibits. One of the coolest things that the Arts District organizes is their "Till Midnight" series: once a month, the museums open up until 12am to the public and host novelty programs to turn the Arts district into a family-friendly entertainment district.
4) Katy Trail - Originally a railroad that became defunct, the Katy trail was reconstructed as a biking and jogging trail that leads from the West side of downtown, through Uptown, and all the way to SMU and Mockingbird station. It's the perfect place to get a morning run in before work or your classes, or just take a refreshing stroll with friends as you take in the beauty of the Uptown parks.
5) Northpark Center and the Galleria - Everyone loves shopping, and Dallas has a plethora of shopping centers all across the metroplex. Some of the most famous and interesting ones are Northpark Mall and the Galleria Mall. Both malls have their share of very exclusive high-end stores while also containing your favorite everyday brand franchises.
6) Trinity Groves/Hunt Hill - Trinity Groves is an emerging entertainment district outside of Downtown that is a great place to grab brunch, lunch, dinner, or even a midnight snack. Right alongside the Margaret Hunt Hill bridge, the district has restaurants that cater to every palate. Every month, new restaurants pop up, and more Dallas-area residents come to experience the calmness of the Trinity River while getting an unobstructed view of the Dallas skyline.
7) Sports Venues (AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Park, American Airlines Center, Toyota Stadium, etc.) - If you're into sports, Dallas is the city for you! Home to the Cowboys, Mavericks, Rangers, Stars, FC Dallas and plenty of minor league teams, Dallas is a sports fan's dream. Be sure to catch a game at any of the many venues in the area. And if the sports scene isn't for you, plenty of famous musical artists come through the city all the time and sell out these venues. So make your way to one of the many arenas when your team (whatever that may be) is in town!
8) Dallas Zoo & Dallas World Aquarium - If you like animals, then you're in luck! The Dallas Zoo and Dallas World Aquarium have fantastic exhibits of animals from all over (and under) the globe. The Dallas World Aquarium is in the heart of downtown, and shows off its animals in an impressive way while also showing off its conservation efforts for the several endangered species it cares for. The Aquarium isn't just filled with fish, but has all kinds of animals from big cats to birds to monkeys to even bugs. The Dallas Zoo on the other hand is just outside of the downtown district but is even more impressive because of its size and its ability to make you forget that you're in the fourth largest city in the country. The Dallas Zoo gives fantastic tours that sometimes will give visitors a behind-the-scenes experience where the zookeepers will heal, feed, or even play with the animals.
9) Skyline Views (Chase Tower and Reunion Tower) - Dallas is known for having one of the most distinctive skylines in the country, and it'd be a shame to not get the best view of it. At the Reunion Tower (the Ball), you can get a 360 view of the city as you stay still and the floor spins you around the building. The top of the Tower is host to a Wolfgang Puck restaurant at which you can take in a good bite as you take in the beautiful landscape. The Chase Tower is on the East side of downtown and provides a much more relaxed viewing of the cityscape. The Sky Lobby is a place to just grab a seat and hang out with friends as you look around at the different neighborhoods outside downtown. There's a lot to see in Dallas, and The Chase Tower and the Reunion Tower are two of the easiest ways to see it all at once!
10) White Rock Lake - There isn't much to say about White Rock lake because the breathtaking views are impossible to fairly express in words. A magnificent lake in the middle of a bustling city makes White Rock lake an awesome place to be whether it's just with friends as you watch the sunrise or sunset, or you're doing something more active like canoeing or paddle boating.
BONUS: If you're in Dallas during October, be sure to check out the State Fair of Texas. You'll get more fried food than you could ever thought imaginable and have a great time on all the rides. Everything is bigger in Texas, and our State Fair is easily one of the best ones in the nation!
If there's anything that I've missed be sure to comment below what you would put on this list!