A Local Guide to a Great Dallas Weekend

After years of visiting Dallas for fun on the weekends or to catch our international flights, we finally moved to Dallas in 2019. Though the move was for work, we had so much getting to explore such a growing and gorgeous city. Within the years of Texas living, we found our tried and true local favorites and have to share them with you! Dallas makes for the perfect weekend trip. It’s Texas energy that’s a little bougie, greener, artsy, and the perfect foodie paradise.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Dallas might be in Texas, but you should probably leave your cowboy getup at home. If you’re looking for a western vibe, pop by Wild Bill’s Western Store in Dallas’ West End, but the real cowboys and cowboy aesthetic is further west in Fort Worth.

• March-May or September-December are the best times to visit, though October might be the best month of all. Texas summers are brutally hot and winter brings a lot of hazardous and unpredictable weather. Spring and Fall are the perfect seasons for patio dining, strolling through the neighborhoods, and enjoying all Dallas has to offer. 

• Speaking of neighborhoods, we highly recommend you explore Dallas by neighborhood. The city is vast and traffic can be time consuming. Plan your itinerary around an area of Dallas so as to not backtrack or add up unnecessary tolls. 

• Bring cash! You’ll need to valet your car most places, especially downtown and at hotels.

Our Favorite Dallas Hotels

• Thompson Dallas: One of the newest hotels to Dallas, this gorgeous Hyatt property is located in the heart of Downtown Dallas. The Thompson has elevated Texas touches, Catbird which is one of the hottest bars in the city, fantastic dining options, and an amazing pool overlooking the city.

• Kimpton Pittman: For those who love minimalism and comfort, the Pittman is perfect. In the often favored Deep Ellum neighborhood, it’s near everything, including some of the best restaurants and local shops in the city. We love the styling and minimalist approach in the plush rooms as well as their onsite restaurant, Elm & Good.

• Virgin Hotel: This hotel is the ultimate getaway for those who love the maximalist aesthetic and being close to the party. Located conveniently in the Design District, the Virgin has wild brunches at Common Club, vibrant yet cozy rooms, and one of the best views of the city from their rooftop pool, bar, and restaurant. 

• The Adolphus: Old money, history, and traditional fans rejoice. The Adolphus is the oldest functioning hotel in Dallas, but don’t let its 100 history fool you. This downtown darling is an icon with its inviting yet ornate decor, gilded tea room, and rowdy downstairs Rodeo Bar. With its old money vibes, trendy rooftop pool and bar, and cowboy themed bar, it’s about as Dallas as it gets.

Where to Eat in Dallas

• American: Hudson House, Haywire, and Rodeo Goat

• Asian: Hinodeya, Wabi House, and Oni Ramen

• Barbecue: Terry Blacks, Lockhart, and Pecan Lodge

• Brunch: The Rustic, Sixty Vines, and Mexican Sugar

• Italian & Mediterranean: Terra, Lucia, and Paradiso

• Mexican & Latin: El Come Taco, José, Jalisco Norte, Beto & Son, and Meso Maya

• Tex-Mex: Las Palmas, Tejas, and E-Bar

Where to Drink in Dallas

• Breweries: Manhattan Project Beer Co., Celestial Beer Works, and Four Corners Brewing

• Coffee Shops: Weekend Coffee, Fiction Coffee, LDU Coffee, and Wayward Coffee Co.

• Cocktail Bars: Atlas, The Mansion Bar, Bowen House, and Tiny Victories

• Tequila & Mezcal: Las Palmas, Mexican Sugar, and Apothecary

• Wine Bars: Leela's, Neighborhood Cellar, and Veritas

The Best Places to Have Fun in Dallas

• Play: Another Round (indoor mini golf with craft cocktails and snacks; becomes Adults-only after 8pm), Cidercade (arcade games + pinball), Two Bit Circus (VR, AR, and analog meets digital games), and Upstairs Circus (think Painting with a twist, but better with various crafts and a cocktail bar)

• Museums: Dallas Arboretum, Dallas Museum of Art, Crow Museum of Asian Art, Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum

• Parks: White Rock Lake, Katy Trail, and Klyde Warren Park

• Photo Ops: Sweet Tooth Hotel, Rainbow Vomit, and Reunion Tower

• Shopping: Bishop Arts District, Northpark Mall, Galleria Dallas, and Deep Ellum

• Sports: Catch the Stars (hockey) or Mavs (basketball) game at the American Airline center, Cowboys (football) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, or the Rangers (baseball) at Globe Life Field in Arlington

Don’t Leave Dallas Without...

• Sipping a margarita on a patio. Dallasites are big patio people, and when the weather is nice, there’s no better vibe! And why a margarita? The frozen margarita was invented in Dallas!

• Strolling through the Bishop Arts District. Located 10 minutes from Downtown, these few blocks are full of some of the best local boutiques, bars, and restaurants in the city. 

• Viewing the city from a rooftop. Catching a different perspective glance on the ever-growing cityscape is the perfect way to start or end a weekend in Dallas. Our favorite vantage points are the Upside rooftop lounge of the Canopy in Uptown, Sky Blossom Rooftop Lounge in Downtown, HG Supply in Lower Greenville, or the Gallery Rooftop Lounge atop the Canvas Hotel in South Dallas, or the Virgin’s Rooftop Pool Bar in the Design District.