Last Updated on: 17th February 2022, 10:44 pm
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is a sprawling mecca of amazing food, culture, and shopping. Dallas proper is a beautiful city full of rich history and exciting things to do. Dallas is perched on the precipice of rustic southwestern and modern urban cultures, and is the perfect destination for a long weekend. This guide will take you through three action-packed days spent in Dallas, Texas – with things to do from breakfast to nightlife!
Good to Know: This guide on the best things to do in Little Rock, Arkansas comes to us from Kendall Davis, who is originally from Fort Smith, Arkansas, and graduated from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas.
She currently lives in New York City with her husband and their dog, Scout.
Day 1:
9:00am Kickstart your day with a fabulous breakfast at The Henry
Start your first day in Dallas by immersing yourself in the Historic Downtown District! The Henry is the perfect place to fuel up for a day in Dallas – with fresh takes on breakfast classics in ritzy digs. Grab a latte to-go for extra caffeination to start your adventure down South!
Address: 2301 N Akard St., Dallas, TX 75201
10:30am Head to Main Street for some history
Just a 5 minute drive, or about a 20 minute walk from breakfast is the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza. You can see the monument erected for President Kennedy, who was assassinated in Dallas in 1963. After seeing the monument, walk to the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, where you can learn about John F. Kennedy’s life, presidency, and legacy. Tickets to the museum are $18 for adults and $14 for children ages 6-18, and must be purchased in advance here. After viewing the exhibits you can walk around Dealey Plaza – which is recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
Address: 646 W Main St., Dallas, TX 75202
1:00pm Lighten the mood with lunch at Jaxon Texas Kitchen and Beer Garden
After you’ve taken in the history of the Kennedy assassination, lighten the heaviness with a delicious lunch – Texas style. Just a 3 minute drive or about a 15 minute walk from Dealey Plaza, Jaxon has southern fare with Texan flair and a wide selection of local beers and expertly-crafted cocktails. Order the queso for a classic Texas treat! You can even opt to donate $5 to provide a hot meal for a member of Dallas’s unhoused community. What better way to experience a city than to support the local community?
Address: 311 S Akard St., Dallas, TX 75202
2:30pm See the city from the Reunion Tower Geo-Deck
After filling up on delicious Southwestern fare, head to the most-recognizable structure in Dallas’s skyline – the Reunion Tower! Drive about 4 minutes or walk about 15 minutes to the Reunion Tower and visit the observation deck – perfectly perched 470 feet above the city. Enjoy 360-degree views of Dallas and beyond from the indoor and outdoor observation decks! You can purchase tickets in advance for the Reunion Tower Geo-Deck here.
Address: 300 Reunion Blvd E, Dallas, TX 75207
4:00pm Stroll around Historic Downtown Dallas
Once you’ve seen the city from above, it’s time to dive in. Visit lush Klyde Warren Park, the Main Street Garden, and see the gorgeous facades of downtown’s buildings. Snap an Instagram-worthy photo among the 49 brass longhorn sculptures at Pioneer Plaza – longhorns are a true Texan icon. There is no shortage of things to do and sights to see in Historic Downtown Dallas!
Address: Klyde Warren Park – 1909 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX 75201
Main Street Garden – 1902 Main St., Dallas, TX 75201
Pioneer Plaza – 1428 Young St., Dallas, TX 75202
6:30pm Enjoy a Tex-Mex dinner at Meso Maya Comida y Copas
You simply cannot visit Texas without feasting on some Tex-Mex! Meso Maya Comida y Copas is the perfect place to munch on some chips and salsa and debrief on your action-packed first day in Dallas. For an authentic Texan treat, try the Ranch Water, or a frozen margarita (frozen margaritas were actually invented in Dallas)! You can’t go wrong with any of Meso Maya’s menu offerings!
Address: 1611 McKinney Ave., Dallas, TX 75202
8:00pm Catch a show at the House of Blues
A quick 6 minute walk away from your delicious Tex-Mex dinner is the legendary House of Blues. Spend an evening dancing and jamming out! Though the events change, there is always something rocking happening. Check out the House of Blues’ lineup and grab tickets here!
Address: 2200 N Lamar St., Dallas, TX 75202
Day 2:
9:00am Rise and shine with breakfast at Rise + Thyme
Start day 2 in Dallas with a fresh and scrumptious breakfast at Rise + Thyme! Get some eggs and coffee and get ready for another great day!
Address: 211 S. Akard St., Dallas, TX, 75202
10:30am Hit the Arts District
After breakfast, travel about a mile north to the Dallas Arts District. This 20-square block neighborhood is chock-full of museums and performing arts spaces. No matter what you or your group’s interests, you can find a venue in the Arts District that is perfect for you!
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a great place for groups with kiddos. With dinosaur fossils, numerous exhibits, and plenty of hands-on experiences, everyone in the family will have a good time and may even learn something too!
For the artist in your posse, visit the Crow Collection of Asian Art. This museum displays gorgeous works of art from Asian artists.
For more things to see while you’re visiting the Arts District, and to see what exciting special events are coming up, check here!
Address: Perot Museum of Nature and Science – 2201 N Field St., Dallas, TX 75201
Crow Collection of Asian Art – 2010 Flora St., Dallas, TX 75201
12:00pm Saunter through the Design District
Head a couple of miles west to Dallas’s Design District for an afternoon of antique shopping and perusing swanky galleries!
There are so many antique and vintage shops to visit in this upscale neighborhood. Just walking through this area of the city you will come across plenty of shops and boutiques to find the perfect treasure. A couple of can’t-miss stops for antique housewares, art, clothing, and records, are Lula B’s and White Elephant Antiques.
There are numerous galleries displaying masterpieces in an array of media. Even if you aren’t looking to invest in any original art during your visit, the galleries are a fabulous way to spend a glorious afternoon in Dallas!
Address: Lula B’s – 1010 N Riverfront Blvd. Dallas, TX 75207
White Elephant Antiques – 1026 N Riverfront Blvd., Dallas, TX 75207
2:00pm Munch on traditional Texas BBQ at Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse
A short 6 minute drive from the Design District is the flagship location of Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse. This Dallas institution opened in 1958 and is your destination for a delicious lunch! While everything Sonny Bryan’s serves up is tasty, brisket is a Texas BBQ staple!
Address: 2202 Inwood Rd., Dallas, TX 75235
3:30pm Check out the trendy Oak Lawn neighborhood
After filling up on some smoked meats, it’s time to mosey over to the Oak Lawn neighborhood of Dallas! Oak Lawn is known for being the center for Dallas’s vibrant and thriving LGBTQ+ community. This trendy, way-too-cool neighborhood is perfect for a fun afternoon in the city. Walk around and take in the sights of the beautiful residential architecture, the hip businesses, and the various special events and celebrations that take place here throughout the year. Take a break from your stroll and pop in for a drink at Cedar Spring Tap House!
Address: Cedar Spring Tap House – 4123 Cedar Springs Rd., Dallas, TX 75219
6:00pm Have a hearty dinner at Bob’s Steak and Chop House
You can’t visit Dallas and not have a cowboy-worthy steak dinner. Less than a mile from Oak Lawn, this is the place for true Texan good eatin’ – with generous cuts of the best beef and classic steakhouse sides.
Address: 4300 Lemmon Ave., Dallas, TX 75219
8:00pm Line dancing at Cowboys Red River
After dinner it’s time for some two-steppin’ at Cowboys Red River! This country dance hall is the ideal spot for a night of country-western entertainment! Besides multiple bars and ample space for boot-scootin’, Cowboys Red River dance hall also offers mechanical bull riding and special events like drink specials and free swing dance lessons. To see what special events are coming up at Cowboys Red River during your trip, check here!
Day 3:
11:00am Brunch at Gloria’s Latin Cuisine
Rest up after a night of dancing and get brunch at Gloria’s Latin Cuisine in Uptown Dallas! Gloria’s is a North Texas favorite, and for good reason. Enjoy Salvadoran-inspired dishes like chilaquiles and breakfast tacos with coffee or a mango mimosa for a great start to your final day in Dallas.
Address: 3223 Lemmon Ave., Dallas, TX 75204
12:30pm Visit the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
After brunch, drive about 15 minutes to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden for a day surrounded by natural beauty! Adult admission to the arboretum and botanical garden ranges from $5 to $17 depending on the season and tickets can be purchased in advance here. There are multiple gardens to see, including a children’s garden for the little ones.
Address: 8525 Garland Rd., Dallas, Texas 75218
2:00 Have lunch at Toller Patio
Continue enjoying the sunshine with lunch at the absolutely adorable Toller Patio. Sip an imaginative and delicious cocktail while you eat your delicious lunch on the patio. This is a lively spot where locals bring their pups and gather with friends and it is a space illuminated with joy!
Address: 3675 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX 75204
3:30pm Take in culture at the Dallas Museum of Art
About a mile from Toller Patio is the Dallas Museum of Art – the next stop on your Dallas adventure. Explore antiquities, sculptures, and paintings, as well as rotatiating exhibitions featuring artwork by famous artists such as Van Gogh and Basquiat, as well as pieces by Texan artists. The Dallas Museum of Art is a top tier art museum and a lovely way to spend an early evening!
Address: 1717 N Harwood St., Dallas, TX 75201
5:30pm Dinner at Uchiba
After an artsy evening, dine in style at Uchiba in Uptown Dallas. This sushi restaurant has an exquisite menu with a little something for everyone. They have an extensive drink menu featuring Japanese whisky, curated cocktails, and a lengthy wine list. Not to mention Uchiba’s sushi, sashimi, bao, and vegetarian dishes. This upscale Japanese eatery is an equally stylish and delicious final meal in the Lone Star State!
Address: 2817 Maple Ave., Dallas, TX 75201
7:30pm Spend a night out in Deep Ellum
While your sightseeing winds down, your final night in the city is just beginning! After dinner, venture to Deep Ellum for a fun-filled night in this eclectic neighborhood. Deep Ellum is known for its bright murals and even brighter nightlife. An artsy, indie neighborhood, Deep Ellum has plenty of cool spots for a night out.
Visit the Deep Ellum Brewing Co. for delicious local beers and hard seltzers. After some brews, check out the Deep Ellum Distillery for Dallas-distilled vodkas and bourbon. Try them straight up or sip on one of Deep Ellum Distillery’s perfectly crafted cocktails made with their local booze.
After you’ve had your fill of spirits, take in the spirit of Deep Ellum, and end your night with some late night tacos from Revolver Taco Lounge, which is open until 11:30pm on weekends. These authentic street tacos will be the perfect end to a fantastic trip to Dallas, Texas!
Address: Deep Ellum Brewing Co. – 2823 St Louis St., Dallas, TX 75226
Deep Ellum Distillery – 2880 Clover St., Dallas, TX 75226
Revolver Taco Lounge – 2701 Main St., Dallas, TX 75226