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Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Top 10 things to do in Dallas, Texas

     Dallas is the place I call home, and it has lots more to offer than just big hair and cowboys.  Although there aren't any beaches or mountains to explore, there is still plenty of fun to be had here.  Dallas is the place to eat, shop, and be entertained!  New visitors may choose to visit the usual touristy spots including Dealey Plaza, Southfork Ranch, and the Dallas Cowboys Stadium (which is actually in Arlington and not Dallas), but there are plenty of other amusing ways to pass the time here.  Here is a list of my top ten favorite things to do in Big D!

1.)  Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is a beautiful place to take a leisurely stroll and enjoy a picnic.  The arboretum is most popular in March and April when a vast array of tulips and flowers will be in full bloom, and it's common to see many formal portraits being made during your visit.  The fall is another great time to visit and take in the many variety of pumpkins and fall foliage.  December visits are less crowded and the perfect time to see the DeGolyer mansion decked out in its Christmas finest.  A variety of events and workshops are held at the arboretum throughout the year, so be sure to check the schedule before planning your trip.  The garden is open daily from 9am to 5pm, and tickets are about $15 for adults, $10 for kids, and $8-15 for parking.





2.)  Flag Pole Hill Park near East NW HWY and Buckner Blvd is a great place to relax with a book, have a tasty picnic, or fly a kite with the kids. It can get busy on the weekends with family parties under the pavilions (reservations required, see Dallas Park & Recreations website for details), but during the week it's fairly quiet and the best time to lie back on a blanket and watch the clouds float by.  There are a few picnic tables and grills as well as outdoor restrooms and a drinking fountain. There's a playground for the little kids, and a fun flag pole on a hill to race around and play tag (like I did with my siblings growing up).  This park is great for sledding when blanketed with snow.

3.)  Shopping is one of our favorite past times here in Dallas, and there are so many great places to shop and people watch! North Park and Galleria Dallas malls are quite popular and offer the usual retail stores along with some high end boutiques and specialty shops. The Galleria has a fun ice skating rink and plays host to the country's largest indoor Christmas tree every December.  If you don't feel liking fighting mall traffic, venture over to some of the other cute shopping centers in Dallas such as: Synder Plaza, Highland Park Village, West Village, Inwood Village, Shops at Park Lane and Mockingbird Station. Looking for a bargain? Treasure hunt at Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, Ross, Tuesday Morning, Nordstrom Rack, and Burlington Coat Factory located in various neighborhoods around the city. And don't miss out on all the local made treats at the Dallas Eco-op Pop Up Markets.




4.)  Downtown Dallas is pretty fun to walk around, and offers a variety of shops and eateries.  Visit the Neiman Marcus Flagship Store on Main Street then take a stroll through the West End Market Place. Check out the cool Dallas Aquarium before heading over to Reunion Tower Observation Deck for amazing views of the city (tickets required). Hungry? Enjoy the food trucks and play in the dancing water at Klyde Warren Park which hovers above the Woodall Rodgers Freeway.

Klyde Warren Park


5.)  Dallas Farmers Market on Pearl Expressway in Downtown Dallas is a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Check out the many stalls of home grown produce, specialty foods and organic home and beauty products available in The Shed on the weekends.  Pick up a souvenir in one of the art stalls, or sample a variety of tasty bites at The Market Shops open throughout the week. Do try the unique flavored Popstar Popsicles and the amazing Chapli Kebab at Laili.



Pop-Star Popsicles.


6.)  Need some Culture? Dallas offers amazing sights, tastes, and sounds with a variety of ways to enjoy the arts! Check the ticket box offices for concerts and events galore! There are a variety of spring and fall festivals that provide trendy tunes from local bands and plenty of crafts to take home from talented local artisans. You can make your own crafts at Michaels, make clothes at Make & Made, paint a masterpiece at E Gallery Studios, or create a decorative pillow at Make It Indiegenius.  Peruse the whimsical galleries and boutiques at Bishop Arts District or attend a summer concert or play in one of the city parks. Shake your body on the earthquake exhibit at Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and enjoy a variety of artistic events and exhibits at the Dallas Museum of Art and Nasher Sculpture Center on one of their monthly DMA Late Night events (third Friday of the month, tickets required to some events).  Catch a magical performance by the Dallas Ballet Theater at the Winspear Opera House, or a colorful play at the Wyly or Kalita Humphrey's Theater.  Check out an intimate concert in the historical Majestic Theater, have some laughs at Backdoor Comedy Club, or share a fun dinner during your concert at Dallas House of Blues. Support the local actors and attend a quirky play at Theater 3 & Too, or enjoy a popcorn tosser at The Pocket Sandwich Theater.  Dance the night away at one of our local clubs or just sit and enjoy a drink on the porch at The Ginger Man bar.  The city also has a variety of culinary events from Taste of Dallas and Savor Dallas to Restaurant Week (Discounted fixed price menu) and special grand opening tasting events.  Mouth watering?  Top your culinary experience off with an amazing treat from Carlos Bakery, French macarons at Haute Sweets Patisserie, or chocolate and jazz music at Chocolate Secrets.



7.)  Trinity Groves offers a variety of culinary delights to tantalize your taste buds!  Try the Asian-Latin fusion dishes of Chino Chinatown or enjoy the exotic belly dancers while you nibble the amazing hummus and kebabs at Souk Mediterranean Bistro & Bar (dinner reservations recommended). Don't forget dessert! Cake bar has a selection of amazing cakes for about $5 a slice, or try a French macaron or colorful, designer chocolate truffle at Kate Weiser Chocolates! Yummo! Digest all that food with a leisurely walk in the park along Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge which provides a lovely view of the Dallas skyline and a great backdrop for touristy photos.



8.)  White Rock Lake in north-east Dallas is my favorite place to ride a bike, speed walk, or take a leisurely evening stroll.  There's a nice path for bikes and pedestrians, a dog park, playground, and a variety of areas to picnic and play.  It's a fun place to feed the ducks, watch the sail boats, and relax with friends.  The lake is easily accessible and offers kayak and facility rentals.  On occasion you might even get free advice from the Free Advice Guy, just look for his sign while you're walking along the west side bike path.

9.)  The Texas State Fair has taken place at historic Fair Park annually since 1886. It's a great place for live shows and music, handmade crafts, every kind of fried food you can imagine, amazing rides, car shopping, games, taste tests, and live cooking demonstrations! My favorites are the beautiful dance shows, exciting pig races, and colorful art competition exhibits!  Check out the Texas State Fair website for entry rules, and submit your favorite livestock, quilts, and jams. Kids can enter too!  There are a variety of festivals and events held at the fair grounds during the year including the Dallas Summer Musicals and the Irish Festival in March.  The Texas Discovery Garden is quite popular for its butterfly garden and even hosts plant sales on occasion.  The Museum of Nature and Science is full of hands on learning tools for the kids, and everyone has fun at the Planetarium and 3D IMAX shows!






10.)  Who doesn't love a touring a fun house? A variety of HOME TOURS are held throughout the city as fundraiser events for various schools and clubs. The Modern Architecture Tour provides a variety of interesting homes both old and new, and check out the annual Munger Place Days home tour for a delightful experience of Dallas history. Holiday home tours are a fun way to see interesting houses decked out in their Christmas finery, and even if you miss all the official home tours you can check out local Estate Sales! They're a fun way to tour homes and find bargains!








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