The ever increasing urban sprawl of Dallas has given the city a reputation for being a driving destination. For the most part, car travel is still king in Big-D, whose network of highways and byways live up to the larger-than-life name. Fortunately for travelers looking to take in the sights at a slower pace, there are some pockets of culture where it just makes sense to ditch the wheels and hit the street.
Deep Ellum
Deep Ellum.. that way. Photo credit: Allen Sheffield via Flickr.
As one of Dallas’ first commercial districts for African-American and European immigrants, Deep Ellum is one of the most historically significant and diverse neighborhoods in the city. It’s known as the original ‘walking neighborhood’ of Dallas, and a short walk here encompasses everything from a cheese maker’s shop to a beauty salon. But, it’s what you see along the way that makes the area unique.
Deep Ellum serves as a sort of incubator for creativity, with street murals and performance art are standard fare. Art Walk Tours are the perfect way to view the community-run murals and other cutting edge outdoor art in the district. 500X is the oldest, artist run collaborative gallery in Texas and the place to check out exhibitions of up and coming artists. A variety of additional art museums and even an artist’s commune are located within a short walk, along which you can take in the abundance of graffiti that is the hallmark of the area.
This emphasis on creativity spills over into the original shops and other museums in the area. Visit the world’s only Eight Track Tape Museum and then take another step back in time to Pin Up Dallas, where vintage clothing, makeup and photography are on display. Dallas Farmer’s Market is just around the corner if you want to get your snack on, vegetarian style.
When night falls, the area combines a bad-boy attitude with a resurgence of the arts to make this the neighborhood to visit for music and nightlife. Over 20 nightclubs are located close enough that it’s easy to hop from one to another to check out the live music drumming through the walls. Before a night of music officially begins, kick off some Merle Haggard or Jonny Cash straight from the vintage jukebox at Adairs Saloon, where you can also add your own Sharpee masterpiece to the graffiti laden walls while enjoying local brews. Live music begins at 7:00pm seven nights a week. Double Wide, with the recognizable silver tornado on the roof, has a funky trailer park meets music mecca vibe, while the Lizard Lounge handles the dance scene. The first microbrewery in Dallas, Deep Ellum Brewing Co., offers live music with an added bonus of brewery tour and beer making conversations.
Uptown Dallas
Get free rides on the McKinney Avenue trolley. Photo credit: Bonita la Banane via Flickr.
Contrasting the grit of Deep Ellum is glossy Uptown that attracts the young professional crowd with plenty of upscale dining, shopping, and nightlife. Although it is an easily walkable district, the free M-Line Trolleys that run along McKinney Avenue offer a simple way to explore the area or transfer to the other neighborhoods in downtown Dallas. With increasing emphasis on pedestrian living, Uptown is the best neighborhood to park your car and forget about it during your stay.
The best place to catch the uptown vibe is at Private Social, a restaurant known for its award-winning cocktails and lively patio right on McKinney Avenue. Depending on your mood, you could enjoy an intimate meal in the dining room, or grab a shared-plate meal with friends in the casual section of the restaurant. Either meal will be a perfect prelude to a show at The Magnolia Theatre, a sleek and historic five-screen movie theatre that offers an antidote to the typical megaplex moviehouse.
To explore Uptown like the locals, hit grab your running shoes (or skates, or bicycle) and hit the Katy Trail, a tree lined path that follows the old railroad tracks. Soak up more local flavor at The Ice House, a beer garden and restaurant along the trail that serves 50 on tap beers at a Texas-sized 50-foot-long bar.
Dallas Arts District
A mural in the Dallas Arts District. Photo credit: Ingrid Truemper via Flickr.
True to Texas form, Dallas boasts the largest Arts District in the nation, with 15 visual and performing arts venues spanning a 19-block radius. The gems of the collection are located in a pedestrian friendly cluster where you can easily stroll from one to the next soaking up the culture. At the heart of the district is the Dallas Museum of Art, a world class museum that recently made a bold statement of generosity to art lovers across the city when they stopped charging admission. Just across the street, art lovers can continue to explore at the Nasher Sculpture Center with its emphasis on modern and contemporary sculpture. The unique 1.4 acre sculpture garden offers a quiet respite within its walls and is the home of Saturday Night in the City Garden Concert Series featuring live music and picnic dining under the stars. The Crow Collection of Asian Art rounds out the trio of art museums located in this culturally rich city block. In addition to treasures from China, Japan, and India, the museum initiates Asian cultural experiences that bring the art to life. Each Tuesday, yoga and meditation classes are taught inside the gallery, while AdventureAsia programs offer kids and parents a fun way to explore a distant land.
Klyde Warren Park is the newest contribution to the walkability of downtown Dallas, and with connectivity between Uptown, Downtown, and the Arts District, it has quickly become the central meeting place in Dallas. The 5.2-acre park was designed to promote community and create a green space for gathering, encouraging people to stay and enjoy more of the city. The park features a constant array of outdoor activities, from outdoor concerts to stroller boot camp, and charming touches including a board game and magazine lending library. The biggest draw to the park, though, is the army of food trucks surrounding the perimeter offering up gourmet treats and lunches.
West End Historic District
Wild Bill’s Western Store. Photo credit: bk1bennett via Flickr.
The West End leapt to unfortunate notoriety on a cold November morning in 1963 when President Kennedy’s motorcade rounded the corner at Dealey Plaza and his assassination shocked the nation. Visitors still flock to the area to visit the Sixth Floor Museum where the shots were fired, and to see the infamous Grassy Knoll, but there are many other windows to the past in this historic area of Dallas.
The area began as a trading post, and with the arrival of the Texas Central Railroad, warehouse sprung up through the district. Today, those historic brick buildings have been converted to restaurants and shops, giving an old world feel to the streets. Old Red Museum, a castle-like structure that presents the history of Dallas, is one of these old brick buildings. The museum stands just across the plaza from the Sixth Floor Museum and is a perfect stop to learn about the progression of the city from prehistoric times to the present.
Also in the shadow of the Sixth Floor Museum is the Dallas Holocaust Museum, another testament to a tragic time in history. The intimate museum includes a memorial to those lost in the Holocaust with a connection to Dallas and an actual boxcar used to transport Jewish prisoners to concentration camps.
On the lighter side of the West End, stop at Wild Bill’s Western Store, where you’ll be greeted at the door with a tip of a ten gallon hat and a cold longneck. Wild Bill’s is famous for supplying costumes for the TV show Dallas, but they are legendary for their custom made boots. If custom boots aren’t in the budget, there are plenty of authentic Texas souvenirs to slip into your suitcase. Fair warning-it’s impossible to try on one of those cowboy hats with letting out a little yee-haw.
- Jessica Bowers
See Dallas on Foot – A Walking Tour of the City’s Neighborhoods by Jessica Bowers from Viator Travel Blog