Downtown Dallas is a continuously growing area with a beautiful arts scene, urban green spaces, fine dining and luxurious shopping.
See the hustle and bustle of professionals by day, and experience nightlife and entertainment after dark.Use our guide to the neighborhood to plan your next outing! While we've mentioned a few spots here, there are so many more to explore! Head out and find your new favorites - and tag @VisitDallas on Instagram when you make it there.
Experience Dallas history in the West End District. Here you'll find the Old Red Museum where the visitor's center is housed, along with the JFK Memorial Plaza. There's also tons of shops and restaurants located on a walking strip of Market and Record Streets. Stroll former warehouses and railroad stations that have been beautifully preserved and converted into restaurants with shaded sidewalk patios and only-in-Dallas retail shops. The district is home to some of Dallas' most iconic moments, including the grassy knoll in memoriam to JFK, and a perfect spot for a walking tour of Dallas history.
A new attraction to Downtown Dallas, the district has a range of things to see and do - The Media Wall consists of more than 9,000 square feet of futuristic, colorful high-definition displays on a 104-foot tall outdoor wall interpreting communication in the natural world. The Globe is a 30-foot-tall, three-dimensional representation of AT&T's iconic logo, decorated with 30,000 LEDs. If you're feeling hungry, check out the cafeteria-esque picks of locally and nationally-acclaimed eateries.
The Dallas Farmers Market was established in 1941 as the a municipal farmers market. Historically, it was the central hub for farmers to bring their produce, meats, and dairy to the city. Today, with the development in downtown Dallas, the Dallas Farmers Market has been transformed to be the farmers market for the future. The addition of food entrepreneurs along with farmers and ranchers, makes this a place to taste the diverse flavors and cultures of Texas. The Market is open daily with a variety of eateries and shops. The Shed is open over the weekends as the an open-air farmers market.
The Dallas Arts District is largest urban arts district in the US. Spread over 20 square blocks and encompassing 68 acres, the walkable downtown hub of creativity features art for all the senses with award-winning museums, performing arts venues, restaurants and bars, while an arts magnet high school, Booker T. Washington, inspires tomorrow's brilliant artists.
Klyde Warren Park opened in 2012 and introduced a central green space in the middle of a bustling downtown scene. The 5.2-acre park delivers a comprehensive activities calendar for locals and visitors, including daily food trucks and fitness classes, a dog park, a children's center, games and live music. Connectivity was key in picking the spot above Woodall Rogers Freeway for the park; visitors can get to Klyde Warren via foot, trolley or bicycle from multiple neighborhoods.
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza chronicles the assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy with documentary films, photographs and artifacts. Walk through a timeline of Kennedy's life and presidency and the moments of November 22 as the entire nation stood by. A live feed from the museum webcam features a real-time view from the sniper spot, and two areas in the museum were recreated to appear as they did in 1963.
The adventure at the Dallas World Aquarium begins at the top of the rainforest exhibit, where exotic birds and lounging sloths can be seen along with a wide array of animals that are part of the many conservation projects. Experience the outdoor South Africa exhibit and catch a glimpse of black-footed penguins, Shoebill storks and Madagascar giant day geckos.
https://www.dhhrm.org/ opened a new, permanent home in a state-of-the-art 55,000 square-foot building in the West End District in 2019, continuing its mission to educate the public about the dark histories of prejudice, hatred and indifference throughout the world. The museum explores all human rights, other historic genocides and America's own civil rights journey, including a celebration of upstanders.
Escape to the Main Street Garden park offering a great lawn, toddler play area, dog run, fountains, City Park Cafe and public art installations. During summer months, bring a blanket and catch an al fresco movie on the lawn.
Walk among 49 bronze longhorn cattle sculptures, herded by three bronze trail riders, in one of the most photographed locations in the city.
See our city from over 500 feet in the air at one of Dallas' most recognized structures. Enjoy the view and interact with Halo, the deck's digital information system, to learn about Dallas, its landmarks, Reunion Tower's light shows, milestone events in the city and more.
Most hotel restaurants are mere guest conveniences, but Texas Spice and Bob's Steak & Chop House inside the convention center hotel are delicious destinations for Lone Star cooking at its finest. The hotel recently added four more restaurants, each with their own patio space to enjoy Downtown Dallas.
This iconic Downtown Dallas restaurant has opened at a new location. Patrons descend 18 feet underground in a canopied glass elevator, accessed from street level, for a culinary experience unlike any other. The American Steakhouse offers an expansive subterranean courtyard allowing patrons to dine al fresco and enjoy a New Orleans-inspired exterior space. Happy hour is offered on weekdays 4-6p.m.
Enter into a chic, modern blue-and-white restaurant for Neopolitan-style pizzas, panini, pasta & cocktails. Love pizza so much you want to make it yourself? Look at Partenope's website for pizza making classes on Saturday. Enjoy an authentic Italian experience!
This new American spot is a Dallas-based restaurant, a culinary training facility, and most importantly, employs at-risk youth to not only help out in the kitchen but also learn culinary skills that will help them integrate into the local workforce. Try the smoked fried chicken or the sweet potato ricotta ravioli. Cafe Momentum is only open for dinner Thursday-Saturday.
Need a pizza fix? Stop by Campisi's, one of the oldest restaurants in the area and one with a deep history to the city. Right in the heart of downtown Dallas, you can find the Elm Street location next door to The Joule Hotel's garden, which features a stunning, three-story Giant Eyeball. The menu features all types of pizzas, pastas and salads, so take your pick!
Fresh, all-natural ingredients come together to create some amazing gourmet burgers at Chop House Burger. Located off Main Street, this burger joint promises to impress with mouthwatering burgers and decadent shakes. Don't leave without tasting the truffle fries!
This cozy spot on Main Street is the place to go when you're craving an Irish specialty. Take your pick from Bangers and Mash and Shepherd's Pie, wings, as well as burgers and sandwiches. Need a beer? Check their list of rotating selections.
Located in the West End, Ellen's Southern Kitchen is the place to go for brunch when in the area. The menu features originals that you won't find anywhere else like the Grit's Benedict. If you need an oldie but goodie, go with the Chicken Fried Steak – you'll leave with a full stomach and happy heart.
Bright colors, fresh ingredients and a thirst quenching horchata makes Salsa Limon a must-taste lunch spot. Choose your favorites among their street tacos, quesadillas and burritos, and leave room for to taste all their homemade salsas. Need a late night bite? They're open until 3 am on the weekend, so ask your Uber driver for a taco stop on the way back home.
Sip a delightfully crafted cocktail before dinner in this former five-and-dime space. Start with the nitrogen jalapeno margarita before digging into caprese lollipops and truffle fries.
This restaurant at The Joule Hotel showcases bold flavors and exotic presentations. The pig's head carnitas and BBQ pig tails are among the most memorable. Make sure to take a gander at the 30-foot Eye sculpture by Tony Tasset across the street.
The flagship store of the luxury retailer sits at the corner of Main and Ervay streets and includes the Zodiac room, a popular lunch spot on the sixth floor.
Commerce Goods + Supply is new blood born of Texas history and stories makers. experience the warmth of a western presence in a modern light through a curated mix of artisan goods and elevated essentials. Located in the historic Adolphus Hotel, Commerce is new blood born from old money and mahogany.
This luxury department store, located across from the Joule Hotel, offers the latest fashion trends and top designers' clothing for women and men. This lavish spot carries both men and women's apparel, as well as home, beauty and jewelry items.
Located in the Joule Hotel, this sleek, high-end boutique has everything you need from clothing to jewelry to home décor. They've also got great knick-knacks and accessories that make for the perfect gift.
Traffic LA is a contemporary designer boutique that sits inside the Joule Hotel. They sell top designer clothing from Alexander McQueen, BALMAIN and Rick Owens just to name a few, selling both men and women's clothing.
Located in the historic West End of Downtown Dallas in a 100-year-old red brick building is Wild Bill's, the western wear destination in Dallas. Look around and check out the tin ceilings, hardwood floors and a massive turn-of-the-century bar complete with saddles as barstools. Get the latest boots, hats, apparel, and maybe even a story or two from Bill himself!
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