Visit Dallas Fort Worth: Where and When to Go
Big oil and big hair, cowboys and cattle fields—these are the images of Dallas and Fort Worth that prevail.
Established as a profitable trading post on the banks of the Trinity River, Dallas grew into a vibrant community of merchants, and then a cosmopolitan city as the center of the Texas oil boom. With all that money and status came wealthy socialites with sky-high hair, designer clothing, and flashy BMW convertibles. Thirty miles away, cowboys herded millions of cattle down the Chisholm Trail, founding Fort Worth as the “place where the West begins.” That city’s western culture continues to thrive.
[pullquote align=”right”]Transplants from both coasts have set down roots in DFW, influencing the region’s dining and shopping scenes with a homegrown, handmade philosophy.[/pullquote]Over the years, however, all kinds of people moved here and the cities have changed. Transplants from both coasts have set down roots in DFW, influencing the region’s dining and shopping scenes with a homegrown, handmade philosophy. Today, diversity is everywhere, from the colorful quinceañera celebrations in Oak Cliff to the massive Korean spa center in Northwest Dallas. The Fort Worth Cultural District boasts world-renowned art museums full of Picassos and Andy Warhols. Punk rock bars and craft breweries are peppered in with the more classic jazz clubs and dance halls in Deep Ellum. Historic cemeteries preserve the region’s heritage in West Dallas while restaurant rows in Trinity Groves and on Fort Worth’s Magnolia Avenue showcase modern redevelopment.
Look beyond the rodeos and honky-tonks and Dallas and Fort Worth will defy your expectations.
When to Go
You can get the most out of your visit to Dallas and Fort Worth in the spring (March-May) or fall (September-November) when the milder temperatures help accommodate some of the best events—from the Deep Ellum Arts Festival in April to the State Fair of Texas in October. During these months, you can fully explore the city on foot or by bike without risking heat stroke.
The summer routinely sees triple-digit temperatures that make it hard to justify leaving the house. If you’re stuck in Dallas around this time, splurge on a nice hotel with an indoor pool and a breezy bar. From flash floods to ice storms, the winter brings unpredictable weather that could ruin your best-laid plans (e.g., Dallas’s attempt to host Super Bowl XLV).
Where to Go
Downtown Dallas/Deep Ellum
The city center houses important history and art museums that top the list of Dallas attractions. Dealey Plaza, the site of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, still fascinates visitors. Spanning 19 blocks, the Dallas Arts District bursts with activity most of the year. Besides the major sights, event venues, and all-star restaurants, downtown has a mostly commercial feel compared to the more community-oriented neighborhoods around it. Although the city has invested in more public spaces, locals don’t spend much time here when they leave the office—that’s what Deep Ellum is for. A few blocks east of downtown, it’s the heart of Dallas nightlife.
Lakewood/East Dallas
The diverse landscape of Lakewood and East Dallas ranges from the peaceful nature of White Rock Lake and iconic turn-of-the-20th-century mansions to the walkable Greenville Avenue restaurant and shopping strip. The sense of pride is palpable here because these thriving destinations resulted from grassroots neighborhood planning rather than big Dallas money.
Uptown/Oak Lawn/Design District
Situated side by side just north of downtown, these neighborhoods smoothly transition from one to the next, but each is distinct. Uptown has historical charm hidden within its new mixed-use real estate, drawing young professionals who enjoy the proximity to trendy restaurants. Oak Lawn is home to an LGBT community where no one feels like an outsider, whether chilling at a dive bar or dancing under neon lights. The more upscale Design District is a haven for contemporary fashion and interior design galleries along with well-established antiques shops.
Park Cities
These separate municipalities, Highland Park and University Park, include some of Dallas’s wealthiest enclaves as well as Southern Methodist University’s college-town environment. The area embodies the perception of Dallas as rich, white, and conservative, though it is not lacking in culture. The Meadows Museum at SMU boasts some of the most significant Spanish art in the world, for example, and NorthPark Center brings diverse communities together with festivals throughout the year.
West Dallas/Oak Cliff
The neighborhoods south of the Trinity River have a communal spirit unlike anywhere else in the city, and their recent gentrification has drawn comparisons to Austin and Brooklyn. In the Bishop Arts District, and along Davis Street and Jefferson Boulevard, you’ll find artisan shops and small-scale event spaces. A closer look at this neighborhood reveals a community of young artists and entrepreneurs, devoted baby boomers who grew up here and never left, and a majority Hispanic population looking to retain its place in a rapidly changing landscape.
Downtown Fort Worth
It features top attractions like Bass Performance Hall and Sundance Square, but downtown Fort Worth is more than an entertainment district. You’ll find plenty of service businesses and great transportation options—like the trolley and the bike-share program—that give the neighborhood a more livable, down-home feel compared to Dallas’s city center.
West Fort Worth
This neighborhood is home to the Fort Worth Cultural District, which boasts world-renowned art museums and performing arts centers along with long-standing restaurants and shops. In recent years, West 7th Street has been redeveloped into a vibrant live-work-play area, akin to Dallas’s Uptown, attracting young professionals. The west side of town is also where you’ll find the best outdoor recreation along the Trinity River.
Northside
The Fort Worth Stockyards are the center of the action north of downtown, featuring rodeos every weekend, daily cattle drives, old-fashioned honky-tonks and saloons, steak houses, and souvenir shopping. Elsewhere, the Coyote Drive-In is a popular destination for families and nightlife seekers alike.
Southside/TCU
The area has charming, historic neighborhoods full of early-20th-century architecture. Magnolia Avenue has exploded into a “restaurant row,” featuring a variety of locally owned cafes, bars, and live music venues. Near Texas Christian University, you’ll find a college-town vibe along with more upscale shopping centers.