Lone Star: 4 Reasons to Plan a Trip to Dallas This Year

By Patricia Harrison

Encompassing nearly 400 square miles, Dallas is a hub for Texas-size fun. The capital of the Lone Star State — the anchor of the expansive Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, which includes the cities of Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington—is known for its cowboy culture. But there is much more to the metropolis than big hats and rodeo (though you’ll find those there, too). In fact, Dallas brims with things to see and do, particularly for lovers of the arts and history, and its vibrant neighborhoods are packed with locally owned bars and restaurants that are ready to satiate your appetite for everything from rib-sticking Tex-Mex to spicy Thai. Here, we’ve gathered four reasons you should plan a visit to Dallas this year—with ideas on where to stay from the TRAVELSAVERS Preferred Hotel Program.

Fall and winter rule in Texas’ third-largest city.

While the most pleasant time to visit Dallas is between September and November—when the temperatures aren’t scorching (it can get up to 100 degrees in the summer) and the legendary Texas State Fair is in town — there are also perks to booking a stay in the winter months.

From December through March, the highs rest in the mid-50s and high 60s in the Dallas area, making for perfect sight-seeing weather — and the crowds are generally thinner, meaning visitors have more room to roam.

It’s where the past meets the present.

Dallas may be known for its high concentration of modern shopping centers and restaurants, but the contemporary city is rooted in its past, which is evidenced in a treasure trove of historic attractions. Start your journey at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which chronicles one of the most tragic events in United States history: the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which happened in the namesake plaza in 1963. At the exhibit, visitors can view images, news footage and artifacts related to JFK’s death and legacy. For more presidential history, head to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, where you can see relics such as the bullhorn Bush used to speak to first responders after 9/11 and his cowboy boots.

Because large numbers of African Americans moved to the Dallas area after the Civil War, Dallas is a prime place to explore Black history and support Black-owned businesses. Go to the African American Museum of Dallas, the only institution of its kind in the Southwest devoted to the preservation of African American historic, artistic, and cultural materials. Don’t miss the folk-art collection, one of the largest of its kind in the U.S., and the exhibits dedicated to Black renaissance paintings and contemporary works. Then venture to the Freedman’s Memorial Cemetery, a burial ground established for Dallas’ African American population in 1861 and the final resting place of about 7,000 former slaves.

If you’re in town between late September and late October, a visit to Fair Park is a must. During that time, the 277-acre area becomes the site of the State Fair of Texas, a fun-for-all spectacle that brings concerts and shows, livestock exhibits, rodeos, rides, and all the fair food (hello turkey legs and fried Twinkies) you can eat to the area. Fair Park is also home to the Cotton Bowl Stadium, the African American Museum of Dallas, and other attractions that are open year-round.

The creative community is thriving.

Dallas’ neighborhoods are dotted with art galleries and museums, a testament to the fact that its community of artists is flourishing. Spend the day in the downtown Arts District, an area that spans 20 blocks and 68 acres. There you’ll find the Crow Collection of Asian Art, which houses pieces dating from 3500 BC to the early 20th century that highlight the arts and culture of Japan, China, India, and Southeast Asia; Dallas Museum of Art, which has about 25,000 works spanning 5,000 years of human history; and the Nasher Sculpture Center, where some of the institution’s contemporary and modern works are displayed in a beautifully landscaped garden. Another not-to-miss exhibit in the downtown area is the 49 bronze longhorn cattle sculptures in Pioneer Park, an Instagram-worthy sight in the Convention Center District.

There’s as much to eat and drink as there is to do.

While red-meat-centric fare abounds in Dallas (neighboring Fort Worth is nicknamed “Cowtown” after all), the Western metropolis’ cuisine goes far beyond steaks and burgers. To sample a variety of flavors, enjoy an alfresco meal at Klyde Warren Park, a green space that bridges the Uptown and Downtown districts. A rotating roster of food trucks park in the park daily, slinging everything from gyros and tacos to ice cream (11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends). For cocktails, belly up to the bar at the Woolworth, a sleek cocktail bar housed in the former eponymous drug store. In the stroll-worthy Oak Lawn neighborhood — a hub for Dallas’ LBGTQ community — duck into Lucky’s for comforting bites. The traditional all-day diner is dedicated to using locally sourced, farm-fresh ingredients, resulting in mouthwatering dishes like red-eye-cream-gravy smothered pork chops.

After hours, make your way to Deep Ellum, a former warehouse district that has transformed into a late-night hot spot overflowing with watering holes and live music venues. Options include Brick and Bones, which has a small but mighty menu of juicy-crispy fried chicken and cocktails; Mama Tried, a honky-tonk music venue and bar that serves Southern fare (we recommend ordering Duke’s pimento sandwich and a cold beer); and Three Links, a neighborhood joint with a stage that hosts local and national punk bands and a menu with 50 different brews.

Where to Stay

Hilton Anatole
Tucked just one mile from the Dallas Design District, the Hilton Anatole is set on 45 sprawling acres. Highlights like a resort-style pool with luxury cabanas and two 180-foot waterslides, full-service health club and spa, and nine one-site dining options make it a prime choice for families and groups. hilton.com

Omni Dallas Hotel
This contemporary retreat in downtown Dallas embodies the bustling spirit of the city. Settle into one of the 1,001 stylish guestrooms, which are bedecked with art by local creatives, and take in breathtaking views of the area from the fourth-floor bar and grill. omnihotels.com

Sonesta Suites ES Dallas Park Central
Convenient amenities abound at Sonesta Suites in north Dallas’ Park Central business district, where perks like daily complimentary grab-and-go breakfasts and spacious studios and two-bedroom suites meet the needs of both short- and extended-stay travelers. sonesta.com

Fairmont Dallas
Fairmont Dallas, situated in the heart of the downtown Dallas Arts District, is beloved for its warm Texas-style hospitality and elegant accommodations. Perks include a doting concierge, rooms equipped with luxe linens and marble bathrooms and delicious seasonally inspired breakfast fare at Pyramid Restaurant. fairmont.com

The Joule
While this centrally located Dallas boutique hotel is minutes away from attraction-packed neighborhoods like Deep Ellum and the Design District, it’s a destination in its own right. The property, housed in neo-Gothic landmark, is home to five acclaimed dining concepts, four retail stores and a spa. thejouledallas.com