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Dallas is one of the best known, and loved Texan cities. Texas is known for its cowboys, its sun-drenched landscaped, and its big, bold welcome. Dallas certainly has its share of those things, but amongst those brash layers, is a city with plenty of history, a genuine appreciation for the arts, a vibrant foodie scene, and plenty of quirky corners.
Our guide to the neighbourhoods of Dallas will match your travel plans or preferences to the right district to stay in, from the historic West End, to the colourful Dallas Arts District; and historic blues-loving Deep Ellum.
Dallas’ Downtown offers a walkable network of fantastic museums and historic sights, with spreads of green space and plenty of places to eat and drink. The West End is where you’ll find the JFK memorials, the Grassy Knoll and the Sixth Floor Museum. The Dallas Arts District is where you’ll find many of the theatres, concert halls, live music venues and galleries. Adjacent to Downtown, the Bishops Arts District is another arty neighbourhood, known for its performing arts centres, galleries, vintage and antique shopping, independent boutiques, and hip cafes, bars and restaurants. Deep Ellum is steeped in jazz legend, a neighbourhood of music venues that’s relaxed by day, but swinging by night. Uptown is a leafy choice known for its parks, elegant architecture and shopping. The Design District is another arty choice, with galleries, design stores, a surprising number of breweries, and hip hotels.
Downtown Dallas is the city’s central neighbourhood. It’s got skyscrapers and fine art museums, a myriad of hotels, and plenty of historical interest. This is also the central business district, so alongside the offices, there are plenty of places to eat, drink and be merry too — not to mention the great shopping, theatres aplenty, and even a Symphony Centre. Within the Downtown neighbourhood there are a number of smaller neighbourhoods, including the Dallas Arts District, the West End, and the Farmer’s Market neighbourhood.
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The Dallas Arts District is a neighbourhood of 20 blocks and 68 acres, packed with galleries and performing arts venues, and the facilities to match — including some seriously hip hotels. It’s like a refined and distilled version of Downtown, catering to even the pickiest of diners or hotel guests. It is also a hub of museums and gallery spaces, and more traditional performance venues: opera houses and concert halls, as well as theatres. This neighbourhood is also the home of the Klyde Warren Park, a five acre park built above the Woodall Rodgers Freeway which is a great spot for food trucks, live music, and watching the world go by. You can also expect plenty of interesting public art.
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The West End neighbourhood is another slice of Downtown Dallas. This is one of the oldest and most historic parts of town, but it’s also a visitor destination because of its history surrounding JFK. Dealey Plaza, the Grassy Knoll and, and the Sixth Floor Museum are local landmarks, and there are also a number of JFK memorials. The West End surrounds the JFK Memorial Plaza, and this former warehouse district has been transformed, with rail stations converted into restaurants, and warehouses into chic hotels. There are a number of pedestrianised shopping streets, lots of great places to eat and drink, and some of Dallas’ most iconic monuments. This is a good neighbourhood for varied accommodation, with plenty for families. There’s also a good selection of places to eat and drink, and some easy shopping.
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This was the warehouse district, just to the east of the Downtown area, but now Deep Ellum is a neighbourhood for anyone looking for a late night party. As well as hip hotels, Deep Ellum is also home to some of Dallas’ best restaurants, coolest bars, and most zeitgeist-y music venues — jazz and blues have colonised these street since the late 19th century. For those who like daytime activity too, there’s an Outdoor Market, and a cool Antiques Mall. Accommodation here is pretty varied; there are a number of super cool aparthotels, and boutique options, as well as some great value places to stay.
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Upscale and green, Uptown is a great neighbourhood for families. This landscape of mid-rise apartments and townhouses — some converted into cool hotels — is known for its charm, green spaces and chic boutiques. And it’s just to the north of Downtown, on the other side of the Klyde Warren Park, well connected to everything by public transport, and highly walkable. Uptown’s cafes, bars and restaurants are competing with each other for local loyalty, so there are some really super options, and you’ll find an impressive range of cuisines on offer. If you want to shop in Uptown start off in West Village, and if you’re looking for local sights, visit the Museum of Geometric Arts, the McKinney Avenue Contemporary, the Blue Print Gallery, and for American art visit the David Dike Gallery. Kids will definitely want to ride the Mckinney Avenue Trolley.
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Cedars, in the larger neighbourhood of Cedars Crest, is just south across Interstate 30 from Downtown Dallas; it's a lively neighbourhood, with great live venues, and its own breweries. The vibe is still a bit industrial, but hip with it, and there are plenty of cool kids hang out art galleries, bars, and music venues featuring everything from rock to rap. During the day you can easily visit Old City Park, or the Dallas Heritage Village Open Air Museum (is a pioneer experience); you’re right by the Dallas Farmers Market too. Stay here and you’re close to the city, but far enough away to have wonderful skyline views — especially if you book one of the taller boutique hotels, or warehouse conversions.
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The Oak Lawn area neighbours Harwood, West Village and Uptown, and is a colourful district known for being the heart of the gay community in Dallas. It’s one of the friendliest places to stay in the city, and trendy with it, known for its night life, cafe-culture, and fun atmosphere. This is a cute neighbourhood too, with quaint homes, some charming little boutique hotels, and fun bars and clubs. Oak Lawn’s restaurant scene is ever changing and growing, so there’s always something new to try.
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Dallas’ Design District is exactly what it says — the neighbourhood for great design! Be it furniture design, architecture or art. There's also a wide selection of breweries, restaurants and boutiques. And you’re just a smidge to the north of Downtown, so close enough to the main sights to enjoy staying here in a design hotel, and still see the best of Dallas. The Dallas Market Centre is one of the local highlights, alongside an impressive list of art galleries. New hotels, restaurants, cafes, galleries and bars are opening up here all the time, and new apartment buildings are going in too, so it’s a rapidly developing neighbourhood. The Design District is a great place for fashion too.
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