Far from the oil-centric town portrayed on the eponymous ’80s TV show, Dallas is a vibrant cosmopolitan city quickly making a name for itself in both the art and culinary worlds; it’s home to the largest contiguous urban arts district in the country as well as some top-notch restaurants. In order to get the most out of your 48 hours in the Big D, we’ve got a Texas-sized itinerary for you.
Start off your busy day with breakfast at Bread Winners Café & Bakery in Uptown. (Word to the wise: If you’re in town on a weekend, go early or get ready for a long wait.) The Southern menu features divine dishes such as eggs Benedict and all kinds of scrambles — we love the Farmhouse with potatoes, jalapeño bacon, onion and cheddar cheese.
Make your way to Victory Park on the Katy Trail — or take the charming McKinney Avenue trolley, which stops right in front of Bread Winners — and head to the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza for a dose of history. Plan to spend between one and two hours on the audio tour to discover just what happened (as well as what conspiracy theorists think happened) on Nov. 22, 1963, when JFK was assassinated.
Then head uptown to Knox-Henderson and settle in for some home cooking at The Porch — think grilled cheese with tomato on brioche served with a hearty tomato soup. The surrounding neighborhood is a great spot to explore the eclectic side of Dallas with its endless antique shops and, across the highway, preppy boutiques.
After checking out the new and old, head back to your hotel (may we suggest the Four-Star Ritz-Carlton, Dallas?) and freshen up for dinner at Fearing’s. And if you’re up for it afterwards — or maybe before dinner — take a drive through ritzy Highland Park to check out the holiday decorations illuminating the mansion-lined streets.
Day two isn’t quite as hectic as your first day, though you’ve definitely got a full 24 hours ahead of you. Whether you sleep in and bypass breakfast or have a light meal at the hotel is your choice, but pick up lunch at eatZi’s (a European-esque market) and head to the brand-new Klyde Warren Park for a picnic and a bit of croquet or yoga.
Make your way to the Arts District’s Nasher Sculpture Center to roam around the world’s first institution dedicated solely to the display of modern and contemporary sculpture. You’ll see works from well-known names such as Brâncuși, Rodin, Warhol and Picasso.
When your stomach’s growling, cross the new Calatrava-designed Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge into West Dallas for an innovative dinner at Smoke in Oak Cliff. We couldn’t let you leave the Lone Star State without at least a taste of barbecue, and chef Tim Byres at Smoke churns it out with true Texas flavor.
