I recently visited Dallas, Texas with my best friend and had what I’d like to call a good ole Texas time! Lol this was the first trip I’ve ever been on where I planned everything to the T. I had visited Dallas before but didn’t get to do all that was on my list so this time around, I was determined and boy did I accomplish all that and more. Of course it’s impossible to explore an entire city in just 4 days but this is my Dallas Travel Guide from a New Yorkers perspective!

Where to Stay

I would highly recommend staying in Downtown Dallas simply because of the convenience and close proximity to pretty much everything. We stayed at The Indigo Hotel which is a really cute boutique hotel in the heart of downtown. We knew we’d be out a lot so we didn’t care to splurge on a hotel this trip the way we usually would, but of course quality is still very important and this was the perfect balance. It was in walking distance to a bunch of spots on our list, or a 10 minute Uber away at most. However, if you are looking to splurge I would recommend The Statler, literally across the street. It’s a more expensive option but they have a super dope rooftop with a pool. You don’t have to be staying there to enjoy the rooftop vibes though!

Where to Eat

One thing I found to be universal in Dallas unfortunately was poor food service. Now don’t get me wrong Texas folk are sweet as pie but the actual food service industry itself is quite behind. Granted, I come from NYC where the service industry will put anyone to shame, but let’s put it this way… do NOT wait until you’re hungry to figure out where or what you want to eat, you’ll starve. In fact if you’re like me and don’t play about food or waiting long periods I would just go ahead & make all your reservations in advance! At least for dinners and Sunday brunch. There were restaurants in Dallas booked 4+ days in advanced and when you are seated, you will probably wait long for your food/drinks. So don’t sleep, especially if the restaurant is popular! 

We didn’t plan Saturday brunch & randomly stopped down the block at Kitchen & Kocktails, it was such a good choice! The soul food menu was bangin’, the drinks were so cute and strong as heck plus the Dj had the vibes going. I ordered the shrimp & grits which were to die for and my Black Magic Kocktail with dry ice was equally delicious and aesthetically pleasing. There were only two of us so we were able to grab seats at the bar but definitely make reservations in advance for a table!

Ebb & Flow is a newer space in Dallas and the service was surprisingly pleasant, aside from the host. I also really enjoyed their cocktails which were pretty, yummy and strong! We only had a couple light bites here but those were pretty good and the ambiance was lovely as well so I’d definitely make this a stop on your list!

So you’ve been shaking your tail feather in Deep Ellum & dropping it low all night, now you’re starving! Head over to Serious Pizza for a late night bite and enjoy their delicious pizza. Now that’s coming from a New Yorker & you know we don’t play about pizza! Also, don’t toss their secret sauce to the side it works surprisingly well with the slice. Our first food experience straight from the airport was at The Henry. It’s a gorgeous venue & the food was quite delicious but unfortunately our service was painfully slow. If you’re not in a rush though, definitely try their brussels sprouts and summer sangria!

The Empanada Cookhouse is the perfect option for a quick bite to-go in between shenanigans. I had the veggie option which was so yummy & my good sis thoroughly enjoyed her beef empanada. They make them fresh & were so sweet, I’d definitely support this business again! In between festivities we stopped at a random pop-up shop where we met The Drank Lady. It’s a Black owned business that sells adult dranks, but the star of the show is their THC infused cocktails! I’d never had a liquid edible before but this did not disappoint. If you’re a fan of the green (which might be hard to find in Dallas, where it’s still illegal) the drank lady got you!

Where to Go: Daytime

Make your reservations to the Dallas Museum of Art in advance, it’s free and such a cute little vibe! We also purchased additional tickets for $9 to see the ‘For a Dreamer of Houses’ exhibit which wasn’t to die for but definitely made for some cute pics.

Harlowe MXM is a dope rooftop vibe, it attracts a mixed crowd which is always nice! Expect a long wait to get in but the Dj, drinks & good vibes are flowing once you’re inside. It’s also one of the few rooftop venues we went to that is covered in case of bad weather. Stirr is another great rooftop/day party vibe! You do need a table to enjoy the rooftop, but if you’re in a group of 3 or more I think it’s totally worth it. They also have a restaurant downstairs which I personally wouldn’t recommend, the food was quite disappointing so I would eat beforehand. On a positive note, don’t be surprised if you find yourself rubbing elbows with a few Dallas Cowboys, yum!

The Dallas Farmer’s Market is so quaint and another great option for families or to work that hangover off the next day. There are food & drink vendors, souvenir shops and more. I bought some delicious handmade soap from a shop called Abundantly Aromatic!

The Truck Yard was probably one of my fave things we did because it was so…. Texas! Lol it’s an outdoor venue with multiple food trucks selling bites & drinks, that’s rustically decorated with old car parts. This is a great option for groups or if you just want to enjoy the weather at a chill, outdoor venue. They also have a photo booth, perfect for capturing the moment! After hanging at the Truck Yard we walked down the block to HG Supply Co. where we had a few delicious cocktails on the rooftop.

There is a really cool, giant eyeball sculpture downtown, just a few blocks away from the Indigo hotel. It’s nothing fancy but it’s a free, family friendly option & definitely makes for a cute photo opp! Continue the daytime fun at Happy Hour, a huge venue that’s perfect for large groups or if you are having trouble getting into other venues without advance reservations. There’s a huge outdoor space on the ground level, plenty of indoor space with large tables & a decent sized rooftop. This is the perfect place to pregame or catch a game on one of their many massive t.vs!

Where to Go: Nighttime

Vidorra was definitely one of my fave nightlife venues. Their Mexican food is delicious & authentic and so are the drinks! This is a great option to dance to some Reggeaton, meet new people and lose count of how many tequila shots you take. Don’t blame the hangover on me! If you want to get down & dirty like the Texans do, find your way to the dance floor at The Nines. The music is poppin’ and this is one of the few venues where I actually saw people dancing which surprisingly isn’t all that common in Dallas. They also have a rooftop where you can mix & mingle in the warm Texas air. They also sell the perfect snacks for when you get the late night munchies, like burger nachos. Yum!

If you don’t mind splurging, Bitter End is a vibe! It’s one of the few venues that sells hookah if that’s your thing. I would 100% recommend booking a table in advance though (preferably on their outdoor patio) because they fill up fast, otherwise you’ll have to stand awkwardly at the bar where you can’t order hookah. If you’re looking for a more calm but lit vibe, I recommend Punch Bowl Social. They have pool & other games you can play with friends. This is another really large venue, perfect for groups of mingling with some Texas thangs.

A few places I didn’t get a chance to check out but were recommended to me are the rooftop at the Statler hotel, Bottled Blonde, Clutch and Sky Blossom. I would suggest checking them out & making reservations in advance if they peak your interest