Perhaps you’ve heard of Dallas, maybe by way of the infamous 1980’s prime-time drama about the city, through their well-known Cowboys NFL team, or maybe you’ve actually had the pleasure of visiting. Its a unique city – clean, bright and even a bit austere to look at from the exterior, but filled with the kind of big personalities, flavors and energy that you’d expect from a state whose most well-known catch-phrase is the maximalist “Everything is bigger in Texas.” In honor of Dallas and to highlight just how much there really is to see and do here, I present to you the top 10 must-sees for Dallas!


5. Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden – 66 acres of carefully manicured, designed and cataloged gardens originally opened in 1984, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a natural wonder and not a sight to be missed. There are 19 named gardens here and other locations to tour, including the DeGolyer House, the restored estate of the family of ownership for the area. They offer events year-round, with an autumn-themed pumpkin patch and decor for fall and a stunning Christmas light show and decor for the holiday season. You can find out about tickets here.
6. Uptown Dallas – Ok, so maybe this one is more of a neighborhood than an individual sight, however it is so often overlooked when it might be some of the most fun that you have in the city. This is the spot for some of the best nightlife and restaurants you’ll find here, or anywhere else, and also home to Victory Park for sports fans looking to celebrate local teams like the Mavericks or Stars. Pop over to Knox/Henderson for high-end boutique shopping or head to West Village and Henderson for modern cuisine and gastronomy that is right at the cutting edge of the culinary revolution. You can find out even more about his area of the city at their site, here.

9. Deep Ellum – Are you a bit more on the indie side of things? Do you love underground bands and music or prefer to discover art that hasn’t quite hit the mainstream? Well, if you answered yes, then Deep Ellum is just the neighborhood for you. Here you’ll find some of the hottest music, art and food with a quirky flair and an undiscovered feel that will inspire you and leave you wanting more. Its one of the unsung hits of Dallas, but, be forewarned, its a place that’s hard to leave behind. Find out about all the upcoming events and hottest spots to check out, here.
Any of these places would make your trip to Dallas just a bit more fulfilling and you’ll be sure to have a fun time with any of them. I would recommend that looking into a City Pass if you plan on seeing a few sights and staying for a number of days. You can find out about what City Pass covers and how much it is per person, here.
Here’s hoping you enjoy the “Lone Star State” and its premiere city as much as we did! Let us know in the comments if you have any of your own favorites that didn’t make the list. We’d love to hear your thoughts.