By Jeremy Steckler -Contributor Skye Polk
March 19, 2024
So you want to learn more about all that Dallas, TX, has to offer and only have a day? Whether you’re exploring the town for vacation or trying to decide on renting an apartment in Dallas or even buying a home, we can help you with planning the ideal day.
Here’s the deal: Below is a treasure trove of restaurants, bars, activities, and destinations curated from Dallas locals. Pick one item from each step to create a preliminary schedule for your perfect day. If you want to select more than one option, go for it! The goal is for you to get a crash course in what it’s like to live in Dallas.
Step one:
Select a new experience
When exploring Dallas, it’s important to get acquainted with all the unique experiences
to be had in the city. Below is just a small collection of experiences. Pick one or choose
a couple to explore during your day.
Oak Cliff Pottery: “Established in the heart of Oak Cliff in 2016, we offer wheel-
throwing classes for beginners and advanced pottery enthusiasts. I have over 24
years of experience designing custom handmade pottery for restaurants and
businesses all over the country,” shares master potter James Olney of Oak Cliff
Pottery.
Dallas Glass Art: “If you’re looking to have a new experience in Dallas, I
recommend trying glass blowing! Dallas Glass Art offers both private and public
classes and allows you to create your own unique pieces to take home,”
recommends Skye Polk, a Dallas-based fashion and lifestyle blogger.
Books and Crystals: “Walk over to Whose Books to find your next read, and
then hop over across the street to Luna Metaphysical to build up your crystal
collection,” says Claudia Vega, founder of Whose Books.
Dallas Farmers Market: “A visit to Dallas Farmers Market is necessary for the
fresh produce and specialty foods available, and you have to end with a visit to neighboring Eden Hill Winery at the Dallas Farmers Market,” states Jeff Cope,
founder and owner of Texas Wine Lover.
Journeyfit: “I love a good calorie-burning fitness class with Coach Brittney
Johnson at Journeyfit. Not only does she double as a news anchor, but she also
leads an amazing work class that focuses on women’s health, meal planning and
coaching. Her classes are engaging and beginner-friendly,” says Jessica Taylor,
CEO of Ezra Coffee Company.
Explore Dallas’s art studios: “I am also really big into art and truly enjoy the
growth we are seeing in Dallas in the art space. Some of my favorite studios are
Pencil on Paper Gallery (they even host classes for students), Daisha Board
Gallery (she is always highlighting amazing local talent like Jennifer Money
Cowley), and the African American Museum as they always have new exhibits
from across the country,” recommends Jessica Taylor.
Step two:
Plan your meals for the day
You need fuel for your adventurous day in Dallas, so make sure you’ve planned all the
restaurants you’ll be stopping at during your day. It can be hard to know where to go,
but several locals have provided recommendations on their favorite places to visit.
Trompo: “Trompo is a small taco shop in the historic Jefferson Tower. This place
is no joke! The chef is one of the best in Dallas and he keeps you full at a good
price,” shares James Olney.
Ida Claire: “Whether it’s for brunch, dinner, or happy hour – I always recommend
Ida Claire! Their Southern comfort food, large cocktail menu, and eclectic interior
always make for a fun experience!” says Skye Polk.
Espumoso Caffe: “While in Oak Cliff you can support several locally owned and
operated small businesses. Start off with a coffee and pastry from Espumoso
Caffe,” recommends Claudia Vega.
Mutts Canine Cantina: “If you’ve got a pup (big or small), I recommend stopping
by Mutts Canine Cantina! They have two off-leash dog parks. The best part?
They also have a full bar and grill that you can enjoy while your dog socializes!”
suggests Skye Polk.
Restaurant Beatrice: “Dine at Restaurant Beatrice, a finalist for ‘Best New
Restaurant’ by the James Beard Foundation. We serve locally sourced, scratch-
made Cajun/Creole cuisine with an upscale twist.
Smoke’N Ash BBQ: “We’re the one and only Tex-Ethiopian BBQ restaurant in
the world, receiving national and international attention for our unique fusion
concepts,” shares Smoke’N Ash BBQ.
Roots Southern Table: “I love to have the prime rib at Roots Southern Table. It
is one of my favorite restaurants. While the prime rib is a staple, their menu is
always changing and oftentimes includes items from around the world with a
southern twist. I can’t even wait to see what is coming, and it doesn’t hurt that
Chef Tiffany is a Food Network “Top Shelf” alum,” says Jessica Taylor.
Step three:
Get outside in the sunshine
Once you’ve gotten all your restaurants picked out, it’s time to enjoy Dallas’s beautiful
weather and explore the town on foot.
Trinity River Park: “Ride, run, stroll or walk your dog along the Trinity River
floodplains while overlooking the skyline. There are entry points on Trinity Groves
and on Beckley, which connect to both the pedestrian walkways for the Margaret
Hunt Hill Bridge and the Margaret McDermott Bridge,” recommends Restaurant
Beatrice.
Explore Bishop Arts District: “Independently owned restaurants and retail
shops span some eight walkable blocks in North Oak Cliff. From pizza to sushi
to tacos to craft cocktail bars, feast on critically acclaimed food and shop for
apparel, shoes, homewares, or dessert afterwards,” adds Restaurant Beatrice.
Step four:
Engage with the craft beer community
Dallas is home to a passionate craft beer community that focuses on innovation.
Anthony “Beer Chronicle Tony” Gorrity, founder of the local craft beer blog Beer
Chronicle, provides his top three picks for breweries in Dallas.
Celestial Beerworks: “An artsy and eclectic brewery with fun beers to match.
From classic Czech lagers to boundary-bending hype IPAs, everything onrotation at Celestial is a star. The coolest part about this local spot is definitely
the community, though. Imagine pulling up for a beer and walking into a science
fair, calligraphy lessons, or printmaking with Legos. Absolutely radical.”
Martin House Brewing: “If you’re after sheer novelty, Martin House is sure to
create some memories. With beers like Space Pizza, hot wings, and ranch
dressing, you may not even need to grab a bite at their onsite food truck. These
folks have focused on creating some of the wackiest one-offs, but they have
great ‘regular’ beers as well.”
Manhattan Project Beer Co: “Probably one of the craftiest spots in the heart of
Dallas, Manhattan Project is a more nuanced spot. Excellently crafted beers are
paired with a thoughtfully considered food menu even down to their locally
sourced beef. Both menus are ever-rotating, so no two trips will be alike. It’s the
vibes at Manhattan that help bump them to the top of the list.”
Want to read the full article? You can find it HERE.
Xo,
Skye
