Overall, Dallas and Fort Worth are two sides of the same coin—each embracing their urban art and architecture, upscale fashion and food scenes, and historic cowboy sensibilities. And these North Texans sit side-by-side on any given Sunday to cheer on the Cowboys (or Texas Rangers)!
Where I stayed:
I was born in Dallas and visit the area often. My favorite hotels to stay and dine include Mansion on Turtle Creek, The Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons at Las Colinas and Hotel ZaZa. There is a lot of traffic in Dallas so where you choose to stay depends on the purpose of your visit.
For the December holidays, check out the gingerbread house display at Hotel Crescent Court or enjoy the piano player at Warwick Melrose’s Library Bar. If visiting Fort Worth, consider The Omni, The Aston and The Worthington.
What I wore:
I love to glam it up when I’m in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, even when engaging in casual activities. Summers can be brutally hot, so I opt for white shorts paired with cotton shirts, flowy dresses and plenty of sunscreen.
For accessories, hats and sunglasses are a must. I also have fun with colorful scarves, jewelry, belts, shoes and handbags to express my individuality. It's where I give my Ariat boots a workout. Dallas is the birthplace of Neiman Marcus, and North Texas proudly flaunts its sense of style!
What I did:
As a native Dallas girl, here is my list of “must do” activities in the area: Katy Trail for a beautiful autumn run; Deep Ellum for music and fun food trends; Highland Park Village for people watching and window shopping; Nasher Sculpture Center, Klyde Warren Park, Dallas Opera and Dallas Symphony for downtown food, art and culture; and the George Bush Library, Perot Museum and 6th Floor Museum for Texas history.
And if you’re lucky enough to visit Dallas or Fort Worth in October, do NOT miss the Texas State Fair. Grab a Fletcher’s corny dog and a funnel cake and settle in for an afternoon of livestock shows and skills competitions. Remember to bring ear plugs for the rooster crowing contest😊 And if you’re at the fair on game day, it’s worth the price of a ticket to watch the annual Texas-OU college football rivalry! Take it from my 2yo aspiring cheerleader self --- lol:)
Speaking of sports, you really can’t visit Dallas or Fort Worth without live sports. Whether it’s the Mavs, the Stars, the Rangers, the Cowboys, or college and minor league matchups, there is nothing more Texan than a day at the stadium or ballpark.
And if the Cowboys aren’t in season, take a tip from my brother Will and book a stadium tour. You’ll get a chance to check out the team locker room and try on a uniform. Great photo op!
And do not skip out on Fort Worth. It has so much to offer. Spend a morning showing off your best Urban Cowboy impersonation at the Stockyards. You can sip on an original-formula Dr. Pepper, learn the art of cattle roping, ride a mechanical bull at Billy Bob’s and invest in a great pair of boots.
Don’t forget to stop in at Joe T. Garcias for a gooey and satisfying plate of chilaquiles. It’s worth every calorie! From the Stockyards, head over to Sundance Square for amazing food and shopping. Downtown Fort Worth has so much to offer—from rooftop dining at Reata to ballet at Bass Hall. Kimbell Art Museum and Japanese Garden are also worth a visit!
And after you’ve loaded up on deep fried and delicious Texas treats, work it off with a stroll around the Ft. Worth Zoo or a run on the Trinity Trail.
What I ate/drank:
Both Dallas and Fort Worth have high end and low brow food to sate every palate. While there’s no doubt that Dallas and Fort Worth have strong steak and bbq games, don’t skip your taco fix. From authentic to fusion, you can find every filling imaginable.
I personally never visit Dallas without a stop at Mia’s on Lemmon Avenue. The brisket tacos are insane! And I always save room for sopapillas with honey.
Although I tend to go for comfort food favorites when I visit Texas, there are plenty of fine dining options in Dallas and Fort Worth: Fearing’s, Mansion, Abacus, Knife, Water’s, Bonnell’s. And for a few comfort food options, try Keller’s Drive-In, Bubba’s, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Snuffer’s, Sonny Bryan’s (Harry Hines location) and the original Dickey’s Barbecue Pit (go for the burnt ends and stay for the cocktails and “Dickey’s After Dark menu). For dessert, try the black forest cake at Swiss Pastry Shop, chocolate meringue pie at Carshon’s Deli (Wednesdays and Saturdays) or a Cup of Texas or scoop of Salt Lick from Melt.
The legal drinking age in the US is 21, and Texas beers (Shiner, Lone Star) and cold margaritas are a must. But don’t pass up an Arnold Palmer or sweet peach tea on a hot Texas day!
Social media musts:
North Texas loves its murals and cowboy culture. My favorite spots for photo ops are Deep Ellum, Dallas Design District, Bishop Arts neighborhood, Nasher Sculpture Center, Fort Worth Stockyards and Sundance Square. And, of course, the Texas State Fair!
My travel playlist:
I'd like to add a stop in Ft. Worth: The Cowgirl Hall of Fame. It's near the Kimball and Modern Museum, also worth a stop. The Cowgirl Museum is small, but full of interesting stuff. Try it out on your next trip here.