It’s not like I have never been to the Dallas / Fort Worth, Texas area before. Heck, I must have seen it from the air a dozen times. It was going to be different this time. Brenda and I booked our hotel and decided to see Dallas / Fort Worth from ground level.
Have you heard the term that everything is larger in Texas? Well, Dallas takes that to heart. The Big D is a city that likes to be larger than life. It is more urban and modern than its western cousin Fort Worth. Cowtown is where the West began. It’s longhorns and cowboys, and a much slower way of life. Tag along with us as we visit Dallas / Fort Worth, Texas.
Where to Stay
If you’re looking for a super trendy place to stay, check out The Joule-Dallas. The Joule is a revitalized 1920s neo-Gothic landmark building set in the heart of Dallas’ central business district.
With dramatic art installations, unique retail boutiques, a world-class spa, clever design, award-winning food and drinks, and some of the best service in town, The Joule is seen as the cultural epicenter of downtown.
Our room had a great view of the “Eye”. The Eye is a three-story gleaming orb resting in their lush garden across the street from the hotel: It is an enormous, hyper-realistic eyeball, streaky red veins and all. The Eye is one of the most unique pieces of artwork that I have seen.
The Joule: 1530 Main St, Dallas, TX
Trinity Groves
For a great view of the skyline and the now-iconic Margaret Hunt Hill bridge, head to Trinity Groves. Located in West Dallas, there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops.
For dinner, we selected Beto & Sons. What can I say, great food, great service, and the staff is very friendly. We ordered a Nitro Margarita and it was fun to watch as they used liquid nitrogen to make the drink frozen right at your table. I enjoyed the smoothest frozen margarita I’ve ever had, and our evening was definitely a fun experience! They also make all their food from scratch.
Beto & Son: 3011 Gulden Ln #108, Dallas, TX
After dinner, how about walking next door for dessert? The Cake Bar is a bakery and retail shop in Dallas, Texas where you can enjoy a large selection of traditional, southern-style made-from-scratch cake and confections on the spot or do as we did and take it back to the hotel. Items sold include 16 different cakes, a variety of pound cakes, quick bread, cookies, ice cream, and coffee.
The Cake Bar: 3011 Gulden Lane, Suite 117
Dallas, Texas
Klyde Warren Park
After dinner, we headed back to the hotel but first made a stop at Klyde Warren Park. This park is built on top of the Woodall Rogers Freeway and was beautifully decorated for Christmas. It’s a small oasis in the heart of downtown.
Klyde Warren Park: 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX
Breakfast
We didn’t have to look far from our room to find a good breakfast. This morning we just went downstairs to CBD Provisions and had a nice breakfast before heading out to explore the city.
Pioneer Plaza
Pioneer Plaza is a large public park located in downtown Dallas, Texas. It contains a large cattle drive sculpture and is a heavily visited tourist site.
The cattle drive sculpture is an art installation with life-sized bronze longhorn bulls, serving as a memorial to the Dallas settlers and a reminder of what life in Dallas was like in the early days. In total there are over 49 steers, and 3 trail riders
The Sixth Floor Museum / Texas School Book Depository
As I expected, the museum was very crowded when we visited. It was Cotton Bowl weekend and even though we were not here for the game we were able to join the crowds. We were able to explore outside but could not get into the museum. I would recommend that if you visit, get your tickets early.
On Friday, November 22nd, President Kennedy’s motorcade drove through the crowded streets of downtown Dallas and arrived at Dealey Plaza, turning onto Elm Street and passing the Texas School Book Depository. Shots were fired, striking the President multiple times including a fatal shot to his head.
Lunch at Pecan Lodge
One of the best BBQ places in Dallas is at The Pecan Lodge. We waited in line for an hour or so to get in, but the food was worth it! I had the brisket and sausage. Excellent. We do not get barbecues like this in Florida. Of course, I was not able to try all the BBQ Joints in the Dallas / Fort Worth area but I would say this ranks with some of the best.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens (12 Days of Christmas)
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a 66-acre botanical garden located at 8525 Garland Road in East Dallas, Texas, on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake. It was a beautiful way to take a stroll and spend a cool crisp day in late December.
We were lucky enough to catch the 12 Days of Christmas display which features designed gazebos that are 25 feet tall, each decorated to represent a day from the popular Christmas carol.
If I were to return, I would probably try and go and dusk when the lights come on. The gazebos are very intricately decorated with attention given to every detail. It must look amazing at night. These gazebos are definitely the highlight of the Arboretum over the holidays.
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens: 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX
Another garden in Florida that is quite beautiful is the Morikami Japanese Gardens. If in Florida you must visit.
Reunion Tower
For a Bird’s Eye view of Dallas, take the elevator up Reunion Tower. We went up 561 feet to watch the sunset over Dallas and got some excellent photos. The tower is part of the Hyatt Regional Hotel at this location.
Reunion Tower Observation Deck: Located in the Hyatt Regency300 Reunion Blvd E, Dallas, TX
Dinner at CBP Provisions
After the sunset and a big day of walking, we went back to our hotel and rested a bit before going downstairs to CBD Provisions. It was nice to be off of our feet, enjoying a cocktail before sinking my teeth into a delicious mouth-watering filet. It was nice to know that all we needed to do was to walk upstairs and collapse into bed after a long day. Tomorrow it’s off to Waco. Just a side stop on our Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas Weekend.
Waco Texas – Magnolia Table & The Silos
Today was the day we changed scenery from Dallas to Fort Worth. This came with a little side trip. Brenda had to go have breakfast with Chip & Joanna Gaines in Waco. The Magnolia Table is a breakfast and lunch restaurant specializing in fresh, homegrown ingredients and good, old-fashioned cooking. I think half the population of Texas had the same idea. We put our name in for at least a two-hour wait. We decided to take a trip across town to visit The Silos. Quite frankly, I don’t know what all the fuss is about. It was cold and still long lines were everywhere. We walked through the Magnolia Market. Brenda got a shirt and I bought a coffee mug.
The Magnolia Table: 2132 S. Valley Mills Dr. Waco, Texas
The breakfast was very good. Try the Biscuits & Strawberry Butter. After spending a good bit of the day here for breakfast, we headed to Fort Worth.
Dinner at Joe T Garcia’s
Joe T. Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant has been a Fort Worth staple since 1935. Founded by Mr. and Mrs. Joe T. Garcia, the restaurant has been in the family ever since. Feast on heaping portions of Tex-Mex fare and epic margaritas in a beautiful courtyard garden.
Joe T. Garcia’s: 2201 N Commerce St. Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Stockyards
You can’t visit Texas without taking in some Cattle Drives, Cowboys, and Gunslingers. Explore Dallas’s old west roots at the Forth Worth Stockyards, 40 minutes away from Downtown Dallas. The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District is an old cow town. From the original brick walkways to the wooden corrals, the Stockyards tell the true history of Texas’s famous livestock industry. Twice a day, you can’t miss the cattle drive at the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Fort Worth Stockyards: 131 E Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Water Garden
After lunch, we found the Fort Worth Water Garden. On a warm summer day, this would be refreshing to see but it was overcast and cold the day we went. We weren’t able to get very good pictures but on a sunny day or a clear evening lit up it is a sight that you need to see. You can walk down to the bottom but be careful. It can get slippery in spots. It’s located downtown next to the convention center. Many photoshoots happen here and it is certainly gram-worthy.
Fort Worth Water Garden: 1502 Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX
Dinner at Reata
If you are looking for Legionary Texas cuisine, you can find it here at Reata in Sundance Square. This is cowboy cooking at its finest using a melding of flavors: Southwestern, Creole, Southern, and a traditional Steak House. We sat at a cozy table and enjoyed our last delicious meal on our Dallas / Fort Worth Texas vacation. I had the Pan Seared Pepper Crusted Tenderloin and it was an excellent choice. The atmosphere was rustic elegance. In the warmer months, they also have a rooftop bar and patio which gives you a sweeping view of Downtown Fort Worth.
Reata Restaurant: 310 Houston Street, Sundance Square, Fort Worth, Texas
Sundance Square
After a comforting dinner at Reata, it was time to walk it off with some shopping and exploring at Downtown’s Sundance Square. This area is full of restaurants, bars, art galleries, live performance venues, and shopping. Since we haven’t picked up a souvenir yet we popped into some of the boutiques. One of our favorites was a store called Parts Unknown. Since I was in Dallas / Fort Worth Texas, I found a hat that I couldn’t live without. As one famous U.S. Marshall once said, ” Honestly? I tried it on and it fit”.
