You can probably still hum the theme song to the 1980s hit show “Dallas.” And who can forget the ultimate cliffhanger—who shot JR?
But if you think Dallas is just ten-gallon hats, rodeo-ing cowboys and feuding oil families, think again. It’s not Jock Ewing’s Dallas anymore. Dallas is a hip, fun, vibrant and contemporary city—with tons going on.
We recently checked out Dallas for a three-day weekend. I found it a super-fun couples getaway for many reasons. For one, it’s easy to get to—just a quick two-hour flight from Chicago. Leave Friday morning, and you’re poolside by noon.
If you’re thinking of boot-scooting out of town for a fun couples weekend, think Dallas. Here are some fun things to put on your ten-gallon bucket list of fun.
Where To Stay
Located in the heart of the Art District, The Fairmont Dallas is in the middle of it all. It’s an elegant hotel with a magnificent lobby and a lot of history. Sonny and Cher once performed there. The staff is chummy, and we loved the club feature where you could grab breakfast and snacks on the top level. There’s also a fun later-night lobby bar, and The Pyramid Restaurant right on the main level is a great spot for lunch. 1717 N. Akard St., Dallas, 214-720-2020
What To Do
Explore The Dallas Art District
The largest urban Arts District in the nation, The Dallas Arts District is a fun little scene on a Friday night, with couples and families milling about.
After dinner, we wandered over to the Dallas Museum of Art (free admission) to take in the art scene and listen to live music. Located in a funky space, the DMA is an old-timer on the Dallas scene. Built in the 1900s, it boasts a huge collection of art from the ancient Americas, Africa, Indonesia, South Asia and Europe, as well as American painting, sculpture and decorative arts and lots of American and international contemporary art. 1717 North Harwood, Dallas, 214-922-1200
We caught a great performance of “Sherlock Holmes” at Wyly Theater. If you like theater, this is your ticket. 2400 Flora St., Dallas, 214-880-0202
If you are a history buff (or even if you’re not) the Sixth Floor Museum, which chronicles the assassination and legacy of President Kennedy, is worth the stop. And if you plan to go, buy your tickets in advance. This popular spot is known to sell out. 411 Elm St., Dallas, 214-747-6660
Where to Eat
If you like to eat, eat your way through the trendy Uptown district with a three-and-a-half-hour Food Tours of America food crawl. You get an adorable foodie-know-it-all who will walk and trolley you from restaurant to restaurant, sharing all kinds of fun tidbits about the city. We met some friendly folks and really had a wonderful evening eating our way through the lively neighborhood. My favorite stop? Baboush—Lebanese food with a Moroccan flair.
Inspired by learning to cook at his folks’ truck stop restaurant in West Texas, Chef Pyle serves up what he calls Modern Texas cuisine—familiar Texas grub with a contemporary twist. Order the margarita at Stampede 66—they make it right at your table with liquid nitrogen! Hard to name a favorite here, the food is all fantastic, but I sure loved the fried oyster tacos and the chicken fried buffalo steak. 1717 McKinney Ave., Dallas, 214-550-6966
Savor Gastropub at Klyde Warren Park
I loved this see-and-be-seen modern gastropub smack dab in the middle of a five-acre deck park. The chef-driven menu offers vibrant flavors and lots of shared plates, which, if you ask me, turns dinner into a little party! Plus, you don’t miss a beat on the street while you are inside thanks to the dramatic floor to ceiling windows. My favorite on the menu? The deviled egg appetizer. 2000 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas, 214-306-5597
