Things To Do
Giant Eyeball
Deep in the heart of downtown, a sight for sore eye(s) - the Giant Eyeball is a good place to start if you've never been to Dallas. Aside from being a local landmark, it's just around the corner from AT&T Discovery District, Flying Horse Cafe (where we had our first date), and about a 15 minute walk from Dealey Plaza & Sixth Floor Museum.
Klyde Warren Park
The bridge between Downtown and Uptown, and home to the local food truck scene, it's hard to beat Klyde Warren Park if you're looking for somewhere to go on a beautiful spring day. Wide open spaces, a walking trail, restaurants, an outdoor concert space, and a beautiful view of downtown, there's always something going on here. It's also right across the street from the Arts District, which has the Dallas Museum of Art, Crow Collection, and Nasher Sculpture Center, all of which are worth a look. You can also catch the free trolley into Uptown from here.
The Dallas World Aquarium
Calling this an aquarium isn't quite right - it's half aquarium, half rainforest zoo, right in downtown, and is one of the most impressive ones we've seen. From the outside, it looks like a random warehouse, but once you're inside, it's a multilevel rainforest, giving way to an ocean and caves at its lowest levels. Gabe's favorite part is the sloth forest - if they're up and moving that day, they'll be in low hanging trees right over your head!
Another Round
We both love minigolf, and lucky for us, there are many great courses in Dallas; among them, Another Round stands out as a quirky take on an old favorite. The courses may not look like you're used to - you may have to putt in the dark, aim around traffic cones, and use obstacles to distract or block your opponent - but you'll definitely have a fun time.
Ferris Wheelers Backyard and BBQ
This list wouldn't be complete without BBQ. There's a lot of great spots in town, and Ferris Wheeler's is a good place to start, especially when the weather is nice and the wheel is operating. Locals may remember them from their stand at the food hall in the Texas State Fair. If you've never had Texas-style BBQ before, order anything with the word 'Brisket', and you can't go wrong. Honorable mention to Pecan Lodge and Sonny Bryan's, both of which are worth trying while you're in town.
Lula B's Design District
We have a lot of great antique and vintage shops in Dallas, and Lula B's in the Design District is a good introduction to the local scene. While they carry a bit of everything, you'll notice a lot of items come from the 60's and 70's, and an even split between mid century modern pieces and hippie/disco style. If you're looking for a pair of cowboy boots, this is also a good place to start - head all the way to the back left of the store. If you're interested in more vintage shops after this, there's a ton in the surrounding Design District, as well as several art installations on the street along the way.