How to Plan a Weekend Trip to Dallas

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Last Updated on December 28, 2023 by sydabroad

If you are planning a weekend trip to Dallas, then this guide is for you! 

Tex-Mex. Margaritas. Cowboys. That’s what many think of when Texas comes to mind. Well, yes although that can be true, I think you’ll be surprised during your weekend trip to Dallas! 

Dallas is known to be the more ~bougie~ Texas city with no shortage of amazing restaurants, unique cocktail bars, and kind people. I’ve lived in Texas for almost my entire life and spent 2 years living in the city of Dallas. So I figured it was about time to share more about my home state.

I’ve put the perfect Dallas itinerary together to help you plan your weekend trip to Dallas. Keep reading to discover all of the best things to do in Dallas, Texas. 

Looking for more Texas Guides? 

• How to Plan a Girls Weekend in Austin
• The Best Coffee Shops in Dallas
• 10 of The Best Wineries in Fredericksburg 
• How to Spend a Weekend in Fort Worth

This post is all about how to plan the perfect weekend trip to Dallas, Texas.

Best Time to Visit Dallas 

Dallas can be hot. Ideally, I would avoid the summer months because it’s almost unbearable to be outside for too long. The fall and the spring are great times to visit. The best time to visit Dallas is between September and November or between March and May. 

If you do visit Dallas in the fall, the Texas State Fair is going on from the end of September through October. 

Where to Stay in Dallas 

Hotel Crescent Court is located right in the heart of Uptown, just minutes away from anywhere you’d like to visit in the city. 

There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance along with Klyde Warren Park, the Dallas Arts District, and Katy Trail. It’s truly a great central location. 

You can also take the hop-on hop-off McKinney Avenue Trolley to almost all the neighborhoods in the city. 

Book Hotel Crescent Court here.

How to Get Around Dallas 

If you are only taking a weekend trip to Dallas, I don’t think it’s worth renting a car unless you plan to explore nearby cities like Fort Worth or Waco. Rideshare is a very efficient way to get around the city and you’ll notice that once you are downtown, a lot is relatively close together. 

You can also use the DART Light Rail – a light rail system serving the metropolitan area of Dallas. I would honestly avoid this at night, it can be a little sketchy. I prefer taking Uber and Lyft around the city. You also have the option of the McKinney Avenue Trolley as I mentioned above, it’s a fun way to get from neighborhood to neighborhood! 

Map of Dallas

Everything mentioned in this blog post is on the map below so you can figure out distances and the best places you’d like to visit. 

How to Plan a Weekend Trip to Dallas, Texas 

Friday Evening in Dallas

Happy Hour

What better way to start the perfect weekend trip to Dallas than with a happy hour? I suggest checking out Sixty Vines in Uptown. It’s just steps away from Hotel Crescent Court, they offer a variety of wines on tap and modern bites. Sixty Vines really has a farm-to-table feel and is also a great spot for dinner. 

If you are looking for other happy hour options, here are a few of my favorites: Barcelona Wine Bar, The Rustic, and HG Sply Co.

Dinner at The Crescent Club

If you are staying at Hotel Crescent Court you have access to the Crescent Club, a fine American restaurant with amazing views of the city. Nobu is also a great option located in the Crescent complex. (Of course, Sixty Vines, mentioned above is a delicious dinner spot as well. 

After dinner, you can pop over to the Tipsy Alchemist after dinner for a cocktail. It’s one of my favorites in Dallas! 

If you are staying elsewhere and are looking for other dinner options, Las Palmas is a delicious Tex-Mex restaurant, and Cafe Madrid and Nick & Sam’s are also perfect dining places. 

RELATED POST: HOW TO SPEND A DAY AT MAGNOLIA MARKET IN WACO, TX 

Nightcap on Henderson 

If you’re still up for more, head to Henderson to bar hop. Stop by The Old Monk and The Skellig for a bar vibe atmosphere. Wonder Bar and the Whippersnapper are usually themed something fun. And for a club-like scene, visit 77 Degrees. 

These bars are all within walking distance of each other and if you are looking for a late-night drunk snack after the bars, pick up a pizza at Zalat Pizza. 

RELATED POST: THE BEST COFFEE SHOPS IN DALLAS, TEXAS 

Saturday – Weekend Trip to Dallas

Coffee and Katy Trail 

Start your Saturday in Dallas with a coffee and a walk on the Katy Trail. However, if you’re here in the summer — it’s usually too hot for a walk even in the morning. But it is really nice in the fall and spring! 

There are various spots around the city to access Katy Trail, but I suggest starting at the Knox entrance and picking up a coffee at FoxTrot, Village Baking Co., or Fairgrounds before walking over to the trail. There are quite a few cute shops to explore around the Knox area as well. It’s a great place to do some shopping. 

If you are a coffee lover and looking for the best cafes in Dallas, read my post here about the best coffee shops in Dallas. 

If you’d like to stop for a drink on the trail, Katy Trail Ice House is an iconic spot in Dallas – a casual beer garden with a massive patio serving great food and drinks. Try the summer beer!

Brunch in Dallas!

A weekend trip to Dallas is not complete without brunch at least once! With so many amazing dining options in Dallas, it can certainly be hard to choose where to eat. 

A few great brunch spots in Dallas are Bread Winners Cafe, Hudson House, The Henry, The Biscuit Bar, and Chelsea Corner. I’d make a reservation in advance just in case. Brunch spots can get quite crowded on a Saturday in Dallas. 

Dallas Museum of Art

Next, visit the Dallas Museum of Art for a nice break from the heat – because yes, even in the fall and spring it can be hot. The Dallas Museum of Art is one of the largest art museums in America and it’s located right in the Arts District in Dallas.

General admission to this museum is free, however, selected exhibitions and programs will require an admission ticket. 

If art museums aren’t your thing or you’d like to visit more, I suggest checking out the Perot Museum and the Sixth Floor Museum. The Perot is a museum of nature and science located in Victory Park. If you happen to be here on a Thursday evening in the summer, this museum hosts “Perot on Tap” – with drinks, food trucks, live music, and access to the museum.

Alternatively, the Sixth Floor Museum is dedicated to the legacy of former President John F. Kennedy. One of the most infamous moments in U.S. history – is when JFK was assassinated in 1963. The building of the Sixth Floor Museum is where the bullets came from when JFK was shot in downtown Dallas. 

Klyde Warren Park

Just a short walk away from the Dallas Museum of Art is Klyde Warren Park, a 5.2-acre public park in downtown Dallas. If the weather is nice, it’s a great place to relax for a bit or grab a bite from the many food trucks here. There is also a fountain show every night from 7 PM to 10 PM as well as a non-illuminated lunchtime show at 12:04 PM. 

Depending on when you visit there are various events held here including workout classes, live music, and more. 

Highland Park Village

After you get ready for the evening, visit Highland Park Village. This is an upscale mall area with high-end stores, designer boutiques, and a few great restaurants. Highland Park Village at night is beautiful– a great place for photos if you’re looking for a good photo spot. 

You can do some shopping (or window shopping!) and then eat dinner at either Honor Bar or Mi Cocina. 

Honor Bar is one of my favorite restaurants in Dallas – their food and drinks are delicious, try the kale salad and the margarita, amazing. On the other hand, if you haven’t yet had tex mex during your weekend trip to Dallas, I suggest eating at Mi Cocina. 

After dinner, end your Saturday evening at Monkey Bar. Monkey Bar is located on top of Mi Cocina – you have to go through the restaurant and upstairs to get there. It’s pretty small but they have delicious (& strong) drinks! The atmosphere is wonderful. 

Sunday – Weekend Trip to Dallas

Dallas Farmers Market

Alright, we’re starting Sunday at the Dallas Farmers Market. Here you can find seasonal produce, local pantry staples, handmade arts and crafts, various boutiques, and great food. The Dallas Farmers Market is the perfect way to spend your Sunday morning in the city. 

Bishop Arts District 

Next, head over to Bishop Arts District. This area is known for its chic fashion stores, colorful street art, and many great spots to eat and drink. You can read my full blog post about Bishop Arts in Dallas here. 

You have to stop in The Wild Detectives – a bookstore, bar, and coffee shop all in one. I also suggest getting lunch at Paradiso, a delicious coastal Mediterranean restaurant with the cutest atmosphere. It’s very instagrammable. 

After lunch, made to pick up a slice of pie at Emporium Pies, I literally didn’t even like pie until I had a slice from here. Their pies are delicious. 

RELATED POST: THINGS TO DO IN DEEP ELLUM IN DALLAS 

Reunion Tower 

To finish off your weekend trip to Dallas, visit Reunion Tower, Dallas’s most recognizable landmark. Reunion Tower is a 561-foot observation tower and general admission tickets cost $19. The best time to visit Reunion Tower is at sunset or once the sun is down. The city looks amazing from up here!  

I hope this guide helped you plan the perfect weekend trip to Dallas. If you are visiting, make sure to check out my guide to Bishop Arts and Deep Ellum for more fun ideas on how to spend your 48 hours in Dallas. If you have any questions about Dallas, leave them in the comments below. 

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