As staycations go, there are few cities than offer more fun and flair than Dallas. With its nationally recognized art scene and enough restaurants to keep you eating different cuisine for weeks, the city has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to cool places to visit.
When you need to get away for a few days, but you can’t go on vacation, check out these six Dallas neighborhoods perfect for a staycation getaway.
Located in east Dallas, the Lake & Garden District is anchored by its two biggest attractions: the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and White Rock Lake. The arboretum and garden spans 66 acres, with 11 distinct display gardens that remain lush year-round.
Meander through the gardens for a few days, or head to the lake for some kayaking or canoeing. The lake has a nine-mile loop that wraps around the 1,000-acre watering hole. Have kids? Be sure to stop by the award-winning Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, with 150 interactive exhibits.
There’s a lot more to do than just enjoying the outdoors, though. Some of city’s most popular restaurants are also clustered in this district. Check out Hypnotic Donuts for an Evil Elvis and some coffee, then spend the day dining at Alfonso’s (consistently ranked one of the city’s best neighborhood restaurants) or the rustic smokehouse, Smoky Rose. There are many top-rated restaurants near the lake and arboretum.
One of the closest places to stay is the Corinthian Bed and Breakfast. This grand Victorian home has been converted into a cozy, friendly B&B a short driving distance from the lake. Enjoy a little history in the Victorian-decorated rooms, and enjoy a communal breakfast in the spacious dining room. Some suites even feature kitchenettes to make it the ideal home away from home.
A truly great staycation should include at least one spa visit. The Highland Dallas delivers with stellar on-site massage and salon services, along with full concierge and a hotel shuttle to nearby attractions. After you kayak the lake or walk the arboretum, relax in the hotel’s heated outdoor pool or full-service spa for a serene stay. Pets are welcome, and there’s 24-hour room service.
With 68 acres and 19 city blocks, the Dallas Arts District is the largest contiguous urban arts district in the country. Stroll through performing arts centers, sculpture gardens, galleries, museums, and more restaurants than anyone could get through in one visit.
At the center of it all is the Dallas Museum of Art, with one of the largest collections in the U.S. (plus, general admission is free!). It’s easy to spend an entire staycation walking within the arts district.
Dallas has some of the finest sculpture collections in the world. Take a walk through the 55,000-square-foot Nasher Sculpture Center (plus its 1.4 acre garden) to view one of the most extensive modern and contemporary sculpture collections in the country (if not the world). Or catch a live performance at the Meyerson Symphony Center or the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Don’t feel like walking all 19 blocks? Catch the free M-Line Trolley to get around.
The Fairmont Dallas is one of the top hotels in the district, with skyline views from a rooftop pool, rooms with wall-to-wall windows, and fine marble bathrooms. It has old school opulence and is within easy walking distance to the Dallas Museum of Art. The understated elegance of the marble-lined front desk area and the high-end room furnishings are subtle reminders this is a world-class arts district.
Travelers on a budget won’t be left out in the Arts District. The ultra modern and trendy Cambria & Suites offers sleek contemporary furnishings and a convenient location. Rooms are compact (in European style), but the hotel has a large gym with plenty of equipment for training while traveling. There’s also ample lounge space on the first floor, where guests can enjoy the high-speed WiFi while people watching through floor-to-ceiling windows. The bar and bistro features locally sourced seasonal dishes and craft cocktails in a funky teal and gold dining room.
Remember the extravagance of the original Dallas television show? It may not be the ’80s anymore, but classic luxury lives on at the Ritz-Carlton Dallas. Oh yes, you can staycation like the Ewings in grand dark wood-accented rooms.
After riding the M-Line through the district, luxuriate in one of the city’s best spa treatments. Take a soak in the hotel’s saline pool. Then dine in one of five upscale dining rooms (plus two outdoor dining areas) at Fearing’s Restaurant. Prefer something more intimate? There’s also the Wine Cellar, or fine dining at The Gallery. Pets are welcome and rooms are serviced twice per day.
In recent years, Deep Ellum has become known for its hipster art scene and youthful vibe. As one of the first commercial areas built in Dallas, it has a history going back nearly to the beginning. Jazz and blues clubs once dominated the streets of Deep Ellum, which has led to a longstanding local music scene in the area. It’s also the place to go for craft cocktails and on-trend dining.
Spend a few days in the neighborhood and check out the music at Adair’s Saloon or Trees Dallas. Both venues are small enough that bands and DJs often mix with the crowd before and after shows. For experimental cocktails and high-tech concoctions, check out HIDE, or head up to the rooftop bar at Stirr and enjoy an incredible view of the downtown skyline. For daytime entertainment, check out the many independent shops and galleries lining Deep Ellum streets.
Get your mid-century vibe on at The Statler Dallas. Built in 1956, this piece of history was renovated and reopened in 2018, and has a major cool factor. There’s a “secret” speakeasy, one of the best rooftop pools in the city, and – get ready for this – a bar with bowling lanes. The rooms are standard hotel fare, but the amenities are worth checking out – especially the rooftop lounge with views of the city.
Another retro choice, The Adolphus Hotel is a Big D icon. One of the first luxury hotels ever launched (back in the 1912), this hotel was completely renovated in 2018. Rich wood paneling, buttery leather, and smooth, cool marble finishes make you feel like you’ve stepped back into another time. The public spaces are thoughtfully designed and richly textured. The rooms are so comfortably furnished, it may be difficult to tear yourself away for the day.
The newly renovated Bishop Arts District was one of Dallas’ original neighborhoods. It’s now home to more than 60 independent shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Billing itself as the most independent neighborhood in Dallas, the original storefronts give the neighborhood a retro feel that’s like being back on a mid-century main street.
A weekend in the district might start with freshly roasted coffee and a homemade pastry from one of several coffee shops and bakeries. Stroll by the homes-turned-storefronts to find eclectic home goods, gifts, and antiques. End the day at a neighborhood pub or try one of the many independent restaurants. Festivals and wine walks are common occurrences, so check the district website for the latest events.
If fun and funky spaces are your thing, Canvas Hotel is a must-stay spot. Each room features brightly colored art and furnishings. Sit out at the rooftop lounge for a few cocktails, or take a dip in the heated outdoor pool and admire the view of downtown.
The Hotel Omni Dallas is situated in the heart of downtown. Although it’s in City Center, it’s very close to the Bishop Arts District and provides upscale accommodation. This is also the place for fitness on a staycation. Fitness kits are available by request, and the fitness room is lined with floor to ceiling windows to take in the Dallas skyline. There’s also a first-class spa on site for treatments.
Cross the iconic Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge just west of downtown and enter the Trinity Groves area. This dining and retail zone has become home to some of the newest and trendiest restaurants in the Dallas metroplex due to the Restaurant Concept Incubator program based here. The neighborhood boasts 15 acres of dining options, independent shops, and galleries.
While there, check out Trinity Overlook Park for sweeping looks at downtown. It also serves as an entrance to the Trinity Skyline Trails, a five-mile hard trail system along the Trinity River. This is one of the newest revitalization projects in the city, so even lifelong Dallas residents can find something new on a staycation here.
Dallas has no shortage of vintage buildings, and the Hotel Belmont is one of the most unique. This 1940s motor inn still retains some original fixtures and the Art Moderne style has been kept true to the era. Get great overviews of downtown while staying close to the action in Trinity Groves.
Just northwest of downtown is the upscale and eclectic Design District. It’s home to some of the city’s finest art galleries, interior design showrooms, and fine dining options. While the district is nationally known as a place to shop for fine art and interiors, locals may not have taken the time to explore this gem.
Just like most other Dallas neighborhoods, the Design District is home to more than 350 independent shops, galleries, and restaurants. For antique shopping, take a walk down Slocum Street. Looking for funky vintage or thrift finds? Head over to Howell Street.
The district is more than just shopping and eating, though. Take cooking classes at The Cookery or go bowling at the vintage-themed Bowlounge.
For a resort staycation, stay at the Hilton Anatole. With a full spa, multiple pools, and an impressive Asian Art collection, an entire weekend could be spent at this 45-acre resort. There’s even a lazy river and a water park for the kids. Rooms are contemporary and colorful, and the on-site steakhouse offers views of downtown.
The district may be upscale, but the nearby Doubletree by Hilton Dallas Market Center is a budget-friendly option for visiting. The outdoor pool and cabanas will definitely be relaxing. Rooms are standard fare, and the hotel interior is bright and airy with clean, streamlined design – perfectly aligned with the district.