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By Aide Sierra
Caught up in the hustle and grind of daily life in your city? Come to Dallas! I’ve lived here a considerable amount of my life; long enough to know the city won’t disappoint. We like to go big and go hard; after all, our nickname is the Big D. For the men, we have sports, for the women, we have men in tight jeans (mostly hipsters but you’ll find an urban cowboy from time to time), and if you are married, don’t fret — there are plenty of places you can enjoy each other’s company.
Here a few of my favorite places (and some tourist sites) you must experience.
Food:
Glazed Donut Works
2644 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
One thing you must know about me is that I have a major sweet tooth, and Glazed Donut Works never disappoints on delivering the sweet. When I heard this placed offered a PB&J doughnut, I dragged my hubby to Deep Ellum (a district of Dallas) to try it. However, I was blind-sided by their specialty “The Grilled Cheese Bacon Doughnut.” Is it a doughnut? Is it a grilled cheese? The jury is still out, but I can tell you it was heaven to my mouth. The sweetness of the doughnut, combined with the salty crispiness of the bacon and cheese, gave me and the hubby an OMG moment.
Glazed is closed Sunday-Tuesday, and like most doughnut shops, it’s open in the mornings Wednesday-Saturday. However, it stays open late on Fridays and Saturdays — perfect for those of us who are night owls.
Emporium Pies
N. Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX, 75208
If southern charm is what you are looking for, then it doesn’t get any better than Emporium Pies. Located in the heart of the Bishop Art’s district, Emporium Pies will hands down beat what mom makes in her kitchen. My personal favorite is the Cloud Nine: a triple-layered crème pie with caramel (homemade), butterscotch custard and brown sugar meringue in a flaky crust.
A slice of pie costs $5, but if you travel in a group, you can get a whole pie for $30 (the exception being the Lord of the Pies and the Blue Steel). Emporium Pies is open Monday-Sunday.
Fun:
The McKinney Avenue trolley is a must-ride, and it’s not just a tourist attraction; locals enjoy it because it takes you all around the Uptown district for free in a vintage streetcar. What makes this a special ride is the conductor, who sometimes puts on a show while giving you historical information about buildings on the route.
If you plan on riding the train, always check the schedule for updates.
Reunion Tower Geo-Deck
300 Reunion Blvd East, Dallas, TX 75207
If you’ve seen the outline of the Dallas city skyline, you might have noticed a tower in the shape of a lollipop. This building is known as the Reunion Tower. You can have lunch or a romantic dinner as it slowly revolves, giving you a bird’s-eye view of Dallas. Underneath the restaurant, the Reunion Tower has a geo-deck if you want to skip the meal but enjoy the view; the deck also has interactive screens you can play with to get a better look at Dallas.
The tower is open 364 days a year (it’s closed on Christmas Day) and cost $16 for adults and $8 for children aged 4-12.
Fulfillment:
Klyde Warren Park
2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy
Klyde Warren Park is one of my favorite places to visit on a beautiful day in Dallas, because you never know what will happen there. One day there could be a book signing, the next a yoga class or a marriage proposal. The park is located in the heart of downtown Dallas; it’s perfect for those who just want to spend a quiet day surrounded by the buildings of the city. You can always grab a bite to eat with the array of food trucks that are stationed on the side of the park.
The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Dallas Museum of Art
1717 N Harwood St, Dallas TX 75201
The Dallas Museum of Art is one of many free museums Dallas has to offer. The three-story building is filled with art, varying from colonial to modern. The museum also offers classes and workshops, concerts and performances for visitosr to enjoy. Did I mention it was free? On the third Friday of the month, the DMA is open until midnight, and provides special entertainment for guests.
About the Author:
Aide Sierra is a writer, photographer and fashion designer living in Dallas, TX. You can find her on Twitter at @AideSierra, or visit her website, FictionChic.com.