Dallas and the Park Cities have so many wonderfully unique, local things to see and do that, at times, the hardest part of deciding where to go is figuring out where to start.
My wife, Amy, and I live “behind the pink wall,” a small strip of real estate situated between the Park Cities and Preston Hollow off Preston Road and Northwest Highway—and we’ve been here for many years. Many of our favorite restaurants, shops, and recreational opportunities are spread throughout the area, providing a never-ending array of cool things to do. And since the Park Cities is so walkable, we spend a lot of time outdoors enjoying the many green spaces.
From performing arts spaces to eateries, there is no shortage of exciting things to sample. Here are some of our current local favorites, including tried-and-true standbys and one fabulous newbie.
1. Muchacho
It’s not uncommon to find us at a weekend nosh or watching a broadcast of a Mavs or Stars game from the bar at Muchacho, James Beard-nominated chef Omar Flores’ wonderful Tex-Mex restaurant. All of the Preston Center-area restaurants are walkable, but this one is the best.
2. Highland Park Village
In Dallas, shopping is a full-contact sport. Amy says that any quality local shopping spree starts with Highland Park Village, a luxurious local institution that dates back to the 1930s. The Spanish-influenced architecture is a remarkable work of art surrounded by gentle oak trees and distinctive aesthetic touches around every corner.
3. Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
Culture is an important part of Park Cities life. Downtown’s 68-acre Arts District is the envy of cities across America. At the center of it all is the Meyerson Symphony Center. I.M. Pei designed the facility, which is home to the Dallas Symphony and is considered among the world’s finest venues for live music.
4. Interabang Books
If you’re a dedicated bookworm like us, stroll through Interabang Books on Lovers Lane. Their frequent events include parades of book signings with notable writers, a thriving book club, podcasts, and an inventive program called Collective Reads that attracts participants from around the world via a dedicated Slack channel.
5. Mister Charles
We are always open to discovering something new. Mister Charles is an irreverent play on the classics, an elegant departure for an area restaurant. It opened last summer on the site of the former Highland Park Soda Fountain on Knox Street and offers French- and Italian-inspired dishes and cocktails.
6. Park Cities Pocket Parks
There are around 50 meticulously maintained parks scattered throughout the area. We love watching families gather for picnics and kids playing soccer or tossing a football around. We especially enjoy the small “pocket” parks, which are more intimate and perfect for people watching and relaxing in the sunny outdoors.
