Short getaways in Dallas – two-stepping, Mayan artifacts, and sculpture gardens in 48 hours

For a snapshot of the city on a short getaway in Dallas follow this lively itinerary and experience the best with just a couple of nights in a Dallas hotel.

Dallas short getaway day one, morning

Start your short getaway in Dallas downtown at Reunion Tower. An exterior elevator whisks you up to the observation deck for a panorama of gleaming office towers, outlying districts and the plains beyond the city. Walk north up Houston Street to Dealey Plaza, where John F. Kennedy was killed on November 22, 1963. The redbrick building overlooking Dealey Plaza houses the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which memorializes that fateful day. A couple of blocks over on Main Street is Dallas County Historical Plaza. The open-roofed limestone square is the John F. Kennedy Memorial.

Start: Reunion Park
Nearest DART stop: West End

Afternoon

As hunger sets in, head to the intersection of Ross and Palmer. Take a vintage M-Line streetcar uptown to Bread Winners Café & Bakery. A cozy courtyard provides a convivial ambience for a succulent smoked-apple-bacon-Gorgonzola burger. Browse the antiques shops, art galleries and clothing boutiques on McKinney Avenue. At the intersection of Lemmon and McKinney is West Village, a pedestrian mall of tree-lined walkways, chic shops and bustling cafes and restaurants. Sip a glass of wine on the patio at Crú before going back to your hotel.

Start: Bread Winners Cafe.
Nearest M-Line stop: Hall Street

Evening

Take a short taxi ride uptown to Bob’s Steak & Chop House for a succulent slice of sirloin fillet and a side of the famous ”smashed” potatoes, slathered in butter and chopped onion. Then it’s back in the taxi and downtown to the legendary Gilley’s Dallas for a rocking urban cowboy night of two-stepping to live country music.

Start: Bob’s Steak & Chop House

Dallas short getaway day two, morning

Start your day in the Dallas Arts District by wandering around one of the area’s world-class museums. Marvel at the Dallas Museum of Art’s impressive Aztec and Mayan collection or the Trammell & Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art, where a sky bridge takes you to the otherworldly Indian galleries. Kids and adults enjoy meandering through the outdoor sculpture garden at the Nasher Sculpture Center.

Start: Ross Avenue.
Nearest DART stop: Pearl Street 

Afternoon

Choose industrial Deep Ellum, a few blocks east of downtown, for a delicious plate of beef tacos in the inviting bordello-red walls at Monica’s Acá y Alla. After lunch, take a leisurely stroll through this funky neighborhood to browse the offbeat furniture stores, vintage clothing shops and art galleries. Most of the action is on Elm, Commerce and Main Streets. 

Start: Main Street. 
Nearest DART stop: Pearl Street 

Evening

Finish off a Dallas short getaway in style with a relaxing dinner at the elegant Mansion Restaurant at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. Splurge on poached Maine lobster or zesty braised short ribs served with chipotle mac (chili macaroni) and cheese at this longtime favorite Dallas institution. 

Start: Mansion Restaurant at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek