24 Hours in the Dallas Arts District

Dallas is home to the largest contiguous urban arts district in the nation, spanning 68 acres and 19 contiguous blocks.

And with dozens of museums, restaurants, performing arts centers and a great park right in the middle of it all, it's easy to spend an entire day in the Arts District.

AM, The Morning

3 hours

1Wake Up Well Rested

Roll out of bed at the HALL Arts Hotel, the Arts District's latest, elevated luxury hotel experience. Wake up in modern sophisticated suites with diverse art pieces arranged throughout the property for viewing. Bring your four-legged friend to experience the VIP treatment with walking services, bedding and toys included with your stay.

1 Hour

2Start with Breakfast

Located in One Arts Plaza, Yolk takes a fresh and creative approach to breakfast and lunch in an urban, upscale setting. Go for the cinnamon roll French toast or the breakfast mac & cheese to get you fueled and ready for the day.

2.5 Hours

3Visit the Dallas Museum of Art

Holding more than 25,000 works that span 5,000 years of history, the DMA is one of the 10 largest art museums in the country and welcomes more than 900,000 visitors annually. Enjoy its diverse spectrum of exhibitions, lectures, concerts, literary events and presentations. Best part of it all – general admission to the museum is always free!

1 Hour

4Have a Food Truck Lunch

Head to the food trucks lined along the south end of Klyde Warren Park for an al fresco lunch. The trucks are there daily (11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. on the weekends) and provide casual cuisine like pizza, BBQ and Italian (options can vary – check their schedule!) The spacious park also offers free daily programming ranging from yoga and book signings to outdoor concerts and films.

1.5 Hours

5Tour the Nasher Sculpture Center

The Nasher Sculpture Center is one of the finest collections of modern and contemporary sculptures in the world. The 55,000-square-foot space is enclosed by a glass façade, providing continuous views from the street, through the building and across the length of the 1.4-acre outdoor gallery and garden.

2 Hours

1Explore the Crow Museum of Asian Art

Opening its doors in 1998 as a permanent museum in the Arts District, The Crow Museum exhibits works of art from Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia that date from 3500 B.C. to the early 20th century. The Crow Collection always has free admission and offers visitors a peaceful world of beauty and spirituality in the heart of the city.

1.5 Hours

2Savor the Flavor

Make a stop at Sloane's Corner for dinner and drinks. This New American bistro located in the Trammel Crow Center in the Arts District serves seasonal bites, plates, soups and salads, as well as an impressive cocktail menu and tasty desserts!

2–3 Hours

3Catch a Late-Night Performance

No matter when you're visiting, there's likely a show taking place in the Arts District, from musicals and theater to live performances and more. Listen to the stunning sounds presented at the Meyerson Symphony Center showcasing pieces by classics like Beethoven and Mozart, as well as original scores by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

If theater and dance is more your speed, head to AT&T Performing Arts Center to see the latest Broadway show or ballet performance Dallas has to offer. ATTPAC also brings comedy, music and opera to its indoor and outdoor stages year-round.

Check the schedule for Dallas’ light rail system DART and the free M-Line Trolley for convenient rides through the Downtown Dallas and surrounding areas.