48 Hours on the Margarita Mile

Before you set off on your margarita journey, grab breakfast at Commissary. The coffee, gelato, bakery and butcher shop offers breakfast until 10:30 a.m. daily, so you can take your time people watching while sipping on a chai. Go light with a smoothie bowl or dig into cheesy grits and brisket hash.

Sample a taste of the city's western roots with a visit to the aptly named West End. Get fitted for a Stetson at Wild Bill's before checking out Dealey Plaza, the site of the 1968 JFK assassination. Nearby, The Sixth Floor Museum plays a respectful homage to the president's historic ties to the city. Across the street, the Old Red Museum, a space dedicated to the history of Dallas, houses the original frozen margarita machine.

Play the role of a true tourist with a ride up to the top of Reunion Tower. The GeO-Deck, Dallas' famous observation deck, gives you a 360-degree view of the city and everything nearby. To the east, look for the Texas Star, the most popular ride at the annual State Fair of Texas.

Beto & Son is a Trinity Groves restaurant that presents elevated Mexican dishes and the same can be said for their margaritas. Their liquid nitrogen margaritas – made table side – are a crowd pleaser, as are their made-to-order guacamole, ceviche towers and smothered tater tots.

After your guac-induced siesta, make your way to Deep Ellum for a show at the Bomb Factory. The former Ford factory turned WWII-era bomb and ammunition plant (hence the name) provides a bigger, yet intimate spot for live music shows and brings in a diverse line up of artists. Dallas' own Erykah Badu frequents the stage, along with recent headliners like Julieta Venegas, Nas and Father John Misty.

Head two blocks over to Revolver Taco. The colorful taco joint is open until 2 a.m. on weekends, and their Revolver Margarita is a perfect companion to the al pastor taco, topped with grilled pineapple, onion and cilantro. Take note of Purepecha, a separate dining space offering authentic Mexican eats, prepared family style, for your next visit.

Walk to the Thanks-Giving Tower coffee shop for a light breakfast at Ascension. The bright, airy space caters to the work crowd, so you'll likely find a quiet corner to enjoy a solo moment before heading out.

Get day two going with a visit to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The garden is known for its seasonal displays – tulip blooms in the spring and pumpkins and gourds in the fall – and A Tasteful Place, the arboretum's edible display garden, offers daily tastings and wonderful views of the Dallas skyline.

Break for lunch at Desperados. The decades-long Dallas favorite features the classic La Margarita as their Margarita Mile signature cocktail. Not surprisingly, it's a five-time winner of Dallas' best margarita.  

Head north for some indoor activities at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. The museum's permanent exhibit contains a full-sized replica of the Oval Office (pics behind the presidential desk are allowed and encouraged) and hosts various traveling exhibits through the year. Pro tip: get a Dallas CityPASS for discount admission to this attraction along with three others. 

Explore the wonders of fashion and art at one of Dallas' most popular shopping destinations, NorthPark Center. Wander through the luxury stores and retail favorites and admire the artwork scattered throughout before a stop in CenterPark, an outdoor garden, to get off your feet for a bit.

Dallas brought the frozen margarita to life thanks to the creativity of restauranteur Mariano Martinez, the man behind the invention of the machine. His name-sake restaurant offers classic Tex-Mex dishes alongside the Sunburst Margarita, a colorful infusion of tequila and strawberry and mango flavors.

Walk off the margs and enchiladas with a night cap at Klyde Warren Park. The park's vibrancy doesn't stop when the sun goes down, and there's plenty of people watching available. Grab a seat near the food trucks in case you're in the mood for an after-dinner ice cream treat.