Once one of Dallas' best hidden treats, this two-block former warehouse area sits in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of South Dallas. It's home to more than 60 boutiques, restaurants, bars, coffee shops and galleries, making it one of Dallas' most unique (and not-so-secret) districts.
Free yourself from a car and hop on the Dallas Street Car at Union Station in Downtown Dallas. The 2.75-mile ride takes just 11 minutes, one way with six stops. Plus, the fare free, so you'll save yourself the hassle of trying to find a coveted parking spot in the Bishop Arts District.
The hole-in-the-wall El Jordan serves some of the best (and cheap) breakfast tacos in town. Or, if you're looking for a Southern farm-to-table breakfast, head to Oddfellows. Get your fill of fried green tomatoes or brisket hash and perk up with a handcrafted cortado coffee or Bloody Mary.
"Unique gifts for quirky folks" pretty much sums up Fete-ish. At this festive unconventional store, you'll find original artwork to tongue-in-cheek home accessories and tableware. On a different universe of quirk, We Are 1976 is filled with local art, cards made from their in-house letterpress print studio, comics, home goods and cute accessories. Denim junkies will enjoy Indigo 1745 which mixes in a dash of urban cowboy with vintage to their clothing selections. For the man who is difficult to buy for, DFW Mantiques stocks fabulous finds like 1955 Studebaker hood ornaments and vintage watches. The collectibles are ever-changing so if you fall in love with that 1970s Zippo lighter or an old-school fountain pen, be sure to grab it before it's gone.
Go for finger-lickin' good Texas BBQ at Lockhart Smokehouse BBQ. The laidback, BBQ joint serves fall-off-the-bone ribs and melt-in-your-mouth brisket on butcher's paper. Lockhart follows the tradition of the 'no forks, no sauce' policy of Kreuz Market BBQ in Lockhart Texas and even serves the original Kreuz Market sausages.
Get giddy at over exquisite hand-crafted truffles or chocolates shaped like mini cowboy boots at CocoAndré Chocolatier. Locals will tell you that they serve some of the best home-churned ice cream in town and only made better when topped with a chocolate truffle. Pie folks looking for a slice of heaven will find it at Emporium Pies, where they serve handmade specialty pies with scrumptious flavors that change with the season. For ice cream fanatics, head to Melt Ice Cream Shop for a rotating menu of unique ice cream flavors.
Get ready for your day at one of the neighborhood's coffee shops. Espumoso Café has some of the best locally roasted coffee (and expresso) in the district, as well as offers empanadas for a quick bite. For healthier options, SERVE offers coffee along with various acai bowls filled with fresh fruits that are locally sourced.
Bishop Arts is filled with unique sites and scenery. Be enriched by Mexican and Argentinian culture at Mercado369. The gallery features one-of-a-kind, Latin art, sculpture, jewelry, textiles and more to view and buy. Or head to {neighborhood}, the art gallery displays plenty of out-of-the-box art, furniture and home décor.
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. After 6 pm, call or text Efrogs, a free golf-cart rideshare program that gets you going without the hassle of a car.
Head to Paradiso for exquisite Mediterranean meals. The beautifully decorated restaurant serves everything from wood-fired pizza and handmade pastas to seared salmon and roasted chicken. Plus, its sister restaurant The Botanist is right next door and has a seasonal menu of colorful herb-infused cocktails to sip and savor.
Bookworms can spend a happy hour or two at the independent bookstore and bar, Wild Detectives. Mull over a book with a cocktail or catch one of their evening literary events which include book presentations and poetry readings.
Check out our top picks of the best things to
do in Dallas this weekend.