Go big or go small in Dallas

by Heather Lusk

They say everything’s bigger in Texas, so it might seem that to do Dallas the right way you have to go big. But there are plenty of small adventure alternatives to some of the most notable Dallas attractions.

For art:

Go big by paying a visit to the Meadows Museum of Art with one of the largest collections of Spanish art outside of Spain. Permanent exhibits with works by Goya, Picasso and Dalí are accompanied by sculptures from 20^th century artists. 

Go small by visiting the Nasher Sculpture Center, where art becomes part of nature in outdoor spaces and light-filled interior galleries. At just under three acres the entire property can be visited in just a few hours. Don’t miss the fantastic Nasher Café by Wolfgang Puck.

For the outdoors:

Go big by visiting the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Walk through 66 acres of gardens with a spectacular view of the downtown skyline in the distance. 

Go small by exploring the 5.2-acre Klyde Warren Park in the heart of downtown. The park located on top of a sunken freeway is an oasis of green amidst the downtown buildings. Food trucks line the park, perfect for grabbing lunch on the go.

For entertainment:

Go big at The Rustic, a Texas institution with live music and an amazing menu using seasonal local ingredients. Sit outside on the patio throughout the year to hear local and regional performers while you enjoy crafted libations. 

Go small at a secret bar in Deep Ellum, a neighborhood just a few minutes east of downtown Dallas. The speakeasy, High and Tight, is hidden within a working barbershop. Enter on Main Street and find the door in the back of the shop. Slip inside to try one of their 1920s-inspired cocktails while listening to live music. There’s something mysterious about visiting a concealed bar, and there are several to be discovered in the Dallas area. 

For the cowpoke at heart: 

Go big at the Cowtown Coliseum at the Fort Worth Stockyards, the only year-round rodeo in the world. Watch barrel racing, roping and bronco riding in air-conditioned bliss, perfect for hot summer evenings. The Stockyards area has multiple restaurants, hotels, shopping and a cattle drive twice each day to round out the perfect cowgirl (or cowboy) experience. 

Go small at Wild Bill’s Western Store, a family-owned business that has been part of Dallas for more than 60 years. The building originally housed a drug store and the interior still has the counter in place with saddles now serving as bar stools. Find the perfect hat, pair of boots, leather purse or belt, whatever you need to remember your visit to Texas.