A few weeks ago I had the absolute best time shooting an editorial project all about Dallas with the Garden and Gun team. I worked with Garden and Gun for a photoshoot on the Golden Isles of Georgia back in 2020 and also for a fun back-to-school feature with the boys in 2021. It is always such a wonderful experience to get to be a part of such a hardworking and driven team. Loved partnering with Visit Dallas this time, and working with Arrington media. This photoshoot was extra-special due to the fact that I got to revisit some of my favorite places in the city, including the spot where JB and I got engaged! Today I’m excited to share all the details including where I stayed, my favorite restaurants, and what we did. If you are considering a Dallas weekend trip, keep reading for my top itinerary recommendations!
And for additional travel guides, be sure to also check out my posts on where to stay in Florida, the best Southeast resorts, and my Boca Grande beach travel guide.
Dallas Weekend Trip for Adults
For most of my previous projects with Garden and Gun, my family has joined me. However, I was flying solo for this Dallas weekend trip! I was a little hesitant to leave the boys, especially with their end-of-the-year school activities and baseball games. But, I decided to take this opportunity to enjoy a little time to myself. Growing up, my dad would always gift my mom a hotel stay to herself for Mother’s Day. And now that I’m a mother myself I’ve come to realize what a thoughtful gift that really is.
With that being said, most of the Dallas weekend trip recommendations I’m going to share in this post are geared toward adults. However, Dallas is truly for everyone. There are plenty of great things for couples and families to do in the area as well!
Where to Stay in Dallas
If you’re considering a Dallas weekend trip, the place to stay is Rosewood Mansion on Turtlecreek. It’s one of the most luxurious places I’ve ever stayed and I think the best way to describe it is an oasis in the city. As soon as I arrived, I walked into the most calm, serene scene, making me feel right at home. But a very, very nice home filled with antiques and the nicest finishings. There are beautiful touches of European design around every corner. Yet, even with all of these gorgeous details, it doesn’t feel stuffy at all. I absolutely loved coming back here every day. Plus, the Mansion Bar is such a fun iconic Dallas scene that you won’t want to miss. If you are planning a Dallas weekend trip, this hotel is my top lodging recommendation!
Where to Eat on a Dallas Weekend Trip
Next up, where to eat! There are so many delicious restaurants in Dallas, it can be a bit overwhelming (but in the best possible way). Back when JB played baseball in Grand Prairie, Texas, I loved coming to visit him between games. And one of our favorite things to do was to explore different Dallas restaurants. I have no doubt there are tons of excellent recommendations depending on the type of food you’re craving. For this photoshoot, we dined at two local restaurants and both were outstanding!
Lockhart Smokehouse
First, we ate at the local barbecue institution, Lockhart Smokehouse. This Dallas restaurant is known as “the barbecue capital of Texas” – and for good reason! I ordered the “Texas Trinity”, which included brisket, pork ribs, and homemade sausage. I went all out and paired it with a Bloody Mary, corn on the cob, and a slice of cobbler for dessert. I figured I had to try it all so I could report back to you. And let me just say, it lived up to the hype!
Las Palmas
Another food that Dallas is famous for? Tex-Mex! I couldn’t pass up the chance to dine at a yummy Tex-Mex restaurant while in town, so we headed to Las Palmas on the second day of shooting. Once again, it did not disappoint! I enjoyed fajitas, chips and queso, and a classic margarita. The queso was hands-down the best I’ve ever had and I took a picture in hopes that I can re-create it at home! If you’re planning a Dallas weekend trip, I highly recommend visiting both of these restaurants.
What to do in Dallas
Similar to the abundance of restaurants, Dallas has tons of fun activities to experience. But, since it was a short trip with limited time, we stuck to a few of my favorite things – shopping and exploring the city.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
If you’re planning a Dallas weekend trip, a visit to the Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a must. These beautiful gardens hold a very special place in my heart, as this is where JB and I got engaged! It was so magical to be back again fourteen years later. I couldn’t help reminiscing about our younger days together while simultaneously being abundantly grateful for our boys and the life we’ve built.
But back to the Dallas Arboretum! It is one of the most stunning gardens I have ever seen and it feels on par with some of the most beautifully landscaped spaces in Europe. If I lived in Dallas, I’d be there all the time just to exercise or to bring my boys. In the spring, there are over 500,000 blooms – can you even imagine!? In addition to the impeccably manicured gardens, the Arboretum has some great restaurants and hosts fun seasonal events.
Bishop Arts District
If you’re planning a Dallas weekend trip, I highly suggest scheduling some time for shopping. The city is full of luxury shops, such as those found in Highland Park Village. But for this trip, we opted to explore the Bishop Arts District and I’m so glad we did! This neighborhood is home to tons of unique boutiques, restaurants, galleries, and more. I loved that this shopping district offered a neighborhood type of experience filled with locally owned brands. One of my favorite shops in this area was All Good Things where I purchased Mother’s Day cards along with a darling pair of earrings for my mom. I also loved flipping through all of the records at Spinster. If you enjoy shopping for eclectic pieces, definitely check out the Bishop Arts District on your Dallas weekend trip!
Margarita Mile
Last, but certainly not least, a visit to Margarita Mile is sure to add some fun to your adults-only trip! Dallas is famous for their frozen margaritas, so it only seems fair to add this to your itinerary. Margarita Mile is a free self-guided tour of the best margaritas in Dallas. They have everything from your standard margaritas to new varieties, such as a Sangria Margarita. Not only are the drinks delicious, but there are tons of great restaurants along the way as well (including Las Palmas!)
What to Wear During a Dallas Weekend Trip
Dallas always gives me “classic and sophisticated, but with a touch of fun” vibes. Therefore, I opted for chic, timeless pieces like my favorite white belted shirtdress (more size options available in black), these leather block heels, and this brown leather crossbody bag. But I also added some fresh and fun looks to the mix with pops of color including this purple midi dress and this puff sleeve mini dress. Lastly, the combination of this tan wrap shirt and these wide-leg jeans seemed like the perfect choice for a Dallas weekend trip.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the talented makeup artist I worked with, Gabby Rosenberg. She did an excellent job and nailed the “me but better” look that I was going for. If you’re ever looking for a Dallas makeup artist for a wedding, event, or just a special date night, definitely reach out to Gabby!
Dallas Weekend Trip Itinerary
If you’re planning a Dallas weekend trip, I hope you’ve found this recap to be helpful! With so much to do and explore, I’m already scheming for the next time I can visit the city. I would love to go back with JB and also take the boys for a family vacation someday.
++ An extra special thank you to Cori, AP, the visit Dallas crew, and Arrington media!!
If you have any additional Dallas recommendations, be sure to leave them in the comments below. Not only can I add them to my list for the next trip, but I know many other readers will find them to be helpful as well!
And for additional travel guides, be sure to check out these blog posts:
Where to Stay in Florida: 10 Best Florida Resorts
Boca Grande Beach Travel Guide
