Sneha's Abbreviated Guide to Dallas

Outdoor stuff

Katy Trail
The Katy Trail is a great running, biking, rollerblading path that runs 3.5 miles from SMU to the American Airlines center in downtown. It runs along the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas rail line (MKT hence Katy). It’s safe and has a good hard and soft track as well as several spots along the trail at which you can hop on. It’s dog friendly as long as you pick up after your pets.
Trails Along Turtle Creek
This is probably my favorite place to take walks during the day. It runs from Fitzhugh ave. in the North to Maple at the south end along Turtle Creek. It’s really beautiful and has lots of hidden little bridges and trails. I’d stick with walking on this during the day, because although it’s popular and within a nice residential community, it’s not lit and in the more woody areas of the creek. http://www.turtlecreekassociation.org
Lee Park
If you have a dog and live in Uptown/Cedar Springs/Oak Lawn this is a great place to take him/her. It’s not fenced in, but there’s lots of space and plenty of other friendly dogs that people from the area bring. Also, it’s especially pretty during the Holidays when they cover the park in lights.
White Rock Lake
A really pretty spot in the Dallas area that’s not too far away. There’s a hike and bike trail around the lake as well as a yearly marathon/half marathon. If you enjoy fishing or bird watching you can do that too! http://www.dallasparks.org/Parks/whiterock.aspx

Arts

Nasher Sculpture Center
Right on the edge of downtown this is one of my favorite museums in Dallas. The Nashers have done a great job curating and exhibiting modern and contemporary sculpture in a beautiful Renzo Piano building (also built the Menil in Houston). Outside in the gorgeous garden they have a James Turrell Skyspace which is hard to describe, but beautiful and has light shows at sunrise and sunset. The Nasher is free Thurs. from 2pm-10pm, they also put on great concerts and movies on certain Sat. Tickets for students are $5. http://www.nashersculpturecenter.org/
Dallas Museum of Art
Also known as the DMA, the Dallas Museum of Art is another great art museum across from the Nasher. Also free on Thurs. with student tickets at $5 during normal hours. http://www.dm-art.org/index.htm
Rachofsky House
For very big modern/contemporary art fans. Getting a tour is a little tricky, but doable if you have groups. http://www.rachofskyhouse.org/

Restaurants/Bars

Dallas has more restaurants per capita than any other place in the US but here are some of my local favorites that I had wish I had known the minute I got here.
La Duni
Amazing South American food! This is a great spot to go for dinner, brunch, drinks, and a nice romantic spot for dates in the evening. Additionally, they make some of the best desserts in Dallas. Fairly reasonably priced for a nice restaurant. http://www.laduni.com/
Bubba's
Everyone who went to SMU/ is from Highland Park will know about Bubbas. It’s delicious fried chicken and they have the best rolls. Even better, if you don’t want to eat in, there’s a drive thru. http://www.bubbascatering.org/
Twisted Root Burgers
Everything here’s homemade: burgers, root beer, ice cream, ketchup, mustard, everything! Great burgers and they always call your order with a funny name, ‘The Most Interesting Man in the World,’ for example. http://www.twistedrootburgerco.com/
Sonny Bryan's
My favorite BBQ in Dallas, right across from N. Campus on Inwood. http://www.sonnybryans.com/
El Ray del Grill
Located on Maple between Hawthorne and Kings Rd. Tacos are $0.99. Yummy Mexican food, close to school, and really friendly service.
The Vietnam Restaurant
Very authentic Vietnamese food including Pho. Located in East Dallas, a good place to go in the winter when you’re craving soup. 4302 Bryan St.
Yogalicious
If you’re from Calfornia you know Pink Berry. Located in West Village, this is Pink Berry+ because it’s cheaper, less crowded, and you get to put all the toppings on yourself. http://www.yogi-licious.com/
The Ginger Man
If you’re from Houston or went to Rice you will likely know the original Ginger Man. The one in Dallas is just as good complete with beer garden and hundreds of beers to choose from. It’s a really laid back bar. They do fun events with bands, beer tastings, and cook offs. On Tue. they have logo glass pint night where you get to keep the glass of the beer they’re selling. Great way to stock your kitchen. Also very dog friendly. http://dallas.gingermanpub.com/
The Quarter Bar
A staple of the McKinney/ Uptown bars, styled after the French Quarter in New Orleans. It has a huge upstairs patio area and good drinks. Happy hour is $2 wells and domestics. http://www.breadwinnerscafe.com/index.php?page=quarter
Steele Sushi Happy Hour
Note, I’ve never actually been to this restaurant for anything but happy hour so I don’t know what their actual food is like. The main point is, if you make a reservation you can book a table for Wed. happy hour which is all you can eat sushi (calfornia rolls, spicy tuna, etc.) with a 2 drink minimum. They have a list of martinis for $5.
The Windmill
A favorite med school dive bar, it’s located right next to campus across from 5252 Maple. http://www.windmill-lounge.com/
Stoneleigh P
An old pharmacy turned into a restaurant/bar. It has good food and equally good beers/drinks. Also a more laid back environment if you’re not up for the more crowded bar/ clubby feel of McKinney. 2926 Maple Ave, Dallas

Shopping

Northpark Mall
A little more on the upscale side it has all the major department stores (Macy’s, Nordstrom’s, Dillards, Neiman Marcus, and Barneys). They also have large mainstream stores like Forever 21, Express, Victoria’s Secret, J. Crew, Banana Republic as well pricier chain stores like Anthropologie and Ted Baker. It has an AMC movie theatre, and lots of restaurants (La Duni branch, PF Changs, Kona, etc.). What makes this mall really special is in the tradition of Raymond and Patsy Nasher it is full of beautiful art. There are even cute little turtles and ducks in the mall fountans!
Allen Outlets
I love a good deal and these outlets located outside of Dallas are great. Lots of big designer outlets a great place to get some nicer clothes for colleges at a cheap price. http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=5