Big D is the 9th biggest city in the US (followed by Austin), with over 1 million people living in distinct Dallas neighborhoods.
Those people aren’t all cowboys and JFK cultists, either! In 2020, Dallas, Texas had the second-largest growth of any US city.
While Fort Worth is slower-paced and classically Texan, Dallas has more of a modern and lively entrepreneurial vibe.
Wherever you go in Dallas, you’ll find something interesting, ranging from the hustle and bustle of everyday urban life to vibrant parks, great food, and a thriving music and arts scene.
Here are the most popular neighborhoods in Dallas:
Downtown
Home to The Dallas Farmers Market, Main Street Garden Park, and Klyde Warren Park, Downtown Dallas is known for its welcoming atmosphere and busy vibes.
The 6th Floor Museum is the site where a sniper’s rifle was found after the assassination of President Kennedy and is considered an iconic Dallas attraction. Reunion Tower, a staple of the Dallas skyline, is another can’t-miss in the area.
Where to Stay in Downtown Dallas
The beautiful Adolphus Hotel has it all: a rooftop pool and bar, and a 110-year history of serving presidents and movie stars.
Uptown
Just northeast of downtown and boasting chic restaurants, shopping, and upscale modern condos, the uptown area is split between art and fancy furnishings, with McKinney Avenue as the de facto art gallery scene, while Knox-Henderson offers both trendy restaurants and fancy furnishing stores.
Victory Park, the area around American Airlines Center, is home to hip luxury hotels, apartments, and museums.
Oaklawn is the heart of LGBTQ Dallas, welcoming anyone and everyone, and is also known as one of Dallas’s most walkable, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.
Where to Stay in Uptown Dallas
The romantic Hotel Zaza has traditional hotel lodgings plus 12 new luxury bungalows (located in the 1930s along the hotel’s street).
Arts District
Dallas’ Arts District falls in the northeast corner of downtown Dallas but deserves its own separate mention since it’s the largest urban arts district in the nation at over 118 acres.
The area has more buildings designed by Pritzker award-winning architects than any location in the world, plus the Dallas Museum Of Art, which houses 23,000 works of art spanning over 5,000 years.
Fans of Eastern art should not miss the Crow Museum of Asian Art, with exhibits from China, Japan, India, and other parts of Southeast Asia.
Where to Stay in the Dallas Arts District
Fairmount Dallas has modern rooms with iPod docking stations and every convenience you could dream of. The onsite Pyramid Restaurant & Bar has amazing American cuisine made from local herbs and vegetables grown in the hotel’s rooftop garden.
Deep Ellum
Located east of the downtown area and following the boundaries of Elm, Main, Commerce, and Canton streets, the name “Ellum” is believed to be a southern drawl pronunciation of the street name “Elm.”
Simultaneously ragged and trendy, the former industrial district is home to alternative music clubs, honky-tonks, hip art galleries, resale shops, upscale restaurants, and high-end furniture shops.
Deep Ellum is essential to the Dallas music scene, with notable venues like:
Note
Parking in Deep Ellum is notoriously difficult to find and becomes dangerous after nightfall.
Where to Stay in Deep Ellum
The Kimpton is a convenient 6 miles from Dallas Lovefield Airport and has an onsite restaurant and luxury pool lounge.
Bishop Arts
Often called “Etsy-Ville” because the vibes are local and handmade, Bishop Arts is small business central.
Bishop Arts has good food, handmade art, and quirky boutiques. The area is also extremely pedestrian-friendly, and it’s best experienced that way; Bishop Arts has so many alleyways and walls covered in street art.
My personal favorites are Dirt Flowers (a quirky, enchanting little flower shop), Rare Heart Vintage, and Dude, Sweet Chocolate.
Nightly entertainment can be found at Bishop Arts Theatre Center or the historic Kessler Theater.
Where to Stay in The Bishop Arts District
Jurny is a collection of modernly designed two-bedroom spaces in the heart of the Bishops Arts District.
Lower Greenville Avenue
A few miles east of Downtown, Lower Greenville is home to historical Dallas icons like The Cotton Bowl and Texas Fairgrounds (Texas’s annual state fair is hosted here).
For dinner, try the Sundown at Granada at the Grenada Theater.
Where to Stay in Lower Greenville Avenue
The sleek and chic Beeman Hotel isn’t your typical boutique-style stay.
Design District
Nestled among large warehouses and cold industrial streets is the Dallas Design District.
While many Dallas neighborhoods are known for their art presence, none can match the galleries and street art of the Design District. Visit Ascension Coffee to boost your energy before checking out the Urban Playground, a personal favorite.
Where to Stay in The Design District
Hilton Anatole is close to everything and has a water park, an absolute dream on a hot summer day in Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dallas Neighborhoods
What areas are safe in Dallas?
Although Dallas isn’t really known for high crime, the city does have a darker side.
The same can be said for any large city, reputation or none. While some smaller Texas cities rank above the national average for safety, Dallas is not one of them. Some of the safest areas in Dallas include Uptown and the Lower Greenville area.
Is Downtown Dallas Safe?
Downtown Dallas is an overall safe area to visit.
The venues will be crowded during events, but the downtown area is pretty empty at night. Like all big cities, Dallas has a homeless situation in some areas.
What is the most fun area in Dallas?
The most fun areas of Dallas typically include the more walkable bar scene areas.
Deep Ellum is known as Dallas’s most fun hipster/alternative scene; The Uptown area is where most of Dallas goes to dress up and have fun; Downtown Dallas typically has the most pop-up shops and fun, limited shows.
Why is everyone moving to Texas in 2022?
It seems like everyone and their cousin is moving to Texas in 2022- why? The short answer: jobs, lower cost of living, cheaper and larger homes, and no personal state income tax.
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