Emily Toman - Moon Dallas & Fort Worth

EMILY TOMAN

Big oil and big hair, cowboys and cattle fieldsthese are the images of Dallas and Fort Worth that prevail.

Established as a profitable trading post on the banks of the Trinity River, Dallas grew into a vibrant community of merchants, and then a cosmopolitan city, as the center of the Texas oil boom. With all that money and status came wealthy socialites with sky-high hair, designer clothing, and flashy BMW convertibles. Thirty miles away, cowboys herded millions of cattle down the Chisholm Trail, founding Fort Worth as the place where the West begins. That citys western culture continues to thrive.

Over the years, however, all kinds of people moved here, and the cities have changed. Transplants from both coasts have set down roots in DFW, influencing the regions dining and shopping scenes with a homegrown, handmade philosophy. Today, diversity is everywhere, from the colorful quinceaeracelebrations in Oak Cliff to the massive Korean spa center in Northwest Dallas. The Fort Worth Cultural District boasts world-renowned art museums full of Picassos and Andy Warhols. Punk rock bars and craft breweries are peppered in with the more classic jazz clubs and dance halls in Deep Ellum. Historic cemeteries preserve the regions heritage in Uptown, while restaurant rows in Trinity Groves and on Fort Worths Magnolia Avenue showcase modern redevelopment.

Taqueria La Ventana at Dallas Farmers Market

stained glass ceiling in Thanks-Giving Square chapel

two-stepping at Billy Bobs Texas

patio at Pecan Lodge in Deep Ellum

view from Reunion Tower

neon Pegasus in front of Omni Hotel in Dallas

THE TWO-DAY BEST OF DALLAS & FORT WORTH

It takes at least a week to soak up all that Dallas and Fort Worth have to offer. Thats due in part to the tricky transportation; getting from one region to another can be cumbersome without a car. Curate a two-day trip carefully to hit as many highlights as possible without wasting any time navigating the auto-centric metropolis. This sample itinerary will help you make the best of a typical weekend.

DAY 1

Get an early start in downtown Dallas with coffee at Murray Street Coffee.From there, head to the West Ends Dealey Plaza, where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963. Buy tickets to the Sixth Floor Museumonline in advance. Arrive early and explore the Grassy Knolland the JFK Memorial Plaza first to maximize your time.

From Dealey Plaza, make your way to the Dallas Arts District.You could easily spend the rest of the day here touring the art museums: the Dallas Museum of Art,the Nasher Sculpture Center,and the Crow Collection of Asian Art.Stroll through Klyde Warren Park,a stunning green space situated on a freeway deck with skyline views.