Dallas 2020: 20 Must‑Do Experiences
1. Break Your New Year's Resolution at Milk & Cream
Lower Greenville
When green smoothies and fresh salads start to feel routine, head to Milk & Cream and treat yourself to an ice‑cream‑filled donut sandwich—a playful way to break your healthy‑eating resolution.
2. Savor a Bloody Mary at Anvil Pub
Deep Ellum
Begin your Sunday brunch at Anvil Pub with a hearty breakfast menu and a legendary Bloody Mary topped with bacon‑cheeseburger sliders, sausage, cheese, celery, beef jerky, and shrimp.
3. Sip Champagne at Five Sixty
Downtown
Make 2020 the year you visit the rotating restaurant at Reunion Tower. Enjoy a glass of bubbly in Wolfgang Puck’s Five Sixty while the floor spins for a 360‑degree view of the Dallas skyline.
4. Ride the Texas Star Ferris Wheel
Fair Park
The Texas Star Ferris Wheel, 212 feet tall, is the crown jewel of the State Fair of Texas. From its peak you can see AT & T Stadium 20 miles away on a clear day.
5. Explore Dallas History at the Old Red Museum
Downtown
Discover Dallas’ past in the 1892 Dallas County Courthouse, home to artifacts like the original plat of Dallas, Clyde Barrow’s gun, a Deep Ellum banjo, and Tom Landry’s fedora.
6. Capture a Self‑ie with a Giant Eyeball
Downtown
Refresh your Instagram feed by photographing the 30‑foot fiberglass eyeball on The Joule Hotel’s lawn—a striking, playful landmark in Dallas’ swankiest neighborhood.
7. Sample Craft Brews at Braindead Brewing
Deep Ellum
Even if IPAs aren’t your preference, Braindead Brewing offers great bar food—try the Coma Burger—and a spacious patio along Main Street, perfect for people‑watching.
8. Experience a Haunted Bar Crawl
Downtown
Nightly Spirits combines a bar crawl with a ghost tour, guiding visitors through pubs with dark histories while sharing tales of paranormal activity.
9. Stay at The Adolphus
Downtown
Spend a night at Dallas’ historic luxury hotel, built in 1912. The Adolphus boasts antique rugs, leather sofas, and a limestone fireplace—an icon of downtown elegance.
10. Join the Legendary Line at Pecan Lodge
Deep Ellum
Patience pays off for the city’s best brisket, pulled pork, and ribs. Texas Monthly named Pecan Lodge the second‑best barbecue in the U.S., and its famous line is worth the wait.
11. Learn About Human Rights at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
Downtown
The 55,000‑sq‑ft museum offers immersive exhibits that not only chronicle the Holocaust but also promote human rights and combat prejudice.
12. Immerse Yourself in the Nation’s Largest Arts District
Downtown
Spanning 20 blocks, Dallas’ Arts District houses the Dallas Museum of Art, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and the Dallas Black Dance Theatre—satisfying every artistic taste.
13. Ride the Historic M‑Line Trolley
Uptown
Hop aboard one of the M‑Line’s restored vintage cars—Green Dragon, Betty, Miss Daisy, or Petunia—and enjoy a four‑mile loop that connects the Arts District with Uptown’s shops and nightlife.
14. Watch the Sunset from The Statler
Downtown
Settle into the 19th‑floor Waterproof Bar at the historic Statler Hotel. The panoramic view of downtown delivers a stunning backdrop, day or night.
15. Spend a Day at Klyde Warren Park
Downtown
From food trucks and ice‑cream carts to a botanical garden, live music, and a croquet court, Klyde Warren Park offers a complete outdoor experience for all ages.
16. Experience Presidential History at the George W. Bush Presidential Center
North Dallas
Visit the former president’s library, explore the eight‑year legacy of his administration, and snap a photo behind the replica Resolute Desk.
17. Wear Green at the St. Patrick’s Parade
Lower Greenville
Join over 100,000 revelers for the annual parade and block party, featuring 90 floats and festive street music.
18. Sip an Original Frozen Margarita at Mariano’s Hacienda
East Dallas
Founded in 1971, Mariano’s invented the frozen margarita machine, forever changing happy hour. Visit this birthplace of the Margarita Mile and check in on social media.
19. Watch the Mavericks or Stars at the American Airlines Center
Downtown
With strong 2020 seasons on the horizon, grab tickets to see the Dallas Mavericks or Dallas Stars in action.
20. Explore Activities Along the Trinity River
Various Dallas Locations
The 710‑mile Trinity River offers hiking at the Audubon Center, ropes courses at Trinity Forest Adventure Park, and dining at the 15‑acre Trinity Groves.
