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Unconventional Dallas
What to do when (not) at the 2001 Texas/Louisiana REALTORS® Convention, Sept. 15 - 18, Dallas
by Ward Lowe Dallas tourism officials should borrow a slogan from Bill Gates and ask visitors: Where do you want to go today? America’s ninth-largest city can handle any request, from history and the arts to dining and nightlife. Obviously, your four-day itinerary brims with TAR business–isn’t that why you’re going? But when you’re not taking advantage of the educational and networking opportunities of the convention, leave the Hyatt behind. Sample some of Dallas’ delicious cuisine, browse its boutiques, marvel at its fine art, or simply stroll the streets of its diverse neighborhoods.
The Big Apple can’t match Big D
Few places can match the variety and sheer number of eating establishments found in Dallas. In fact, Dallas has four times more restaurants per capita than New York City. There are several areas where you can roam streets filled with dining options and nightlife temptations.
Walk over to the West End Historic District, which was carved out of more than 20 blocks of warehouses in downtown Dallas, for more than 80 restaurants, shops, and nightclubs.
Funky and offbeat Deep Ellum, a short drive or cab ride from the Hyatt, is the unofficial home for nightlife in downtown Dallas. This area provides another great place to find a restaurant or bar to fit your tastes, or just stroll along the streets and people-watch.
If you need some direction or just hate wandering around when you’re hungry, here are a few suggestions from around the city: Jeroboam (1509 Main St.) takes its name from a French term for a three-liter bottle of wine, but you don’t have to drink that much to appreciate its extensive wine list or French cuisine. Try one of their seafood specialties and enjoy the (sometimes) live jazz. If music enriches your dining experience, visit Sambuca (2618 Elm St.), Dallas’ original jazz cafe. Stick to what you know on the Mediterranean menu and come early for a prime seat for some wonderful music.
Can’t decide what to eat? Green Room (2715 Elm St.) offers a choice. Pick from the ever-changing American cuisine downstairs or enjoy the pizza and view across Deep Ellum to downtown on the roof. Enjoy a different view and some fine Tex-Mex at Mia’s (4322 Lemmon Ave.), where you might catch a glimpse of your favorite Dallas Cowboys football player.
True barbecue aficionados won’t be deterred by the shack-like exterior of Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse (2202 Inwood Rd.). They know this barbecue joint puts its effort into the meat, not the ambiance. But if cozy confines and a more romantic atmosphere are your goal, York Street (6047 Lewis Rd.) provides the perfect choice. This well-kept secret is a little out of the way, but its regularly changing menu and seafood specials won’t hide for much longer.
Arcodoro/Pomodoro (2708 Routh St.) openly admits to its fine Sardinian cuisine. Enjoy its modern surroundings as you choose anything from fine dining to pizza.
From J.F.K. to J.R.
Anyone who remembers where they were on Nov. 22, 1963, will appreciate The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza (411 Elm St.). Located in the infamous Texas Book Depository, the museum chronicles the assassination and legacy of the 35th president of the United States. Those who disagree with the Warren Report will revel in the skepticism of the Conspiracy Museum (110 South Market St.); its curator explains many 20th-century assassinations with an all-encompassing government plot.
If you’re searching for something less controversial, immerse yourself in the collection at the Meadows Museum (5900 Bishop Blvd). Located on the SMU campus, the Meadows houses the most significant collection of Spanish art outside of Spain. Surprised? The museum boasts works dating from the 10th to the 20th century.
The Arts District offers more cultural options. The Dallas Museum of Art, the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, the Dallas Theater Center, and the Arts Magnet High School anchor this 60-acre parcel near the northern edge of downtown.
Ride from the Arts District to the restaurants and clubs of McKinney Avenue in style for $1.50 on restored electric streetcars. The McKinney Avenue Transit Authority operates several of these cars, which make a three-mile loop in about 30 minutes.
Devotees of a different kind of nostalgia–the 1980s television series Dallas–can make their pilgrimages to Southfork Ranch in Parker (3700 Hogge Dr.), about 30 minutes from downtown Dallas. This former working ranch provided the backdrop for the exploits of J.R. and the gang during the show’s 13-year run.
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden (8525 Garland Rd.) offers another way to take a break from the city. Recharge your batteries among 66 acres of lushly landscaped grounds, featuring fountains, towering trees, and two historic mansions.
For an up-close look at Mother Nature, go bushwhacking in the South American rainforest at the Dallas World Aquarium & Zoological Garden (1801 N. Griffin St.). The experience includes a walk-through aquarium as well as encounters with rare and endangered species.
You can reach out and touch the 40 longhorns stampeding past the Dallas Convention Center at Pioneer Plaza (Young and Griffin streets). Three cowboys drive the four-acre display of Texas heritage, which is the largest bronze monument in the world.
Can’t decide which way to go? Get the big picture from 50 stories above street level atop Reunion Tower. Adjacent to the Hyatt, the landmark structure provides an unparalleled view of Big D.
Cash, check, or charge?
Any town that spawned Neiman Marcus knows its shopping. Herbert Marcus, his sister Carrie Marcus Neiman, and her husband Al Neiman in 1907 set out to fashionably clothe the people of Dallas at their new downtown store. More than 90 years later, you can still visit their store at 1618 Main St.
If Neimans isn’t your bag, don’t worry. Dallas offers more shopping centers, including America’s first, per capita than any other major U.S. city. So break out those credit cards and hit the malls.
Head north to The Quadrangle (2800 Routh St.) for a wealth of browsing choices. The discerning shopper will appreciate the art galleries, gift boutiques, and furnishing stores that mingle with fine-dining options. Also north of downtown, The Dallas Galleria (13350 N. Dallas Pkwy.) boasts more than 200 shops like Macy’s, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., and Gianni Versace, as well as 28 restaurants and an ice-skating rink.
America’s first shopping center opened in 1931 at Highland Park Village (Mockingbird Lane at Preston Road). Modeled after Spanish plazas, the center contains 10 acres of paths and greenery plus an internationally flavored list of tenants. For another unique shopping experience, head to the Deep Ellum neighborhood. Browse the independent, quirky shops along its pedestrian-friendly streets and break from the ubiquitous chain stores.
Even some Dallas residents don’t know about the Underground. This maze of downtown tunnels links buildings, parking lots, and skywalks to create a 35-building network that provides climate-controlled access to an abundance of restaurants, stores, and services. From the Hyatt, enter the Underground at Bank of America Plaza (Main and Lamar streets).
Oh yeah, the convention
Enjoy the vast array of attractions that Dallas offers, but remember to explore the Hyatt as well. The 2001 Texas/Louisiana REALTORS® Convention promises to be worth the trip; browse its booths and sample its educational offerings to further your real estate career.
Photo © PhotoDisc.
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