Dallas has always lived on television. It is where a president was shot, where an oil dynasty became America’s first prime-time obsession, and where the Cowboys turned Sunday afternoons into civic ritual. Few American cities have been so consistently projected, mythologized, or misunderstood through a screen.
For decades, those images stuck: Dealey Plaza frozen in black and white; shoulder pads and swagger; big hair, bigger money, and unapologetic excess. But Dallas has been quietly rewriting itself. The oil is still here, but it now shares space with finance, private equity, fashion, and a fast-growing creative class. HBO’s “Landman” taps into that tension directly; old wealth, new ambition, and the friction between the two.
What has emerged offscreen is a city far more interesting than its caricature. Hotels and bars now hold their own against New York or Los Angeles, without pretending to be either. Dallas today feels confident enough to be sexy without trying, polished without being precious, and still a little weird when it wants to be.
This guide focuses on that version of Dallas: where to stay, where to eat, where to drink, and where the city’s evolving identity is most clearly on display.
Stay
Tucked into the heart of Dallas’ buzzy Harwood District, Hôtel Swexan (“Swiss meets Texan”) is a sleek new property that’s already become a magnet for in-the-know travelers and locals alike thanks to its Kengo Kuma-designed minimalist exterior (the Swiss bit) and the diametrically opposed dramatic interiors; think Italian marble, herringbone wood floors, and vintage Murano lighting (the Texas bit). Part of the family-owned Harwood District, a 19 block sprawl in Dallas’ Uptown neighborhood, the hotel echoes the multi-generational Swiss-Texan heritage.
The 134 rooms, including eight suites, feature oversized bathrooms with in-room soaking tubs that fill from the ceiling. On the 20th floor, a Moroccan-styled rooftop infinity pool overlooks the Big D’s skyline, and also hosted a Missoni-drenched pop-up over the summer.
Dine
A collaboration between Chas Martin, Chef J Chastain, Benji Homsey, and Ross and Corbin See of Sees Design, The Charles nails the ambiance: polished-but-moody lighting, plush booths, and just the right volume of music.
Much like the Hôtel Swexan is Swiss-Texan, The Charles is Italian-Texan. While the design and cuisine are unmistakably heavy on the Italian, they’re filtered through the eyes and palette of Texans. Look no further than the Casarecce Amatriciana, a pasta that subs the traditional pork cheek for Wagyu beef bacon.
On any given night, the near handful of crudos are thought provoking and always recommended. Give special attention to the off-menu ones that will likely be suggested by the staff. Think green apple chimichurri yellowtail or blackberry aguachile blue fin tuna. Strange? Perhaps. Creative. Absolutely. Worth it? Probably.
Drink
It’s rare for a hotel bar to beat out a city’s worth of drinking establishments, and yet, tucked beneath Hôtel Swexan, Babou’s is an elegant, low-lit cocktail lounge inspired by Salvador Dalí and named after his pet ocelot that leans more Paris than Plano. There’s a dress code, a walk-through bookcase (as any self-respecting Speakeasy should have) and an adjoining room thoughtfully named The Library at Babou’s, where tucking into a book is as encouraged as an old-fashioned.
With jewel-toned interiors, velvet seating, and a piano tucked in the corner, Babou’s is a sophisticated late-night spot where you can sip on a Surrealist 75 or a Dali Dream Tini, gin and seedlip, respectively, and be an elevator-ride away from sleep.
Explore
Built directly over a recessed eight-lane freeway, Klyde Warren Park is a rare kind of urban green space that works. A 5.4 acre park includes 37 native and non-native plant species and 247 trees also juggles a program schedule, fitness schedule and food truck schedule. What’s more, there’s a dog park and children’s play area. A kind of middle of the city choose-your-own-adventure that’s ideal for morning walks, casual workouts, or just a good coffee and some people-watching.
Only in Dallas
Steps from The Joule, a revitalized, Neo-gothic landmark hotel, sits Dallas’ eyeball.
Conceived by American artist Tony Tasset, the monumental sculpture towers nearly 30 feet high and is constructed from steel, resin, and fiberglass. Modeled after the artist’s own eye, the work draws on a long visual lineage that includes ancient Egyptian iconography, Masonic symbolism, and the all-seeing gaze of Orwell’s Big Brother.
The sculpture was first commissioned through the Chicago Loop Alliance’s Art Loop initiative and unveiled in 2010 at Pritzker Park. Three years later, it was relocated to Dallas, where it took on an entirely new life. Today, the site functions as one of the city’s most unconventional private venues, hosting everything from the Dallas Art Fair’s annual closing celebration to weddings, fitness classes, and an endless stream of photo ops.
It’s weird, iconic, and totally unexpected — a little surrealism tucked into the heart of the business district. Worth the walk-by, especially if you’re into public art with a sense of humor.
Shop
With its roots in Austin but a strong foothold in Dallas, Stag Provisions for Men is a well-edited menswear and lifestyle store that combines heritage brands with modern design. Filson bags pair perfectly with Rogue Territory supply jackets, Alden boots sit alongside Billykirk belts. There’s repurposed denim, grooming gear, and vintage-inspired accessories. It’s laid-back, cool, and curated (in the best way).
