12 Unique Things to Do in Dallas This Fall

By VI Staff on October 8, 2019

Dallas is the liveliest city in northern Texas, known throughout the American Southwest for its vibrant arts and cultural scene and diverse nightlife. City visitors have their choice of excellent cultural attractions to visit during their stay, including the renowned Crow Museum of Asian Art, which showcases one of the world's most prominent collections of jade artwork, or the Nasher Sculpture Center, which highlights works by modern and contemporary sculptors from around the world. Restaurants such as Cattleack Barbecue are home to some of the city's most exclusive tables, serving up award-winning fare throughout the week. Visitors can also grab cocktails at beautiful rooftop bars like the Waterproof, which offers panoramic city views atop the elegant Statler Hotel.

1.The Old Red Museum of Dallas County History and Culture

The Old Red Museum of Dallas County History and Culture is one of Dallas' premiere heritage attractions, housed within the city's restored 1892 Old Red Courthouse. The museum, which is located adjacent to Dealey Plaza and the JFK Memorial in the city's West End district, showcases a collection of Dallas' most fascinating historical artifacts connected to the city's political, social, and cultural history. Visitors can explore the beautifully-restored building as part of self-guided tours and view features like its elegant grand staircase, preserved fourth-floor Hatton W. Sumners Restored Courtroom, and lunette-style French stained-glass windows. Interactive high-tech exhibit galleries include examinations of the city's indigenous history, status as a pioneer trade center, and rise to international prominence following World War II.

100 S Houston St, Dallas, TX 75202, Phone: 214-757-1914

2.Nasher Sculpture Center

Nasher Sculpture Center is a beautiful 2.4-acre modern and contemporary art center located within Dallas' Arts District, adjacent to the prestigious Dallas Museum of Art. The center, which opened in 2003, houses the collections of Patsy and Raymond Nasher, showcasing major works by national and international sculpture artists. Visitors can explore the museum's two floors, which showcase rotating special exhibits highlighting art luminaries like Jaume Plensa, Alexander Calder, Tony Cragg, and Ken Price. Special exhibits have also focused on historical art figures, including a major retrospective of sculpture works by legendary artist Henri Matisse. A wide variety of special events are hosted at the center throughout the year, including the NasherSalon lecture series, Til Midnight al fresco dining events, and live music performances.

2001 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201

3.Bourbon and Banter

Bourbon and Banter is a clever underground cocktail lounge housed within the former salon facility of Dallas' iconic Statler Hotel, opened to the public in 2017. The bar strives to serve the city's best bourbon collection, available by the shot or in a full lineup of innovative, hip cocktails. A quirky entrance recalls the secrecy of a speakeasy, featuring a payphone guests must call to receive a code to open the establishment's front door. Excellent cocktails served up throughout the night include the Finger Wave, which is infused with coconut oolong Reposado and yellow chartreuse, and the Temple Fade, which pairs rye whiskey with espresso syrup and amaretto foam. A light menu of bar fare includes cheese and charcuterie boards and housemade pickle plates. Visitors should note that only a limited number of patrons are served at one time to prevent overcrowding and should plan their night accordingly.

1914 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75201, Phone: 469-320-8990

4.The Dubliner

The Dubliner is a charming Irish-style pub in East Dallas, owned and operated by Dublin native Peter Kenny since 1994. The pub is known for its excellent selections of craft and imported beer, including classic Irish favorite Guinness on high-quality draft. An extensive list of Irish and Scottish whiskies are also available, served up in clever house cocktails. Diners can enjoy a menu full of classic pub favorites like shepherd's pies and reuben sandwiches, evoking the spirit of traditional Dublin watering holes. A selection of delicious pizzas are also served up throughout the night, including build-your-own pizza options. Cheese and charcuterie boards, housemade soft pretzels, and signature curry fries round out the menu offerings.

2818 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206, Phone: 214-818-0911

5.Meso Maya

Meso Maya is a delightful McKinney Avenue restaurant housed within the historic 1938 Luna Tortilla Factory, completely renovated in 2012 as a concept restaurant led by executive chef Nico Sanchez. The restaurant, which strives to bring traditional Mexican food and culture north of the border, crafts all of its excellent entrees and sauces entirely from scratch, highlighting unique cuisine options from regions like Vera Cruz, Chiapas, and the Yucatán. Lunch and dinner are served daily throughout the week, showcasing delicious entree options like serrano chile enchiladas, adobo brisket tacos prepared with housemade soft white corn tortillas, and unique dishes like budin azteca, which layers tortillas with three kinds of melted cheese and diners' choice of protein. House specialties include favorites like pollo con mole prepared with house-ground cocoa bean mole.

1611 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75202, Phone: 214-484-6555

6.Bullion

Bullion is the latest offering from acclaimed chef Bruno Davaillon, opened in Dallas' downtown district in 2017. The elegant restaurant showcases a stunning golden brick exterior and gorgeous modern dining room space highlighting site-specific commissioned art installations by artists such as Jean-Michel Othoniel and Kathryn Andrews. Diners can enjoy high-quality French classics as a la carte selections or as part of multi-course tasting meals at lunch or dinner throughout the week. Sophisticated fare includes house specialties like homard Thermidor, calamar farci, côte de porc grillé, and quenelle Lyonnaise sauce Américaine. Shareable hors d'oeuvres range from gruyère cheese puffs and garlic herb cream escargots to customizable cheese boards with seasonal marmalade. An elegant cocktail list is complemented by an extensive selection of regional and European wines.

400 S Record St, Dallas, TX 75202, Phone: 972-698-4250

7.Adelmo's

Adelmo's is a delightful Italian-Mediterranean fusion restaurant originally opened in 1989 by Adelmo and Eliza Banchett. Today, the restaurant continues to be helmed by members of the Banchett family, known for its fresh pan-Mediterranean cuisine, Old World ambiance, and award-winning wine list. Diners can enjoy high-quality house specialties like veal osso buco with saffron risotto, tagliatelle romano with cream sauce and artichokes, or hearty veal chops served with roasted garlic rosemary butter or creamy brandy dijon peppercorn sauce. A robust selection of shareables and antipasto options are also on the menu, including harissa lump crab cakes, gnocchi gorgonzola, snails Provencale, and salmon tartare. Romantic decor adorns the two-story restaurant's dining spaces, making it a great choice for first dates or special anniversaries.

5450 W Lovers Ln #225, Dallas, TX 75209, Phone: 214-559-0325

8.Cattleack Barbeque

Cattleack Barbeque was originally founded in 2010 by pitmaster Todd David, acclaimed today for its melt-in-your-mouth signature smoked meats. The restaurant is open limited hours on Thursdays, Fridays, and select Saturdays, making it one of Dallas' most exclusive dining experiences. Diners can enjoy excellent lunchtime specials between 10:30am and 2:00pm, highlighting smoked meats like beef brisket, pork ribs, homemade sausages, and savory turkey, all smothered in the restaurant's signature Special Reserve barbecue sauce. Delicious sandwiches are also served up, along with hearty homestyle sides like loaded baked beans, cheesy jalapeno grits, and classic potato salad. Diners should note that long lines form early and that a maximum of around 500 people can be served each day.

13628 Gamma Rd, Farmers Branch, TX 75244, Phone: 972-805-0999

9.Waterproof

Waterproof is an elegant cocktail bar located atop the 19th floor of the historic Statler Hotel in downtown Dallas, offering stunning panoramic views of the city's surrounding skyline. The indoor-outdoor bar is anchored around a rooftop pool space, offering cabana seating and a casual dress code that allows for swimsuits instead of cocktail attire. It is open to the public without a cover charge throughout the afternoon and evening hours, serving up delicious craft cocktails, including refreshing frozen sangrias and mojitos. Buckets of beer favorites and bottles of wine are available for sharing with tables, with full bottle service packages offering luxurious amenities like creative mixers and craft cocktails. A limited menu of bar fare highlights casual favorites like sliders, quesadillas, and chili cheese fries.

1914 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75201, Phone: 214-459-3930

10.Up On Knox

Up On Knox is a new offering from acclaimed executive chef Zach Warner, best known for his work at French favorite Le Bilboquet. The restaurant, which opened to the public in 2017, evokes the spirit of a casual brasserie, showcasing elegant design elements like light sconces, herringbone hardwood floors, and an old-fashioned revolving door. All-day menus highlight favorites like steak frites, trout almondine, housemade gnocchi, and spicy chicken diavolo, served up with creative sides like Texas sweet corn and crispy feta-smoked polenta. Shareables include hamachi crudo, avocado toasts, and wood-fired Gulf shrimp with preserved lemon and mint. A delightful wine list is complemented by unique craft cocktails, including the Millionaire's Club, which pairs bourbon with saffron and decorative gold flakes.

3230 Knox St Suite 140, Dallas, TX 75205, Phone: 469-250-4007

11.The Perot Museum of Nature and Science

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, commonly referred to as the Perot Museum, is one of Dallas' premiere history and science museums, located on two campuses within the city's Victory and Fair Parks. The museum, which is named in honor of renowned Dallas citizens Margot and Ross Perot, is home to a plethora of family-friendly exhibits highlighting the animals and humans that have lived in the Texas region since the prehistoric era. Visitors can study dinosaur fossils at the T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now Hall, learn about human biology at the Being Human exhibit, or build their own robots at the Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall. Additional exhibits focus on STEM concepts, athletics, and astronomy, stretching across five floors of exhibit area. A delicious onsite cafe operated by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck serves up excellent fresh fare crafted with locally-sourced Texas ingredients.

2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX 75201, Phone: 214-428-5555

12.The Crow Museum of Asian Art

The Crow Museum of Asian Art is one of Dallas' most prestigious art museums, showcasing works created by artists from Eastern cultures such as China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The museum, which opened to the public in 1998, is located within Dallas' Arts District in a beautiful space design by Booziotis and Company Architects. Today, it attracts more than 80,000 annual visitors, highlighting Eastern works from ancient times through the present day. Three art galleries are located across three floors of exhibit space, highlighting collections such as one of the United States' finest collections of jade works. Unique Indian gazebos are also on display, along with a beautiful Mugal wall hung from the museum's ceiling. The museum's Lotus Shop gift store has been voted as the United States' top museum gift shop by D Magazine, showcasing Asian-inspired jewelry, gifts, and housewares.

2010 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201, Phone: 214-979-6430