Morning

Relax, restore, renew. Kick your vacation off in serene style at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Dallas. Opt for the unique Texas Eight-Hand Massage, which features four massage therapists performing in synchronized perfection. 

But first, brunch. Situated inside The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, Fearing’s is a Dallas brunch institution. The rustic Southwestern-inspired entrées like Pan Seared Halibut on Miso Grits served in a bright, modern space invite you to linger over your morning meal.

Midday

Stunning sculpture. One of the most popular venues in the famed arts district, Nasher Sculpture Center was designed by world-renowned architect Renzo Piano and seamlessly integrates indoor galleries and outdoor gardens to display 300 masterpieces of modern and contemporary sculpture.

Afternoon

Texas barbecue. Dallas does Texas-style barbecue right, and Pecan Lodge is the city’s most award-winning. Accompany your slab of succulent smoked meat with the Hot Mess, a baked sweet potato stuffed with South Texas barbacoa, chipotle cream, cheese, butter and green onion.

Sports frenzy. Whichever professional sport you love best, Dallas has a corresponding team and a state-of-the-art facility to catch a game. Or if you’re up for a bit of a drive, head out of town a bit to visit Texas Motor Speedway, host of two annual NASCAR races, and one of the largest sports and entertainment complexes in America. 

Evening

The science of guacamole. Each evening at 6, the lobby at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas plays host to the hotel’s resident Guacamologist, who mixes up fresh batches of the signature Southwest dish for guests to enjoy with mini-margaritas.

Morning

Craft doughnuts. Dallas’ original craft doughnut shop, Hypnotic Donuts, serves Instagram-worthy breakfast concoctions like the Evil Elvis, a yeast-raised treat slathered in peanut butter, bacon, banana and honey.

Walk it off. A half-mile away, the 66-acre Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, ranked among the top in the world, offers groves of pecan trees and colorful display gardens on the shore of White Rock Lake. It’s ideal for a morning stroll.

Midday

History lesson. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza commemorates the site of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963 and chronicles his life and legacy. One block away, you’ll find the hauntingly beautiful John F. Kennedy memorial, designed by architect Philip Johnson.

Afternoon

Retail therapy. Dallas is home to some of the greatest malls in America, but for shopping with historic significance, head downtown to the grand Neiman Marcus flagship store, erected in 1914. Lunch at Zodiac, Neiman Marcus’ elegant eatery, a local favorite for more than 50 years.

Strike a pose. Pioneer Plaza presents an irresistible photo opportunity. Three bronze horsemen sculptures herd 49 bronze longhorn cattle. Insert yourselves into the sculpture (yes, you can sit on the cattle) and corral a passerby to get the shot.

Evening

Best brewpub. Braindead Brewery takes craft beer to another level by pairing it with Latin-infused pub gourmet fare, all served in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere that’s perfect for groups.

The music neighborhood. The hip, historic Deep Ellum neighborhood, founded in 1873, gained musical acclaim in the 1920s during the height of the jazz and blues era. Today, it’s one of the region’s arts and entertainment hubs, with more than 20 live music venues.

Morning

Historic adventure. Pay homage to Dallas’ rich equestrian tradition with a visit to Texas Horse Park to go horseback riding. It’s only 8 miles from downtown but feels like a world away in a 6,000-acre old-growth forest.

Cowboy must-haves. While you’re in the mood, stop at Wild Bill’s Western Store, widely regarded as one of the best places in Dallas to get cowboy boots and Western hats and belts.

Midday

Time travel. At the site of what was the city’s first park in 1876, you’ll find Dallas Heritage Village. Take a self-guided tour of the 20 tree-lined acres through pioneer and Victorian homes and buildings that have been frozen in time to depict life in North Texas in the late 19th century. 

Afternoon

Park lunch. A downtown gem, Klyde Warren Park was said to have pulled green space out of thin air when it opened in 2012 over the Woodall Rodgers Freeway. It’s also the site of Savor Gastropub, a sleek modern eatery dishing out exceptional New American cuisine.

An urban trail. The 3.5-mile Katy Trail is Big D’s most popular urban walking path, following a former rail line through the heart of downtown. It makes for great people-watching or an after-lunch walkabout.

Mammoth museum. Built in 2012, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science represents a merging of three of the longest-running museums in Dallas: the Dallas Museum of Natural History, the Dallas Health and Science Museum and the Dallas Children’s Museum. It’s a must-visit, or at least a must-see, standing 14 stories high and designed by 2005 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate Thom Mayne.

Evening

A memorable dinner. It’s an undisputed fact that James Beard Award-winning chef Dean Fearing’s Southwestern-style restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas is one of the nation’s best. On your last night in Dallas, you and your friends can enjoy weeknight Happy Hour in the restaurant’s lively Rattlesnake Bar, and then dine alongside celebrities, sports stars, rock stars, culinary-minded locals and even heads of state.

Morning

Breakfast of champions. Start the day with an American-style breakfast with a Tex-Mex twist at All Good Café in the hip arts and entertainment district known as Deep Ellum (that’s Southern-ese for “Deep Elm”). Get the chicken-fried steak and eggs, served with grits — it has been dubbed the world’s best for good reason.

The symbol of Dallas. Standing 50 stories high with a three-level spherical dome and hundreds of flashing lights, Reunion Tower is one of Dallas’ most recognizable landmarks. A 68-second elevator ride whisks you up to the GeO-Deck, and its 360-degree views of the cityscape.

Midday

Hop Aboarda. The charming, free public trolley, known as the M-Line, takes you from The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas to Klyde Warren Park along historic McKinney Avenue. The vintage trolley calls to mind Dallas in the late 19th century, when streetcar lines ran throughout the city.

Urban green SPACEKlyde. Warren Park’s grassy 5.2 acres offer a welcome reprieve in the middle of the bustling downtown. It’s also one of the best people-watching spots in the Big D thanks to its prime position connecting the Dallas Arts District with the vibrant Uptown neighborhood.

Food truck gourmet. The best food trucks in Dallas set up shop at the park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Or hit the Relish kiosk, a permanent fixture in the park that serves tasty fast-casual burgers.

Afternoon

Culture buzz. Dallas’ arts district is the nation’s largest and the location of the city’s most significant cultural landmarks, including the Dallas Museum of Art, Meyerson Symphony Center and Winspear Opera House. Art aficionados will want to check out the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Crow Collection of Asian Art.

Shopping nirvana. With many of the nation’s top nationally and internationally recognized retailers, nearby Highland Park village is a charming, upscale tourist destination on its own. Six miles away you’ll find North Park Center, another shopping mecca with 235 stores, public art displays and meticulous gardens.

Evening

Uptown dining. For the best modern Texas cuisine, reserve a table at Fearing’s Restaurant, where larger-than-life and colorful celebrity chef Dean Fearing creates flavorful dishes that have made him a James Beard Award winner and won national “restaurant of the year” accolades. This seven-room dining experience offers indoor and outdoor seating, so come as you are and enjoy the fun.

Performing Arts. The home of five resident companies (Dallas Opera, Texas Ballet Theater, Dallas Theater Center, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico), plus a venue for the nation’s top touring shows, the AT&T Performing Arts Center has multiple world-class performances happening every night of the week. Check with the concierge at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas for tickets.

Morning

Best brunch. Hattie’s Dallas, in the hip Bishop Arts District, mixes classic American dishes with low-country Southern fare to create such culinary delights as cornmeal griddlecakes. Order the bloody mary, which comes topped with a cayenne- and sugar-shellacked bacon strip.

Midday

Art deco immersion. You could spend an entire day in Fair Park, with eight museums, a coliseum, a music hall, an IMAX Theater, a planetarium and the Dallas Aquarium. Or go to simply admire the architecture: Fair Park, built in 1936 for the World’s Fair and the Texas Centennial Exposition, is the world’s largest collection of art deco buildings, art and sculptures.

Historic district. Stroll the red brick sidewalks of the West End, Dallas’ historic district, to take in the brilliantly renovated buildings, like the Old Red Courthouse, built in 1892, now the Old Red Museum. Be sure to browse Wild Bill’s Western Store. 

Presidential tribute. In the West End, visit the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, formerly the Texas School Book Depository, the location of the sniper who assassinated President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Follow it up with a stop at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum on the campus of Southern Methodist University, and have your presidential photo taken in the full-sized Oval Office.

Afternoon

Foodie paradise. Trinity Groves is Dallas’ restaurant incubator, featuring the city’s up-and-coming chefs and restaurateurs. Choose from more than a dozen eateries ranging from barbecue to vegan, and don’t skip dessert: Kate Weiser Chocolate has an open kitchen to watch the action, and Cake Bar’s huge selection of made-from-scratch cakes and confections is dizzying.

Get the shot. Trinity Groves boasts one of the best cityscape photo opportunities. Position yourself to capture the stunning Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, with its 40-story center-support arch, set against the downtown skyline.

Nature fix. Visit White Rock Lake, a particularly scenic reservoir only 5 miles from downtown, to get a sampling of Dallas’ 406 parks and 17 lakes. Rent a kayak, play a round of disc golf or get out on the 9-mile hiking and biking trail. 

Evening

Happy hour. One of Dallas’ most beloved contributions to American cuisine is the frozen margarita. Try chef Dean Fearing’s version every evening at 6 inside The Ritz-Carlton lobby, where it’s served alongside fresh-made guacamole and chips presented by the hotel’s resident Guacamologist.

Dinner and music. The Rustic dishes up home-style, farm-to-table cuisine alongside craft beers and spirits in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. The backyard patio is legendary, with picnic tables, towering oak trees, fire pits and some of the city’s best live music.