Visit Dallas
Visit Fort Worth
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BOTH DALLAS AND Fort Worth have blazed trails to become two of the hottest destinations in the United States for catching live entertainment, with world-leading music, film, art, foodie, and sporting events dotting the calendar. We asked prominent figures from each city to tell you exactly why you'll want to visit…
Fort Worth
Born and raised in the pocket-sized town of Hico, Texas, Mayor Mattie Parker graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Government before pursuing a law degree from Texas A&M University School of Law, where she was awarded the prestigious MacLean & Boulware Endowed Law Scholarship. Following 17 years of experience in national, state and local public affairs, including her service as the chief of staff for the previous Mayor and the Fort Worth City Council, Mattie Parker was elected in June 2021 as the 45th Mayor of Fort Worth.
FROM MAYOR PARKER:
I grew up in a town of around 1,300 people, with only 42 students in my graduating class, and have always had an affinity for a small town environment. Fort Worth has just that.
While it’s the 13th largest city in the US, it has roots. Its people want you to thrive, succeed, and if you’re a visitor, come back to visit many times.
Fort Worth has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to art and culture, music, outdoor activities, the cowboy world and more. I’d like to take this opportunity as the Mayor of Fort Worth to personally invite you to one of my favourite cities in the world.
When speaking to people from the UK who haven’t been here before, there are some staple recommendations which visitors to Fort Worth shouldn’t miss. These include the Cultural District Museums such as the Kimbell, Amon Carter and the Modern Art Museum. Children and parents alike adore the nationally awarded Fort Worth Zoo. Our exceptional live music venues – which include Billy Bob’s, Tulips or the Dickies Arena – are easily some of the best in the state. And the massive hundred-mile network of trails along the Trinity River has long been a destination for hikers, trailrunners and cyclists.
Drill down below these well-known destinations and there’s an abundance of hidden gems. Twilite Lounge is one of my favourite places to hang out; it’s a great venue for live music, with speakeasy vibes. If you want to see locals honky tonking, the White Elephant on Exchange is an absolute must. Another hidden gem is Casa Mañana, which often hosts off-Broadway performances in an intimate, architecturally unique setting.
If you’re looking to splurge, look towards Clearfork, a new area packed to the rafters with incredible shopping, and retailers running the gamut from Louis Vuitton and Tiffany to B&B Butchers. Alternatively, head downtown to Sundance Square, a beautiful part of the city, or Near Southside, which is heaving with small businesses, local retailers and high-end products. You just need to decide what kind of flavour you want, as Fort Worth boasts a full menu of options.
The events here are world-class, and offer a hearty dose of cowboy culture, whether at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, the Professional Bull Rider Finals, or the Texas Motor Speedway. Art enthusiasts will want to visit for the Main Street Arts Festival. Largely due to Visit Fort Worth and Hear Fort Worth, we’ve been able to enhance musical opportunities, for visitors and for musicians.
One of the developments we’re most excited about at the moment is the historic Stockyards District – an incredible example of how Fort Worth is staying true to its roots but also expanding and evolving as a destination. Hotel Drover is a new boutique establishment opened recently with a uniquely Western ambience and a beautiful pool area along Marine Creek, which abuts the historic Mule Alley. Guests who stay at the Drover can live, work, and play in that area during their visit: going to Billy Bob’s for music; the Coliseum for an old fashioned rodeo; or for a meal at Provender Hall or Lonesome Dove.
It’s really up to you.
With all that in mind, it’s a great honour for me to invite you to visit one of the most vibrant spots in America: Fort Worth, a big city with a small-town heart.
For more information, see fortworth.com
Dallas
Cathryn Colcer is a Dallas native and alumna of School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her partner Dan originally hails from Transylvania and was educated in Romania and Egypt. Both have been active members of the Dallas arts community since moving to the city in 2008 and, over the past 15 years, have fostered a dynamic relationship with Dallas as a whole and the Deep Ellum neighbourhood in particular, where much of their personal work can be found. They’ve mined the rich vein of musical and artistic heritage in the district to create their current landmark project – the Deep Ellum Blues Alley.
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FROM CATHRYN AND DAN:
Taken together, we have quite an interesting perspective on Dallas. One of us grew up frequenting the art-forward quarter of Deep Ellum, following in the footsteps of her mother a generation before, while the other arrived in Dallas in 2008 and sees the city through the prism of a European emigré. Both of us agree that the arts scene in Dallas is thriving.
Both in our native neighbourhood of Deep Ellum and across the city, there’s a deep history of creativity that is borne out to this day. We’d like to invite you to visit both the well-known and the countercultural corners of Dallas.
For anyone visiting from the United Kingdom who is not au fait with the city, there are a number of landmarks that must be seen. Our public museums are world class, whether it’s the Dallas Museum of Art or the MAC Gallery. History buffs will want to investigate The Sixth Floor Museum, which celebrates the life and legacy of JFK.
The city boasts some of the most engaging architecture in the States, running the gamut from the beaux-arts and renaissance revival with the Adolphus Hotel, The Magnolia Hotel and the Majestic Theatre to the postmodern with Thanksgiving Square and our City Hall: the famous IM Pei-designed building featured in the classic sci-fi movie RoboCop.
Each neighbourhood boasts a unique demographic and vibe, with something interesting to offer. Lower Greenville and Uptown neighbourhoods are known for their excellent dining institutions. Lakewood is known for the beautiful inner-city lake. East Dallas has the lovely Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Highland Park will bring you an extremely posh day of shopping. Downtown Dallas has exhibition halls, museums, and lovely urban parks. The neighbourhoods of West Dallas and Oak Cliff are underpinned by a youthful culture and community, and teeming with cool boutiques and bars. The Historic Fair Park/Exposition Avenue area, the site of the Dallas Centennial Exhibition of 1936, is a treasure trove of American art deco architecture and houses a string of small museums such as the Texas Discovery Gardens and The Children’s Aquarium, and annually in September holds the State Fair of Texas for three weeks.
Dallas boasts some of America’s most engaging architecture
In the Deep Ellum neighbourhood, you'll find restaurants, culture, nightlife, galleries, live music - and a brewery
Pioneer Plaza is a large public park in downtown Dallas, which boasts a famous monument commemorating the epic cattle drives across the West.
Our crown gem of a historic district is the Deep Ellum neighbourhood, where you will find restaurants, culture, nightlife, galleries, live music and the walkability of a more concentrated city neighbourhood.
For those looking to get under the skin of the art scene, visit the Deep Ellum murals, made by both local and world class street artists such as Shepherd Fairey and Pixel Punch. Deep Ellum Art Co is a wonderful, flexible facility that works with all types of music and art. The Free Man is an amazing jazz club on Commerce Street. Matt’s Cantina is one of Dallas’s best Tex-Mex restaurants (definitely try a mango margarita there).
Of course, we’d be remiss not to mention our own project – the Deep Ellum Blues Alley – which we’ve really sunk our heart and soul into over the past few years. The project is a celebration of Deep Ellum’s rich musical history and our neighborhood’s most notable artists, including Blind Lemon Jefferson – the Father of Texas Blues, whose musical influence is present in the tunes of artists like Lead Belly, The Beatles, Def Leppard, Stevie Ray Vaughn and many more.
We are very keen to invite you to visit Dallas – and introduce you to one of the most varied and vibrant cities in the USA.
For more information, see visitdallas.com
Events diary
FORT WORTH
FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW & RODEO
JAN-FEB
Saddle up for a fun-filled extravaganza rich in Western tradition and cowboy culture.
FORT WORTH FOOD + WINE FESTIVAL
MAR-APR
For three days in late March, the Forth Worth Food + Wine festival touches down. Expect big chefs, big hats and big flavours.
MAIN ST. FORT WORTH ARTS FESTIVAL
APR
Get under the skin of the arts at one of the city’s largest and most popular annual events.
NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE
MAY
Rev your engines at the Texas Motor Speedway, as it hosts the stars of NASCAR and INDYCAR.
NATIONAL DAY OF THE AMERICAN COWBOY
JUL
This Annual event celebrates the history and heritage of the American Cowboy. It’s a fun-filled extravaganza rich in Western tradition.
BELL FORT WORTH ALLIANCE AIR SHOW
OCT
The Fort Worth Alliance Air Shows attracts the finest machines and pilots in aviation.
LONE STAR FILM FESTIVAL
NOV
This five-day festival presents some of the most anticipated, up-and-coming films.
DALLAS
FOOD TOURS OF AMERICA
ONGOING
Discover Dallas history and neighbourhoods as you taste some of Dallas’ culinary gems.
THE MARGARITA MILE
SPRING TO AUTUMN
Drink your way through a self-guided tour of the best and brightest margaritas in the city.
DALLAS PRIDE
4-5 JUN
Dallas Pride will celebrate its 39th Anniversary in 2022 with an expected record attendance – including the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade.
STATE FAIR OF TEXAS
30 SEP - 23 OCT
The State Fair offers a unique way to experience every aspect of Texas culture in one place.
RIVERFRONT JAZZ FESTIVAL
1-4 SEP
This festival is jam-packed with some of the world’s best national and international jazz.
AUTUMN AT THE ARBORETUM
SEP-OCT
The 17th annual Autumn at the Arboretum, presented by Reliant, will be showcasing 90,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash, hailing from the pumpkin capital of Texas, Floydada.
SPORTS SEASON
Mavs and Stars: September-April / Cowboys: August-January
When visiting Dallas join the fans to cheer on Luka Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks. Dončić is one of the most exciting NBA players in recent history. The Dallas Stars are another team to watch with one of the most loyal fans in the NHL. And of course, don’t miss seeing a touchdown at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Book your trip
Trailfinders
Trailfinders has offered unbeatable value and award-winning service on tailormade travel worldwide for more than 52 years.
Blending old with new, experience the Texan delights that Dallas and Fort Worth have to offer. From innovative art exhibitions and fascinating museums to the historic home of cowboys.
Let Trailfinders take care of all your travels, it’s what they do best.
Book now at trailfinders.com/special-offers/new-frontiers-of-texas or call 020 7084 6500 to speak to one of our award-winning travel experts.
American Airlines
American Airlines has been at the forefront of US aviation for nearly a century. Book low fares to destinations around the world and find the latest deals on airline tickets.
Experience new frontiers with American Airlines, in two of Texas’ most forward thinking and cutting edge cites, Dallas and Fort Worth. American Airlines is the natural choice to fly direct to the heart of these two compelling destinations.
Book now at aa.com/en-gb/flights or call to fly direct to the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth.
