by Tricia White | Managing Editor
The holiday season is here, and while hosting out-of-town guests can be fun, keeping them entertained during their extended stays can also be a stressful. Luckily, North Texas has tons of fun places to visit, and the DART is a quintessential part of the experience.
Bursting with historic charm, this popular North Oak Cliff neighborhood – now accessible by the Dallas Streetcar – has boutiques, bistros, and taverns housed in quaint 1920s-era buildings. Hotspots include a couple DARTable Gems: The Wild Detectives, a one-of-a-kind bookstore and tavern that features local craft beer, tapas, and wine and Emporium Pies, a specialty bakery located inside a quaint 1930s Victorian bungalow.
Downtown Carrollton
(Downtown Carrollton Station)
The station abuts an old-fashioned square that packs a lot of boutique shopping per block. It wouldn’t be a real town square without an honest-to-goodness soda fountain, and downtown Carrollton’s got the goods: Sid’s Rainbow Grill, a DARTable Gem, delivers wholesome nostalgia while serving up a mighty good burger. Fried chicken is front and center at DARTable Babe’s Chicken Dinner House, a beloved, local institution reputed to have one of the best versions in North Texas.
With a unique blend of shops, pubs, and restaurants, the atmosphere of downtown Plano is Norman Rockwell meets postmodern. DARTable hotspot, Vickery Park, offers a huge selection of craft beers and an extensive menu. It’s a true neighborhood bar and grill with a friendly vibe, perfect for watching the game or playing free shuffleboard. The DARTable Interurban Railway Museum at Haggard Park also is a popular attraction, commemorating the rail that ran from Denison through Plano to Dallas and beyond from 1908 until 1948. The park itself features a picturesque gazebo, fountain, and playground.
The Cedars (Cedars Station)
One of Dallas’ oldest neighborhood has experienced a resurgence in the last decade, and the area is hopping with live music, craft cocktails, and creative types. If you want Texas entertainment with a twang, Gilley’s Dallas fits the bill, but it’s the artsy side of the Big D that’s front and center in the Cedars. Catch a singer-songwriter at Poor David’s Pub; enjoy a great view of downtown at the rooftop bar of the NYLO Hotel; quaff artful cocktails at Cedars Social; or soak up the bohemian vibe and live music at DARTable Opening Bell Coffee, located on the ground floor of South Side on Lamar.
Uptown (Cityplace/Uptown Station, M-Line Trolley)
This Dallas neighborhood is a cornucopia of boutiques, restaurants, and nightlife and is served by the vintage M-Line Trolley. Right at Cityplace/Uptown Station, you’ll find The Rustic. With more than 40 beers on tap, this DARTable destination features live music and a Texas-centric menu that’s perfect to show off Lone Star hospitality to out-of-towners. A few blocks away are West Village, a cluster of retail shops, restaurants taverns, and the Magnolia, one of Dallas’ most beloved art-house movie theaters.
DARTable Gems are destinations best reached by riding a train or bus. Discover more at DART.org/DARTable.
Pictured top is the “Green Dragon” M-Line Trolley at Uptown Station all lit up for the holiday season. Photo courtesy of Uptown Dallas, Inc.