Non-Touristy Dallas Hotspots

Learn about Dallas hotspots that exist outside of typical tourist destinations. Find out how to experience these destinations like a local. Know which areas to explore based on your personality and preferences.

Dallas hotspots don’t always feature Texas-sized glitz and glamour: Some of the best places to visit in the city are also regularly enjoyed by its homegrown residents. Read on to learn about places in Dallas that natives know about — but that are rarely advertised outside of the area.

Visit a Vibrant Arts Community

Covering less than a mile, the Bishop Arts District is the place to be, if you want to escape the tourist traps that tends to paint the city with a broad brush. This district is a unique slice of the Dallas pie, offering its own take on the creative haven of nearby Austin. Shops are often stocked with the wares of local artists and each establishment shines with its own personality. It’s a great little neighborhood pocket that will give you the opportunity to be surrounded by some of Dallas’ most creative minds. While there, purchase a piece of art and support the lifelong work of the artistically gifted.

Hand Collection

Part scientific exhibition and part weird destination, the Adrian E. Flatt, M.D., Hand Collection can satisfy both your hunger for curiosities and your desire to visit educational Dallas hotspots. The brainchild of an orthopedic surgeon, the exhibit started as a way to chronicle abnormalities and deformities in order to teach future generations of medical professionals. Soon, the collection grew to include the mitts of individuals who carved their way through history, science, the arts, and even sports. With over 100 casts available for viewing 24 hours a day, this hand exhibit can tickle the fancy of individuals who like their hidden gems to come with a bit of historical significance.

A Stone’s Throw Away from White Rock Lake

As a go-to recreation spot in Dallas, White Rock Lake offers nearly limitless ways to enjoy the great outdoors while still remaining within city limits. Visitors can kayak, fish, enjoy a trail nearly 10 miles long, or stay on the lookout for some of the many exotic birds that call White Rock Lake home. This destination can be especially attractive to pet owners who travel with their furry companions, as it boasts a spacious and newly renovated dog park that is largely considered the best in Dallas. A staple of city life for decades, White Rock Lake continues to be one of the most popular Dallas hotspots for both residents and visitors alike.

Share a Bear Hug

In a perfectly manicured enclave of exclusive Highland Park sits Lakeside Park, one of the more interesting community areas in Dallas. Among the lush greenery fit for a movie scene backdrop, stand gargantuan, stone statues of bears. Though probably not soft or warm, they may be cuddly long enough for a selfie that goes viral among your friends and family. This park can make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a fairy tale.

Take a Ride with Bonnie and Clyde

Notorious outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow blazed their own infamous trail and, fittingly, landmarks associated with their unique lives are off the beaten path in Dallas. Homes, graves, establishments, and crime scenes that tell the story of these lovebird bandits can be found all over Dallas and the North Texas area. Stay out of reach of the long arm of the law by respecting locations that have been privatized and let your camera’s snapshots act as your souvenirs.

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S. Gonzales

Samantha Gonzales is a copywriter specializing in marketing, business, and educational publishing.