48 Hours in Downtown Dallas Without a Car

Dallas has a reputation as a driving city, and for the suburbs that's fair. But downtown and its nearest neighborhoods pack enough into a few square miles that you can spend a full weekend without touching a steering wheel. Here's the itinerary we'd hand a guest checking in on a Friday.

Day one, morning — the Arts District

Start at the Dallas Museum of Art, where general admission is free. Across the street, the Nasher Sculpture Center's garden is one of the calmest hours in the city. If you have time for one more, the Crow Museum of Asian Art is small, free, and consistently excellent.

Then cross into Klyde Warren Park — a deck park built over a freeway — for lunch from the food trucks and a seat in the shade.

Day one, afternoon — history at Dealey Plaza

Head to the west end of downtown for Dealey Plaza and The Sixth Floor Museum, which tells the story of President Kennedy's assassination from inside the former Texas School Book Depository. Allow about two hours, and book timed tickets ahead on weekends. The JFK Memorial is a few blocks away.

On the way, detour through Pioneer Plaza, where a bronze cattle drive of longhorn steers runs down the hillside — one of the most photographed spots in the city.

Day one, evening — the skyline from above

The observation deck at Reunion Tower gives you the whole skyline. Time it for sunset, then head back toward Main Street for dinner — our walking guide to eating in downtown Dallas has the options.

Day two, morning — Uptown by trolley

The McKinney Avenue M-Line trolley is free and runs from the Arts District up through Uptown. Ride it to brunch, then walk it off on the Katy Trail, a tree-lined path along an old rail corridor that locals treat as a front yard.

Day two, afternoon — markets and murals

Back downtown, the Dallas Farmers Market on the southeast side has local vendors and food stalls. From there it's a short ride to Deep Ellum, where the afternoon is for wandering: murals on nearly every block, record shops, and patios.

Day two, night — Deep Ellum after dark

Deep Ellum is Dallas's live-music district, with venues from tiny clubs to mid-size stages. Check the listings before you arrive — the best shows sell out. When you're done, it's a short rideshare back to bed downtown.

Practical notes

Getting in: DART's Orange Line connects DFW Airport with downtown. Heat: Dallas summers are serious from June through September — plan outdoor stops for mornings and evenings. Game night: the American Airlines Center, home of the Mavericks and Stars, is a short light-rail ride from downtown.

Where to stay

A downtown base is what makes this weekend work. Our Dallas homes are all in one downtown high-rise with a pool, gym, and garage parking. For this itinerary we'd suggest a 1-bedroom with a king bed and city view, a 1-bedroom with two TVs and indoor parking, or a 1-bedroom with cowboy-charm decor. See all our Dallas homes.