Alex Temblador

Dallas is big, diverse and ever-changing, and that dynamic character is reflected across all the fun attractions and activities available in the city. Yes, there’s some cowboy culture here, but the old tropes are outnumbered by world-class art, vibrant neighborhoods, a compelling culinary scene and a surprising amount of green space. Experience it all with this guide to the best things to do in Dallas right now.   RECOMMENDED:🥩 The best restaurants in Dallas🍹 The best bars in Dallas🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Dallas🏨 The best hotels in Dallas This guide was updated by Dallas-based writers Alex Temblador and Kevin Gray. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Everyone wants to come away from their trip feeling like they saw it all and hope they never stumble across a TikTok post-trip highlighting a destination and making them ask, “Did I even go to [blank]?”  Austin’s bejeweled with treasured locals and hidden gems that can spur a first-timer to consider moving here to save on having to make frequent trips back. Natural wonders adjective to our lively downtown, Texan landmarks that’ll make any wannabe cowboy hoot n' holler and spots that buck all expectations of what a rising star of city hosts are listed below so your trip to Austin gets it right the first time.  RECOMMENDED: The best day trips from AustinThe best hotels in AustinThe best Airbnbs in AustinThe best spa hotels in Austin This guide was updated by Austin-based writer Deven Wilson. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Whether you’re looking for a rowdy dive, classic cocktails or DJ-fueled dancing, Dallas knows how to party. But when your plans call for a big night out, set your sights—and hard-earned dough—on the city’s club scene. There’s a little something for everyone, from bottle service and sparklers to cowboy culture, moody lounges and high-energy LGBTQ+ bars, so pick your favorite, then get ready to mix it up on the dance floor. These are the 11 best clubs in Dallas right now. RECOMMENDED:🥩 The best restaurants in Dallas🍹 The best bars in Dallas🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Dallas🏨 The best hotels in Dallas This guide was updated by our Texas-based freelance writers. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Dallas may be known for its amazing shopping and stellar sports teams, but it’s been silently making waves as a dining destination for years—and the world is starting to pay attention. In 2019, Dallas became Bon Appetit’s Restaurant City of the Year, and this year, Michelin has been silently sending out their reviewers to Dallas restaurants to determine which will be a fit in their guide.   Although Tex-Mex and barbecue have long been Dallas staples, there are a number of dining destinations throughout the city that fly in fresh seafood daily, offer creative takes on fusion cuisine, and elevate simple meals like tacos and southern favorites like shrimp and grits in ways you’d never expect.  No matter what you’re in the mood for, Dallas has you covered. Keep reading to discover where to make your next reservation.   RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Dallas🍹 The best bars in Dallas🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Dallas🏨 The best hotels in Dallas

Dallas in November means sunny days with a crisp breeze—the perfect weather for weekend revelry. Grab your sweater and pop on some boots because this November, there is so much to see and do as the Big D transitions from the hoopla of the State Fair of Texas to the holiday season. From festivals to markets, free concerts, wine walks, and holiday fun, we’ve got you covered on all the best things to do in Dallas on the weekends.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Dallas

When it comes to U.S. wine country, we often think of Napa and Sonoma, California, but there are wineries in all 50 states. It was in the South where the U.S.'s first winery opened in 1799. While the aptly named First Vineyard, just outside Lexington, Kentucky, operated for just one decade before shuttering, the South has since become a wonderful place for fine wine. From the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Texas Hill Country to sunny South Florida, award-winning wines can be found at vineyards throughout the region. Plus, there's  Southern hospitality to look forward to. Raise your glass and start plotting your adventure: America's most scenic Southern wineries await. RECOMMENDED: The best Midwest wineries worthy of a getaway

It is no secret that San Antonio is filled with some of the best attractions in the Lone Star State. River City is one of Texas’s largest cities (the seventh-largest in the whole country by population, in fact), and it is also one of the most visited alongside Austin, Dallas, and Houston.  You’ll discover that many of San Antonio’s sites highlight the city’s colonial, Mexican and western history, and do so in fun and fascinating ways that’ll engage both kids and adults alike. History aside, River City also has excellent parks and outdoor recreational areas, quirky contemporary exhibits, and a colorful dining scene (we suggest plucking items from our best restaurant and bar guides and slotting them between attractions). There’s just so much going on—we’ve narrowed down the top attractions to prioritize in San Antonio, so you can spend less time researching and more time exploring. 

If there’s any cuisine Austin does best, it’s Mexican. This is the state that brought Tex-Mex to the world, after all, so you know maize is ingrained in culinary culture. The locals get their fix pretty much all day, every day, for any darn occasion, be it a grab-and-go from a food truck or a margarita-fueled patio party at Barton Springs. When there’s a Mexican restaurant at every turn, there are no excuses. Y’all in the mood for the meats? The cochinita pibil’s smokin’ just right over at Fonda San Miguel and Suerte. How about a reliable lunchtime counter? There are seven Veracruz All Natural locations to which you can get accustomed. And if you’re looking for an extra special spot to swoon the boo over some tangy ceviche and warm duck enmoladas, expect to be spoiled for choice, downtown and beyond. No matter how spicy you like it, there's a Mexican restaurant in Austin for you.  Recommended:🍳 The best restaurants in Austin🍹 The best bars in Austin🌮 Where to find the best tacos in Austin This guide was updated by Austin-based writer James Wong. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Museums might not be the first thing on your list when planning a trip to San Antonio. You’re probably thinking first of the parks, the River Walk, and the Alamo. But if museum hopping isn’t on your itinerary, you’re missing out: San Antonio is full of them.  Here you’ll find everything from must-see historical museums to modern art, as well as out-there exhibitions to immerse yourself in Texan history and culture. For a day out that will surprise and inspire you all at once, here is our list of the best museums in San Antonio right now.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in San Antonio🌮 The best restaurants in San Antonio🏨 The best hotels in San Antonio👪 The best things to do with kids in San Antonio This guide was updated by Texas-based writer James Wong. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Austin is a playground for many boozy occasions: with bachelor and bachelorette parties and festivals being two of the most frequent. When you compare ATX to the rest of Texas, it’s safe to say that this is absolutely where the party's at. The thirst is real all year round thanks to ever-sunny (maybe even too sunny) skies. You’ll find Austinites quenching out in the parks with massive coolers, chilling up on rooftop bars that allow for a poolside dip, and raving out to the sounds of up-and-coming bands.  Whatever your tastes, be it fine European wines or shots so cheap you can afford a round with the spare change in your pocket, it’s here. Y’all can don your finest at Austin’s best luxury hotels, or hit up Sixth Street, a strip that's synonymous with debauchery. There are also plenty of in-betweens, like tiny hidden speakeasies, which will impress a date, and beloved digs that the locals come to kick back at after a long day WFH. We’ve handpicked the very best spots in Austin to savor your poison, mingle with singles, and party with your pals. Below, the best bars in Austin. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Austin 🏘️ The best hotels in Austin  

With Austin seeing sky-high prices on everything from apartments to avocados right now, trying to find things to do on a budget can leave many scratching their sweaty heads…but not the savvy. Boomtown has a bunch of awesome free activities to keep everyone occupied without spending a single dime. Music, art, and the outdoors are, after all, what makes this city so great, and there are free live music shows almost every night of the week, museums that offer free admission days, and lots of watering holes and hiking spots within the city limits that cost absolutely nothing to bask in. Oh, and that’s just the beginning. So leave the credit card at home: we’ve put together the ultimate list of free experiences in Austin — why pay for something when you can do it for free?   

Of all the best things to do in San Antonio, hitting its glorious outdoor spaces, from parks to hiking trails, ranks high on the list. It may be a bold statement, but the park system here is arguably one of the most impressive in the nation. You’ll find one of the oldest parks in the US, sprawling green spaces with archeological sites, extensive water features, and plenty of amenities to boot. South Texas’ delicious weather means that the outdoors can be enjoyed year-round, whether that’s biking or running the trail on cool summer mornings, dragging out the mobile grill for a barbecue on warm spring afternoons, or treating the kids to a winter’s day of breezy fun under the sun. No matter if you’re looking for a secluded spot to destress or a chance for a swim, the best parks in San Antonio are at your service. RECOMMENDED: The best attractions in San Antonio 

Every Saturday and Sunday, the Underground Market pops up in the Lower Greenville neighborhood from 11-5 pm. Between 25-35+ local vendors sell handmade and homemade goods on Saturdays on the 5600 Block of Alta Avenue and Greenville Avenue, and on Sundays on the 5700 Block of Oram Street and Greenville Avenue.

Gobble Gobble Goat Yoga incorporates goats in an hour-long outdoor yoga session every weekend in November. Yoga sessions are held at 10am, 11am or 3pm in various places around Dallas, from Harwood Park to Addison Circle, the Westin Irving Convention Center and more. 

The holidays are finally here! What better way to kick off the season than catching The Nutcracker in Dallas. On November 29 and 30, attend The Nutcracker Dallas at the Winspear Opera House.

Starting November 22, people of all ages can experience Snowday and Santaland at the Galleria. Where Snowday is an immersive adventure through holiday-decorated rooms, Santaland provides a simulated train ride to the North Pole, followed by a journey to find Santa. 

The Deep Ellum Block Party is a free event for all ages on November 23 with two special concerts by The Polyphonic Spree and Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan. With Elm Street blocked off from Good Latimer to Malcolm X, expect an art fair, beer garden, live muralists, kids’ zone, psychics, vendors, hoop zone, scavenger hunt and more. 

Grab your friends on Sunday and head to Scout at The Statler Hotel for free bowling from 11am-11pm. Thanks to their $2 off pizza deal, you can have a friendly bowling competition with friends with a slice in your hand. 

Chow down on barbecue while listening to the blues on Saturday, November 16 at Kidd Springs Park from noon to 5pm. The 15th Blues, Bandits, and BBQ Festival will feature neighborhood BBQ teams and live music. Bring the kids, pets, blankets, chairs and an empty stomach to stuff with BBQ.

The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas took over the Four Seasons and replaced LAW with Knife Italian, a must-visit restaurant with a decadent menu and a modern, sultry tropical design. Knife Italian is the newest venture for Michelin Starred Chef and Restaurateur, John Tesar. While the name indicates an Italian restaurant, you’ll see a lot of Texas and global influences on the family-style eating menu. Start your meal with an antipasti, crudi, or salad, before ordering a pasta—like the lobster agnolotti—and main dish like pork Milanese or veal loin. The steaks are the real treasures of the menu as they’re wet- or dry-aged between 45 and 240 days! 

Opened in 2021 in Bishop Arts, Written by the Seasons is a lovely restaurant with vibrantly colored dishes that are as delicious as they look. As the name suggests, the menu features seasonal ingredients and dishes, however, there are some favorites that typically appear year-round like a delightful focaccia, a wild mushrooms dish, and a grilled shrimp and avocado salad with mango, pear, and chili. Though it’s mostly American cuisine on the menu, there are some Asian influences and dishes too, like Kimchi pancakes. The staff (whom are as beloved as the food) encourage visitors to share dishes and will guide you well in your dining choices be it ordering dayboat scallops or a NY strip. Whether you sit on the patio or indoors, Written by the Seasons is open for dinner Monday-Thursday, lunch and dinner on Friday, and brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

You wouldn’t expect a Turkish restaurant to be inside a 1910 historic home where an Oak Cliff mayor lived in the early 1900s – but that’s exactly the case with The Mayor’s House by Selda. Owned by Mert and Becky Tezkol who partnered with acclaimed Turkish chef Habip Kargin, diners enjoy authentic Turkish food in an elegant space. Whether you’re sitting on the porch or inside, you can eat from a menu filled with kebabs, Turkish-style flatbread pizzas, lamb shank, tzatziki, and kulbatsi. Try their Turkish brunch on Saturday or Sunday, as it’s sure to please. 

Over 50 breweries and 150 beers will be featured at Dallas Brew Fest on November 9 from 1-5 pm at Old City Park. Come out for food trucks, games, and 80s and 90s cover bands. Your ticket includes beer samples from participating breweries. 

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at the Largest Community Altar in the World event on the Ron Kirk Pedestrian bridge. You’re invited to install an altar on-site, and experience live music, traditional danza, a Catrina exhibit, Kid Zone and more.