Our definitive (but still expanding, now with more crime data) Dallas neighborhood guides can help you explore the many places Dallas residents call home. Whether you’re a longtime resident or just passing through, these guides will help you learn all kinds of things about the city. But the best way to get to know a place is to go out and spend some time in it.
The South Dallas-Fair Park neighborhood is home to the State Fair of Texas, a much-beloved institution and absolutely massive three-week event that nevertheless has proved controversial in its effect on Fair Park and the surrounding area for the 11 months of the year when Big Tex is quiet. Although Fair Park remains underutilized much of the time, there are still plenty of reasons to visit the “art deco wonderland.” There are even more reasons to be optimistic about the future of the neighborhood in general, and a strong sense of community remains.
Here’s how to spend 12 hours getting to know one of Dallas’ most historic neighborhoods.
Trail Mix | 10 am
Start off an outdoor adventure by taking the Santa Fe Trestle Trail. Crossing the train trestle (built in 1879) and following a concrete path over the floodway will take hikers and bikers over the floodway and into some prime bird-watching real estate. The trail provides an excellent view of the river, the Great Trinity Forest, and the city of Dallas. If the weather’s too nice to head indoors just yet, take a ride over to William Blair Jr. Park and its 983 acres of meadows, ponds, playgrounds, trails, and fields. Or grab a fishing pole and head over to White Rock Creek to cast a line.
Cultural Center | 1 pm
Just across from Fair Park, the South Dallas Cultural Center hosts programs and events celebrating African-American culture and arts. Visit during the afternoon to see what’s on display in the gallery. It’s most recently held two exhibitions: Jamaal Stafford’s “Million Dollar Flows” and Rosie Lee’s “Dandy Fresh Pt. 2: The Cool Kids X South Africa.” Sign up for Saturday “culture classes,” or check to see if any performing arts events or shows are scheduled for the evening. The venue hosted one of the year’s most acclaimed local plays with Mississippi Goddamn, and recently named Soul Rep Theatre its new resident company.
The next-door Cedars and Expo Park neighborhoods host a number of art galleries, but closer to Fair Park you’ll find Ash Studios, a homegrown space that “functions as an art gallery, performance hall, sculpture garden, and working studio for a handful of regular artists.” Check ahead of time for any upcoming events or to set up a studio site visit.
All’s Fair | 2 pm
The State Fair of Texas, as beloved as it is, has long posed a dilemma for those who would like to see Fair Park thrive the other 11 months of the year. It’s a touchy subject as it relates to one of North Texas’ most enduring traditions. During the fair, the “art deco playground” is a fantastic place to be, filled with people, sights, sounds, and a near-endless supply of things to do. While it’s easy to imagine the grounds being put to better use–a bike-share program has not helped Fair Park shake its reputation as a “no-man’s land” for most of the year–there are still plenty of reasons to visit. (A number of other events throughout the year, including the North Texas Irish Festival and Labor Day Blues and Jazz Festival, also help to liven things up every now and then.)
A simple walk around Fair Park can be a pleasant time, especially if leads you into some of the museums. The museum formerly known simply as the “Museum of Nature and Science” has lost much of its luster and many of its exhibits to the Perot Museum‘s downtown location, but the branch at Fair Park remains. Visit the African American Museum or the iconic Hall of State. See Dallas’ most historic stadium at the Cotton Bowl. Enjoy the “botanical oasis” and learn a little something about nature at Texas Discovery Gardens. Expand your knowledge of nature to the ocean at the Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park. Float on a swan at the Leonhardt Lagoon.
Fair Park After Dark | 7 pm
You won’t have to go far for evening entertainment. The Music Hall at Fair Park is the home of Dallas Summer Musicals and a popular venue for other touring performing arts groups. During the summer months, the open-air Gexa Energy Pavilion is a destination for popular touring musicians and festivals.
If you’re looking for an especially late night of blues music, dancing, and fun, head a few blocks from Fair Park to R.L.’s Blues Palace No. 2. The BYOB club, which is only open weekend nights to patrons 25 years or older, is possibly the best place in Dallas to hear live blues, and is a fun place to spend a late night whatever your musical tastes are.
