Winter in the Dallas Arts District: Where to Stay and What to See to Add a Creative Spark to the Season

While Austin never runs short on activities to inspire and entertain, sometimes a change of scenery is the perfect cure for a bout of wanderlust. Recently, we decided to take a little getaway to explore the vibrant energy of Downtown Dallas where a stay in the Dallas Arts District gave us the creative spark we were craving this season. Join us as we break down our favorites sights and bites from our weekend in the largest contiguous arts district in the country.

Where to Stay

Nestled within the Dallas Arts District, the HALL Arts Hotel offers a premiere stay, blending luxury, sophistication and an amazing curation of fine art within the property itself. Throughout the hotel, you will find a diverse collection of works by emerging and established artists. Curators Patricia Meadows and Virginia Shore hand-picked pieces that you’ll view along every hallway and in each guest room. In fact, those staying at HALL Arts Hotel are invited to join an exclusive gathering every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 4:30 p.m. that includes a guided tour of the art collection along with a HALL Wines tasting.

Rooms and suites offer modern sophistication with custom furnishings created by award-winning NY design firm Bentel & Bentel, sweeping views of Dallas, curated photography, Frette bed linens, MiN NEW YORK bath products in oversized bathrooms, and plenty of amenities to offer the comforts of home. Guests can enjoy a workout on the Matrix equipment and Peloton bicycles in the fitness studio, then relax in the heated pool or by the rooftop fire pits. Additionally, among many special offers, Texas residents can take advantage of 20% off best available rates.

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Signature suites provide ample space to feel right at home. (photo courtesy of HALL Arts Hotel)

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The hotel boasts a variety of light-filled rooms and suites. (photo courtesy of HALL Arts Hotel)

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A variety of suites offer beautiful views and spacious living space. (photo courtesy of HALL Arts Hotel)

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Contemporary comforts. (photo courtesy of HALL Arts Hotel)

Within HALL Arts Hotel, you’ll find the beautiful Ellie’s Restaurant & Lounge where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, brunch, happy hour, dinner and opportunities to enjoy local live music while you dine.

One of the best perks about a stay at HALL Arts Hotel is the location. You can pull your car up to the valet, unpack your belongings, and simply make your way to all of the Dallas Arts District attractions, situated within a short walk from the hotel.

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Ellie’s Terrace features a stunning James Welling mural. (photo courtesy of HALL Arts Hotel)

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A heated pool and fireplace await on the rooftop. (photo courtesy of HALL Arts Hotel)

What to See

With 118 acres of museums, performance halls, parks, restaurants, churches and more, there is so much to see in the Dallas Arts District. A weekend trip won’t allow the time to do it all, but we highly recommend browsing through the calendar of events on the Dallas Arts District website before you go. Certainly everyone has different tastes and interests, but here are a few standout attractions that we enjoyed on our recent visit.

Dallas Museum of Art

Dallas Museum of Art is among the 10 largest art museums in the country. Its global collection, which is free to view, encompasses 25,000 works and spans 5,000 years of history, representing a full range of world cultures. You will also find a variety of special ticketed exhibitions such as the current Frida Kahlo exhibit, along with programming such as concerts, literary events and more.

Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a world-class museum that’s a perfect stop for all ages (especially visitors with kids) to discover hands-on learning with engaging exhibits that explore the vast mysteries of science.

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Perot Museum entrance. (photo courtesy of Perot Museum of Nature and Science)

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Explore the exhibits of dinosaur fossils at the Perot Museum in Dallas, Texas. (photo courtesy of Perot Museum of Nature and Science)

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Marvel at the giant geode at the Perot Museum. (photo courtesy of Perot Museum of Nature and Science)

Nasher Sculpture Center

Nasher Sculpture Center is home to one of the finest collections of modern and contemporary sculpture in the world, the Nasher boasts a peaceful outdoor sculpture garden as well as lovely indoor galleries.

AT&T Performing Arts Center

AT&T Performing Arts Center is a multi-venue center in the Dallas Arts District and is home to performances of opera, musical theater, classic and experimental theater, ballet and other forms of dance. The AT&T Performing Arts Center includes four venues and an urban park: 1) Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, venue for the Dallas Opera and Texas Ballet Theater. 2) Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre, home to the Dallas Theater Center, Dallas Black Dance Theatre and Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico. 3) The Annette Strauss Square, an outdoor performance space with lawn seating. 4)The Elaine D. and Charles A. Sammons Park, a 10-acre urban park that unifies the venues.

Klyde Warren Park

Constructed above a section of the Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Klyde Warren Park connects the Dallas Arts District to other downtown areas and serves as a central public gathering space that includes fountains, children’s play spaces, game areas, a performance stage, restaurants, food trucks and more.

Where to Eat

Truthfully, some of our best meals were enjoyed in HALL Arts Hotel at Ellie’s Restaurant and Lounge. We enjoyed a lovely happy hour selection including a Cheese & Charcuterie Board, featuring a curation of cheese, cured meat, honey and lavash crackers as well as Mediterranean Hummus and delicious Jalapeño Corn Fritters. Also at Ellie’s we were blown away by the breakfast options, especially the fluffy Brioche French Toast drizzled with berry jam. If the weather is favorable, you can opt to sit outside on Ellie’s Terrace, overlooking the Texas Sculpture Walk and a stunning James Welling mural, to enjoy cocktails, fine wine, and the full menu from Ellie’s.

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A perfect space for happy hour with live entertainment. (photo courtesy of Ellie’s at HALL Arts Hotel)

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Sample an array of extraordinary American cuisine at Ellie’s Restaurant (photo courtesy of HALL Arts Hotel)

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From breakfest to brunch, happy hour and dinner, you’ll find menus offer a delicious selection of dishes. (photo courtesy of Ellie’s at HALL Arts Hotel)

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In addition to Ellie’s, there are several dining options to choose from such as the popular Sloane’s Corner, sushi at Musume, and elegant Italian fare at La Stella Cucina Verace. We enjoyed casual street tacos at Flora Cantina and slices of Sicilian-style pies at Pizza Leila.

What’s On View This Winter

Plan to make the most out of a visit to the Dallas Arts District by booking tickets in advance for special events. Here are a few notable shows and special exhibits:

• Now through February 23: Frida: Beyond the Myth @ Museum of Art Dallas
• Jan. 14 – 17: Broadway Dallas Presents Come From Away @ Winspear Opera House
• Jan. 24 & 25: TITAS/DANCE UNBOUND Presents CARMEN.maquia by Ballet Hispánico @ Moody Performance Hall
• Jan. 29: Nat Geo Live – Wild Cats Revealed with Sandesh Kadur @ Perot Museum
• Feb. 1 – Apr. 27: Haegue Yang: Lost Lands and Sunken Fields @ Nasher Sculpture Center
• Feb 28 – Mar. 9: The Dallas Opera Presents La bohème @ Winspear Opera House

RELATED: A Guide to Austin’s Best Art Galleries