Dallas is most definitely a multidimensional attraction of a city. Here, for example, you can visit the biggest urban arts district in the country, take a bike ride along a lovely greenway or go stand-up paddleboarding and then round things out by tracking down some world-class barbecue.
The city is home to fabulous museums and profound historic sites, it’s home to the gridiron of the Dallas Cowboys, known as “America’s Team”, and boasts an epic lineup of shopping and dining.
As it happens, this city lays claim to some knockout vistas, from postcard-perfect perspectives of the skyline to serene natural tableaus. Here’s a roundup of some of the very best views in Dallas.
1. Reunion Tower
There may be no more iconic view in Dallas than that enjoyed from the GeO-Deck of the Reunion Tower, that soaring downtown landmark nicknamed “The Ball.” From some 470 feet above street level, the miles-long sightlines unfurl in 360-degree glory. You can even indulge in nighttime sightseeing here, with a glittery sea of metroplex lights providing its own dazzling spectacle. These views can also be enjoyed at the Crown Block restaurant within the tower, which offers steak, seafood and other high-quality options.
2. White Rock Lake
Only five miles from downtown, White Rock Lake is one of the go-to outdoor escapes for both Dallasites and visitors. The vistas here are some of the most tranquil to be had in the city, whether from the encircling multi-use recreational path or out on the water via kayak or stand-up paddleboard.
3. Trinity Overlook Park
This pocket park off West Commerce Street provides sweeping vistas of the Downtown Dallas skyline, the Margaret McDermott Bridge spanning the Trinity River and the Dallas Floodway, a partnership between the City of Dallas and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers aimed at mitigating against floods while boosting recreational opportunities. Relax under the eye-catching architectural shade structures, study the interpretive signage detailing the Trinity Lakes corridor and use the park as a jumping-off point for enjoying the Trinity Skyline Trail.
4. The Statler Dallas
This Curio Collection by Hilton hotel on Commerce Street boasts one of the best-kept-secret Dallas perches in the form of Waterproof, The Statler’s rooftop bar and pool complex. Enfolded in a soaring downtown viewshed, you can kick back in a private poolside cabana and toast the stirring sights with a refreshing cocktail.
5. The Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden
Beautifying nearly 70 acres on the southeastern shores of White Rock Lake and encompassing the National Register of Historic Places-listed DeGolyer House, the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden ranks among the finest institutions of its kind in the world. It’s a surefire destination for swoon-worthy views: springtime cherry blossoms, fall-fired canopies and different flowers blooming throughout the year. Take a stroll along the central walkway of the Paseo to access multiple floral and arboreal dreamscapes, from the Jonsson Color Garden and McCasland Sunken Garden to the Magnolia Glade and Crape Myrtle Allee.
6. Perot Museum of Nature & Science
The Perot Museum of Nature & Science isn’t only one of the top attractions in Dallas for its exhibits and programming: It’s also a head-turning landmark in and of itself, featuring a striking (and sustainability-focused) floating-cube design schemed up by architect Thom Mayne. One of its standout features is the glass-wrapped escalator, which extends to the building exterior to deliver passengers views of Downtown Dallas en route.
7. Cedar Ridge Preserve
Only about 20 minutes from Downtown Dallas, you can find yourself immersed in what feels like a slice of transplanted Texas Hill Country within the 600 acres of Cedar Ridge Preserve. Managed by Dallas Audubon in partnership with the City of Dallas Park & Recreation Department and laced with nearly 10 miles of trails, this natural area rises to 755 feet along the White Rock Escarpment. It features rolling limestone juniper-oak hills and Blackland Prairie habitat. Views range from streambeds and yucca gardens to far-reaching hilltop sightlines that are abundant throughout the preserve. At the observation platform, guests can gaze from Joe Pool Lake to the distant profile of AT&T Stadium.
8. Klyde Warren Park
Framing this popular hangout are views of downtown which include handsome landscaping, play spaces and the inviting expanse of the Ginsburg Family Great Lawn. The roughly five-acre Klyde Warren Park also happens to play host to one of Downtown Dallas’s most impressive daily spectacles: the choreographed light and music show of the interactive Nancy Best Fountain.
9. Nasher Sculpture Center
Set on 2.4 acres beside the Dallas Museum of Art within the Dallas Arts District, the Nasher Sculpture Center maintains one of the world’s best collections of modern and contemporary sculpture. The views down the corridors of its outdoor sculpture garden, nestled amid the downtown cityscape can be enchanting.
9. Titan at Six Flags Over Texas
Some views are memorable for their incredible scenery or the iconic landmarks they take in. Other views are memorable for their sheer intensity and awe. That’s what to expect when you’re at the 245-foot apex of the loftiest (and speediest) roller coaster in the Lone Star State: Titan, Six Flags Over Texas’s legendary hypercoaster. The view from the top of Titan’s 85-mile-per-hour drop is a memory worth adding to the trip of any thrill seeker.
10. Trammell Crow Park
Not far from the Sylvan Avenue Bridge, Trammell Crow Park treats you to front-row seats along the Dallas Floodway for a stellar view of Downtown Dallas. While there take advantage of the park’s boat launch, or enjoy a walk on the Trinity Levee Top Loop or Trinity Skyline trails.
11. The Crescent Club at Hotel Crescent Court
Known for its luxury accommodations and a lavish 22,000-square-foot spa and fitness complex, Hotel Crescent Court also lays claim to one of the most elegant dining areas in the city with its Crescent Club, set up on the 17th floor. The Crescent Club’s ambience gets a boost from the cityscape views through the windows.
12. Cedar Hill State Park
Not far from Cedar Ridge Preserve, Cedar Hill State Park sprawls across 2,000 acres and ranks among the most-visited state parks in Texas. Along the sprawling Joe Pool Lake, it hosts a landscape of limestone heights and prairie glades. Also worth seeing are the trails into the cedar ridges, boasting lovely vistas and viewpoints such as Talala Overlook.
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