Texas friendliness is the kind of friendliness that makes getting to know someone easy. So, put on your cowboy hat, your jeans, your boots, and your zippy smile, and go out on the town in Big D. Where better to experience that “Texas kind of friendly” than in this north Texas metroplex. Where better to experience a fun, casual date than Big Dallas, home to state fairs and billionaires, the original Six Flags and Fortune 500 companies, the Dallas Cowboys and the famous Cowboy cheerleaders. Dallas… put on the map by the Kennedy assassination and the infamous television series by the same name. Dallas-Fort Worth claims to be the fourth largest metropolitan area in the US. Okay, so with all of this going for it, where do folks go in Dallas for a casual, friendly, fun date? Below are ten suggestions for a fun-filled date day or night.
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Take your date to the arts district and Klyde Warren Park, where many opportunities await. Attend the DJ fest, arts performances, or take in a yoga class. Food is not a problem on your date to this venue. Food trucks are plentiful, and you can take your pick of eats and beer.
If you date is a foodie, take a culinary tour with Dallas food writer, Susan Taylor. You can experience an international culinary tour, complete with British tea, or Turkish pastries to make your mouth water, or Hong Kong-dim sum, or Italian gelato, or all of the above! Or, try a Fiesta Tour, an Around the World in Dallas Culinary Tour, or an Herb Farm Tour. If you are around for a holiday, try one of the themed tours, including a Mexican Day of the Dead Tour, Chinese New Year-Valentine’s Day Culinary Tour, and others.
Of course, there is always dinner and a movie. What about dinner at the movies at the splendid Alamo Drafthouse in nearby Richardson? With multiple screens, you and your date can choose from new release movies, family films, and independent films. Complete the evening with an enjoyable meal, and you will have a date to remember.
If your sweetie likes browsing shelves of books with a cup of espresso in his or her hand, take your date for an evening at The Wild Detectives in Oak Cliff. Located just off Bishop Arts District’s main drag, this unique bookstore hosts live music, as well as author readings. Noshing is completely acceptable, and small food offerings, including craft beer, coffee, pastries, and sandwiches, are available.
There's nothing like cooking together for a way to get to know another person. How about a cooking class at Central Market, or an evening learning all about cheese and its tasty pairings? We all think of cheese and wine, but what about cheese and champagne, cheese and chocolate, or better yet, cheese, champagne and chocolate. The Scardello Artisan Cheese is a great place to take your date to explore many different cheeses and scrumptious pairings.
A local brewery tour is always a favorite. Pick the right brewer(ies), and you can scarf not only some great craft brew, but also indulge in live music and a food truck meal.
Put on your bowling shoes, shine that ball, and engage in some friendly competition at the local bowling alley, where you also can have a burger and beer. Old fashioned fun can’t be beaten.
If you and your sweetie are film fanatics, the Magnolia Theatre in West Village hosts “Talk Cinema”, where you can view a film before the general public, and attend the follow-up question and answer session with a film critic or filmmaker. The venue is a “blind-taste test”, so to speak, as you will not know what film you will be viewing until you get there.
For an engaging outdoor experience, try bird-watching. Grab your sweetie and a pair of binoculars, your favorite bird watching id book, and head out to leafy Cedar Hill State Park. This urban nature preserve is home to a variety of feathered friends. Oh, and don’t forget a bottle of wine and a blanket for some snuggling.
If your date is a murder mystery kind of guy or gal, put your sleuthing skills to the test. Take part in a mystery adventure, which includes dinner, wine, and other dinner guests (actors) involved in a murder. Many hotels offer murder mystery nights and even weekends, often themed to suit your whodunit tastes.
There are many more fun things to do in Dallas for a casual date. Take your Texas friendliness, explore, and have a wonderful date!