A Compact Guide for Foodies & Sightseers!
We kicked off our weekend escape bright and early on Friday, flying from Seattle đ« and touching down in Dallas around 4:30 PM đŹ. Getting to downtown was an adventure in itself: a taxi wouldâve taken 30 minutes, but this budget-savvy traveler opted for the $3 Orange Line train⊠which ended up taking an hour (not recommended! đ« The airport is massiveâI spent 30 minutes just navigating from my arrival gate to the train station via airport Skylink and foot [facepalm]). Dallas struck me as a city with a sparse downtown crowdâpedestrians were few and far between, and Chinese faces were even rarer. From Friday to Sunday, my boyfriend and I barely saw any other Chinese people on the streets, trains, or busesâeven bubble tea shops were staffed by white baristas! A heads-up for solo female travelers: rent a car or take taxis for safety and convenience đșïž 3-Day Weekend Itinerary: Highlights & Hidden Gems đ Day 1: Arrival & BBQ Feast (or Fiasco) After checking into our downtown hotel as dusk fell, we headed straight for Texas BBQâno better way to start a Lone Star State trip! The âMehâ BBQ (Skip It!): We tried a spot hyped by my boyfriendâs colleague as a âlife-changing BBQ jointâ (4.4 stars from 8k Google reviews). But as a proud Cantonese foodie with a discerning palate⊠it was a hard pass â. The meat was dry, lacking juiciness, and the flavor fell flatâsorry, no name drop (trust my taste buds!). The Actual Best BBQ (Must-Try!): My personal recommendation is a hidden gem inside Dallas Farmers Market (Photo 2)! With only 600+ reviews but a glowing 4.8-star rating, this spot blew me away. I packed some to take back to Seattle on Sunday, and even reheated, the meat was tender, juicy, and packed with smoky flavorâway more succulent than the overhyped spot. The beef ribs were fall-off-the-bone and perfectly seasoned, and the price was cheaper too! This underrated gem deserves more loveâdonât sleep on it [obsessed]! đ Day 2: Art District & Whimsical Museums Saturday was all about culture and quirky fun in downtown Dallas: Morning: Art District SightseeingDallasâ Art District is home to stunning museums, iconic landmarks, and architectural gems: Thanks-Giving Square Spiral Chapel (Photo 3): The stained glass ceiling is a showstopperâvibrant, swirling, and ethereal, perfect for photos. Giant Eyeball (Photo 4): This quirky 30-foot sculpture is a Dallas landmarkâweird, whimsical, and impossible not to snap a pic with. Bonus Bite: Right next to the Giant Eyeball is a 4.9-star Tex-Mex spot (Photo 5). The tacos đź were solid (not mind-blowing, but tasty!)âgreat for a quick bite if youâre in the area, but no need to go out of your way. We also wandered past AT&Tâs headquartersâimpressive architecture, but just a quick photo op. Afternoon: Museum of Illusions (Photo 6)Located in the Historic District, this compact museum is pure fun! It takes about 45 minutes to explore and snap photos, and the staff are incredibly helpfulâtheyâll guide you on how to pose for the best illusions (many require two people to work, so go with a friend/partner!). From gravity-defying rooms to mind-bending murals, itâs a great way to add some playful photos to your album. Bonus Photo Op: Old Red Museum (Photo 7)Right near the Museum of Illusions, this historic courthouse-turned-museum is permanently closed, but its grand, castle-like architecture is worth a stop. The red brick facade and turrets look like something out of a fairy taleâperfect for a quick photo. đ Day 3: Dallas Zoo & Farewell BBQ Sunday was all about wildlife and one last BBQ fix: Dallas Zoo (Photo 8): We took the Red Line train from downtown to the zooâsuper convenient! The zoo is spacious and home to elephants, giraffes, lions, tigers, clouded leopards, cheetahs, and even capybaras. Funny enough, it felt like half of Dallasâ Chinese community was thereâwe finally saw other Chinese families! Itâs a great spot for a relaxing morning, and the animals are well-cared for. Farewell Lunch & Departure: After the zoo, we headed back downtown for lunch, then swung by the Dallas Farmers Market BBQ spot to pack meals for the flight. With full bellies and great memories, we boarded our flight back to Seattleâperfect end to a quick weekend! đ Pro Tips for Your Dallas Weekend Trip Transportation: Skip the trains if youâre short on timeâDallas is spread out, and trains are slow. Rent a car or use Uber/Lyft for flexibility. BBQ Hack: Go straight to the Dallas Farmers Market BBQ spotâbetter flavor, juicier meat, and lower prices than the overhyped downtown joints. Museum of Illusions: Visit with a partner or friendâmany exhibits require two people to get the full effect. Safety: Downtown is safe during the day, but stick to well-lit areas at night. Solo travelers should avoid public transit after dark. Foodie Note: If youâre craving Asian food, downtown options are limitedâplan ahead or venture to the suburbs (but not worth it for a s #US #Texas #Dallas