What is Downtown?
Downtown Dallas has repositioned itself in recent years as not just the largest employment center in North Texas, but also as a premier destination to live, dine, shop, and be entertained. New retailers, restaurants and cultural spots are opening at a more aggressive pace than ever, and with the adoption of expanded Downtown boundaries, a new Downtown has emerged.
For more information about all there is to see and do in these districts, be sure to visit our sister site at www.yourDspot.com. Downtown Dallas Districts include:
Baylor - Anchored by Baylor University Medical Center, the Baylor District is home to several non-profit organizations, along historic Swiss Avenue. The area offers pedestrian friendly streets within a neighborhood of historic homes, condos and apartments. Other notable destinations include the Latino Cultural Center, the Bryan Place neighborhood and Exhall Park.
Come here if you like: home tours, parks and culture
Civic Center - The Civic Center District is the regional hub of many landmark destinations. Here you'll find Dallas City Hall, Earle Cabell Federal Building and Courthouse, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library and the Allen Courts Building. This district is home to the new Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel and one of largest convention centers in the country.
Come here if you like: Local government, conventions and trade shows.
Dallas Arts District - The Dallas Arts District is the largest arts district in the nation. It’s home to the AT&T Performing Arts Center, the Dallas Museum of Art, The Crow Collection of Asian Art, the Meyerson Symphony Center and Nasher Sculpture Center. You also will find historic churches, restaurants, food trucks and The Park, a deck park which will span over Woodall Rodgers Freeway.
Come here if you like: art, cuisine and architecture.
Dallas Farmers Market - The Dallas Farmers Market encompasses a large area bounded by Jackson, North Central Expressway, R.L. Thorton Freeway and St. Paul. The district is anchored by the Farmers Market, which has been providing fresh produce and landscaping materials for over six decades. The newly enclosed Shed 2 offers unique food and specialty vendors. This district is home to a collection of historic buildings and contemporary townhomes and apartments.
Come here if you like: fresh produce, landscaping and historic buildings.
Deep Ellum - Deep Ellum boasts a storied past and unique atmosphere. The many nightclubs, eclectic restaurants, performance venues, art galleries and creative office spaces form a vibrant entertainment destination. Deep Ellum’s historic buildings, small blocks and tight grid street network create an authentic, organic urban neighborhood.
Come here if you like: live music, art galleries, eclectic cuisine, public art and tattoos.
Design District - One of Dallas' most successfully-branded destinations, the Dallas Design District consists of more than 300 specialty merchants offering unique art, furnishings and design goods. The Dallas Design District is emerging into more than an attraction for interior designers, with numerous residential and other commercial projects adding to the district’s vitality.
Come here if you like: home décor, art galleries and design.
Main Street District - Landmark destinations including the Neiman Marcus flagship store, Comerica Bank Tower, The Joule, Magnolia and Adolphus Hotels, and numerous restaurants combine to form the central district, known as the Main Street District. Historic buildings have been converted to residential, making the district a great area to live, work and play. Other landmarks include Main Street Garden, Stone Street Gardens and Pegasus Plaza.
Come here if you like: shopping, parks and urban living.
Reunion District - The Reunion District is widely known for two primary landmarks, Reunion Tower and Union Station. Reunion Tower, one of Dallas' most iconic symbols, now includes Five-Sixty, a fine dining restaurant by Wolfgang Puck. Union Station is a hub for the Trinity Railway Express, DART Light Rail and Amtrak intercity rail. Another landmark is the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Come here if you like: Wolfgang Puck, transit hubs and a bird’s-eye view of the city.
Riverfront District - The Riverfront District occupies an area between the heavy rail tracks west of South Side, Grand Avenue, the west bank of the Trinity River Corridor and Continental Avenue. The Riverfront District will become Downtown’s front door to its greatest natural asset – the Trinity River. This area has created the most significant change to the skyline with the recent construction of the Margret Hunt Hill Bridge.
Come here if you like: to plan Dallas’ future.
South Side - The South Side District is named after South Side on Lamar, an adaptive re-use of the former Sears catalogue processing center. Gilley’s Performance Hall and Poor David’s Pub are prime landmarks in the District. Other notable facilities include the Jack Evans Police Headquarters and the administrative offices of the Dallas County Community College system.
Come here if you like: local art, live music, unique residential spaces and bars.
Thanksgiving Commercial Center - Downtown’s visual identity is owed in large part to the skyline established in the Thanksgiving Commercial Center. The skyscrapers built in this district helped define the image of modern Dallas as a national center for energy and finance. Today the district is made up of several landmarks including: Thanksgiving Tower, Thanks-Giving Square, Bryan Tower and Plaza of the Americas.
Come here if you like: architecture, reflection and ice skating.
The Cedars - The Cedars neighborhood is immediately south of I-30 and home to a range of industries and affordable housing options. Here is where you'll find Dallas Heritage Village, a living history museum, and American Beauty Mill Lofts. A growing base of urban dwellers can be found throughout the area, creating a diverse, eclectic neighborhood.
Come here if you like: art studios, civil-war era history, “hole in the wall” restaurants and bars.
Uptown - The Uptown neighborhood has experienced tremendous growth, transforming from a low-rise, sleepy residential area into a bustling mixed-use urban district with dozens of restaurants, bars and cafes. This district is home to an eclectic mix of antique shops, boutiques, art galleries and wide mix of residential. Uptown is home to Stanley Korshak and two landmark hotels, The Ritz-Carlton and Hotel ZaZa.
Come here if you like: bars, restaurants, unique finds and bustling nightlife.
Victory Park - Victory Park District is home to one of the Downtown’s most recognizable sporting venues, the American Airlines Center, where you can see the World Champion Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars. This 75-acre district offers luxurious urban living, dining, sophisticated nightlife and office space. Other landmarks include the W Dallas Victory Hotel and House of Blues.
Come here if you like: Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, concerts and a “happening” scene
West End Historic District - With many of Downtown’s most visited sites, the West End Historic District provides a valuable experience for visitors and locals alike. The Sixth Floor Museum and Dealey Plaza, Dallas World Aquarium, Old Red Museum and Market Street are key destinations surrounded by a cluster of fun restaurants and entertainment venues. You’ll find the primary facility for El Centro Community College, and Bank of America Tower.
Come here if you like: history, events and restaurants.
