Dallas/North Dallas

University Park, a predominantly residential community of 23,000 residents, is approximately 5 miles (8 km) north of downtown Dallas. The City is the home of Southern Methodist University and is also known for its attractive homes, beautiful parks, and numerous churches. The location of University Park in north-central Dallas provides easy access to a broad range of cultural, recreational, shopping, and business activities.

Knox/Henderson is a split personality urban neighborhood worthy of its own designation. The Knox side west of Hwy 75 is the more upscale half, with many restaurants and upscale home decor shops. The Knox Park neighborhood includes a plethora of upscale home furnishings shops. The Henderson side lagged behind its Knox half, but is now just as trendy, with a more low-key, relaxed vibe. Henderson hot spots now line Henderson all the way from Hwy 75 to Ross. Knox and the western half of Henderson are very pedestrian friendly. Knox/Henderson is just a short walk up the Katy Trail from West Village.

Greenville Avenue south of Mockingbird Lane (known as Lower Greenville) is a genuine neighborhood strip, or series of strips, with a semi-urban atmosphere and businesses that range from pawn shops to sushi bars. The area has evolved more organically than most in Dallas, featuring neighborhood corner Lebanese restaurants, age-old greasy spoons and other urban niceties. During the week you will find many area residents who tend toward the bohemian, but the weekend draws a party-hardy crowd. As one travels north along Greenville, the strips (there are several, each two or three blocks long and around half a mile apart) become somewhat more mature in tone, though the atmosphere still ranges from laid-back to drunken.

Lake Highlands is a district in the northeast part of Dallas.

• 🌍 Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, 8525 Garland Rd. Daily 9AM-5PM. Located along the south banks of White Rock Lake. 
• 🌍 Meadows Museum of Art (at Southern Methodist University). Admission is free on Thursdays after 5PM. Houses one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Spanish Art outside of Spain, including works by El Greco, Velázquez, Ribera, Murillo, Goya, Miró and Picasso, and a 40-by-90 foot moving sculpture, Wave, designed by Santiago Calatrava. 
• 🌍 George W. Bush Presidential Library, 2943 SMU Boulevard, gwbush.library@nara.gov. Former President Bush's library, containing various exhibits and artifacts from his presidency 
• 🌍 Koreatown. Dallas is home to the largest Korean-American community in Texas. Although their homes are spread out across North Dallas and the northern suburbs, businesses which cater to the Korean community are concentrated in the neighborhood around the intersection of Harry Hines Boulevard and Royal Lane. Look for loads of Korean restaurants, import stores, and karaoke bars. (updated Jan 2020)
• Texas High School Football. North Dallas offers great entertainment on Friday nights seen in few places in the country. High School football holds a special status in Texas, and this area is no different. Enjoy 20,000 plus fan atmospheres and exciting games in the area, check local highschools for game times and locations near zipcodes 75206, 75209, 75220, 75225, 75229, 75230, 75231, 75240, 75243, 75244, 75248, 75251, 75252, 75254, 75287 

• 🌍 Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave, ☏ +1 214-824-9933. The Granada Theater is a great place to enjoy good music. Live music, gourmet food, full bar. Voted Best Live Music Venue 2007-2010 by Dallas Observer. 
• 🌍 Tenison Park Golf Club, 3501 Samuell Blvd. Has two 18-hole courses, Tenison Glen and Tenison Highlands. 
• 🌍 Luna Vista Golf Course, 11223 Luna Rd. 
• 🌍 SMU Mustangs. The Mustangs, representing Southern Methodist University as members of the American Athletic Conference but set to move to the Atlantic Coast Conference in July 2024, are the most prominent college sports program on the Dallas side of the Metroplex. SMU's main athletic facilities are on its campus in University Park. The most prominent venues are Gerald J. Ford Stadium (football) and Moody Coliseum (basketball). 
• 🌍 Shakespeare Dallas, 3630 Harry Hines Blvd., 3rd Floor, ☏ +1 214-559-2778. 9AM - 5PM. Inspired by the democratic spirit of the New York Shakespeare Festival, Robert "Bob" Glenn started Shakespeare Dallas in 1971. Today, Shakespeare Dallas is a treasured North Texas cultural landmark and the only company in the area that provides accessible programs for audiences of all ages. Shakespeare Dallas has shows in various parks in the Dallas area (Shakespeare in the Park), as well as performances in local schools (Shakespeare on the Go), cultural centers and co-productions with local theatre groups (Shakespeare Unplugged). donations recommended. 
• 🌍 Adventure Landing. 

• 🌍 Galleria Mall, 13350 Dallas Parkway. The Dallas area's most prominent shopping mall has over 200 stores and restaurants, including an ice rink and the Westin Hotel. It is at the intersection of Interstate 635 and the Dallas North Tollway. 
• 🌍 North Park Mall, 8687 N Central Expy, ☏ +1 214-363-5018. After completing a significant renovation and expansion in 2006, Northpark is the largest and generally regarded as the nicest shopping center in Texas. Expect to spend some money if you go there as it is filled with high-end stores and chains, though stores such as Dillards, which cater to the more budget conscious, still abound. Northpark contains much of the Nasher family's modern art collection, and is well worth a visit for art and architecture lovers. (updated Jun 2022)
• 🌍 Highland Park Village. Offers something for the silver spooned set. Generally credited with being the nation's first modern shopping mall, Highland Park Village houses a variety of upscale brands, including Jimmy Choo, Escada, Ralph Lauren, and Hermes. 
• 🌍 Snider Plaza. The best known shopping center in University Park. It's full of small specialty boutiques and some fabulous restaurants. Definitely a place to go and poke around. 
• 🌍 Sam Moon, 11826 Harry Hines Blvd, ☏ +1 972-484-3084. Imported general merchandise, luggage, gifts, and home decorating items at low prices. 
• 🌍 Steinway Hall - Dallas, 5301 N. Central Expressway, ☏ +1 214-526-1853. 9AM-6PM. More than a piano store, view historic and one-of-a-kind Steinway pianos. With the largest collection of Steinway pianos you can see, hear and play the Steinway used during the 13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. 
• 🌍 Half-Price Books, 5803 E. Northwest Hwy, ☏ +1 214-379-8000. The flagship location of this second-hand book store has a phenomenal selection and is well worth a stop. 
• 🌍 Mockingbird Station. A mixed-use area featuring loft apartments with retail and restaurants at the ground level, Mockingbird Station also boasts one of Dallas's best arthouse/independent cinema theaters, the Angelika. There is some nice shopping, including Victoria's Secret, and West Elm. 

The densely packed area of restaurants on Belt Line Rd. continues on into the restaurant row of neighboring Addison.

• 🌍 Jasper's Uptown, 4511 McKinney Ave, ☏ +1 214-559-3111. International avant garde style dining. 
• 🌍 Bob's Steak & Chop House, 4300 Lemmon Ave, ☏ +1 214-528-9446. The only other place to eat the best steaks in Dallas besides Nick & Sams. Bob's is generally regarded as the place where all wagers between gentlemen in Dallas are settled, with the loser picking up the tab. 
• 🌍 Besa's Pizza & Pasta, 14856 Preston Rd, ☏ +1 972-233-7227, +1 469-330-9700 (delivery). Comfort food and comfortable prices. Some of the best Italian food in the metroplex. 
• 🌍 India Palace, 12817 Preston Rd (just north of I-620). Food and service are both excellent. The chicken tikka masala and kofta nawabi are recommended. $9-$15 per plate. (updated Jan 2020)
• 🌍 Maple Leaf Diner, 12817 Preston Rd #129 (right off the LBJ highway), ☏ +1 214-434-1626. Come for some poutine or other Canadian cuisine. 
• 🌍 Korea House, 2598 Royal Ln, ☏ +1 972 243-0434. Casual, long-running Asian eatery for Korean staples such as BBQ plus a separate sushi menu. (updated Jan 2020)
• Tupinamba, 9665 N Central Expy #142, ☏ +1 972-991-8148. (updated Feb 2015)
• 🌍 Kuby's Deli & Sausage House, 6601 Snider Plaza (in Snider Plaza). A must for anyone who likes German food. The Reuben and the Schnitzel are dishes to try. 
• 🌍 New York Subs, 3411 Asbury St (behind the 7-11, just off Hillcrest on Asbury). This is one of the best kept secrets in University Park, known and almost universally loved by locals. College students from Southern Methodist University can be seen mingling with men in business suits. 
• 🌍 Sonny Bryans, 2202 Inwood Rd. Probably Dallas' most famous barbeque restaurant, and a beloved local institution that has served everyone from celebrities to Presidents. Although there are now several locations, the original, and many say the best, is at 2202 Inwood, between Maple and Harry Hines. Get there early, though, because they close when they run out of food, which pretty much always happens at lunchtime. If in the mood for authentic local barbeque, you can't go wrong at Sonny Bryans'. 
• 🌍 Roti Grill, 4438 McKinney Ave (Near Knox Exit I-75). Excellent food. Fresh homemade paneer (indian cheese) served with different gravy. $10-15 per person. (updated Aug 2016)
• 🌍 Jimmy's Food Store, 4901 Bryan St, ☏ +1 214-823-6180. A little bit of Brooklyn right in the middle of Big D. Jimmy's is a great neighborhood grocery store with an Italian deli. They make great sandwiches and what many say is the best sandwich in Dallas, the Cuban pork sandwich. Ham, roast pork, pickles, and Swiss cheese grilled panini-style. You can get it with or without hot sauce. They have a great selection of imported foods from Italy, cheeses and deli meats, homemade sausage and meatballs, and a sizable wine selection. 
• 🌍 PHO DK Vietnamese Cafe, 14891 Preston Rd #130, ☏ +1 (972) 708-1050. Bowls of pho, banh mi sandwiches & noodles include meat & veggie options at this Vietnamese eatery. (updated Jan 2020)
• 🌍 Sabaidee Lao & Thai Street Food, 5200 Lemmon Ave #100, ☏ +1 (214) 520-6868. Counter service restaurant serving Thai and Laotian style street food. (updated Jan 2020)

• Barley House, 5612 SMU Boulevard. If you get on the Dallas side of campus, within walking distance, you can reach this favorite local watering hole. 
• 🌍 Escapade 2009, 10707 Finnell St, ☏ +1 214-654-9595. Perhaps the biggest and best Latin club in the Metroplex. 
• White Rock Coffee, 10105 E Northwest Hwy, ☏ +1 214-341-4774. Great coffee, pastries, and free wi-fi. White Rock Coffee is a locally owned coffeehouse that specializes in freshly roasted coffee. Besides the fact that they have the very best espresso in town, (it won the world barista championship in 2005) the brewed coffee is unbelievable.