Alice in Dallas
Alice in front of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Dallas, TX
Adopting Alice
In May of 2009, I had just finished my second year of college and had recently been through my first real break-up. My ex wasn’t allowing me to see his dog anymore - a dog that I had helped him raise and train for over a year. So in this time of loneliness (over the dog, not the man), I was frequently, but not seriously, browsing Petfinder for beagles. At least, I didn’t think I was serious about it… until I stumbled upon a posting of a beagle mama and her four tiny babies! I dropped everything else and drove 40 minutes north of Dallas to see these pups. When I arrived, I immediately fell in love with the one sweet baby girl in this litter. An hour later, after convincing my parents that a 20-year-old college student who was still financially dependent on them should get a dog, we drove home - the five-pound puppy curled up asleep in my lap the whole time.
Alice very quickly became my one true love. We went on multiple walks each day, explored new places together, went to friends’ parties, tailgated at SMU, and she was even in a show with me! In 2012, we moved to New York City to start a new chapter of our lives. In the several times I’ve visited Dallas since then, I have always been so surprised and sad by how much the city has changed. Not necessarily because the changes are bad, but because when I moved away, I was young and foolish enough to think that this city - this place where I grew out of adolescence and into adulthood - would stay as it had been, preserved exactly as it is in my memory. Of course, that’s not how it worked out… but the love and friendship and artistic expression I get to experience when I go back are so very real, and haven’t changed at all!
Our most recent visit to Dallas was a weekend trip in January. We packed in as many hugs, songs, bowls of queso, and dog-friendly activities as we could! This post will cover our favorite places from that trip and from living in Dallas so many moons ago, as well as general important information about visiting Big D with your pupper!
Alice’s first (and only, sadly) stage role! A production of the musical Lucky Stiff in August, 2009.
Texas Weather
Do not visit Texas in the summer. The heat is absolutely miserable, and is way worse for doggies than humans! As is true across most of the U.S., there aren’t many indoor activities for a dog in Dallas - not that I’ve found, anyway. The last summer that Alice and I lived in Dallas, it was above 100º for 30 days straight. And it was terrible. We couldn’t walk for more than ten minutes unless it was early in the morning or at night. We couldn’t enjoy dog-friendly patios unless we were going well after sunset, and even that could only happen on cooler days. On the other hand, winter may have some really nice weather days, but you may also end up with a bitterly cold weekend or an ice storm. So I suggest visiting in October/November or March/April.
Walks & Dog Parks
I went to SMU, so I may be a bit biased… but the campus is utterly gorgeous! The main entrance takes you to “The Boulevard”, a beautiful tree-lined street with a long grassy area in the center. The boulevard leads you to the main quad (with the most beautiful lawn I’ve ever seen), which lies before the famous Dallas Hall. I would also recommend making a stop at the law school’s quad, which has a really beautiful gazebo.
The Katy Trail was created on what used to be a train route. It starts in Highland Park and goes all the way through Uptown to the American Airlines Center. I lived in the Uptown neighborhood for a year, and we were about a three minute walk from the trail. Needless to say, Alice and I walked there every day! The trail is beautifully manicured and there are a few parks along it that are really nice for walks as well. You could also jump off to get lunch or dinner at a dog-friendly patio! A few of my favorites are Taverna (right next to the trail on Knox), Bread Winners/Quarter Bar (not far from the Carlisle entrance), Katy Trail Ice House, and the greatest Tex-Mex of all time: Mi Cocina (between the Blackburn & Carlisle trail entrances).
The Katy Trail can be very busy on the weekends, so carefully choose when to go if your doggo doesn’t do well in crowds. Parts of the trail have separate paths for pedestrians and bikes, but not all… and some cyclists go way too fast!
(Pictured below are my friends Margo and Lizzie - they joined us on the trail!)
Lakeside Park & Teddy Bear Park
This might be my favorite spot in Dallas. Situated along Turtle Creek in the Highland Park neighborhood, this park is just stunning. The water is often covered in lily pads, there’s plenty of grass to roam through, as well as smaller, tree-shaded dirt trails that go down closer to the water. Plus, across the creek you have views of several huge mansions and their gorgeous backyards. There is a quaint bridge in the middle of the park that takes you across the water to the teddy bear statues. After walking around the park for a while, I recommend walking east, up and down those neighborhood streets, to see some lovely (and some ridiculous) houses.
White Rock Lake features a 9 mile trail all the way around the lake and many grassy areas around it that are great for roaming, sniffing, picnicking - you name it! You can also see the downtown Dallas skyline from the northeast part of the lake, and there’s a dog park on the north side.
Ronald Kirk Bridge & Trinity Skyline Trail
This pedestrian bridge runs alongside the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, which is now an iconic bridge connecting downtown Dallas to West Dallas and Oak Cliff! It has excellent views of the downtown skyline, and the trail in the park below follows the Trinity River.
We haven’t been here since Alice was very young, so the park may have changed… but she used to love it, back when she actually cared about dog parks. This is a very large space underneath the highway (so it offers shade), next to one of my favorite areas of Dallas: Deep Ellum.
I wish this place had been around when I was living in Dallas! Yes, it is overpriced. But it’s the only dog park I’ve been to that also had a bar! The park has a lot of space, with different areas based on your dog’s size, and plenty of seating for humans. The frozen margaritas are actually pretty good! (More about margaritas later….)
Restaurants & Bars
Most of these places allow dogs outside but not inside, so they’re mostly weather-dependent!
Dogs are allowed indoors at Celestial Beerworks, Happy Hippie Brewing Co, Flying Horse Cafe, Trinity Cider, and Funny Library Coffee Shop.
The greatest Tex-Mex food in all the land, with the best frozen margaritas! Some outdoor seating at their Uptown location (which recently moved a few blocks south). You MUST order the queso blanco, it is to die for…. Some other Mi Cocina locations also have patios that allow dogs.
Bread Winners & Quarter Bar - Uptown
Delicious brunch by day, cool bar by night. Lots of outdoor seating on the very dog-friendly patio!
More amazing Tex-Mex, with the best sour cream chicken enchiladas - YUM. Dogs are only allowed on one side of the patio, which includes about six tables. So get there early, or you’ll probably have to wait! The Gloria’s on Lower Greenville also has outdoor seating, but I’ve never taken Alice here.
Ferris Wheeler’s has a huge backyard housing an actual ferris wheel! The place has a very Texan feel to it. Good barbecue and good happy hour drink deals.
Super cute brewery that allows dogs inside! They have really fun decor, lots of indoor seating, and games.
This adorable cidery in Deep Ellum has a lot of patio seating, but they also allow dogs inside! I had a cider flight, and all four that I tried were really good.
This place is a trip! It is probably the most dog-friendly restaurant in Dallas - basically a dog park covered in picnic tables. Watch your food (burgers, sandwiches, salads, apps) closely, because dogs might jump up on your picnic table and grab it - yes, Alice has done this multiple times at Lee Harvey’s.
This very cute coffee shop is inside the Virgin Hotel in the Design District. It is also connected to a bar with a large patio.
A super-cute place for brunch! Quite a few tables outside for doggies, but it can get busy on weekends.
This book shop/coffee shop/bar is in a cute house in Bishop Arts, and has a very large backyard area that is dog-friendly! Alice was allowed to order with me before we headed to a table outside.
Just north of Dallas, in Richardson, you’ll find this huge, dog-friendly brewery with live music and a food truck parked outside. Loved the vibes, loved the beers!
Located in Richardson, this house-turned-coffee-shop has lots of outdoor seating, and dogs can come inside while you order and wait for your drink.
Yummy tacos and queso! Many outdoor tables that are dog-friendly.
This was one of my very favorite bars during and after college. They have a large, but cozy, patio that allows dogs. Expect good beer, sangria, and bar food.
This coffee shop on Lower Greenville doesn’t allow pets inside, but they have a lot of seating on the patio!
Another nice, covered patio with good Southern food!
All Half Price Books locations are dog-friendly (check the information desk for treats!) and some have cafés in them too!
Neighborhoods to Explore
Bishop Arts District
Bishop Arts is an adorable area that has been through a lot of changes in the past couple of decades. There are so many shops to visit that allow dogs, and a lot of bars and restaurants with dog-friendly patios. We especially recommend Wild Detectives, Mosaic Makers Collective, Dolly, Revelers Hall, Bishop Exchange.
Uptown
You’ll find so many restaurants and bars with patios in Uptown! You can also walk along the Katy Trail between stops. Our favorites are Mi Cocina, Black Friar, Bread Winners, Katy Trail Ice House, The Loon.
Deep Ellum
This area just east of downtown Dallas has so many dog-friendly patios! You’ll find plenty of spots to hang with your pup.
Richardson
We’ve spent more time in Richardson, since we usually stay with my friend Lizzie (and her adorable dachshund-mixes) when we visit. Downtown Richardson has some really cute things! Check out Lone Chimney Mercantile, Staycation Coffee, and Happy Hippie Brewing Co.
