Dallas is a huge city, but that doesn’t mean it’s not walkable, right? Both population-wise and space-wise, Dallas is one of the biggest cities in the US with a bustling downtown area. There’s tons to see and do in Downtown Dallas, but can you walk to all of these places? Is Downtown Dallas walkable?
Downtown Dallas is walkable. In fact, Downtown Dallas is often referred to as one of the more walkable cities in the United States. Whether you’re looking for a coffee shop or looking for something else entirely, Downtown Dallas is convenient and easy to navigate.
Is Downtown Dallas walkable? That is a question asked quite often, and the answer from Dallas residents is always the same: “I think so.” And then you learn about downtown Dallas. The more you might think so too! Keep reading for all you need to know about walking around Downtown Dallas.
With as large as the DFW Metroplex is, it may seem unlikely that people actually walk in the city. However, focusing just on Dallas city itself, it starts to become more visibly feasible that it might be great for those who walk. So bust out your best walking shoes and hit the Downtown Dallas streets.
The city’s walkability score of 66% is among the highest in the country, and Dallasites are proud of it. In fact, the city was recently named one of “America’s Most Walkable City” by Walkscore.com.
Downtown has great public spaces like The Plaza, The Book Depository, and Pioneer Plaza (which was once home to the first skyscraper in Texas). There are also several great parks, such as White Rock Lake Park, including a jogging path along White Rock Creek and a performance space for outdoor concerts called The Lawn at White Rock Park.
The term “walkability” has been around for decades, but it’s only recently that planners and urban designers have started to pay attention to it. The term was coined by Jane Jacobs in her seminal book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities.
Uptown Dallas is often proclaimed as the most walkable neighborhood in the entire city. This neighborhood has been strategically designed to easily get around without cars, aka walkable.
For a neighborhood to be considered “walkable,” it must have:
- A high-density population.
- Wide sidewalks.
- A mixture of residential, commercial, and civic uses.
Dallas has been a popular tourist destination for more than 150 years.
The city has a rich history and an impressive skyline that attracts visitors from all over the world. The city is home to some of the best museums in the country, including the Dallas Museum of Art, which is internationally renowned for its collection of Impressionist and modern art.
Other museums you might enjoy include the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, which features exhibits about nature and science, and The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, dedicated to documenting President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963.
In order to help you find the best places to walk in Dallas, we’ve created a list of our favorite walking neighborhoods in the city. These are some of the most popular areas in Dallas for locals and visitors alike, and they’re all within a short distance of Downtown. The following neighborhoods are all within walking distance of downtown Dallas:
Great walking routes in Dallas include:
- The Bishop Arts District
- Deep Ellum
- The Design District
- The Cedars
Parking in Dallas is always a hot topic, but it’s also one of the most popular things to do in the city. The good news is that there are plenty of places to park in downtown Dallas. There are also plenty of options for parking on weekends and evenings when you might have trouble finding a spot on the street.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the best spots to park in downtown Dallas:
- Samuell Parking Garage
- The Pearl Garage
- Union Station Parking Garage
- Cityplace Parking Garage
- Texas Theatre Parking Garage
- Westin Hotel/Cityplace Parking Garage
If you have absolutely no plans and just want some ideas, don’t worry. We’ve all been there. Luckily in a city like Dallas, there are always a ton of fun little adventures you can undertake.
There are so many things to do in downtown Dallas that it’s hard to choose just one! Here are some suggestions:
- The Dallas Farmers Market (Sundays from 9 am-1 pm)
- The Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center (1100 Flora Street)
- The Perot Museum of Nature & Science (1155 Ross Avenue)
- The Nasher Sculpture Center (2100 Flora Street)
- The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (500 W. Magnolia Street)
- Discovery Green Park (1500 McKinney Avenue)
This is just a small selection of the many kinds of things to do in Dallas. There are so many fun things to do that you will have a hard time deciding what to do first! Dallas has so much to offer visitors from around the nation and world.
Whether you are looking for an outdoor adventure, a good meal, or a museum, Dallas is an excellent city to visit. Make sure to pack up your walking shoes and prepare to enjoy your stay!