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Southwest Employees Share Their Favorite ‘Hidden Gems’ Spots in the Dallas, TX Area

MillieT
Employee
Employee

 If you’re looking to get away for a few days or even a week, there are always places to go and experiences to be had—especially when you get to visit one Southwest’s 99 cities across the United States and 10 additional countries! Nobody knows a city and its hidden gems better than the Employees who live and work there. Check out a few of our Employees' favorite places in the Dallas area and share your hidden gems in our comment section below!

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     Heart     Interested in sharing your travel inspiration? Leave a comment below or visit our Travel Inspiration Discussion Forum to share your knowledge with Southwest Customers. 

  

Take a West End Tour

If you want your family to have some of the best experiences in the Big D, West End Dallas is the place to go. There’s something for everyone among the many shops, restaurants, and museums in the area. My biggest advice is not to miss the world-famous Dallas World Aquarium or JFK Memorial. My favorite place is the House of Blues, a whimsical restaurant that specializes in delta-inspired cuisine accompanied by live Blues music. After dinner, make sure to take a walk down to Kokopelli Candy to experience the best melt-in-your-mouth handmade waffle cones filled with their fresh ice cream. No matter where you are from, I promise you will LUV West End Dallas!

 

—DAL Captain Gary Parkey                                                                                                                                      

Fill Up at Trinity Groves

Just across the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, west of downtown along the Trinity River bank, lies Trinity Groves. Originally an industrial warehouse district, Trinity Groves has been transformed into one of Dallas' fastest growing entertainment venues. With its unique collection of restaurants, it has something for everyone. If you're looking for some of the best seafood in the Metroplex, head to Amberjax Fish Market Grille for a rotating menu based on seasonal availability (in other words, FRESH!). In the mood for something else? Trinity Groves has a huge collection of flavors to satisfy even the pickiest pallet, including BBQ, tapas, Mediterranean, sushi, Italian ... you name it! Grab a drink at LUCK (Local Urban Craft Kitchen) and enjoy a large selection of strictly local craft beers on tap. If you're looking to indulge your sweet tooth, be sure to stop by Kate Weiser Chocolate for a box of handmade bonbons or my personal favorite, a bag of bacon toffee. Be sure to stick around as the sun sets for a beautiful view of the downtown Dallas skyline!

 

—DAL Flight Attendant Corey Pettit

 

Family Fun

Dallas is filled with wonderful experiences for kids. Klyde Warren Park is free and is my favorite place to spend an afternoon. There are incredibly fun climbing structures, a splash park, a free library and board game area, food trucks, and a beautiful green space to play soccer or fly kites. You won't want to miss The Southwest Porch, summer movies, concerts, and family yoga, too. For more fun, stop by the amazing Dallas Arboretum and the Perot Museum. White Rock Lake is also great for a family bike ride and picnic.

 

CS&S Customer Analysis Sr. Analyst Beverly Behrens                                                                                                                                              

Get Your Camera Ready!

One of my favorite hidden gems for any aviation geek and/or Southwest Employee is the Frontiers of Flight Museum. In addition to a diverse collection of commercial, general, and military aviation items, the museum has an entire “Southwest wing” full of memorabilia, including our original Spirit of Kitty Hawk Boeing 737 aircraft. Even better, admission is free for Southwest Employees!

 

The Ronald Kirk Bridge, a former automobile bridge over the Trinity River, has been converted to a pedestrian bridge with play spaces for youngsters, wide-open areas for strolling, and benches and lounge chairs to sit and relax. The views of the next door iconic Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and downtown Dallas are superb, and offer excellent backdrops for memorable photos!

 

The observation deck atop the famous Reunion Tower is another gem hidden in plain sight—some 470 feet straight up! Its GeO-Deck provides unparalleled 360-degree panoramic views of downtown Dallas and surrounding areas. The very photogenic heart of Dallas takes on an even more special appearance in the evening, and every photographer, professional or amateur, will certainly capture memorable photos of their time there.

 

—CR/RR Specialist Kim Seale

 

More Eats!

Not much is better on a weekend morning than Sunday brunch on the patio of one of Dallas’s many great restaurants!  My husband (fellow Southwest Employee) and I love to take Daisy, our three-year-old Labany, on a three-mile walk to Fernando’s Mexican Restaurant, where we sit out on the patio and enjoy brunch and a mimosa.  They even take care of Daisy with a bowl of water and a piece of bacon!  No wonder she always wants to go!  Dallas has many other wonderful restaurants, with Pecan Lodge BBQ in Deep Ellum being one of our favorites.  Don’t let the 20-minute wait scare you away—it’s worth it!

 

—SWA U Director Amy Brown

 

Don't forget to add these Dallas attractions to your list: The Sixth Floor Museum, Dealey Plaza, Southfork Ranch, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas Zoo, Dallas Heritage Village, The Nasher Sculptor Center, The Meadows Museum

 

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