Date Ideas in Dallas

With links both to the rugged American West and the agricultural South, Dallas has developed a unique cultural and geographical identity over the years. It has evolved much further from the city of oil tycoons and macho ranchers and today is one of the most multicultural and diverse cities in the US. This is why Dallas offers a large variety of dating options if you are planning to take your partner out.

Soda Gallery

For first dates, an ice-cream parlor or café makes an ideal venue with its open casual atmosphere where you can talk and drink without becoming self-conscious. The Soda Gallery on North Bishop Avenue offers just such a place in Texas with its fun-filled and easy going atmosphere which is perfect to break the ice between two relative strangers. It has lots of soda flavors and also doubles as an old fashioned candy shop and comic book store. So after browsing through old comic books and choosing soda flavors together, you can ponder what you did and did not like about your partner and whether you should already start planning for a second date.

Dallas Arboretum

If yes, than Dallas Arboretum is a great option to meet the second time. You can walk hand-in-hand or take a relaxing stroll through the beautiful landscapes of the Arboretum which is located on the southeastern shore of the White Rock Lake, a significant geographical feature of Dallas. The Arboretum is has a series of gardens and fountains which make for enticing floral eye candy and is a perfect place for multiple photo opportunities, if you would like some memories to share.

Times Ten Cellars

If on the other hand you are looking for a romantic date idea, you cannot go wrong with an evening at the Times Ten Cellars. This is a full production Texas winery which offers you a wide variety of the finest spirits. You can either order from the Cellar’s extensive wine list or go for their in-house wine-tasting experience – either way you are sure to add an element of elegance and sophistication to your special evening together.

Fort Worth Zoo

For a casual dating idea, few options can beat a trip to the zoo. Choose a day with nice weather and head for the Fort Worth Zoo which houses over five thousand local and exotic animals. At the zoo, you can check out main exhibits like the penguins, World of Primates, Asian Falls, Raptor Canyon, Cheetahs, Flamingo Bay, Meerkat Mounds, Australian Outback, African Savannah, Parrot Paradise, Texas Wild! or head for the Museum of Living Art which is a $19 million, 30,000-square-foot herpetarium, newly-built to represent more than hundred species of reptiles and cold-blooded creatures. The numerous exhibits at the zoo mean that you will not lack for things to talk about and later you can relax with a cup of hot coffee at the zoo café or grab a burger.

Dallas Museum of Art

If both of you are lovers of culture, a trip to the Dallas Museum of Art can be a wonderful way to connect with each other. Located in the famous Arts District of downtown Dallas, the Museum currently houses more than 24,000 exhibits, dating from the third millennium BC down to present times. Apart from regular exhibitions and study tours, the museum offers special events on Friday nights where they are open until midnight.

Dinner for two

For foodies, Dallas is the haven of Mexican-influenced cuisine including American favorites like the frozen margarita as well as various kinds of steaks. Having a large Hispanic population, you can find both authentic Mexican as well as Tex-mex cuisine in Dallas. So if you are looking forward to some fancy dining, make reservations at the Fearing restaurant in at the Ritz-Carlton Dallas hotel in Uptown Dallas which was named the best hotel restaurant in the US by Zagat Survey in 2009. Then again you can also check out the best steakhouses in the country like the Chamberlain’s Steak and Chop House, Pappas Bros and of course, Bob's Steak & Chop House, which currently tops the USDA Prime Steakhouses chart.

City Nightspots

The Aurora Uptown is one of the cities trendiest night spots where you can indulge in music, drinks and a fun upbeat atmosphere. Among the destinations you can check out are the Lizard Lounge, the Curtain Club, Station 4, Candlerooms, Plush, Farwest and Babydolls.  If you want to show your partner a good time and keep grooving until the early hours, these nightclubs of Dallas offer some of the best  spots for the purpose. On the other hand if you are looking for a more casual place, drop in at the Xouba Lounge. This location offers a non-threatening atmosphere to just be yourself and get to know the person you are with. Then again if you wish to soak in some nostalgia with your beloved, head for the Deep Ellum which was the prime jazz and blues hot spot in the American South during the 1920s and ‘30s. Even now the locality is awash with both quaint and major pubs, clubs and concert venues which offer an experience of the city’s musical heritage.

Get high

If you are looking to do something different yet enjoyable on your date, how about taking your partner for a balloon ride? Book a champagne balloon ride with Rohr Balloons; Beautiful scenery will never let the conversation lull and once up in the air, you can make a toast to the amazing experience with a glass of the bubbly. A balloon ride will surely make it a date to remember and at the end of it all, you will find your relationship soaring to new heights. 

Catch a show

Attending a performance makes one of the best dating ideas – it offers an external point of interest while at the same time ensuring a degree of intimacy with a partner. You can check out the shows at venues like the Winspear Opera House, the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre, and City Performance Hall, all of which form part of the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts. However if you are in the mood for some laughs, catch a show at one of the comedy clubs like the Hyena’s which attracts some of the funniest comedians statewide. In fact if you are ready to show off your talents the club offers open mic night on Sunday or karaoke on Thursdays too.