Your weekend guide from CAE ➡ DFW
Just a few days before graduating from UofSC, I was offered a six-month associateship (read: glorified internship) in Fort Worth, TX, where my fiancé-then-boyfriend Bryant had recently relocated for a job. I went with the agreement that we’d be back in Columbia within a year or so. I moved back ~6 months later (which led me to my #dreamjob at COLAtoday), and Bryant left his job in Dallas after one year + one day.
But you better believe that I made the most of my year in a new metropolitan area, making it my goal to explore all over Dallas-Fort Worth. Because with a population of 7+ million (the fourth largest metro area in the country), there’s a lot to do there – more than you might expect beyond the shiny Dallas skyline.
Since American Airlines recently expanded their everyday, nonstop service from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) to DFW – doubling their aircraft size + seating capacity in June – I wanted to share my DFW #ProTips with all you, in case anyone is itching for an easily accessible Fall getaway. (We’ve found direct, roundtrip flights in August for as low as $236.)
So rent a car (because DFW is s p r e a d o u t), pack your gameday cowgirl/boy boots, click the button below + feel #blessed that you’re already accustomed to stifling heat – we’re going to DFW, y’all.
Thursday – Fort Worth
After you land on Thursday afternoon, we’re heading straight to my old stomping grounds, Fort Worth. Betcha thought we were headed straight to Dallas? Nope. We have to visit the real Texas first. (Ask anyone from Texas – Dallas is not a genuine Texan experience.)
For happy hour, we’re going to my go-to GNO spot, Winslow’s Wine Cafe. Sit on the patio and order the red/white wine of the week for $8 + the hummus trio for $9 from 4-7 p.m.
Photo by @winslowswine
Don’t think you’re about to visit Texas and not have your first meal be authentic Mexican food. Leave the Fort Worth ‘burbs and head towards The Stockyards for a family-style dinner at the famous Joe T. Garcia’s. Don’t be scared off by the long line to sit in the courtyard – it moves fast, and the experience of sitting by the fountains under the string lights is what has made this restaurant one of the most popular spots in town since 1935. There’s no menu – you pick either chicken or steak fajitas or enchiladas, and I’d recommend ordering the frozen strawberry margarita to drink. Note: Joe T.’s is cash only.
Joe T. Garcia’s courtyard | Photo by @steerfortworth
If you’re not already donning your cowboy boots, throw ‘em on and head up the road to explore The Stockyards. Think campy, cowboy town. If you’re in the market for some authentic leather boots (or just want to experience shoe heaven), drop in M.L. Leddy’s Boots & Saddlery. You’ll be slightly overwhelmed by the hundreds of boots that line the walls – until you check out the price tags… then you’ll be very overwhelmed.
We’re capping off the night at Billy Bob’s for free line dance lessons (every Thursday night). Yeehaw, y’all.
Photo by @davidm_25
Friday – Fort Worth
Do you have a hangover from the well drinks at Billy Bob’s? I got you. We’re detoxing with a nutritious breakfast at Righteous Foods. I’m all about their pitaya bowls + fresh juices.
Photo by @righteousfoods
After breakfast, we need to get in at least one outdoor activity before the sweltering midday heat really sets in. Check out the Fort Worth Water Gardens for a unique urban park experience, designed so that visitors who stand in the center of the park are completely surrounded by rushing water.
Photo by @abbyklegra
For lunch, we’re getting ice cream. Head to Melt on W. Magnolia Ave. for locally-crafted scoops in an highly Instagrammable setting. #ProTip: The cashew-based vegan ice cream is almost better than the real thing.
Photo by @melticecreams
Now that you’ve visited Melt and you’re about to literally Melt in the afternoon Texas heat, we’re hitting up the Kimbell Art Museum (ft. an impressive permanent collect, plus travelling exhibitions) for some indoor fun.
Photo by @brittanyrechelle
We’re going to another wine bar for happy hour on Magnolia Ave. Because wine bars are awesome. Head back to Magnolia Ave. for a flight + cheese board Kent & Co. Wines’ patio.
Photo by @jennyyfranz
For dinner, we’re staying on Magnolia Ave. for a cozy, dimly-lit meal at Lili’s Bistro. I don’t care what you order for your entree – just make sure to also order the gorgonzola fries. You’re welcome.
Come for the fries. Stay for the live piano music.
Photo by @lilbrunchie
To cap off the night, drive to the heart of downtown and wander around Sundance Square. Grab a beer on Flying Saucer’s patio, then let the kids run around in the fountain.
Photo by @thehealthyabode
Saturday – Fort Worth + Dallas
Get up and at ‘em Saturday morning and head to the The Clearfork Farmers Market (much smaller than Soda City, but still worth exploring for its riverside location). At 9 a.m., join the free yoga class on the lawn by the Trinity River or rent bikes and take a ride along the riverside path.
After you get yo’ fitness on, get brunch at Press Cafe at the trailhead.
Photo by @jason_wesch
Okay, now we can hop in the car and make the ~45 min drive to downtown Dallas.
Our first stop is to live like the bougie Dallas locals and (window) shop at the high end shops at Highland Park Village. Cue obligatory #IHaveThisThingWithFloors Royal Blue Grocery Instagram moment.
Photo by @jeanineamapola
We’re not about to go to Highland Park (a.k.a. JoJo from The Bachelorette’s hometown) without taking a driving tour of the neighborhood to see the mega-mansions. Ahhh, Dallas.
If you’re in the market, this one’s for sale for $7.8 million.
Highland Park Dallas home | photo by @michaelwongdallas
Gif by giphy
If you’re antsy from driving all morning, head to Topgolf Dallas to practice your swing on a rooftop. (I know how much our COLAtoday readers love Topgolf.)
For a fantastic dinner ft. artisan cocktails + plenty of meat (this is Texas, after all), dine at the Meddlesome Moth in the design district.
Photo by @hangrycat_
End the evening with more activities that we can’t do here in Cola (at least not that often). Depending on the season, cheer on the Dallas Stars hockey team, spend your entire paycheck at the iconic AT&T Stadium for a Dallas Cowboys game or see a major headliner in concert at the American Airlines Center or the outdoor Dos Equis Pavillion. Perks of big city livin’, amirite?
Sunday – Dallas
It’s finally time for breakfast tacos (a.k.a. the best part about Texas). Stop in Torchy’s Tacos for your new go-to breakfast dish.
We’re finishing our weekend in DFW with a tour of my favorite Dallas neighborhood, Deep Ellum. Drink a Dallas Blonde at Deep Ellum Brewery; sip on a frosé while taking in the view at Stirr Dallas’s rooftop bar; indulge in a Glazed Donut Works doughnut. You can’t go wrong in this funky part of town.
Dallas skyline from Stirr’s rooftop bar in Deep Ellum
A Dallas activity that deserves an honorable mention (solid plan-B for those of you non-shoppers opting out of Highland Park): check out the Perot Museum of Nature & Science. I’ve never actually been before, but Bryant went before he moved back to Columbia with me. He still talks about making a trip back so we can visit the museum together.
From Cola to Cowtown,
