Dallas Visitors Guide to the Best Shopping
Break out your wallets — we've plotted three days of retail bliss. Go ahead, you deserve it.
Upon landing in Hawaii, you’re given a lei. If Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport were as kitschy, we’d be handing out Neiman Marcus bags. North Texans have a reputation for liking to shop for nice things in beautiful places, and, as you’re about to discover, we’re guilty as charged.
From the oldest shopping center in America (the 80-year-old Highland Park Village) to the most high-end mall in the state, we’ve got everyone’s shopping needs covered.
DAY ONE: A DAY OF LUXURY
Wake-up:
Throw on some sensible shoes (3-inch heels rather than 4-inch) and head to the W-Dallas’ Craft restaurant for breakfast. Everything here is elegant, including the grapefruit juice. Order the short rib and shishito pepper hash made of potatoes, spicy Texas peppers, and slow-cooked short rib. Don’t worry about the calories. You’ll need the energy for your forthcoming retail expedition.
Early Bird Shopping:
You’ve got three options for getting your hands on all the designer goods you can handle. If you’re downtown, head to the original Neiman Marcus. Experience all the Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Lanvin you can stand. When you’ve had enough, head upstairs to Cerón Salon for a refreshing blowout.
If you’re in Uptown, hit up Highland Park Village. There you’ll find storefronts for some of the most delicious designers in Vogue. (Christian Louboutin, Tory Burch, Chanel, Carolina Herrera, etc.) Don’t miss Scoop NYC or Anthropologie. When you’ve shopped your heart out, visit Frédéric Fekkai. You deserve to relax with a mani and pedi, don’t you?
If you’re further north (or have an insatiable shopping appetite), you’ll need to carve out time for NorthPark Center. Admittedly, we’re a bit biased, but it’s the best mall in the country, boasting 2.4 million square feet of shops, restaurants, and art installations. Oscar de la Renta, Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino, and Louis Vuitto are all here. Don’t miss Gregory’s, a world-famous designer shoe house, home to some of the most drool-worthy pairs we’ve ever seen. When you’ve spent enough to feel a twinge of guilt, head to the new H&M pop-up shop for some cheap, trendy threads.
Lunchtime:
By now you’ve earned the right to refuel. Don’t bother with the nearest eateries. They’re good, but not as good as the T Room at Forty Five Ten, one of Dallas’ most beloved shopping gems. The café, attached to the back of the store, is a hot spot for the chicest local ladies. Order a salad and panini combo. You won’t be sorry. When you’ve swallowed the last spinach leaf and forked the last sandwich crumb, enter the store, whose motto reads: “Happiness is Expensive.” Prepare yourself for glittering Mui Mui shoes, sexy Narciso Rodriguez coats, and the coveted Kimberly McDonald agate jewelry.
Naptime:
Head to the Ritz-Carlton, and journey up the elevator to the heavenly spa. Get a Dean’s Margarita Salt Glow. (Named for the hotel restaurant’s chef, Dean Fearing, and his famous margarita.) The treatment features an exfoliating scrub, followed by a relaxing rinse and a moisturizing massage.
Ring the Dinner Bell:
Put your favorite shoes on and head to Wolfgang Puck’s Five Sixty for dinner. The restaurant sits atop Reunion Tower in a spinning, glittering ball, so while you dine, you’ll get an evening view of the city’s skyline.
Late Night:
If you’re in the mood for more, point your cabbie toward Ghostbar in the W-Dallas. It’s sleek, the people are good looking, and it’s where all the visiting celebrities go. If you’re looking for a downtown spot, go to the Joule’s PM Lounge. Sip on the Jewel, a champagne cocktail topped with Rock Candy, while you admire the Moulin Rouge-inspired décor.
