14 Things To Do In Dallas This Spring (Dallas Hotel Magazine, Spring 2019)

The Spring issue of Dallas Hotel Magazine brings a rush of stories about the extraordinary people, places and events that make our town the place to be at springtime. I bring you 14 Things To Do This Spring. Hungry? Explore North Texas' best pizza places, or make it a night to remember at Dallas staple Al Biernet's. Next, we catch up with rising Texas star Cody Johnson and his chart-climbing career. And if you're looking for a great getway, check out our feature on Alpine Mountain Ranch & Club in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. And as always, we're your guide to all of Big D's best events, dining, shopping and attractions. Click to view the latest in Dallas' only seasonal luxury travel publication. 

14 Things To Do In Dallas This Spring

Spring is probably my favorite time of year. Primarily, because Winter is my least favorite time of year and now it’s over! There’s nothing that makes me happier than to experience warmer temperatures after weeks of frigid cold (you know, those 40 and 50 degree days we’ve had to suffer) and to see tiny buds of green sprouting out on tree branches everywhere. Not only do the sunny days make me want to dine al fresco. I want to live al fresco! Dallas offers many fun festivals and walking tours throughout the year. Within this article are many wonderful opportunities for you to enjoy the city, so get up off the couch and get to discovering Dallas!

VIP TOUR - THE STAR IN FRISCO

The VIP Guided Tours at The Star give Cowboys fans a chance to experience the place where the Dallas Cowboys train and work 355 days of the year. With small group sizes and additional tour stops, these VIP Guided Tours are the ultimate tour experience. Enjoy the Grand Atrium, Ford Center, War Room, Nike Star Walk, and see lots of Super Bowl memorabilia. Tours are 7 days a week every 30 minutes from 8 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Cost is Adults $32.50 and Kids $27.50. Tickets can be purchased online or at Ford Center Ticket Office, which is open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Star in Frisco, One Cowboys Way, Frisco, TX 75034, Thestarinfrisco.com/tours

DALLAS UPTOWN FOODIE WALK

The Uptown Foodie Walk begins with an insider's view into Dallas' trendy West Village, a walk-able urban living, dining and shopping district in the heart of affluent Uptown, Dallas and then takes you off-the-beaten path with neighborhood cultural attractions best explored by foot. Come hungry, as Uptown Dallas food does not disappoint, and eat your way through the West Village and surrounding areas in enchanting 125-year-old Uptown Dallas. Tour highlights include stepping back in time with the history of Uptown’s McKinney Avenue Trolleys, a restored antique rail car system that includes “Rosie”, who at over 100 years old, is the oldest running trolley car in the nation. Considered the most pedestrian friendly neighborhood in Dallas, Uptown is just one mile north of downtown Dallas, minutes from most hotels and convention center. Cost is $72 + tax. West Village, 3699 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75204. Wednesdays at 11:15 am and Saturdays at 10:45 am. Foodtoursofamerica.com/dallas/uptown-foodie-walk

DESIGN DISTRICT BREWERY TOUR

Enjoy the best of the local beer scene with this customized tour through the Design District. The tour includes six (6) full pours of any beer of your choice with four (4) different brewery stops. This allows each attendee to enjoy the types of beer they like. Our tour also includes a behind the scenes look at one of the breweries so attendees can learn more about how beer is made.

Most of this tour is on foot with transportation being provided, when necessary. The distance between each stop will not exceed a 10-minute walk and is a flat/paved surface along city streets and trails. Be sure and wear comfortable shoes. Stops may include Cidercade, Community, Noble Rey, Pegasus City, Peticolas, Outfit, Steam Theory, and Texas Ale Project. Cost is $75. Tours begin at Noble Rey Brewing Co. 2336 Farrington Street, Dallas, TX 75207. Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Book your tour online at Texasbeer.tours.

DALLAS' BEST TACOS & MARGARITAS TOUR

Sample both gourmet and street tacos on an adventure through East Dallas, North Dallas and Oak Cliff. Stops will include award-winning and terrific tacos that range from authentic street style to gourmet. Note: at two stops we have margaritas (one is top shelf), at all we will have tacos. Price includes air-conditioned motor coach transportation, food, beverages on board (you may also bring your own) and a tour guide who will make your day! Enter code <EAT> and save $4 per ticket when you buy 4 or more tickets. Cost $64. Tour starts at Desperados Mexican Restaurant, 4818 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206. Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm. Book online at Dallasbychocolate.com

THE ART OF THE BRICK

Featuring intriguing works of art made exclusively from one of the most recognizable toys in the world, The Art of the Brick is a critically acclaimed traveling exhibition boasting the world's largest and most elaborate display of pieces constructed using only LEGO® bricks. Created by world-renowned contemporary artist Nathan Sawaya, The Art of the Brick is designed to inspire ingenuity and creativity with original pieces and re-imagined versions of some of the world's most famous art masterpieces (made exclusively from LEGO® bricks) including Van Gogh's Starry Night and Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring. You can also discover your inner architect in the hands-on, interactive LEGO® brick gallery Science of the Brick, with building challenges, games, and open play spaces! Open Mon-Sat, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Sundays, 11am to 5pm. Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N. Field Street, Dallas, TX 75202, Perotmuseum.org/brick

LET ME BE MYSELF: THE LIFE STORY OF ANNE FRANK

Let Me Be Myself tells the story of Anne Frank in a modern way, addressing current day issues of identity, exclusion, and discrimination. Every day from 1-3 PM, this exhibition will also feature the United States premier of a Virtual Reality (VR) component from Force Field VR and Oculus Studios that allows the visitor to travel back in time to Anne Frank's hiding place, the "Secret Annex". This exhibition is available in Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish thanks to the generous support of Texas Instruments. Exhibit runs through August 1. Cost is Adults: $10; Students and Seniors: $8; Children 5 and Under: Free. Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance , 211 N. Record Street, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75202. Open 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. Dallasholocaustmuseum.org

HOMEGROWN MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL

Celebrating the past, the present, and the future, Dallas' Homegrown Music and Arts Festival will mark 10 years on April 13 with an impressive lineup featuring legacy Texas artists. As the Fest turns ten, it heightens its commitment to local arts and artists and enhances the experience it offers to local music lovers. The 10th annual Homegrown festival will feature the same blend of stellar music, live art and local vendors selling everything from tasty snacks to brilliant brews and beverages. North Texas' favorite rockers The Toadies plus Tripping Daisy in a special reunion, co-headline this year's festival. Cost is $49 Early Bird GA Admission; $89 VIP Admission. Main Street Garden, 1902 Main St, Dallas, TX 75201. Festivities start at 11:30 am. The event will take up a full city block - including Main, Commerce & Elm Streets. Homegrownfest.com

DIOR: FROM PARIS TO THE WORLD

Dior: From Paris to the World surveys more than 70 years of the House of Dior's legacy and global influence. On view in Dallas May 19 through September 1, 2019, the DMA is the only other US venue for this extensive and highly anticipated retrospective of the celebrated Haute Couture house. The exhibition will feature a selection of more than a hundred haute couture dresses, as well as accessories, photographs, original sketches, runway videos and other archival material, and trace the history of the iconic haute couture fashion house. Dior: From Paris to the World also will profile its founder, Christian Dior, and subsequent artistic directors, including Yves Saint Laurent (1958–1960), Marc Bohan (1961–1989), Gianfranco Ferré (1989–1996), John Galliano (1997–2011), Raf Simons (2012–2015) and Maria Grazia Chiuri (2016–present), who have carried Dior's vision into the 21st century. There is no cost to enter the DMA, but to visit this special exhibition is a $16 ticket. Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 North Harwood Street, Dallas, TX 75201, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm daily, Dma.org

TASTE OF THE COWBOYS 15TH ANNIVERSARY

Join America’s team on May 5 for the 2019 Taste of the Cowboys, held at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco. Hosted by current Dallas Cowboys players along with team legends Chad Hennings and Preston Pearson, the event will feature past and present Dallas Cowboys players, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, live entertainment, and 30 gourmet tailgate food stations from North Texas' hottest restaurants and chefs. All proceeds will provide critical funds to support the nutritional needs of the one in 4 children in North Texas who is food insecure. Cost $150 GA; $325 VIP. The Star in Frisco, One Cowboys Way, Frisco, TX 75034, Ntfb.org/cowboys

KLYDE WARREN PARK 2019 SUMMER MOVIE SERIES

Summer Saturdays just got a lot cooler with the first extended movie series at the Park. From blockbusters to animated favorites, from musicals to drama, you won't want to miss any of these fun flicks. Grab a space on the lawn, enjoy a food truck picnic (or bring your own picnic) and let the cinematic fun begin. Every Sat between Jun 1 and Aug 31, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Klyde Warren Park, 2012 Woodall Rogers Freeway, Dallas, TX 75201

KABOO TEXAS

This music festival comes to North Texas on May 10 by way of San Diego, where it started in 2015. Organizers partnered with the Dallas Cowboys to bring what's billed as a luxury music, comedy and culinary "experience" to from the beach to the landlocked AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Stages for artists and cooking demonstrations and VIP amenities, such as a Las Vegas-style pool, will be set up in the parking lots surround the football stadium. The lineup for this three-day event includes music by Sting, the Killers, Kid Rock, Pitbull, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pitbull, Little Big Town, Ludacris, the Avett Brothers and a special guest "to be announced." Comedy acts on the Kaaboo bill include Dennis Miller, Whitney Cummings, Brad Garrett and Heather McDonald. Tickets to Kaaboo Texas start at $299 for three-day general admission, and access to the pool stage costs an extra $100 per day. AT&T Stadium

DOWNTOWN DALLAS WALKING TOUR

There is no better way to discover a city than a guided tour. Not only do they point out the buildings and artwork of note, but you learn the fascinating and sometimes scandalous stories behind them. To that end, check out the Dallas Center for Architecture's walking tours, sponsored by Downtown Dallas Inc. Choose from three different tours, which cover the Dallas Arts District, Main Street District, and West End. You’ll explore this fascinating neighborhood and its history from the 1860's to the present. Along the way, learn about the people who helped create what is now the largest urban arts district in the United States. The tours are family-friendly and affordable: $10 for adults, $8 for AIA members, $5 for seniors, and free for kids 12 and under. First and third Saturdays of each month. Dallascfa.com

TASTE ADDISON

A celebration of food, music, and fun, Taste Addison, dishes out the best food and flavor with a healthy side of jam. A three-day menu of fun, Taste Addison delivers the tastiest eateries with the best music at Addison Circle Park. Known for 180+ restaurants in less than 4.4 miles and its nationally recognized special events, Addison serves up a good time no matter the craving. All event vendors will now accept Cash, Major Credit Cards and Tasty Bucks at any booth location. VIP Ticket: $80, Adult General Admission: $15, Kids Ticket- Ages 6-12: $5. Admission Ticket required for Friday and Saturday. Sunday is FREE for all ages. Hours: Friday, May 31: 6pm-11pm, Saturday, June 1: 11am-11pm, and Sunday, June 2: 11am-6pm. TasteAddison.com

GRAPEVINE MAIN STREET FESTIVAL

Located in historic Downtown Grapevine (about a 30-minute drive from Dallas) this three-day family-friendly festival coincides with American Craft Brew Week and is one of the longest-running and most exciting annual events in North Texas. Guests can "Texperience" more than 75 craft brews from 36 breweries across 15 states, boogie down to live music on three stages, sample delicious festival food and much more right in the heart of Historic Downtown Grapevine. May 17-19. Grapevinetexasusa.com