At face value, it is easy to overlook the many artsy pockets interwoven into Dallas’s urban fabric. Yet, the more time I spend in Dallas, the more I have trained myself not to take its cosmopolitan appearance at face-value. Tucked away in quiet city boroughs, Dallas overflows with niche communities and opportunities for weekend adventures.
Adventuring on a college budget of course, comes with its ~spending~ limits. As much as I love to wander into NorthPark on a weekend, there is so much more for a “grown ass woman” to do that is off the beaten path (and within a college budget) worth mentioning.
Praise be to Instagram accounts that keep me in the know about what’s happening each weekend in Dallas! If you aren’t following any Dallas city guide accounts yet, @d_magazine, @just.dallas.things, @dallassocial, and @thedallasyum are encyclopedias of Dallas’s finest local attractions. Here are three ideas to consider for your next weekend endeavor!
- Dallas Farmer’s Market: I’ll admit, I am freak about fresh produce. Ever since moving from California, I’ve realized I am a complete snob about fresh fruits and veggies. I am that person in Whole Foods who inspects each berry in a pack of blueberries and occasionally swaps one strawberry from one carton to another when the opportunity presents itself. So, it’s no surprise that I get a kick out of a farmer’s market in any context. Yet, whether or not you are a produce aficionado, the Dallas farmer’s market has something for everyone. Coffee connoisseurs and dessert devotees can rejoice because the Dallas Farmer’s Market has it ALL! Macarons, Bahn mi, artisanal cheese, and unidentifiable fermented foods are but a few of the many delicacies to find at the market. And, if you feel so inclined, stop by Mudhen Meat and Greens for a healthy bite to eat (or a boozy brunch for those who are “21” or older – not that I could pass for 21 even if I was 22).
- Highland Park Village LOCAL Artisan Market: To say I “stumbled” upon the HPV LOCAL Artisan Market is an understatement. Fate truly does have a funny way of taking us places we’d least expect, let alone dream of – and yet, by letting fate lead the way, my friends and I found this hidden Dallas gem recently. Award-winning baked goods, hand-embroidered pillows, potted succulents – need I say more? Samples galore, it took everything in my power not to splurge on a $9 bag of gingersnap-flavored granola. I did however, inhale the sample I received at record-breaking speed. Needless to say, I am a fan of the Dallas Artisan market.
- Weekend Pop Up Shops: Pop ups are 2018’s version of food trucks. Everyone is having pop ups these days and often showcase many of Dallas’s rising stars before they officially become “trendy”. Many pop ups also tend to collaborate with other local specialty shops, making them a one-stop-shop for just about anything from hand-lettered stationery to yoga, and everything in between. Be on the lookout for updates about upcoming pop ups via Instagram, because there is bound to be one every weekend!