So it's your first time in Dallas, huh? A word of friendly advice: hang on to your hat, pardner. Simply put, Dallas is more than a city. It's a symbol. It's a legend. And it's a sprawling, modern monument to the age-old saying that "everything's bigger in Texas." And for first timers a visit to the "Big D" can be as overwhelming as it is exhilarating.
You don't need to be in Dallas long at all to realize the city's a far cry from the dusty streets, 10-gallon hats and oil derricks of TV and movie lore. Today's Dallas is one of the largest, most diverse, most metropolitan cities in the world. Its gleaming glass skyscrapers, colossal sports stadiums, luxury shopping venues, high-rolling nightlife and world-class cuisine are the pride of its residents and the envy of cities across the country.
Eating: When you're exploring Dallas for the first time you'll need to fill you tank with the proper fuel. And by that we mean the national dish of Texas: Tex-Mex. Few places do it better than Pepe's & Mito's. There's a reason – lots of reasons, actually – when you ask about the best Tex-Mex in town, P&M's is almost always on the list: The chipotle enchiladas and tacos nortenos are just two of them. But when in search of great Tex-Mex most anything on the menu here will do the trick. For a more modern yet still casual and delicious taste of the Lone Star State, head over to Stampede 66, where one of the city's hottest chefs (Stephan Pyles) is serving up creative southwestern dishes in an atmosphere that positively oozes Texas flair. Can you say chicken-fried buffalo steak? Giddyup. And for those looking to truly "elevate" their dining experience in Dallas, it doesn't get much higher than Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck. Literally. Housed atop Reunion Tower in the distinctive glowing ball that rises 560 feet into the Dallas skyline, Five Sixty allows diners to feast on Puck's phenomenal Asian-fusion fare while enjoying incredible 360-degree views of the city through floor-to-ceiling windows. (There's also an observation level for people who want to enjoy the views without visiting the restaurant.)