When you travel with your racquets, you see a whole new side of a city. Sure, Dallas has always been known for its cosmopolitan-meets-cowboy vibe, but now, with the elevation of its hometown tournament to world-class status as an ATP 500, those of us in search of the next great tennis trip are making plans to visit the Lone Star State. We’ve teamed up with the Dallas Open’s chosen atelier, BOSS, to bring you, as ever, a fashionable guide to our favorite places to take in some culture, get outfitted, indulge in elite eats and, of course, hit the courts.
First, check into your hotel and get geared up. We’re partial to the new Virgin (9) property in the design district, but if you feel like splashing out for the oil baron experience, the Rosewood Mansion at Turtle Creek (10) fits the bill. You’ll need your BOSS (17) gear for day and night, so after swinging by the Northpark Center (16) and getting your looks sorted, head over to University Park to work it out on the public courts at Caruth Park (15). Dallas public tennis courts are plentiful, and the locals report no wait time at the copious park facilities around town—Glencoe Park (13) is another favorite nearby.
If you’ve worked up an appetite, swing by Bubba’s (14) for some comfort-food southern diner style classics or head back downtown for some shockingly good fish tacos at the Flying Fish (8) and pastries that border on religious experience at Emporium Pies (3). If a nightcap is more your speed, we’ve never had a bad time at honkey tonk The Rustic (6) or a bad pour at Double Wide (4), which is as divey as it sounds.
Start one of your mornings on the historic Katy Trail (9) for a jog or just a brisk walk, then get excited for a day of playing and spectating—we’ve never turned down an invitation to the Banner House at TBarM (18)—or meet up at the Mimosa (19) or Temple Tennis Courts (20) nearby before heading to the Ford Center (12) for the best tennis in town at the Dallas Open. The BOSS popup (12) onsite will help outfit you, and bites at Break Point by BOSS (12) are a must.
Don’t miss the contemporary art mecca Nasher Sculpture Center (1), and no trip to Dallas is complete without the classic steakhouse experience served up at Nick & Sam’s (7). Before you leave, pick up an unforgettable pair of vintage cowboy boots at Dolly Python (5) or a high-end souvenir at the Taschen Library (2)—you know a print magazine couldn’t resist recommending a good old-fashioned book store.
