Parks & Lakes near Dallas, TX

March 17, 2009 8:08 AM

Impress a girl in Dallas? This weekend I'm going to Dallas to pick up a girl at the airport and I need some ideas (locations) to impress her. She loves parks and water...so I was thinking of taking her there for a while. I would also like places in Dallas that have an awesome view (from up high)...even a roof top garden (if you knew of one). I'm open for ideas...Do you know of any cool parks near water that are beautiful?
posted by 4chrisd to Travel & Transportation around Dallas, TX (12 answers total)

botanical garden in ft worth
posted by nadawi at 8:42 AM on March 17, 2009

What about walking along the Mandalay Canal in Los Colinas? It's sort of a hidden spot - it's no Riverwalk (but a little like mini Riverwalk meets mini Venice), but I think it's lovely. There are a few shops and restaurants along here as well.
posted by swilkerson at 8:43 AM on March 17, 2009

Good suggestions already -- Reunion tower has a revolving (somewhat overpriced) restaurant at the top, but the view is pretty cool... While you're in Las Colinas, take her over to have a lookie at the Mustangs and the Flower Clock, too.
posted by Jinkeez at 8:49 AM on March 17, 2009

Well the Reunion tower restaurant JUST re-opened as 560, a wolfgang puck restaurant. You'll have to bribe, beg, and steal your way to a reservation on this "short" notice however...

You'll also want to check out the Mustangs, there's a Dallas Aboretum, but I'm not sure if there are any flowers that'd be "in season"
posted by unexpected at 8:51 AM on March 17, 2009

Are you picking her up at DFW or Love Field? the Arboretum is great and right near a lake. However, it is east of downtown - lots closer to Love Field than DFW. I bet they have some flowers already blooming- really a beautiful place.
posted by domino at 9:03 AM on March 17, 2009

The bar in the Belmont hotel has a nice view. Not super high though. And check the location to where you're going to be - maybe out of the way. There's a upscale/casual diner next door where you can have dinner.

2nding domino's suggestion of the Dallas Arboretum which is nice. It's right by White Rock Lake which has nice trails for strolling and talking. You can rent bikes from the bike shops around there and ride around the trails that go all the way around the lake.
posted by dog food sugar at 9:23 AM on March 17, 2009

Right near the airport is Founders' Plaza. It's a really neat place to go, though it has a few quirks. It overlooks one of the main runways at DFW, so you get to watch planes come in about a football field or two away. There's a couple of picnic tables, and places to sit and watch.

It doesn't quite have that natural beauty, unless you count barbed wire down by the airport and some dry grass, but it does have a speaker which pipes the Air Traffic Control feed, so you can hear the air chatter as the planes come in.

Best to go in the early evening, and bring a snack or something. My fiancee and I just went last night, and while it was a little chilly, watching the planes come in at dusk, all lit up, was pretty fun (and romantic, if you ask me).
posted by SNWidget at 9:26 AM on March 17, 2009

I'm not sure if it's still there, but above the restaurant at Reunion Tower is/was a cocktail lounge. Much cheaper, great drinks, and same view. There is also an observation deck at the top - it's outdoor so the weather has to be good but it's likely the the highest outdoor view of Dallas you can get. No garden, though.

The garden choices are kinda even, and which one to go to could be decided based on airport. Like domino said, if you're picking up at Love Field, I'd go to the Arboretum. If you're picking up from DFW, you could go to the Botanical Garden in Ft Worth. If you happen to do the Botanical Garden, you could also go to the Fort Worth Water Gardens to meet her watery needs.

Another possibility if you like sculpture (classical and modern) is the Nasher Sculture Center, which has an indoor and outdoor component.

I second the Mandalay Canal, and hitting the Mustangs while you're there.

I highly recommend researching all these places to make sure they're open, find out pricing and hours, since seasonal/outdoor places may be closed, under maintenance, etc.

Good luck!
posted by maldrin at 9:29 AM on March 17, 2009

Just to expand on the Dallas Arboretum suggestions ... Dallas Blooms, their signature spring bulb festival is going on right now. I was there Sunday and the tulips, daffodils, azaleas, etc. are spectacular!
posted by bwanabetty at 10:40 AM on March 17, 2009

Neither park, nor lake, and I haven't been there yet, but I think you should take her to Munson, to see one of the only remaining Futuro Houses in the US. It's abandoned, just east of the city.
posted by dirtdirt at 10:53 AM on March 17, 2009

The turtle creek area of Oak Lawn is nice. Specifically, Robert E. Lee Park has well-maintained grounds along the creek that make for excellent views. There is also a good amount of dining in the immediate area, some of which may have take-out. Together, they could make for a nice picnic.

And I'll second White Rock Lake and the Dallas Arboretum.
posted by troutforbrains at 3:29 PM on March 17, 2009

Two suggestions - Food and fun:

Food: Have dinner at The Green Room, but don't order anything on the menu. Instead, there's an option to order a several course dinner consisting of whatever the chef wants to make, paired with appropriate wines. It'll be more delicious than anything you'd think to order.

And fun! Golden Bear mini golf. It's unlike any mini golf I've ever seen before. Most mini golf is all about cheesy windmills or a cramped course, but this place is the real deal. I believe it's ranked as one of the best mini golf courses in the country. A girlfriend took me there years ago on a date and holy cow was I ever hooked. Fun, challenging, and downright charming. I loved it!
posted by 2oh1 at 7:51 PM on March 18, 2009 [1 favorite]