Galentine's Day is February 13, but you can celebrate your gal pals all month long in downtown Dallas. Whether a girls' night out or ladies-only Sunday Funday, there are plenty of activities for your squad.
Tea at TASCHEN
Pinkies up for this classy gathering, which is held on Sundays in the TASCHEN Library at The Joule hotel. Surrounded by midcentury mosaics and bookcases filled with an edited selection of coffee-table tomes, the experience serves up a casual tea service, innovative menu, and champagne, all in a communal setting. Served in dainty colorful china, the exotic and rare tea blends are explained — along with accompanying nibbles — during a presentation from the culinary team.
The cost is $68 per person, and is inclusive of taxes, gratuity, and valet. During the tea, guests also receive 10 percent off purchases in the TASCHEN Library. Reservations are required, and you can get one by calling 214-748-1300, extension 4363, or by emailing tea@thejouledallas.com.
Shopping at Forty Five Ten + champagne at Copper Bar
Ready for retail therapy? Downtown Dallas is a fashionista's dream, thanks in no small part to the four-story Forty Five Ten flagship store. Its 37,000 square feet is devoted to luxury collections by iconic designers in women's, men's, home, and beauty, with museum-quality art hanging throughout. Get in on the goods before New York City does, when Forty Five Ten will open a new store there in 2019. And once you've given your wallet a workout (or even bought a new one), head to the Copper Bar, where a curated list of bubbles, wine, and beer awaits.
Blow-outs at Michael Flores Salon + lunch at The Zodiac
Housed in the sixth floor of Neiman Marcus, this contemporary boutique salon is your new go-to for a makeover. Its stylists have decades of experience, and the chic, sunlight-filled surroundings provide just the right background for a selfie to show off your sleek new locks. Once you're done beautifying, pop over to the department store's iconic restaurant for any of its composed salads or some truffle Parmesan fries.
Mani-pedi at Pink Toes Nail Bar
Follow the rosy footsteps to the plush white chairs at this nail salon, where "pretty in pink" is more than just a saying. Choose from luxurious nail treatments, facials, massages, and lash applications, or book a private spa party (complete with champagne) if your gal group numbers four or more. Just a duo? Opt for the Pink Panties combo package, which comes with strawberry massage oil, a hot stone leg massage, and strawberries and champagne.
Oysters and martinis at Dallas Fish Market
Mark your calendar for February 22, when executive chef Richard Triptow will be preparing a six-course oyster meal and pairing his creations with unique martinis. Start with a nori roll of smoked oysters, jalapeno, cucumber, and spicy mayo before moving onto oyster chowder and oyster fried rice, before finishing with hot and cold truffle oyster stew, Minus 8 mignonette, and paddlefish caviar.
Succulents and shopping at Dallas Farmers Market
The "market" part of Dallas Farmers Market is open seven days a week, with unique stalls offering one-of-a-kind goodies and gifts. Swing by Market Provisions Co. for fresh meats, produce, and specialty foods, or browse the selections at Lone Chimney Mercantile, Luxe District Collective, or Dallas Antique Company. Stop in for lunch at the farm-to-table Mudhen Meat and Greens or grab an early dinner at Rex's Seafood, before heading to a fun event like February 22's Plant Nite at Noble Rey Brewing.
Hotel spa-hopping
Bring your bestie to The Spa at The Joule for innovative and results-driven treatments in a stunning subterranean setting. There's emphasis on giving guests a truly personal experience, along with nurturing mind, body, and soul. The spa naturally lends itself to geothermal inspiration with groundbreaking European heat experiences that take guests through a therapeutic journey of temperature changes.
But don't overlook the other swanky hotel spas in downtown — the Mokara Salon & Spa at the Omni Dallas Hotel and Spa Adolphus at the Adolphus Hotel each have indulgent services that will make your freshly pedicured toes curl with pleasure. Check out the honey-butter body treatment at the former and the Icelandic Moonflower aromatherapy massage at the latter.
Artistic sushi and bakery-fresh cookies
Musume is the Dallas Arts District's hot new spot, with an elevated sushi bar and the state's largest premium sake program (there's even sake on tap). Order a Samurai Sazerac and then linger over a Hot Mess roll, with tempura ice cream and mochi for dessert, of course.
Or swing by The Commissary, an off-site kitchen for all of Headington Companies’ restaurants (CBD Provisions, Americano; Mirador,Wheelhouse, and Sassetta, to name a few). The brightly tiled spot is also a bakery, butcher shop, gelateria, espresso bar, and market, with an expansive subterranean butchery and wine cellar. That means you can pick up ingredients for a Galentine's Day meal and savor a glass of wine, all in one place.
For a full list of things to do in and around downtown Dallas, check out its ever-rotating events calendar.
Have Tea at TASCHEN at The Joule.
Rendering of The Zodiac Room entrance at NorthPark.Rendering courtesy of Neiman Marcus and Arcadis Inc.
Rendering of The Zodiac Room at NorthPark.Rendering courtesy of Neiman Marcus and Arcadis Inc.
Neiman Marcus NorthPark Bridal Salon rendering.Rendering courtesy of Neiman Marcus and Arcadis Inc.
Santa's ready to visit with kiddies at Neiman Marcus NorthPark.Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus