Football Season Fun

No matter who wins the TX-OU game, everyone scores big at The Shops at Park Lane

Get ready, fans: “Football Christmas” is coming. For one glorious weekend each year, Dallas practically vibrates with excitement and energy, thanks to the pride and passion of the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners, who face off in their historic football rivalry at the Cotton Bowl. This year’s showdown is set for October 11, and we’ve got the inside scoop on how to make the most of it at The Shops at Park Lane (no matter which team you’re cheering for).

Stylish Scores
Call us superstitious, but we think a new game day outfit is just the good luck charm your team needs. Located just across I-75 from NorthPark Center, The Shops at Park Lane specializes in “smart luxury,” and it is just the place for scoring designer game day duds on a budget at names like Nordstrom Rack, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Bloomingdale’s The Outlet, and Old Navy.

Tip: Rumor has it that these outlets receive the best merch in the area, so they’re a must-see. A pair of $150 Joe’s jean shorts for only $29.99? Yeah, they’ve got ’em. Burberry shades in crimson and Marc by Marc Jacobs sunnies in burnt orange for under $100? Check and check.

If your game day style is more traditional, Dick’s Sporting Goods helps you represent with jerseys, caps and more. For more game day style ideas and inspiration, check out The Shops at Park Lane’s TX/OU Pinterest board.

Express Service
Seasoned TX/OU fans know that parking at the Cotton Bowl is a beast on game day. So if you scored tickets to the main event, skip the hassle and park for free at The Shops at Park Lane and hop on the DART rail at the Park Lane Station to head down to Fair Park. DART has done all the work for you; click here for details.

Set the Scene
For fans who will be watching the game at home, load up on all the snacks and sips you need at Whole Foods. Tasty options abound, from grab-and-go wings and freshly made guacamole and salsa to a staggering local and global beer selection; plus, Whole Foods even offers personal shopping. Tip: Mention this page on its website, and your first personal shopping experience is free.

If your buffet set-up leaves something to be desired, hop over to HomeGoods for pitchers, chip-and-dip platters, serving plates and more.

We’ll Toast to That
Don’t have tickets to the game? Grab a seat at one of the hot spots equipped with a gazillion TV screens that are sure to be tuned to the big game. Gordon Biersch brews its own German-style beer and is known for its signature garlic fries. Tip: Go ahead and get an extra order for the table, because they won’t last long.

Grimaldi’s Pizza serves up an authentic slice of Brooklyn, and Bowl & Barrel is the place to watch the game and enjoy a round of bowling. Yes, The Shops at Park Lane is the perfect place to indulge in stylish fun, and to raise your glass in praise of the winning coach’s Gatorade shower.

About The Shops at Park Lane
The Shops at Park Lane is a 33.5-acre mixed-use development in the heart of midtown Dallas. The property is the city’s premier destination for designer fashion and home décor at surprising values. Additionally, it serves up a unique mix of restaurants and entertainment venues, making The Shops at Park Lane the ultimate Dallas destination for smart luxury and stylish fun. Visit The Shops at Park Lane website, and follow it on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

Burnt orange and crimson game day looks abound at The Shops at Park Lane. Models pictured in finds from Old Navy, Nordstrom Rack, and Saks Off 5th.

TX-OU fans at DART station at Shops at Park Lane

Photo courtesy of Shops at Park Lane

Burnt orange and crimson game day looks abound at The Shops at Park Lane. Models pictured in finds from Old Navy, Nordstrom Rack, and Saks Off 5th.

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Texas shocks as America's No. 3 least safe state in 2026 report

Photo by Hiroshi Kimura on Unsplash

Texas ranks as the 48th "safest" state — out of 50.

While no state is invulnerable, some do more to protect their residents than others. And a new study has declared Texas one of the five least safe states in America.

WalletHub's "Safest States in America (2026)" report examined all 50 states for their emergency preparedness and for residents' personal and residential, financial, workplace, and road safety. Factors that weighed into the rankings include specific crime rates per capita, the share of the population that is uninsured, road quality ratings, workplace injury statistics, and more.

Texas ranked at the bottom of the list as the 48th "safest" state — or the third least safe state. It's joined by several other Southern states, like Mississippi (No. 50), Louisiana (No. 49), Florida (No. 47), and Arkansas (No. 46).

According to WalletHub, Texas specifically ranks third to last in the nationwide "emergency preparedness" category, which was determined based on the prevalence of climate disasters causing $1 billion or more in damages from 1980-2024, and the loss amount resulting from those disasters.

The Lone Star State also ranked 40th (or 10th worst) across three safety categories: personal and residential safety, financial safety, and road safety. The report additionally found that Texas has the highest rate of uninsured residents nationally.

Texas' "workplace safety" was the state's highest-ranking category, landing 30th nationally.

Additional rankings that determined Texas' overall safety include:

No. 30 – Assaults per capita
No. 32 – Fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 full-time workers
No. 32 – Sex offenders per capita
No. 35 – Murders and non-negligent manslaughters per capita
No. 36 – Fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel
No. 41 – Loss amounts from climate disasters per capita

According to the report, the five safest states in America are all located in the Northeast. Vermont leads as the country's safest state in 2026, followed by Massachusetts (No. 2), Maine (No. 3), New Hampshire (No. 4), and Connecticut (No. 5).

Though every state has varying levels of safety, WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo asserted that the safest places in the U.S. categorically invest in protecting their residents. Top-ranking states have low crime rates and diligently maintain their road infrastructure, and other states that prioritize their residents' safety have "strong economies and job markets that prevent people from falling into dangerous financial situations."

"[The safest states in America] have high levels of occupational safety and disaster preparedness, too," Lupo said. "In addition, states are made safer by efforts that individual residents take, such as forming a neighborhood watch or working in firefighting and EMT jobs at high rates."

safety texas wallethub reports