Gentlemen, You're Welcome

5 great dates in Dallas, from drive-in movies to gallery strolls

Take her to Galaxy Drive-In Theatre in Ennis and cozy up in your car.
Photo by Randy Carlisle
After 40 years, The Grape is still one of the most romantic restaurants inDallas.
Canoeing on White Rock Lake is unconventional but fun.
Bring an old-school Polaroid to capture sweet moments.
Photo courtesy of Polaroid

When it comes to dating, everyone could use a little advice. And, because you never get a second chance to make a first impression, we girls put together some ideas for starter dates, based on personality types.

More advice from those who know: tread lightly, play nice and just be you. And, please, be on time.

For the Movie Buff
Go old-school and take her to the Galaxy Drive-In Theatre in Ennis, open daily. Sit in or on top of your car with a blanket, and watch a film under the stars. Just tune in to the station and cozy up. Galaxy is dog-friendly too.

Bring: A soft blanket and her favorite candy.

For the Artsy Intellectual
Gallery hop in the Design District from Dragon Street to Hi Line Drive. Stop by Samuel Lynne Galleries, Conduit Gallery, Craighead-Green Gallery, Holly Johnson Gallery and Photographs Do Not Bend. If things are going well, take her to FT33 for dinner, where chef Matt McCallister creates artful presentations on the plate.

Bring: A Polaroid camera to capture the sweet and funny moments.

For the Nature Gal
A stroll through the Dallas Arboretum (especially now that the Chihuly exhibit has been extended) or White Rock Lake is just the ticket for a girl who loves the outdoors. Surprise her by showing up with a picnic basket filled with her favorite wine, cheese and crackers. Just don’t forget a bottle opener.

Bring: A bouquet of flowers.

For the Foodie
The Grape on Lower Greenville has long been considered one of the most romantic restaurants in Dallas. We like it because it’s not too fancy, not too casual — it’s just right. Plan accordingly and make a reservation, because no one likes to wait. Noteworthy: The Grape does come-as-you-are wine dinners on Wednesdays.

Bring: A box of fancy assorted chocolates from Chocolate Secrets.

For the Renaissance Woman
Canoeing at White Rock Lake, followed by a wine tasting at Cork or Stoney’s Wine Lounge and a home-cooked meal that you prepare together. Adinner at your house may not be the norm for a first date (especially if you don’t often cook), but just go for it.

Bring: Nothing but yourself.

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Fun times in the city

Dallas swings a spot on new list of most fun cities in U.S. for 2024

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Dallas just wants to have fun, according to WalletHub's new ranking of the most fun cities in America in 2024.

The annual report ranked Dallas No. 31 out of 182 U.S. cities.

WalletHub's experts compared each city using 65 metrics to determine their level of "fun." Metrics were split among three main categories: entertainment and recreation, nightlife and parties, and cost.

According to the study's findings, Dallas was 24th nationally in the category for nightlife and parties, and ranked No. 39 in the "entertainment and recreation" category. That may be especially alluring for anyone who wants to explore the city's vast entertainment opportunities (especially during the holiday season), family-friendly recreational activities, top dining destinations, and more. Plus, Dallas is home to entertainment juggernauts like the State Fair of Texas and TopGolf.

Dallas performed poorly in the overall cost category, earning No. 114 out of all 182 cities. However, this category mostly compares flat costs rather than affordability based on local cost of living.

Potential new Dallasites should do their research before deciding to move here, rather than basing their decision on short trips and vacations alone. But we won't blame them for wanting to live in one of the best cities in the world.

"The top cities offer affordable options for year-round fun for their residents, which is good for residents’ wallets and their mental health," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo in the report.

Austin (No. 6) and Houston (No. 9) were the only Texas cities to earn a spot in the top 10 most fun U.S. cities list. Austin moved up one spot from last year, while Houston made a 10-place jump.

Other fun-filled Texas cities that made it in the top 100 are El Paso (No. 53), Fort Worth (No. 55), Plano (No. 78), Arlington (No. 79), and Corpus Christi (No. 99).

The top 10 most fun U.S. cities are:

No. 1 – Las Vegas, Nevada
No. 2 – Orlando, Florida
No. 3 – Miami, Florida
No. 4 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 5 – New Orleans, Louisiana
No. 6 – Austin, Texas
No. 7 – San Francisco, California
No. 8 – Chicago, Illinois
No. 9 – Houston, Texas
No. 10 – New York City, New York

Cities were evaluated based on the number of attractions per capita, nightlife activities per capita, the average prices for eating at a restaurant or buying a movie ticket, and more. Data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, The Trust for Public Land, and the Council for Community and Economic Research, among others.

dance clubs fun cities nightlife parties recreation wallethub