We Do Can-Do

New portraits pop up around Dallas highlighting the city's 'can-doers'

In case you hadn't heard, the City of Dallas has a new destination brand that celebrates the people of Dallas and their maverick, can-do spirit. This brand was recently launched on March 28 via a local campaign titled "We Do Can-Do" that honors some of our dynamic local "Can-Doers."

These community leaders and luminaries, difference-makers, game-changers, tastemakers, connectors, and visionaries are being brought to colorful life by some of Dallas' most inspired and talented local artists.

Portraits from this campaign can be found in media across the city, including billboards and kiosks, newspapers and magazines, buses and airports, and more.

Keep an eye out for:

WNBA Dallas Wings superstar Arike Ogunbowale and Dallas Mavericks’ president/CEO Cynt Marshall, painted by Jeremy Biggers.
Daron Babcock, director of community transformation at Bonton Farms, and brothers Terrence and Tim Maiden of the Maiden Foundation, painted by Hatziel Flores.
Chef Michelle Carpenter of Restaurant Beatrice and Zen Sushi, painted by Haylee Ryan.
Daisha Board of Daisha Board BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ Contemporary Art Gallery, painted by Michelle Dekkers.
Culinary innovator and James Beard Award semifinalist Chef Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman of restaurant Jose, painted by Armando Sebastian.
Artist Blake Wright created and contributed more than 150 hand-drawn illustrations depicting key pillars that make Dallas a unique and exciting destination.

Photo courtesy of Visit Dallas

Blake Wright's art exemplifies Dallas' diverse community of people.

celebrities promoted

Turkey Day news

Dallas eats up top-5 rank on list of best cities for Thanksgiving

Photo courtesy of Razzoo's

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Dallas is sitting at the head of the table as one of the best places in the country to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, a new study has revealed.

Dallas ranked No. 5 out of 100 of the largest U.S. cities in WalletHub's annual "Best Places to Go for Thanksgiving" report, published November 12. The city made a huge leap over its 2023 ranking as No. 17, and remains the highest-ranking Texas city.

The study analyzed each city based on 18 metrics to determine the best places for Thanksgiving, such as the number of pumpkin patches per capita, the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner, the number of volunteer opportunities, the average weather forecast, and more. The metrics were then organized into five overall categories to determine the rankings.

The category that Dallas ranked the highest in was the number of celebrations and traditions (No. 2), and the average weather forecast during the holiday period (No. 9), while the lowest-ranked category was for safety and accessibility (No. 82). Other categories that determined Dallas' overall ranking were affordability (No. 60), and a "giving thanks" rank (No. 26).

Dallas restaurants are getting prepared for their big Turkey Day feasts, and CultureMap has rounded up a thorough list of all of the local restaurants hosting holiday feasts, from brunch to dinner.

"The best cities for celebrating Thanksgiving all have an abundance of high-quality restaurants and places to buy festive decorations, and their residents get very excited for the holiday based on their Google search history," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.

By Thanksgiving on November 28, Dallas will be fully decked for the December holidays. Dallasites who will have extended family in town during Thanksgiving weekend can take in of all the marvelous Christmas lights brightening the city. Dallas-Fort Worth goes all out for the most wonderful time of year.

Across North Texas, three Dallas-area cities also made big improvements from their 2023 rankings. Irving moved up 10 spots to claim No. 19 this year, and Garland jumped up 21 spots on the list as No. 34. Arlington made the biggest improvement in the region, moving from No. 78 last year to No. 55 this year.

Meanwhile, Plano and Fort Worth slipped in the rankings, falling into No. 44 and No. 45 in 2024, respectively. Plano previously ranked No. 38 in 2023, and Fort Worth was No. 36.

San Diego, California (No. 1) topped the overall list of best places to go for Thanksgiving this year, followed by its Golden State neighbors San Francisco (No. 3) and San Jose (No. 4). Atlanta, Georgia (No. 2) rounds out the top five.

dallas fort worth thanksgiving wallethub rankings