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    Spooky News

    These 10 haunted spots are the spookiest in Dallas-Fort Worth

    Rhonda Aghamalian
    Oct 26, 2021 | 12:25 pm
    Hotel Lawrence, downtown Dallas
    The old Hotel Lawrence in downtown Dallas is said to be spooked by guests who met tragic ends.
    Photo courtesy of Nicolas Henderson

    The Lone Star State is known for stranger-than-fiction history and larger-than-life characters, so it seems fitting that Texas is also home to an abundance of haunted locales, where departed Texans manage to remain colorful even in the afterlife.

     

    North Texas has more than its share, and we've compiled the spookiest for those times when you're gathering around the campfire to tell ghostly tales.

     

    Here are 10 spots to put on your haunted Halloween to-do list:

     

     The Lady of the Lake / White Rock Lake
    She's the grand dame of local ghosts and sightings vary, but usually go something like this: A distraught young woman in a drenched party dress (sometimes an old-school prom dress, sometimes a dress from early 20th-century Neiman Marcus) flags down a passing car and asks to be taken to a nearby home.

     

    When the driver arrives, they discover that there’s nothing but a damp puddle in the back seat, and when they knock on the door of the house to report the incident, a resident (usually the girl’s father) sadly informs the Good Samaritan motorist that the girl they describe died years ago, on that very night.

     

    The Lady in the Lake is Dallas' version of the "vanishing traveler" urban legend, which has existed in one form or another around the world for centuries.

     

    But don’t let me burst your bubble. If your friend has a neighbor who has a third cousin who has a co-worker who swears they have actually seen her, I say go with it. It’s a delightfully spine-tingling tale in a just-about-perfect spooky setting. For many Dallasites, hanging out at the lake while telling ghost stories is a rite of passage; I myself always drop by around Halloween to bid the Lady in The Lake a seasonal hello.

     

     The Baker Hotel
    The ghost of a glamorous past haunts the long-vacant Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells, whose exterior and backstory is so classically ghost story-ish it almost seems scripted — which is appropriate, since the Baker was once a destination for Hollywood’s Golden Age elite (Clark Gable and Judy Garland are both said to have stayed there).

     

    In the late 19th/early 20th century, Mineral Wells was famous as a resort town, drawing posh guests from around the world eager to sample the town’s eponymous healing waters (still sold in bottles by Texas grocers today, under the brand Crazy Water"), as well as the elegant lodgings at the modern amenity-packed Baker Hotel.

     

    Though it's been shuttered since 1970s, the hotel is still a premium destination — for ghost hunters, that is, lured by tales of disembodied dinner party sounds, the unexplained aroma of cigar smoke, and spectral sightings of former hotel guests and staff.

     

    Until recently, you had to risk arrest for trespassing to explore the Baker, but soon we’ll be able to book a legit visit — the hotel was recently purchased and is undergoing a full renovation back to her days of glory.

     

     Sons of Hermann Hall
    The Sons is one of the few Deep Ellum destinations that retains the original flavor of the district. It's the oldest free-standing wood structure in Dallas, the oldest bar in Dallas, and it's still headquarters for the German fraternal order that constructed the building in 1911.

     

    If you dig live music, dancing, and a vintage-soaked vibe, I highly recommend a visit — especially this time of year, when you just might witness strange occurrences like falling paintings, footsteps in empty spaces, and children’s laughter with no kids in sight — or maybe the formally-dressed couple a film crew once saw stroll down a hall and vanish.

     

     Arlington Music Hall
    Arlington’s first movie theatre (today a live performance venue) is allegedly the afterlife address for a ghost named Fred who likes to turn on the lights or wander next door to Babe’s Chicken Dinner House, where he once visited with the owner for a few minutes before disappearing. There's more about Fred in this fun little video from the City of Arlington.

     

     The Hotel Lawrence/La Quinta Inn & Suites
    Another noteworthy member of the North Texas family of haunted hotels is the La Quinta in downtown Dallas, formerly the Hotel Lawrence, which is said to be spooked by spirits who met tragic ends while staying at the historic hotel in its earlier decades.

     

    Visitors and staff have reported ghostly activity throughout the property but especially on the 10th floor, including cold spots, a feeling of being watched, calls from rooms with no occupants, and sightings of a well-dressed gentleman believed to be a gangster-era gambler.

     

     Chisholm Trail Mural Building
    Downtown Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Stockyards served as backdrops to many a shootout and bordello brawl back in the day, so it's not surprising that ghost stories abound in Cowtown landmarks such as the Chisholm Trail Mural Building, which originally housed the ticket office for the first intercity rail line between Fort Worth and Dallas.

     

    Inhabitants have reported the usual flickering lights and strange cold spots, along with a woman who appears in mirrors and the sound of a child rolling a ball. One visitor even claimed to have enjoyed a memorable view of Main Street through windows that were later found to be boarded up.

     

     Downtown McKinney/Chestnut Square Historic Village
    One of DFW's coolest Halloween happenings is the after-dark Legends of McKinney Ghost Walk, especially if you're a ghost chaser who appreciates proximity to quaint places to eat or drink afterwards. Buildings in downtown McKinney are said to be rife with spooky goings-on, such as a swaying-for-no-reason chandelier, flying objects, and apparitions of a lady in white and a Civil War soldier.

     

     Plano Masonic Lodge
    One of the anchor buildings of downtown Plano’s historic district is Plano Lodge No. 768. Given the building's history and the Masons' penchant for mysterious symbols and secret ritual, I'm not surprised to find out it's believed to be haunted. Among the eerie occurrences are heavy footsteps and a little girl's laughter heard at night when the building was unoccupied (except for a frightened lone Mason), and objects that seem to move of their own volition.

     

     Bruce Hall, University of North Texas in Denton
    According to campus legend, UNT’s Bruce Hall is home to Wanda, a prank-loving spirit who generally keeps to the attic where she purportedly passed away, but sometimes emerges to mess with the lights and turn on showers. Like any self-respecting college campus, UNT is home to a host of good ghost stories, you can bone up (get it?) via this archived section of the university’s website.

     

     The Raphael House
    The stately Raphael House (call it "Ray-fill" if you wanna sound like an Ennis local) is a historic landmark that was once the home of a rather infamous wealthy family that eventually fell on hard times; the spirit of one of the family members is believed to still toil in his beloved garden.

     

    ------------

     

     Rhonda Aghamalian is a North Texas-based freelance writer and lover of all things local history (and spooky).

     
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    Awards News

    Dallas hotels win big in 2025 World's Best Awards by Travel + Leisure

    Amber Heckler
    Jul 9, 2025 | 4:30 pm
    Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa​
    Photo courtesy of Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa
    Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa is the No. 2 best resort in Texas.

    Several renowned Dallas-Fort Worth hotels and resorts were just declared the best in the world by Travel + Leisure readers, according to the publication's annual World's Best Awards.

    Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa and Grapevine's Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center were honored among the top five best resorts in Texas, and six more distinguished Dallas-Fort Worth properties made the cut among T+L's list of the 15 best hotels in Texas and in the U.S.

    Every year, Travel + Leisure surveys its readers to determine the ultimate travel experiences around the world, which include the top hotels, resorts, travel destinations, and more. The 2025 survey had more than 180,000 responses from T+L readers with over 657,000 votes across 8,700 accommodations, cruise lines, and other properties.

    Omni PGA Frisco ranked as the No. 2 best resort in Texas, just one spot lower than its 2024 ranking. The resort is a relative newcomer in Dallas' rapidly expanding list of travel lodgings, as it's only been open for a little more than two years. The report said this golf-focused retreat is an impressive place to stay for visitors that have a "packed itinerary," regardless if that includes spending time on the green or not.

    "This resort has it all — golf, spa, dining options of all types and an amazing activity schedule," a T+L reader said.

    The Gaylord Texan Resort is a popular favorite among Dallas-area travelers, and it ranked as the 5th best Texas resort for 2025. In 2018, the resort debuted its $120 million Vineyard Tower, which added 303 deluxe guest rooms and 86,000 square feet of meeting space.

     Pool at Gaylord Texan resort The family-friendly pool at the Gaylord Texan has a lazy river and more than enough chaise lounges.  Photo courtesy of Gaylord Texan  

    The publication celebrated the five winners – the remaining three located in Texas' other major metros – for their lavish atmospheres that makes guests feel like they've escaped the hustle and bustle of their respective cities.

    "Our top five resorts in Texas are all scenic sanctuaries in or nearby the state’s biggest cities, offering an abundance of activities for visitors looking for relaxation and recreation," the report said.

    The full list of best Texas resorts, in order, are:

    • The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, Houston
    • Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa, Frisco
    • JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio
    • Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin
    • Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine

    Best hotels in Dallas-Fort Worth
    The region's most opulent hotel, Hotel Drover in Fort Worth, was crowned the best hotel in the Metroplex for the second year in a row. It also earned the No. 1 title in 2022. The hotel has only been open for four years, but it has remained a clear reader favorite, as it previously booked a top-five spot in Travel + Leisure's best Dallas-Fort Worth hotel list in 2023.

    Hotel Drover succeeds at providing guests with a flawless level of service and accommodations, while its dining attractions add to the overall opulence of the property's amenities. The report goes on further to say that "no hotel attracted Dallas fans more" than this Western-themed getaway.

     Hotel Drover lobby library The lobby of the Hotel Drover contains a library and a Lucchese boot boutique.Photo courtesy of Hotel Drover

    "Hotel Drover, Autograph Collection, located in Fort Worth’s historic Stockyards, pulls in plenty of charm in its design, including across its rooms that resemble luxury ranch lodging with exposed beams, dark wood headboards, and colorful textile touches," the report said. "There's also a Lucchese boot boutique in the lobby, so every guest can snag a pair to bring home as the ultimate Texas souvenir."

    A reader said they would recommend this Fort Worth hotel over any other place in Texas, and declared it "the definition of Texas" thanks to its attentive staff, thoughtful Western decor, and its classic Southern food.

    In a press release, general manager Aaron Ide said the entire Hotel Drover team was honored to receive the worldwide recognition.

    "This recognition is a reflection of our passionate team and the authentic Western experiences we strive to create," Ide said. "It’s especially meaningful to receive this honor during the 30th anniversary of the World’s Best Awards, and we are proud to represent the vibrant spirit of Fort Worth."

    Dallas' iconic Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek ranked as DFW's second-best hotel for the second consecutive year, and it was the No. 1-winner in 2023. This legendary hotel has continued prospering and growing its reputation since it was acquired by a Dallas investor firm in 2022, and has since earned a prestigious One Key status in Michelin's inaugural Texas guide in 2024.

    Though Rosewood Mansion didn't nab the top spot on T+L's list, it did claim the No. 1 spot in U.S. News & World Report's 2025 rankings of the best resorts in Texas.

     Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek terrace Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek terrace  Photo courtesy of Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek  

    The full list of Dallas-Fort Worth winning hotels, in order, are:

    • Hotel Drover, Autograph Collection, Fort Worth
    • Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas
    • The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas
    • The Adolphus, Dallas
    • Omni Dallas Hotel

    Best hotels in the U.S.
    Fort Worth's esteemed Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection was one of three Texas properties to earn acclaim on T+L's separate list of the "15 Best City Hotels in the U.S." Bowie House ranked as the 14th best hotel nationwide, and a T+L reader said it "set the standard for luxury hotels in Fort Worth."

    "Another Southern favorite, Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection (No. 14) was applauded for its culinary offerings, expertly curated art and decor, and 'professional' and 'friendly staff,'" the report said.

     Bowie House bar Bowie House boasts all of the Southern charm one would expect to find in a Texas hotel.Photo courtesy of Bowie House

    The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston and Hotel Emma in San Antonio were the only other two Texas hotels to earn spots on the list of the best hotels in the country.

    Other Texas awards
    San Antonio was deemed one of the best U.S. travel destinations in 2025, ranking 12th out of 15 total cities.

    In a release, Travel + Leisure editor in chief Jacqui Gifford said the 2025 World's Best Awards "reflect a travel landscape in motion."

    "From a high-desert city in the American Southwest to a quiet Greek island, our readers are seeking depth, character, and a strong sense of place," Gifford said. "We're thrilled to honor the hotels, destinations, and travel companies that are delivering those transformative experiences."

    The best hotels in Houston, in order are:

    • The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston
    • Hotel ZaZa
    • Four Seasons Hotel Houston
    • JW Marriott Houston Downtown
    • Hilton Americas-Houston
    The best hotels in Austin, in order, are:
    • Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection
    • Austin Proper Hotel & Residences
    • Four Seasons Hotel Austin
    • Fairmont Austin
    • Archer Hotel Austin
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