Last Updated on January 24, 2025
Anyone trying to choose the best area to stay in Dallas knows the definition of decision fatigue.
The city is a sprawling metroplex divided into a variety of vibrant neighborhoods, so deciding the best area to stay is crucial for your visit to go smoothly.
I’ve lived in Dallas for eight years, and have seen a lot of the nooks and crannies most miss, so this guide will be filled with the best recommendations along with insider tips you won’t find in other guides.
I break down all the best places to stay in Dallas by neighborhood, along with my picks for hotels and B&Bs. Each choice is determined by walkability, proximity to amenities, and many other things that a visitor wouldn’t know unless they did some pretty extensive research.
To summarize, my life in Dallas has done all the dirty work for you (us, really). SCORE.
If you’re looking for more specific information about the areas of Dallas and where to avoid, read my guide on safety in Dallas. Otherwise, let’s chew the fat on where to stay in Dallas
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Best Areas To Stay in Dallas At A Glance
These are the top five areas to stay in Dallas: Uptown, Downtown, Bishop Arts, Deep Ellum, and Knox/Henderson.
If you have specific needs during your visit to Dallas, this is where I recommend you stay:
For first-timers | Downtown or Uptown Dallas
Without a car | Downtown or Uptown Dallas
For seeing main tourism sights | Downtown Dallas
For a fun weekend with friends | Uptown or Knox/Henderson
For nightlife | Deep Ellum
For couples | Uptown, Bishop Arts, or Knox/Henderson
For families | Uptown or Bishop Arts
For the weekend | Uptown
Where To Stay in Dallas
Where you stay in Dallas will depend on what you’re coming to Dallas for.
Families, those traveling for concerts or sporting events, couples, and those looking to party with friends will all fit into best into one of these Dallas neighborhoods I’ve broken down in this guide. These are the top areas I recommend you stay in with pros and cons, blurbs that give you a good idea of what the area is all about, and why you should consider staying there.
All my recommendations are full of practical advice and suggestions that will help you find the perfect place to stay because staying in the wrong neighborhood will make or break your time in Dallas.
I also kept location in mind, so all these places are in walkable parts of the city (even though the city as a whole is not walkable) with a lot of things to see and do nearby.
Where NOT to stay in Dallas: Harry Hines Boulevard, South Dallas, the Cedars, any suburb north of the 635 highway, Fair Park, and Oak Cliff.
photo courtesy of Hotel Crescent Court
Uptown Dallas
Uptown Dallas is a lively and trendy neighborhood just north of Downtown.
For anyone visiting Dallas for the first time, I’ll always recommend staying here. It’s great for couples, solo travelers and safe for families.
I believe it’s the true heart of the city, despite a lot of other neighborhoods making this claim. It’s equidistant to almost every other neighborhood in the city, has solid safety, and is mostly walkable.
There are a variety of green spaces and parks, like the Katy Trail, that give you a slight escape from the urban jungle. The restaurants alone are a huge pull to base yourself here as some of the city’s most renowned chefs helm the kitchens.
The downside is that it can be overly trendy and lacks the true Dallas feel other neighborhoods sport.
Pros & Cons
+ Prime location
+ Lively and energetic (this neighborhood is where all the young professionals live in Dallas)
+ Walkable with good transport options
+ Endless supply of restaurants and bars
– Most expensive neighborhood to stay in
– Less of a focus on local and small businesses, more trendy
– Crowded at peak dining. Reservations anywhere are a must
Best B&Bs in Uptown Dallas
/ / Greenhouse Uptown | An adorable green boutique hotel steps away from the M-Line Trolley, a free transport service around Uptown. Every room has a king-sized mattress, desk and chair for working, free wifi, walk-in showers, self-check-in, and shared outdoor seating with other guests. Rooms go for $175 per night.
/ / Luxe Thomas Mansion | If you have a large group, this is the perfect place to stay in Dallas. This is a luxury three-bed three-bath house that sleeps six and comes with a fully stocked, full-size kitchen, spacious rooms, an outdoor fire pit, an outdoor pool, putting green, a hot tub, free wifi, and anything else you’ll need. To rent the mansion, there is a two-night minimum. Divide the costs, perhaps squeeze in an extra person or two on the couches, and this is the ultimate stay.
Best Hotels in Uptown Dallas
/ / Hotel Crescent Court | This luxurious hotel is right on the edge of Uptown with clean, spacious rooms equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows, a TV, a mini bar, free wifi, a walk-in shower, all outfitted with upscale detailing. Onsite is a year-round outdoor swimming pool, spa, fitness center, room service, and five restaurants (including Nobu Dallas). The Crescent Club is a restaurant only open to hotel guests and members, which adds an extra special touch to your stay. Great for couples.
/ / Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek | The Mansion is a longstanding hotel in Dallas known for its beautiful property restoration and romantic pull. Onsite they have transport services, a spa, a fitness center, a restaurant, a cocktail bar, private parking, and free wifi. It’s a top choice for couples, local and not, for a romantic weekend in Dallas.
/ / W Dallas | If you’re visiting Dallas to watch a Mavericks or Stars game or a concert at the AAC, this is the perfect spot to find yourself. This hotel/residential high-rise is next to the American Airlines Center and many great restaurants and bars along Victory Avenue. The rooms are spotless, service is impeccable, and they also have a mid-level pool with a view, spa and terraces in certain rooms. Rooms start at $550 per night.
/ / Hôtel Swexan | This is one of the newest 5-star hotels in Dallas that’s perfect for a luxurious weekend on the edge of Downtown. All of the rooms come decked out, the property has five restaurants, a rooftop pool, an onsite sauna, a fitness center, room service, and free wifi. It’s a swanky spot and you can’t miss a nightcap at Babou’s downstairs. Perfect for couples.
*For a more affordable option in Uptown, consider Le Meridian, The Stoneleigh. It’s near all these other properties but at a fraction of the price.
photo courtesy of The Madison
Bishop Arts
Bishop Arts is an interesting piece of a neighborhood Southwest of Downtown Dallas.
It’s a hyper-condensed block within Oak Cliff that has a heavy focus on community, local businesses, amazing food and creativity. It’s great for couples or families looking for a low-key and quiet space away from the noise of Dallas proper.
Good to know: While safe on its own, it’s important to know that Bishop Arts is sort of a gentrified island in the middle of Oak Cliff, which doesn’t have the best reputation. That’s to say, it’s one of my favorite neighborhoods of Dallas and as long as you don’t go wandering where you shouldn’t, you’ll be okay.
It mixes old and new with many historic locations in the area, like the Texas Theater and the home of Lee Harvey Oswald. The nightlife isn’t as popping as Deep Ellum, but it’s lively with a focus on live music with good cocktails.
Pros & Cons
+ Eclectic and artistic dining and shopping
+ Quiet neighborhood compared to others
+ Great for creatives, couples, and groups
– Limited public transport
– Far from all the other neighborhoods in Dallas
– Car rental is a must if exploring other neighborhoods
– Compact area with limited parking
– Limited options for accommodation
Best B&Bs in Bishop Arts
/ / Eclectic Bungalow | This colorful home is the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. It’s right next to one of Dallas’ most popular coffee shops and a short walk to the main strip of bars, cafes, and restaurants. It’s a two-bedroom home that sleeps four and comes with free wifi, a dedicated workspace, a full kitchen, patio seating, and everything you’d have back home. There is a two-night minimum for this property and it starts at $130 per night.
/ / Trendy Home w/ Hot Tub | Can you believe that? Can you believe this place has a jacuzzi? I can! This is another two-bedroom Bishop Arts home with a gas grill, back patio, putting green, spacious rooms (can sleep up to eight people), laundry facilities, and a full kitchen. It’s within walking distance from the heart of Bishop Arts. There’s a two-night minimum and it starts at just shy of $200. Great for families and large groups.
/ / High-Style Home w/ Pool | Clean, modern, and aesthetic, this is a top-rated property for those who want to be surrounded by beauty. It’s a two-bedroom home that sleeps four and has an outdoor pool, a fully furnished and private backyard, a kitchenette, and spacious living areas. Because it’s a block or two away from the main hub, it’s also a nice and quiet property. Two night minimum.
/ / Elmwood Retreat | A true retreat, this mid-century-designed residence is tranquil with tons of natural light and gorgeous details. It’s one of the top-rated stays on Airbnb for its generous list of amenities, peaceful atmosphere, and convenient location. There is no stay minimum and the property starts at $145 per night.
Best Hotels in Bishop Arts
/ / Bishop Arts Hotel | This is an affordable, updated, and contemporary hotel just outside the heart of Bishop Arts. It’s a bit more of an “apart-hotel” so everything you love about a hotel with apartment-style amenities. Rooms are a steal starting at $82 per night.
/ / The Madison | Last year, this 100-year-old property debuted in Bishop Arts as a fully renovated 27-room boutique hotel. Every detail was thoughtfully curated, and every room has a comfortable bed, workspace, private bathroom, and free wifi. The hotel is halfway between Bishop Arts and Downtown Dallas, which makes it a great base camp for business or couples.
photo courtesy of The Adolphus Hotel
Downtown Dallas
Downtown Dallas is one of the most popular places to stay in Dallas because it’s close to many of the city’s main attractions like Dealy Plaza, the Dallas Farmers Market, Dallas Museum of Art, and Reunion Tower.
If you want a true city break, this is where to stay. As you walk around you’ll be surrounded by skyscrapers on all sides.
It boasts the largest urban art district in the country, which has a bunch of different museums, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the Winspear Opera House.
Downtown Dallas is especially loved by those who indulge in luxury. The hotels are some of Dallas’ best, and they’re surrounded by restaurants, bars, and shopping to match.
Pros & Cons
+ Most walkable neighborhood in Dallas
+ Easy access to main tourist attractions like Dealy Plaza and the Reunion Tower
+ Solid variety of bars and restaurants
– Not many affordable places to stay
– Parking is limited and often expensive when you pay for it
– Large concentration of homeless in some areas – Specifically the West End and around City Hall
– Traffic congestion almost all the time
– Loud compared to other neighborhoods
Best B&Bs in Downtown Dallas
/ / SOVA Micro-Room | This is the most affordable hotel room you’ll find and it’s just a stone’s throw from the heart of Downtown Dallas. The rooms don’t come with many frills, except a TV, but they’re clean and in a great location. When you go, ask about Room 520, and don’t miss Ginger’s across the street. It’s one of my favorite cocktail bars in Dallas.
/ / Mint House Dallas | They call this spot the creme de la creme. It’s a two-bedroom corner suite that sleeps six, has a separate kitchenette and living room, sweeping views of the city, spacious rooms, and a self-check-in to top things off. It’s a great location in Downtown for small groups and families. At $334 per night, this is a steal.
/ / Cozy Downtown Loft | You can get the full industrial Dallas experience by staying in a historic loft downtown. This one is fully decorated and can sleep up to eight people. It has a full kitchen, laundry facilities, free wifi, free valet parking, an onsite gym, a dining room table, and nice views overlooking the city. The property also has a game room, pool, and cinema room with a projector. Great spot for groups, families, or those traveling for business.
Best Hotels in Downtown Dallas
/ / The Joule | Everyone wants to stay at The Joule because of the pool, and I don’t blame them. You can swim right over Downtown Dallas. This is one of Dallas’ quintessential and historic hotels with updated, spacious rooms, room service, and free wifi. From the hotel, you’re steps away from dozens of restaurants, bars and cafes.
/ / The Adolphus | Another historic hotel in Dallas, this one opened in 1912 and has been visited by Queen Elizabeth II, along with many U.S. Presidents and celebrities. Its 120 million renovation makes it nowhere near a fixer-upper, though. The European detailing is stunning throughout. Onsite is a Vienna-style coffee shop, two beloved bars, and upscale dining choices.
/ / HALL Arts Hotel | This is an award-winning art hotel in the heart of the Arts District. Each room blends high-tech and fine art into their highly designed rooms and suites. This stunning hotel offers a rooftop pool, fitness center, onsite restaurant, bar, private parking, room service, and free wifi.
/ / Thompson Dallas | A 5-star hotel in the heart of Downtown with an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, luxurious rooms, and a modern, mid-century aesthetic. On the development’s 51st floor is a fine dining restaurant, Monarch, and another fantastic cocktail bar in Dallas, Catbird. This is a Hyatt partner hotel, so if you have those travel points racked up, use em’.
photo courtesy of The Kimpton Pittman Hotel
Deep Ellum
Deep Ellum is a 150-year-old entertainment district just east of Downtown Dallas.
It’s known for its creative, independent business, lively music scene, and artistic soul. Large groups especially enjoy this neighborhood since a ton of lively bars are within walking distance of each other and everyone there is looking to party hardy til the last call.
Good to know: The neighborhood has had many faces over the years, and now it seems it’s going through some growing pains, again. Deep Ellum is a fine place to be during the day, but at night, you should keep your head on a swivel.
The music venues are avant-garde. The restaurants are some of the best in the city, and jazz and blues have flooded the streets since the late 19th century.
Pros & Cons
+ Main entertainment district of Dallas (sticky floors, clubs, and smoke machine kind of nightlife).
+ Home to many quintessential Dallas bars and restaurants
+ Walkable
+ Closest neighborhood to the State Fair of Texas
– Not ideal for families, especially when it’s late at night
– Keep your head on a swivel (The neighborhood gets a bad reputation but as long as you exercise basic street smarts you’ll be okay).
– Parking is an absolute headache (partially due to the construction off Commerce Street)
Best B&Bs in Deep Ellum
/ / Surf Richard’s Flat | A bubbly and fun two-bedroom penthouse with a secret game room, rooftop swimming pool with a view, full kitchen, spacious common areas, and all the amenities of home. It’s great for groups as it sleeps up to six people and is within walking distance of the main bars in Deep Ellum.
/ / Deep Ellum Luxury Loft | This is a sexy and affordable loft in Deep Ellum with four queen beds and two bathrooms. It can fit up to nine people and is great for larger groups since it has spacious living areas, a pool table, flat-screen TVs, laundry facilities, a full kitchen, and free parking.
Best Hotel in Deep Ellum
/ / The Kimpton Pittman Hotel | For large groups looking to party hard, this hotel is in a prime location right between Deep Ellum and Good Latimer (Dallas’ sticky floor party hub). It’s an IHG hotel with modern rooms, free bikes, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a restaurant, and has restaurants and bars within walking distance. If you’re not looking to party, it’s still a sleek hotel and worth your stay.
/ / The Gaston | If you’re willing to stay just a touch out of the way, this boutique bed and breakfast is actually to die for. I dream of a staycation here all the time. The residence was originally built in 1912 and then renovated a few years ago with an upgraded design and modern amenities. It’s a hotel and doubles as a wedding event center with five locally inspired guest suites, a formal dining room, a speakeasy, and a sunroom. It’s a stunner.
photo courtesy of Love List House
Knox/Henderson
The Knox/Henderson area is the place to be if you want to feel like a local in Dallas.
This neighborhood has a sprawling residential community with a ton of chic neighborhood restaurants, shopping, and bars. It’s a touch north of Uptown, so you will need a car to get into the city proper, but it’s a great base camp.
Lower Greenville, specifically the area where you’ll find Wabi House and HG Sply Co, is the where to go for nightlife. Across Highway 75 are fantastic local restaurants like Pearl Sushi, Georgie, and Knox Bistro.
If you aren’t renting a car in Dallas and are looking to see the main tourism sights, I don’t recommend this neighborhood, but if you’re here on a fun weekend trip or getaway with friends, this is a great location.
Pros & Cons
+ Great nightlife scene (the good cocktails and upbeat vibes kind, not LED signs and smoke machines)
+ Safe area with a ton of residential pockets
+ Lively atmosphere
– Very limited accommodation options
– Parking can be challenging
– Car rental is a must if exploring other parts of the city
Best B&Bs in Knox/Henderson
/ / Casa Duro | One of Dallas’ best hospitality groups designed these three apartments to feel like an urban residence along Lower Greenville. They say it’s best for a weekend getaway, extended date night, or a private dinner and cocktail party with friends. It’s a really unique property in Dallas with local restaurants and vibrant nightlife a short walk away.
/ / Love List House | Book this house for the ‘gram. One of the main social media personalities in Dallas opened up this vibrant and fun abode that sleeps up to eight people. It’s ideal for bachelorette parties or large groups of girlfriends looking for a fun place for the weekend. The house has all your standard amenities, plus a pink shellac pool table, karaoke/movie room, private balcony, and plenty of couches to crash or pregame. It is that girl.
/ / Higher Frequency Off Henderson | Another excellent option for groups coming to Dallas is this five-bedroom home right smack dab in the middle of Henderson and Greenville Avenue. The house is huge with spacious living areas, 3.5 bathrooms, seven beds, an outdoor pool, a pool table, and private parking all in a clean, modern, and upscale atmosphere. It’s walkable to the neighborhood’s best restaurants and bars.
Best Hotels in Knox/Henderson
/ / The Beeman | This is the only hotel in this neighborhood, and if you stay here, you’ll most definitely need a car to get around. It has well-maintained rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, free wifi, an onsite restaurant, fitness facilities, and room service. It’s more ideal for a staycation situation, but a nice choice nonetheless.
FAQ’s About Best Areas To Stay in Dallas
These are some of the most answered questions about where to stay in Dallas.
What area of Dallas is the best to stay in?
Uptown Dallas is the best area to stay in Dallas. It’s safe, close to Downtown Dallas, and in a central location to all the other neighborhoods in the city.
What is the nicest part of Dallas?
Uptown Dallas.
Is Dallas a walkable city?
Yes and no. Parts of Dallas are walkable, but you cannot solely rely on walking to get around.
Is it better to stay in Fort Worth or Dallas?
Stay in Fort Worth if you’re looking for a quieter and less urban place to stay.
Stay in Dallas if you’re looking for a true city feel with vibrant nightlife and entertainment.
Does Dallas have a walkable downtown?
Yes. Downtown Dallas is walkable.
Do you need a car in Dallas?
Absolutely. While parts of neighborhoods in Dallas are walkable, the city is a sprawling metroplex so a car is definitely a must if you’re visiting. You can get around using Uber, but it can get rather expensive and depends on your budget.
If you have any other questions about visiting Dallas, please reach out! Otherwise, browse my other Dallas guides to help you plan your trip:
Best Things To Do in Dallas (coming soon)
Weekend in Dallas Itinerary (coming soon)
Best Coffee Shops in Dallas (coming soon)
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