To gear up the excitement for the 2024 ED EXPO in Dallas, here are just a few highlights of the Uptown, Deep Ellum and AT&T Discovery District.
(NOTE: This story appears in the May 2024 issue of ED Magazine.)
The city of Dallas, Texas is a dynamic city with attractions rooted deep in its history, as well as exemplary of modern and futuristic possibilities.
Whether you’re waiting for the next seminar or just wanting to get outside at this year’s ED EXPO, get the lady something nice at the shops galore in every district. Or are you more interested in the culture? From art galleries and theater performances, to live music in every genre, burlesque, bars and clubs, you’re sure to find something to entertain.
And nobody leaves Dallas hungry. Diverse eateries for every budgets range from the all-American, Western and Southern options — like you might expect of the Southern metropolitan hub — to food from all over the world and celebrity chef experiences which will make you wonder, ‘Am I really in Texas?’
It’s a lot to consume, and impossible to see everything! To help you plan your visit to Dallas for the 2024 ED EXPO, we’ve compiled a list of a few spots of interest with a focus on the contemporary district of Uptown, the historic district of Deep Ellum and the futuristic AT&T Discovery District.
Uptown
Just north of downtown Dallas and connected by Klyde Warren Park, Uptown is a 130-year-old neighborhood, easily walkable and full of intact Victorian residential structures. But if you want to take a load off, hop on the free McKinney Avenue Trolley, aka “the M-Line.” The fleet of vintage trolleys, some of which date back to 1909, makes 39 stops throughout Uptown and Downtown on a hop-on-hop-off route.
In addition to acclaimed museums and the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed theater, Uptown Dallas has a West Village which features over 100 shops and unique boutiques. Just one example — Q Clothier is a men’s clothing store for those who don’t like to shop, and has a whiskey bar and TVs in every store.
Need a rest from all that hustle and bustle? For a breath of fresh air, Katy Trail is a 3.5-mile paved trail the locals love, and Griggs Park is another eight acres of park space.
Deep Ellum
East of Downtown Dallas, a bright neon sign announces Deep Ellum, Texas. A warehouse district, turned one of Dallas’ first commercial districts and now the hotspot for live music, bars and restaurants, Deep Ellum is dubbed ‘deep’ for reason.
Dating back to 1884, Deep Ellum was famous for blues and jazz with Blind Lemon Jefferson, Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter and Bessie Smith among the best-known stars to take its stages. Covered in colorful wall murals, Deep Ellum today is an artistic district hosting concerts, art festivals, photoshoots and contemporary galleries.
Meanwhile, the performing arts scene of Deep Ellum is known for the experimental and underground. The Quixotic World Theatre House & Magikal Event Space feature a variety of burlesque. Piano bars, nightclubs and swing dancing lessons are just a few of the district’s other offerings in nighttime entertainment.
AT&T Discovery District
Fully opened in June 2021, the downtown AT&T Discovery District combines technology, culture and entertainment for a truly unique and connective hub of businesspeople and Lawn loungers enjoying free ultra-fast 5G and WiFi.
Unlike anything else in Dallas: the Media Wall, with more than 9,000 square feet of futuristic, colorful high-definition displays on a 104-foot tall outdoor wall, is described as interpreting communication in the natural world.
The District is a futuristic experience at the cutting edge of technology, including in its green building and operations, which have earned the SITES Silver Certification for sustainable and resilient land development projects. The AT&T Discovery District is completely powered by wind energy and integrates a smart irrigation, rainwater collection and harvesting system into its high-power operation.
For more information, please check out visitdallas.com or discoverydistrict.att.com.
Get your 2024 ED Expo badge HERE now while they’re on sale!
See you in Dallas!
