How to Spend 24 Hours in Uptown Dallas

Our popular series is back with how to spend 24 hours in Uptown Dallas! While my recent trip to Dallas wasn’t my first trip there, it was my favorite trip to Dallas so far. Today I will share my picks for coffee, food, accommodations, cocktails, and how to stay active. Let’s jump in!

Uptown Dallas has many fantastic attributes such as its trendy restaurants and bars and walkable and welcoming neighborhoods. Dallas as a whole is a huge sprawling city but the Uptown Dallas area is super easy to navigate. It is definitely a fun part of the city to explore.

First Things First, Coffee

One of my favorite things to do while traveling is to hunt down good coffee and fun coffee shops. Uptown Dallas did not disappoint when it came to coffee. Magnolia Sous Le Pont is one of those adorable coffee shops where you can sit and work or catch up with friends. It is a bonus that their coffee and specialty lattes are actually quite delicious. You can’t miss this bright teal building when passing by. They even have outdoor seating in case you are looking to enjoy some fresh air with your coffee.

If you are looking for a quick bite to eat before heading out to explore, Magnolias also offers a breakfast/lunch menu and pastries. This is great especially if you are looking for something quick to grab and go.

How to Spend 24 Hours in Uptown Dallas - Astonished Abroad

Where to Stay

There are plenty of excellent options in the uptown area if you are looking for a comfortable place to stay. Since I am a loyal Marriott Bonvoy member, I have stayed at the Marriott Uptown several times now. I find it not only comfortable but the staff are super friendly. It is in an excellent location for walking to dinner, to grab a coffee, or if you want to check out the Katy Trail which I will discuss later in this post.

They also have the M Club Concierge Lounge at this location. If you aren’t familiar, with the M Club, it is a lounge area within selected hotels that offers 24/7 access to snacks, coffee, and other refreshments. It is free for Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite members. Not to worry, if you don’t have status you can typically purchase a pass if you are interested.

Food and Drink

If you only have 24 hours in the Uptown Dallas area, you’ll want to make your food choices count! Uchi now has seven different locations across the United States and you won’t want to miss this fun Japanese restaurant.

Since I was dining with a group of six and shockingly no one had food allergies or aversions, we let our waiter select our dishes. I don’t think he brought one thing that wasn’t a hit. While I know this type of dining isn’t for everyone, it was a hit for everyone I was with. I would absolutely go back to Uchi next time I’m in the area.

There were a few other meals while in Dallas that were decent but honestly, some were less than memorable. I will refrain from mentioning them here. Let’s move on to cocktails!

After dinner, we took a short stroll to The Tipsy Alchemist. This bar is a super cozy cocktail bar with a never-ending menu of handcrafted concoctions. With the huge leather couches and decorative armchairs, you feel like you are in a friend’s basement bar only the drinks are probably better. That is, unless your friend is an award-winning bartender and in that case, you are the real winner!

On the evening we visited, a three-piece band played songs that people of all ages would recognize. It was such a fun atmosphere and the service was also top-notch. We lucked out that we were able to get a table together. The Tipsy Alchemist does however accept reservations in case you have a larger group like we did.

The Katy Trail Ice House is also another interesting spot for having a few drinks or a bite to eat. They have an amazing outdoor patio and a huge list of beers and cocktails. Katy Trail Ice House also has a margarita that was named The Best Margarita in Dallas. So, if you are into margs, be sure to stop in here!

Staying Active in Uptown Dallas

Whether you prefer to hit the gym at your hotel, take an instructor-led class, or simply jog outside, Uptown Dallas has plenty of options. If you prefer boot camp, barre, or yoga classes, you can take your pick from several conveniently located fitness studios.

The Marriott Uptown Hotel has an incredible rooftop pool and lounge area and a large grassy area. This spot was perfect for practicing yoga outdoors. This is just what I did on the first night. There was a nice breeze and the area was not too busy at all and therefore, very peaceful.

On day two, I opted to check out the Katy Trail. The Katy Trail is an abandoned railroad line. It has been reimagined as a 3.5-mile urban trail for biking, running, and walking. While it was already super warm at the beginning of May when I was visiting, the trail is shaded and very well-lit in case you want to get outside early before it really heats up outside.

There are also a few other parks in the area that were recommended to me. Klyde Warren Park and Griggs Park will be on my list to check out next time I am in town.