This Aug. 7, 2009 photo shows a brisket taco meal at Taco Diner, in Dallas. The restaurant is located in the West Village, and is walking distance to several shops, other eateries and a movie theater. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
(AP)
SHOPPING AND EATING: For those thinking that shopping and sticking to a budget don't mesh, window-shopping is always free and in this economy, you never know when you'll run into a really good sale. Besides, NorthPark Center, a sleek mall featuring stores ranging from the Gap to Barneys New York, also provides a little culture as works from artists including Andy Warhol are displayed throughout. And on Saturday mornings, the mall offers a free yoga session in its landscaped garden.
In a city that enjoys sunny skies and warm weather for much of the year, Dallasites love outdoor dining. Even if temperatures soar to 100, patios are packed.
In the West Village development, http://www.westvil.com, several restaurants feature a fun patio atmosphere and cheap eats. Taco Diner has plates with four tacos just under $10 while its sister restaurant across the street, Mi Cocina, has Tex-Mex plates with everything from enchiladas to tamales for about the same price. Village Burger Bar around the corner offers $6 burgers. There's plenty of good people-watching to be had throughout West Village, not to mention good dog-watching with adorable pooches trailing behind their owners.
Highland Park Village — http://www.hpvillage.com — nestled among multi-million-dollar homes in the swanky enclave of Highland Park, is an outdoor shopping area known for high-end merchandise — think Chanel and Hermes. But it is also a lovely place to stroll on tree-lined sidewalks, grab a coffee at Starbucks or a meal at Mi Cocina, where patrons carrying purses that easily cost $1,000 can be spotted tearing into a plate of $10 enchiladas. The Italian Patrizio Restaurant offers a shady patio with many dishes under $10. Opened in 1931, the Mediterranean Spanish-style shopping area, which also has a small movie theater, has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
For a funkier shopping experience, head to the Bishop Arts District, http://www.bishopartsdistrict.com, which includes Make, featuring items made by local artists and designers.
MUSEUMS: The Dallas Museum of Art, http://www.dm-art.org, is free the first Tuesday of each month and Thursdays 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; otherwise $10 for adults. The museum is also free the weekend of Aug. 29-30.
