Dallas/South Dallas

Oak Cliff is an area that has retained a distinct neighborhood identity as one of "Dallas' older, established neighborhoods", and is often called "The Cliff." It was a separate town up until 1903, when it was annexed by Dallas. Oak Cliff has turn of the century and mid-20th century housing, many parks and remarkably close proximity to the central business district of downtown Dallas without the heavy vehicular traffic or higher cost of housing commonly associated with Dallas' northern neighborhoods.
The current boundaries of Oak Cliff are roughly Interstate 30 and the Trinity River on the north, Interstate 35E on the east, Camp Wisdom Road on the south, and Cockrell Hill Road on the west. In practice nearly every neighborhood south of the Trinity River (excluding west Dallas) is called Oak Cliff, though much of it was never part of the original town. For example, the South Oak Cliff neighborhood which generally includes neighborhoods south of Illinois Avenue, was never part of the original town of Oak Cliff, just as the Arcadia Park area was once its own municipality.

From Downtown Dallas to Oak Cliff Take either 45 or 35E South and cross the Trinity River. (both freeways cross the river as they proceed westwards)

• Dallas ZooOver 8,000 animals can be seen at this 97-acre zoo.

• Fair ParkThe 277 acre park is home to the Cotton Bowl, State Fair of Texas, a half dozen venues, 9 museums, and the largest collection of Art Deco buildings in the world. Most of it was built in 1936 for the Texas Centennial Exposition. While most visitors go to the park during the State Fair or for one of the many concerts and sporting events, the park's many museums and aquarium make it a great place to spend the day. Since 2012, many of the games and rides are open during the summer.

• Dallas Aquarium at Fair ParkSee over 6,000 aquatic animals at this aquarium located on the state fairgrounds. Has a string-ray petting pool.

• The Texas Theatre

  phone: +1 214-948-1546
  address: 231 W Jefferson Blvd
  A movie theater and Dallas Landmark located in Oak Cliff, the Texas Theatre gained historical fame for being the place Lee Harvey Oswald, the assassin of President John F. Kennedy and Dallas police officer J. D. Tippit, was arrested after a brief fight. Open daily, today it hosts a mix of repertory cinema and special events.

Fairgrounds

• State FairVies with its Iowa counterpart for the title of the country's largest state fair. It takes place in Fair Park, two miles east of downtown Dallas, and is held for 24 days every year starting in mid to late September. The fair is open from 10AM until 10PM. You can come by car and parking is $10 per car; alternatively, the DART transportation system provides light rail and bus services. Ticket prices are $13 for general admission, $9 for kids under 48" tall, children 2 and under, seniors 60 and older are free; Kroger groceries sell advance tickets at a discounted price, including season tickets (worthwhile if you plan to go more than twice), and it's a good idea to check the paper to see if there are admission deals such as a discount when bringing donations of canned goods. At the State Fair, there are many entertainments and events, for example, "Looney Tunes Hollywood Screen Test", "Budweiser Oktoberfest," "Backyard Circus", "Milking Parlor", "College Football" (be prepared for huge crowds the day that the University of Texas plays the University of Oklahoma) and "Hot Diggity Dog Shows." Local and state musical acts come to perform throughout the fair, and the arts and crafts building includes numerous attractive and interesting exhibits each year. Not only kids but also adults can enjoy the events. Don't miss the corndogs and the annual winner of the concessionaires' best new food item. The web site provides a daily schedule for the full run of the fair, helpful for choosing a day on which a particular group will be performing, or avoiding the crowded days on which local school districts get free tickets for Fair Day.

• Diwali Festival

Golf

• Cedar Crest Golf CourseOne of the top two municipal golf courses in town.

• Keeton Park Golf Course

• Stevens Park Golf Course

• Bill's Records

  phone: +1 214 421-1500
  address: 1317 S Lamar St
  A vinyl-collector's dream, this Dallas institution is truly massive, packed with used vinyl from every era, with many imported and rare items as well as promotional items.

• First Saturday

  address: 1100 McKinney Ave
  An electronics flea market that is a must for geeks. Begins at midnight on the first Saturday of every month and is held near the West End. Be prepared to find more flea-market-style garbage than actual computer equipment.

• Bishop Arts District

  address: 315 N. Bishop Ave
  Go to the historic Bishop Arts District and see for yourself what all of the buzz is about. Enjoy dining from fine to funky, take in an art gallery, get a massage or satisfy your shopping hunger at some of Dallas most unique, and interesting shops. Including: Addie's Off The Wall, Bishop Street Market, Eagerly Sought, Epiphany, Flip, Indigo 1745, Make, The Soda Gallery, Xpressions Boutique.

• Spiral Diner & Bakery

  phone: +1 214 948-4747
  address: 1101 N. Beckley
  Amazing vegan dishes, soups, salads, and sandwiches. You must try their desserts! Great funky atmosphere.

• Norma's Café

  phone: +1 214 946-4711
  address: 1123 W. Davis St
  Has been open since 1956, has everything you'd hope for in a diner: bar stools and booths upholstered in cherry red, breakfast served all day and a waitstaff that greets you like family. That's the thing at Norma's: It pretty much is family. It's the sort of place where customers come every single day, where the waitress doesn't even have to ask some of the regulars what they want. You really can't go wrong at Norma's (if you like 1950s-era diner food), but try the lemon meringue pie. It's not fancy, but chances are, it's just the way mom made it. And that's the whole idea at Norma's—it's like going home.

• Tillman's Roadhouse

  phone: +1 214-942-0988
  address: 324 W 7th St
  Tillman's is an update on the classic Texas roadhouse. Regional menu favorites, familiar tunes, no one is a stranger hospitality—all energized with a modern take. A combination of both rustic and lush in everything from the menu to the décor. Tillman's is a good-time destination, whether it's for a quick drink, a casual dinner, or a special occasion.

• Hunky's

  address: 321 N. Bishop Ave
  Hunky's features "Hot Off The Grill" 50s style burgers made with hand-formed fresh ground beef. Fifteen varieties of beef burgers. They also serve fresh ground turkey burgers, veggie burgers, all beef hot dogs, grilled chicken sandwiches, salads and many other styles of sandwiches. Side orders include French fries, crispy tater tots, and our famous hand-battered onion rings.

• Cafe Madrid

  phone: +1 214 942-8272
  address: 408 North Bishop Ave
  Celebrating 18 Years as Dallas' first Spanish restaurant and tapas bar, Café Madrid offers patrons a cozy, intimate dining setting reminiscent of the little cafes found on the streets of Madrid. Honored as one of D magazine's "Best," Café Madrid features such Spanish classics as paella, fried calamari, shrimp in garlic, and grilled quail. Wine Spectator magazine honored Café Madrid for their unique wine list, which includes many varieties of Spanish wines and sherries.

• Zen Shushi

  phone: +1 214 946-9699
  address: 380 W 7th St
  Bishop Arts' newest restaurant and Oak Cliff's only sushi bar, ZEN Sushi! Experience chef Michelle Carpenter's traditional Japanese sushi and Asian-fusion sharing plates. Full bar, wine, beer, sake, and premium liquors.

• Pitt Grill

  phone: +1 214 946-0220
  address: 2316 W. Davis St
  Just a real nice laid back diner, open 24 hours. It's great for a good cheap breakfast!

• Cliff Cafe

  phone: +1 214 393-4141
  address: 901 Fort Worth Ave
  Modern comfort food from Executive Chef Jesse Gentile and his team. Updated classic entrees, a selection of salads, sandwiches, hamburgers and "all day breakfast". Also an eclectic selection of affordable and unique "New World" wines.

• Beckley Brewhouse

  phone: +1 214 943-8977
  address: 1111 N. Beckley Ave
  Opened in July 2006 & named one of the top 10 bars in Dallas by citysearch.com. It attacts a lively and eclectic crowd but boasts a cozy interior that is comfortable and stylish.

• Alley Oops

  phone: +1 214 944-4309
  address: 1115 Beckley Ave

• BarBelmont

  phone: +1 214-476-3378
  address: 901 Fort Worth Ave
  Perfect place to rejuvenate with friends, associates, and neighbors after a long day. Sit on the terrace and watch the sunset reflected in the shimmering towers of the skyline. Live music is featured every Thursday night.

• Quinn

  address: 202 W. Davis St
  The Quinn is many things to many people. Some say it's a neighborhood bar and restaurant with a plethora of tasty appetizers, sandwiches, and salads (including many vegetarian options). Others love the beautiful, spacious patio with seating under the stars or under one of our huge, ancient oak trees. The Quinn has also been described as an inspired European pub with a stellar jukebox.

• Poor David's Pub

  address: 1313 S Lamar St
  One of Dallas' oldest live music venues, this joint has been open since 1977. Moved to its spartan Lamar St location from longstanding Greenville Av location a few years ago.

• The Cedars Social

  phone: +1 214 928-7700
  address: 1326 South Lamar
  The best cocktail bar in Dallas, recently named among the 100 best places to drink in the South by Imbibe Magazine. Choose among always-available classics and ever-changing seasonal selections, plus great bites, in an inviting lounge atmosphere. This is the place to have a drink.

• Suburban Extended Stay

  phone: +1 972 298-7014
  address: 4150 Independence Drive , Dallas, TX, 75237
  Offers an outdoor pool and on-site guest laundry facilities.

• Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites Dallas Texas West

  phone: +1 214-331-0505
  address: 4321 Communication Dr

• Belmont Hotel

  address: 901 Fort Worth Ave
  An historic boutique hotel designed by architect Charles Stevens Dilbeck, which was built inand recently restored. Offering views of the Dallas skyline and the Trinity River Corridor.