Explore the diversity of Dallas with a cultural tour of our Asian arts scene, museums and exhibitions, as well as a bevy of superb dining, shopping, and relaxation opportunities.
Book a room at the Hilton Anatole and discover the hotel's international collection of art and antiques, the largest in an American hotel. Many of these treasures reflect Asian arts and culture and can be found in guest rooms and throughout the property, both inside and out.
Start at the Crow Museum of Asian Art for a quiet reflection in a serene atmosphere, marveling at centuries-old artifacts or gazing at unique works of art. Located in the center of the Dallas Arts District, the museum features permanent and rotating exhibitions of arts from China, Japan, India, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Look out for special events including wellness classes, yoga and meditation taking place indoors and outside, lectures and gallery talks, frequent events, and docent-led tours. The gem of the museum is the breathtaking sculpture garden, home to multiple contemporary and historical pieces peppered throughout an intricate garden of bamboo, maples, azaleas, and pine trees.
Continue your adventure at the Dallas Museum of Art by exploring the Arts of Asia and Arts of the Pacific Islands collection, two impressive displays that are a part of the museum's permanent collection.
After walking around museums in the Dallas Arts District, you've likely worked up an appetite. Created by Chef Teiichi Sakurai, Tei-An is a local favorite for lunch, but worth setting aside time for a leisurely dinner, too. Located in One Arts Plaza in the Dallas Arts District, the James Beard award nominee chef serves authentic Japanese food. Check out the rooftop for breathtaking views of Downtown Dallas.
A list of destination-worthy lunch spots wouldn't be complete without mentioning Red Stix Asian Street Food for a variety of Thai specialties, Asian Mint for delectable Asian fusion (and fun cooking classes), and Royal China for dumplings and other Chinese delicacies.
Stop by the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, designed by Chinese American superstar architect, Ieoh Ming Pei (better known as I.M. Pei). This stunning building is considered one of the top symphony centers in the world in part due to its spectacular acoustics, so if you're able to schedule a visit around a performance, you're in for a real treat. Take a virtual tour for a preview of what to expect.
Shop for jewelry and accessories at famous retailer Sam Moon Trading Co. Founded in 1984 by David and In Sun Moon, the Northwest Dallas store quickly transformed into Dallas' destination for wholesale women's accessories and handbags at insanely good prices. It's a great place to treat yourself and find fashion gifts for everyone on your list.
Spend the afternoon at King Spa, a popular local Korean spa located just up the road. Enjoy soothing scrubs, massages, water features, and eight different saunas and relaxation rooms with various therapeutic benefits. A food court makes it easy to spend several hours here pampering yourself inside and out
Enjoy the great outdoors with some time on the patio at Loro, a restaurant that expertly marries the best of Texas BBQ with Asian ingredients and techniques. It's a truly Texan experience with a decidedly Asian flair and their happy hour is one of the most generous in town.
Dinner in Dallas should be an event unto itself, so if you've got the time for a leisurely meal that you'll remember for a long time, we've got some top-notch suggestions. Shinsei has long been one of the best places for sushi as gorgeous as it is delicious.
Uchi and its upstairs sibling Uchiba share the same chef creator, but each approaches Asian cuisine a little differently. Some people enjoy grabbing drinks and bites during happy hour at Uchiba and then heading downstairs for the main course. And for a luxe twist on Indian fare, Âme in the Bishop Arts District delivers on a promise of elegant presentation and fresh, inventive takes on classics, including knockout cocktails.
Grab your morning coffee and start the day at the Dallas World Aquarium. Be sure to check out the Borneo exhibit – it features beautiful fauna from Southeast Asia.
Visit the Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum: The Samurai Collection, a private collection selectively amassed by the Barbier-Mueller family over the last few decades. Centuries of artisanship are represented in the collection, with objects dating from the seventh to nineteenth centuries. Samurai masterpieces including suits of armor, helmets, masks, horse armor, and weaponry are on display in the Museum.
As you leave The Samurai Collection, walk to the Rolex Building and admire its façade. Designed by Japanese Architect Kengo Kuma, famously known as the creator of the Olympic stadium in Tokyo, it's a great photo opp and an iconic building in Dallas' Uptown district.
For lunch, head to Monkey King Noodle Company in Deep Ellum (or one of its other area locations) for a taste of legitimate Northern Chinese street food, as treasured by restaurant owner Andrew Chen's experiences eating in the night markets of China and Taiwan.
Make a stop at Bobadiction or keep an eye out for one of their food trucks around town to sample some of the popular boba teas or mochi ice cream. 9 Rabbits Bakery is another great spot for Asian desserts galore.
For dinner, head to one of Dallas' most unique spots. Kalachandjis in East Dallas is a must-visit for tasty vegetarian Indian cuisine prepared by the local Hare Krishna Community in a beautiful courtyard setting. The food is made from recipes found in ancient Vedic literature dating back 5,000 years and combines unique spicing and natural ingredients. Along with tasty dishes, Kalachandjis also offers classes on vegetarian cooking, tai-chi, Ayurveda, and bhakti throughout the year.
After dinner, enjoy the Japanese art of Karaoke with a fun night on the town Head to one of these great karaoke rooms and sing for the pure joy of it.
