What to Do If You Have Visits in Dallas!

Whether it’s your parents, siblings, or friends coming to town, hosting visitors in Dallas as an SMU student can be both exciting and overwhelming. You want to show them the best of the city without breaking the bank or straying too far from campus. Here’s your go-to guide for planning the perfect Dallas visit!

1. Start with a Campus Tour

Visitors love seeing where you spend your time, so why not start with a quick tour of SMU’s beautiful campus? Walk them through Dallas Hall, show off the Meadows Museum, and snap a picture in front of the iconic Mustang statue. If they’re here during a game day, take them to Ford Stadium for the full SMU experience! Book your tour here: https://www.smu.edu/admission/visit

2. Grab Brunch at a Student Favorite

Dallas is known for its brunch scene, and plenty of great spots are near campus. A few top picks:

• Honor Bar
• Yardbird
• Sixty Vines
• Sadelles
• Hudson House
• Bistro

3. Explore Bishop Arts or Deep Ellum

For a true Dallas experience, take your visitors to Bishop Arts District or Deep Ellum—two of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Bishop Arts is perfect for boutique shopping and coffee shops, while Deep Ellum is great for murals, music venues, and unique restaurants.

4. Visit a Dallas Landmark

Depending on what your guests are into, Dallas has plenty of must-see attractions:

• The Reunion Tower – A 360-degree view of the city
• The Dallas Arboretum – Beautiful gardens, perfect for a relaxing afternoon
• The Perot Museum – A fun, interactive science museum for all ages

5. Enjoy a Fun Evening Activity

Wrap up the day with something memorable:

• Katy Trail Ice House – A casual outdoor spot with great food and drinks
• Truck Yard – A fun, dog-friendly beer garden with food trucks
• A Mavs or Stars Game – If your visitors love sports, catch a Dallas Mavericks or Stars game at the American Airlines Center!

6. Late-Night Eats

If your guests are night owls, after a night out, grab a late-night snack at Velvet Taco, In-N-Out Burger, or Serious Pizza in Deep Ellum.