Whether on a business trip or exploring all that Dallas has to offer, this chic boutique hotel will be your new favorite – a home away from home.

As soon as you step foot in the AC Dallas Hotel, you’re walking into a modern, chic oasis with southern hospitality and European-style dishes. The hotel makes it easy to get downtown; it’s a very laid-back and low-lit atmosphere, perfect for those not wanting to be directly in the action, but right around the corner from it. Whether you’re here for business or a holiday getaway, you’ll love how the hotel is walking distance to the Galleria Mall as well as convenient to local airports.

When you book 3 nights or more at the AC Dallas, you’ll save 15%. The offer lasts until December 31, 2023, so you may as well enjoy a holiday staycation with family before things get hectic with the upcoming new year. (Make sure the Promotional Code: D3Q appears when making your online reservation, or call 1-800-228-9290 and let them know).

With beige, brown and neutral tones, the AC Lounge is made for relaxing and chatting. With TVs surrounding the space, the inviting ambience feels like a living room itself. Even if you’re not in a relaxing headspace, this place will surely get you there.

Recharge and energize at the in-house fitness facility, or take a swim in the indoor pool. There’s also the outdoor pool area located on the lobby floor, which includes a grill so you can barbecue with family. 

Delightful Dallas Dining

Start your day with a European-style breakfast at AC Kitchen. You’ll enjoy freshly baked pastries, savory egg tarts, artisan-cured meats and cheeses, along with a selection of yogurts and cereals. For lunch, order the roasted mushrooms for the table, and if you didn’t get enough of those artisanal meats and cheese for breakfast, you can order the plate that’s also a great shareable. I enjoyed the pepperoni flatbread which has a sweet marinara sauce. The fig and onion spread made the Angus AC Burger slightly sweet but delicious. 

For an after dinner drink delight, try the signature cocktail, the ACGT (A Custom Gin Tonic), served in a scientific-engineered glass that discreetly guides the perfect ratio. Other drink favorites include the Smoked Manhattan Cocktail, as well as the Lavender Espresso Martini. You can’t really taste the lavender, but you’ll for sure get in your coffee fix.

If you want to dine away from the hotel, we highly suggest Ocean Prime, located at Rosewood Court and uptown Dallas. This nationally acclaimed seafood and steakhouse is an excellent choice for those wanting to socialize, indulge and celebrate, taking in the vibrant energy of uptown Dallas. The service was impeccable, and the ambience was very sophisticated and elegant – perfect for a romantic date night. They really go out of their way to make you feel special and 100% satisfied.

Start with the Jumbo Lump Crab Cake served with sweet-and-sour slaw and horseradish mustard aïoli. This super fresh crab cake is not an imitation crab. This is the real deal. The sweet chili sauce on the Point Judith Calamari gives it a nice kick that separates the dish from being average. Vegans and vegetarians can try the Sushi Vegetable Roll, or Hamachi Crudo, which contains pickle, mango, sweet peppers, cilantro, and sesame ginger vinaigrette. Other light options include soup and salads, such as the Beet Salad, Crab Wedge, or The Lobster Bisque – some of the best you’ll have.

No need to go all the way to the coast to eat delicious Sea Scallops when you can eat them right here at Ocean Prime. When you order the 6 ounce Filet Mignon, don’t be shy – order the black garlic truffle butter that will elevate the steak to a whole new level. The side portions are huge, so prepare to share with the table. Whether it be the asparagus, bacon cream spinach, black truffle mac & cheese or smoked gouda tater tots, you’ll love anything you choose. Your taste buds will be satisfied with the variety of scrumptious seafood, steak, and sides. 

Take it up a notch by ordering the Smoking Shellfish Tower that will surely impress those around you. Go ahead, you deserve to indulge! 

As for your sweet tooth, we suggest trying the 10 Layer Carrot Cake with cream cheese, icing, and pineapple syrup, as it’s very popular with guests. You also can’t go wrong with the classic Crème Brûlée. (It’s always fun cracking the caramelized sugar top!)

After that exquisite meal, enjoy a handcrafted cocktail to keep the good times rolling. The Berries and Bubbles Cocktail is their signature drink and basically tastes like a berry lemonade; the dry ice makes for a great photo and video opp. The Cucumber Gimlet is your answer for a refreshing cocktail. The Black Orchid is another great choice, as it looks aesthetically pleasing with a beautiful ice flower.

Dallas Must-Do Activities

While you’re down in D-town, you may as well explore the city from the sky and check out one of the most recognizable landmarks. I’m talking about the Reunion Tower. You know the giant light-up ball you see in the middle of the city? As a kid, I always wanted to go to the very top, and I finally got to do so. The city views are as remarkable as I expected them to be. From 470 feet up you’ll have a phenomenal breathtaking 360° panoramic view of the city you know and love. The views are equally beautiful day and night. The indoor/outdoor observation deck lets you see from miles in any direction. This is one of those must-do Dallas activities you need to do at least once in your life. (A free digital photo is also included with the purchase of a ticket).

Couples love the Reunion Tower GeO Deck as their ultimate date night backdrop. Have an Anniversary coming up? Purchase an inclusive couples package “Love is in the Air” that you and your sweetheart will remember forever. Looking for a momentous, romantic spot to pop the question? Make it official at this Dallas icon and purchase an inclusive Vows package to celebrate your lifelong commitment together. 

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is another great date idea, but it’s also a great family fun activity all ages will enjoy. During the fall, the Dallas Arboretum has a beautiful pumpkin display with a “It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” Peanuts theme. During Christmas time, the garden transforms for the holiday season, featuring the return of the beloved Christmas village, 12 days of Christmas gazebos, dazzling musical tree, and elaborately decorated DeGolyer house. The historic house features a new collection of nearly 600 nutcrackers among other classic Christmas themes. The exhibit is open daily every Monday through Wednesday evening, and runs until January 5, 2024. 

The Perot Museum will entertain visitors of all ages. Here is where families can learn together and take a break from their individual daily routines to ponder and wonder the fascinating mysteries of science. (Now through December 31, you can give a membership to the science lover in your life and get 20% off!)

Go back in time and get close and personal with the ferocious sights of dinosaur fossil skeletons on display. The Paleo Lab gives viewers a glass case view of the museum’s paleontologist and preparators process fossils fresh from the field, unearthing new prehistoric species right in front of your eyes. Towering a top of the Paleo lab is the only full body reconstruction of Nanuqsaurus hoglundi in the world; this species was discovered by the Perot museum’s curator emeritus Dr. Anthony Fiorillo – unearthed in this very lab.

Kids will love the interactive bird flight experience where you can soar as a bird through a breathtaking Texas Canyon Valley collecting rings for points. 

I was lucky to be at the Perot Museum for the October eclipse. It was super exciting gazing up at the sky with our specialized eyewear watching the eclipse with astronomers and other fellow astronomy enthusiasts for this rarity event. We all enjoyed live music and hands-on STEM activities. The museum café even had special eclipse-themed snacks available for purchase, such as delicious moon cookies. And in case you’ve been living under a rock, there’s going to be another once-in-a-lifetime Great North American Eclipse taking place on April 8, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Dallas will be the largest city in the path of totality, so be sure to buy your ticket ASAP when they go on sale December 15.

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Cover photo courtesy AC Dallas Hotel

Leean Vargas is the Highlight Reel newsletter editor at Texas Lifestyle Magazine and an honors graduate of Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She is a concert enthusiast who loves traveling, photography, good food, and discovering new hangout spots in her beloved city, Austin, Texas.