10 OctOber 2 - 8, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents 15 of the Best Walks in Dallas Want some fresh air and exercise but don’t want to step outside the city? These walk- able areas are for you. BY THOMAS LOWERY, CARLY MAY GRAVLEY W e all walk for different reasons: One day it’s for exercise, the next for transportation. Some- times we walk to relax, and other times we’re looking for a chance for personal reflection and contemplation. Maybe we simply need to get out of the house, move around and see something spectacular. Or maybe we’re just trying to enjoy the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it facade of fall weather in North Texas. For whatever reason you walk, Dallas has some great places to put one foot in front of the other. Here are 15 of our favorites: Ronald Kirk Bridge 109 Continental Ave. This pedestrian bridge is a marvel on its own, and it offers a stunning view of downtown Dallas. The bridge is wide enough to ensure that even on a busy weekend it doesn’t feel too crowded, and short enough (just under a half-mile) to be an easy walk for all ages. It also offers a variety of benches, chairs and even concrete chess tables. The bridge runs parallel to the majestic Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, but other than that, its immediate surrounding is sparse enough that you get an incredibly clear and expansive view of the Dallas sky- line. Klyde Warren Park 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway Located directly above Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Klyde Warren is the ultimate leisure park. It’s also beautifully designed, with gravel paths lined by white arches on the sides, cement walkways running through the center lawn and flower beds planted every which way. The park is fairly small at 5.2 acres, so you won’t spend too long traversing its paths. Go for a slow stroll and then stay for the food trucks and a relaxing game of croquet. Katy Trail 5307 E. Mockingbird Lane There’s nothing quite like the Katy Trail on a weekend morning. It’s teeming with runners, walkers and bikers, and the vibe is lively, the energy contagious. If you’re look- ing for a solid workout, take the whole trail from American Airlines Center up toward Mockingbird Station (it runs 3.5 miles). If you’re looking to mix some fun into your walk, you can stop off at the Katy Trail Ice House. It sits beside the trail between Fair- mount and Routh streets and boasts 50 beers on tap, barbecue and more. Harry S. Moss Park 7601 Greenville Ave. If you’re not up for the excitement of Katy Trail, you can trade it for the more tranquil Harry S. Moss Park. The park entrance of- fers wide, serene spaces that lead to swaths of trees and dirt trails. You’ll find plenty of walkers, bikers and even horseback riders, but the park is large enough to accommo- date everyone without ever feeling crowded. Vickery Place Willis Avenue/Glencoe Street This lovely, unassuming neighborhood in East Dallas is easy to access and has some great walking options. We recommend you start on Willis Avenue and Glencoe Street and head west toward Henderson Avenue. It’s a quiet stroll with charming old houses and trees. When you run into Henderson, plenty of eating and drinking spots await in either direction. Or, you can head east and take in the ample shops and bars of Lower Greenville. Feeling energetic? Try both op- tions. Dallas Arts District 2001 Flora St. Even if you’re not planning to attend one of its museums or performing arts centers, the downtown Arts District is worth a visit sim- ply to roam around its expansive, wide streets. The eclectic design of the buildings here is both alluring and calming; you need not be a student of architecture to appreci- ate their sleek, elegant beauty. You could start at the Nasher Sculpture Center on Flora Street and make your way down to- ward One Arts Plaza. Then loop back around on Ross Avenue past Tatlin’s Senti- nel (the big yellow sculpture) and then mo- sey through the KPMG Plaza. NorthPark Center 8687 N. Central Expressway If the weather’s poor and you feel the need to stretch your legs, you might consider NorthPark Center. This multilevel architec- tural marvel runs in a loop, so you can wan- der, gaze, get lost and wind up back where you started. Along the way you’ll find beauti- ful artwork on display, dozens of high-end specialty shops and even a Tesla showroom. Most notable is the 48-foot-tall sculpture “Ad Astra,” so large and impressive that there’s a long-running joke that the mall was created around the sculpture — how else did they fit it inside? Bishop Arts District 819 W. Davis St. Lots of walking options here. Consider start- ing at Davis Street Espresso for some rich coffee and avocado toast. From there, head east on Davis toward Bishop Avenue, where you’ll encounter numerous little shops, bars and restaurants (including Emporium Pies, which is worth the hype even with lines sometimes extending out the door). From Bishop, roll down Eighth Street and stop at The Wild Detectives, a delightful hybrid of neighborhood bookstore, coffee shop and bar. Swiss Avenue La Vista Drive to North Fitzhugh Avenue Walking can be a great time for personal re- flection, though if you choose Swiss Avenue for your stroll, the reflection may have to wait. There to distract and amaze are some of the oldest, largest and most architectur- ally diverse homes in Dallas. The historic stretch of the neighborhood runs from La Vista Drive to North Fitzhugh Avenue. Me- dians with plenty of trees divide the street, so you’ll want to walk down both sides to fully take in all the houses. The architecture is best seen during daylight, but it’s defi- nitely worth it to stop by during the holidays for some of the finest Christmas light dis- plays in Dallas. White Rock Lake 2899-2803 W. Lawther Drive There’s no correct way to experience White Rock Lake. Enjoy a rigorous trek around the 9.5-mile trail or a peaceful exploration of the diverse surrounding flora and fauna. Ven- ture off into the beautiful nearby neighbor- hoods or check out the Dallas Arboretum. Have a picnic or pause on a fishing dock during sunset as gentle waves come in. In other words, White Rock Lake offers myriad possibilities for enjoying its splendor. Just be sure to go with open eyes and ears, for great beauty awaits there. Turtle Creek 3333 Turtle Creek Blvd. If you have the time and stamina, you can walk the length of this upscale neighbor- hood and bump into several beautiful things along the way. At Turtle Creek Park, an ideal spot for walking in its own right, you’re within walking distance of stunning and historic buildings such as the Rosewood Mansion and the Kalita Humphreys Theater, as well as the upscale dining and shopping the neighborhood has to offer. - CARLY MAY GRAVELY State Thomas Historic District 2200 Hugo St. Here’s the spot for those who love to wander around handsome neighborhoods and fan- tasize about their dream house. State Thomas boasts the largest collection Thomas Lowery If you’re looking for a quiet stroll, Vickery Place is your place. ▼ Culture >> p12
