City Bike Tours: Dallas

One of the best views of the city skyline can be seen from Trinity Groves in Oak Cliff! For that reason alone, we have both visited the restaurants at Trinity Groves on dates and for special occasions with friends.

Trinity Groves is situated on 15 acres and operates as a Restaurant Concept Incubator program, which is a unique and entertaining way to dine! Restaurant concepts pop-up and restaurateurs try their best to deliver top service, food and drinks, as a way to generate great reviews and investment towards opening permanent locations in the neighborhood. This essentially means that there are amazing new pop ups to try, all reasonably priced and excellent quality.

However, better than simply looking at the skyline in the horizon is biking towards the skyline! There are a few paths, including the Ronald Kirk Pedestrian Bridge that parallels the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, Continental Avenue Bridge, Trinity Stand Trail, and soon-to-be finished Trinity Skyline Trail. Do not forget to hop off your bike, though, and take in the amazing views of the city along the ride! And, we recommend starting or finishing at Trinity Groves so you can grab a cold one at LUCK or carb-load at Saint Rocco’s for extra energy for your next bike ride.

DEEP ELLUM

The murals, live music and late night scene have put Deep Ellum on the map! One catalyst for this change was the 42 Murals Project.

In 2015 and 2017, 42 murals were installed across the neighborhood. The designs are submitted and approved in-advance to promote a diverse collection of talent, perspectives and styles. The project has been an incredible way to provide free art and culture to the public and rejuvenate what was once an unkempt and unsafe area. And, the murals have certainly made Deep Ellum a hot spot for Insta-worthy photos!

The Santa Fe Trail is one of the most known bike paths in Dallas, it runs from White Rock Lake to Deep Ellum. We love this trail because within just 4 miles you can bike from a lakeside picnic to the center of the city’s hustle and bustle. One of our favorite memories from on the trail was on a free group ride hosted by Local Hub bike shop (where we found our Brooklyn Bicycles!). We took the trail over to the Samuell Grand Amphitheater and enjoyed a BYOB picnic and Shakespeare in the Park. The sun had already set when it was time to return so we rode our bikes under the city lights!

THE ARTS DISTRICT

Klyde Warren Park is a popular and central space located between Downtown, The Arts District and Uptown neighborhoods! You can find food trucks, live music and festivals, fountains and a playground, free books and board games to borrow, and a large grassy lawn for relaxing, yoga, and more!

Biking is honestly the easiest and quickest way to get around this area because many of the streets are one-way, parking is limited (or expensive!), and the major attractions are all relatively close to one another. A bike can make a 15-minute walk just a 5-minute ride!

Beyond the park, we recommend stopping at the Dallas Museum of Art, City Hall Bistro at The Adolphus Hotel, Sixth Floor Museum, and La Ventana to fuel up on some tacos and margaritas on their awesome patio.

UPTOWN

The Katy Trail is first to come to our mind when we think about biking, running, rollerblading, or dog walking in Dallas! The Katy Trail Ice House is the spot to stop on the trail. No matter what day or what time, the Ice House patio is packed with families, friends, and pets! The beers are served in goblet-sized glasses and time slips by. In the summer, fans and spritzers are on full blast outside. In the winter, fires and complimentary blankets keep Dallasites cozy.

On one end of the Katy Trail is Victory Park, a neighborhood that is home to American Airlines Center, the upscale W Hotel and many local boutiques and restaurants. On the other end is Knox, a trendy area that has all of your shopping needs covered. 

HIGHLAND PARK VILLAGE

This luxury plaza for shopping and dining is only about 1-mile from our home, the perfect biking distance! Usually, we ride to Highland Park Village for its beauty and to be tourists in our own town. While we are not walking into the high-end shops like Chanel or Alexander McQueen, we still find a thrill out of looking at the dramatic window displays. The Spanish-style architecture gives the plaza a very romantic and relaxed vibe.

Our favorite spot in the Village is Royal Blue Grocery. This affordable market does a great job of sourcing local goods! A few of our favorites include the Tacodeli breakfast tacos, Jolie Folle rosé, Holy Kombucha beverages, and 44 Farms steaks. Royal Blue also participates in the seasonal market, LOCAL, on the third Saturday of every month at Highland Park Village. In addition to the local goods found at the market, you'll find vendor pop-ups with handcrafted and artisanal items! If that wasn't enough, there are also games and face painting for kids and live music- so it is definitely a high-energy time to bike over and visit Highland Park Village.

Lilly and Kara ride a Willow and a Lorimer.