The timing here is key, and the approach must be delicate. If done correctly, however, the westbound I-20 split at Mountain Creek Parkway can, for a brief instant, make you feel as if you are thundering down a rolling mountain pass in your very own road-trip movie. Hit the road after dark, pop in some twangy rock and roll music and barrel west toward Duncanville with the windows down. Be sure to stay in the middle lane and slow to about 55 mph as you approach the curve just before the parkway exit. Gaze out in awe as Dallas County unfolds beneath you, suburban sprawl a-twinklin' as far as the eye can see.

Readers' Pick White Rock Lake

As first steps go, the Trinity Levee Trail opened earlier this year is pretty modest. Even now it's still mostly an idea, a few signs with arrows added to pre-existing access roads. Yet a walk, jog or ride on the 6.2-mile gravel loop is a testament to the area's enormous potential. On the stretches of the trail at the foot of the levees, the slopes cut off both the view and the noise of the city, leaving only the crunch of your footsteps and the wind through the trees. Then a quick climb up the hill reveals downtown Dallas spread out before you. It's easy to be cynical about Dallas' grandiose plans for turning the Trinity River into a manicured green space to dwarf New York's Central Park when the beautiful but unnecessary designer bridges are the only aspect of the plan that city leaders seem to care about. But if the thing somehow comes together, the Levee Trail shows that the result could be grand indeed.

"This isn't a gay bar or a straight bar," says longtime manager Henry Arter. "It's a neighborhood bar." Although the place is certainly gay-friendly and, for that matter, straight-friendly and neighborhood-friendly, Arter may be selling it short. More than anything else, Bill's is music-friendly. Along with Bill Munoz, owner for 23 years, and Buddy Shanahan, music director and house pianist for 15 years, Arter has created a spot for live music of nearly every kind. Depending on who's in town, one can hear show tunes, country, disco, jazz, pop and gospel in the intimate front room. The quality is always high, the setting and sound system perfect for small groups, and there's never a cover charge. Open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., Bill's serves an ever-changing clientele throughout the day and night. It's also a Wi-Fi hotspot where many people conduct business during the day. True to Arter's assertion about the nature of the place, Bill's offers a genuine sense of community, featuring charity fund-raisers, sponsoring a softball team and holding semi-annual book fairs.

If this city has a posh pied piper, it's Dallas Morning News columnist Mr. Dallas, the man who scores an invite to every spot with a velvet rope and a "list." Not to say he should be anyone's idol (he's just a nightlife writer, for God's sake), but he does have a certain air of mystery, with his cartoon mug shot and lack of a real name. He's sort of like a superhero whose powers are sniffing out Grey Goose cocktails and spotting designer duds. If you want to catch him out, your best bet is probably Sense, the Tristan Simon-owned members-only nightclub on Knox-Henderson. People there actually call him "Mr. Dallas" to his face. If you're not a member, find a friend who is, and see if you can spot him. It's like a high-fashion game of "Where's Waldo."

This eclectic colorful café could quite possibly turn the straightest person into a Scream'n Queen, which is also a name of one of their drinks. Their creative menu can make it fun even to order, and you get your meal delivered to your table in a metallic lunch box; nothing says lunch like Hello Kitty. Order a Creamy Twink (yes, it's a drink), a Chai-Coff-Ski or Naughty Toddy to finish off your experience. But there are no small or venti sizes here. It's either a Butch or a Big Girl. Although a bit pricey and self-indulgent (does anyone really need a Buli-labeled cap or jellybeans?), Buli is more about tapping that inner fabulous child in everyone.

It's too late this year to travel to West, about 80 miles south of Dallas off Interstate 35, for the annual Westfest celebration of the town's Czech heritage, so we suggest you check out the State Fair of Texas now and make plans for Westfest next year. Why? It's simple: tons of kolaches, those delicious pastries filled with meats or fruits. You say you're more interested in Shakespeare in the park or dance exhibits or that you don't care for polka music? We'll say it again: PASTRIES FILLED WITH MEATS OR FRUITS! Geez, some people are so dense.

Readers' Pick
Deep Ellum Arts Festival April 7-9, 2006 in Deep Ellum

Forty tables of pool and the guy who owns the place, C.J. Wiley, is an ESPN billiards world champion. We're not saying Wiley will give you a lesson, but it's still cool to shoot stick in a place of such renowned talent. Wiley has a wall of accomplishments in the back, and if you're interested, some cues from his line for sale. Or, you know, if pool ain't your thing, a DJ spins hip-hop every Friday and Saturday night. The place gets sweaty around 11 p.m.--a better crowd than you'd think a pool hall would warrant.

Readers' Pick
(Tie) Billiard Bar 1920 Greenville Ave. 214-826-7665 Fox and Hound English Pub & Grill 10051 Whitehurst Drive 214-340-4300 112 W. Campbell Road, Richardson 972-437-4225