Best Old Hotel 2018 | Hotel Adolphus | Best of Dallas® 2020 | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Dallas | Dallas Observer
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Even as luxury hotels go, The Adolphus is a cut above the rest and has been for 106 years. Steeped in Dallas history, the oldest operating hotel in Dallas is a one-stop shop for discerning travelers and staycationers alike. The dining experience at the French Room is mandatory; non-guests can sneak up to the seventh-floor pool deck and enjoy Friday pool parties during summer through Labor Day. A recent massive renovation reduced the 422 rooms to 407, and they're painstakingly gorgeous.

Hannah Ridings
Dear Clark
Backed by a powerhouse rotation of hair painters, stylists and braid aficionados, co-owners Holly Dear and Kaycee Clark have carved their way into Uptown coiffure royalty. But one need not be high society to enjoy the star treatment. Us regular folk can also enjoy free valet parking and all the booze that’s fit to drink whilst draped in a black robe soon to be covered in your old split ends.
Hannah Ridings
Culwell and Son
You know that feeling when you realize your Dad/brother/boyfriend’s clothing rotation hasn’t been updated since the Bush Administration? Yeah, that one. Here’s what you do: Grab the beau/first-degree relative and head to University Park. Bask in the glow of tuxedos, shirt and shoe packages and Culwell’s crowning jewel: the Grooming Room. What’s the grooming room? It’s like a day spa for dudes. Your man can get a shave, a haircut and a shoeshine, because this is 1950, apparently. A slap or two of cologne and he’s golden.
San Francisco native Caitlin Wilson opened her eponymous Henderson Avenue decor studio in 2017 after relocating to Dallas from Portland. Serving as the interior designer’s headquarters, the 4,200-square-foot space is part office, part showroom and part boutique. With everything from rugs to wallpaper and scented candles, Caitlin Wilson is a resource for those looking to redo their entire home or simply looking for a stellar housewarming gift. Wilson’s aesthetic can best be described as traditional with a twist. A Parsons Design School alumna, Wilson favors bright colors and bold patterns that can be mixed and matched for a unique yet cohesive design.
Hannah Ridings
Oaks White Rock
There’s nothing fancy about Oaks White Rock, and that seems to be just how its residents like it. The community offers the basics — pool, workout room, barbecue area — and apartments feature built-in bookshelves, balconies and nice-size closets. The complex, less than a mile from the Dallas Arboretum, has friendly staff members and positive online reviews (a rarity, as any renter can attest), and there’s sometimes a wait list to get an apartment. It also has private access to White Rock Lake, so residents can walk out their doors and step into 27 miles of trails. Some units have creek or park views too.
Hannah Ridings
Oasis Plant Shop
A plant in a home can completely transform a living space, and Oasis Plant Shop knows that. Once you step into its jungle of beautiful greenery, you are overcome with the absolute need to adopt every kind of plant and take it home. Not only does Oasis offer hundreds of plants, they also specialize in several types of services. Learn how to install your plant, attend workshops on taking care of your plants and rent plants if you’re not quite ready to be a plant parent or are just in need of a plant for a special event. Plants are a key component in the circle of life, and Oasis Plant Shop is an even bigger component in your quest to own all the plants.
Hannah Ridings
SCRAP Denton
Do you scoff at overpriced, premade scrapbooking kits that line the shelves of major retail outlets? Consider a drive to Denton for a crafternoon you never dreamed you’d experience. SCRAP, as the name suggests, is a wonderland of almost every material, trinket or oddity. And it’s all donated, so it’s all super-cheap. Whatever your task, you’ll likely find what you need. Take a stroll through the aisles to get inspired or get help perfecting your crafting skills with any of its workshops. From knickknacks like random doll heads to spools of yarn to vintage black-and-white photos, this quaint little shop serves as the perfect addition to a project or a stand-alone decoration. Be sure to follow them on social media too for updates on community events.
Hannah Ridings
Richardson Bike Mart
Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or haven’t been on a bike since childhood, the knowledgeable, experienced staff members at Richardson Bike Mart are dedicated to finding the right option for you. The shop, which sells, services, repairs, rents and fits bikes, has four locations throughout the area with all the parts, clothing and gear you need. The locally owned company hosts weekly rides and community events for cyclists of varying skill levels, and its website offers a map of bike trails in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

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