Dallas is full of fun, unique neighborhoods, but perhaps none quite as unique as the Bishop Arts District. Billed as “Dallas’ Most Independent Neighborhood,” it is the perfect place to spend a day exploring the more than 60 independently owned boutiques, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, and checking out the many murals and art found at every turn.
Not everything in Bishop Arts District is kid friendly, but it’s still a fun place to get outside and spend the day with kids, experiencing a different part of our great city.
Parking in Bishop Arts District
Parking in Bishop Arts District can be a bit of a challenge depending on when you go, especially during events or on weekends. Street parking is available if you can find it and are willing to brave a parallel-parking challenge. There are also several spots with two- or four-hour time limits interspersed throughout the neighborhood; however, pay attention to signs that limit who may park there.
I found parking to be simple and hassle free at the lot on Ninth Street and Bishop, with all- day parking for $5. There’s also a parking lot on Madison and Seventh Street that’s a good place to start, but it fills up quickly on weekends.
Murals in Bishop Arts District
Immediately upon entering the neighborhood, my kids were in awe of the cool murals around almost every corner in Bishop Arts District. We could have done nothing other than walk around looking at murals and taking pictures, and they would have been completely happy—mom win!
Restaurants in Bishop Arts District
One of the most difficult things about visiting the Bishop Arts District is deciding where to eat—there are so many delicious options!
Brunch is always an easy sell for my crew, so we ended up at Oddfellows. Pancakes and fruit for the kids and a refreshing Watermelon Arugula Salad for me were just the fuel we needed to continue our day.
Other kid-friendly restaurant favorites include:
Lockhart Smokehouse BBQ
Eno’s Pizza Tavern
Gloria’s Latin Cuisine
And don’t forget dessert!
On our most recent visit, we planned on heading to Melt for ice cream, but they were closed. We ended up at Azucar, and it did not disappoint. With flavors like guava, flan, and cafe con leche (highly recommend!), you can get a feel for the shop’s Cuban roots, but there are still plenty of more traditional flavors, such as birthday cake, cookies and cream, and rocky road.
My oldest daughter chose boba tea from Craft Boba Tea, and it was delicious. Craft Boba Tea also carries JOY Macaron ice cream sandwiches, which had all four of us drooling!
Other favorite dessert stops in Bishop Arts include Dude, Sweet Chocolate and Emporium Pies.
Shops in Bishop Arts District
While the highlight of our day in Bishop Arts District for my kids was the art and ice cream, the cute, independent, funky shops spoke to me most. There were several shops that I didn’t feel comfortable taking my children into, so be mindful that if you have young kids, shopping in Bishop Arts might be something you do without them.
The hands-down favorite shop for all four of us was Urban Owl. I was ready to move in! Warm and welcoming, it was full of unique home goods, prints, gifts, and jewelry. And I was especially appreciative of the saleslady behind the counter who didn’t bat an eye at my tired five-year-old who needed to sit in the corner and rest her weary legs for a bit.
Another all-around favorite shop was We Are 1976, a gift shop and design and letterpress studio. We loved flipping through all of the prints. I left with two fun pieces for my son’s bedroom and already have plans to go back for more.
The Laughing Willow is as peaceful and happy as its name suggests. It is full of home decor, women’s clothing, gifts, and a back room full of precious baby clothing and gifts. My kids found the exterior of the shop just as delightful—a porch swing, sidewalk chalk, brightly colored benches, a seating area, and several Instagram-worthy photo ops.
Check here for a complete list of shops in Bishop Arts District. I will remind you that because these are all independently owned shops, their hours may vary, so be sure to check their website before planning your visit.
