I’ve felt a random strike of creative inspo to capture moments and experiences from trips to Texas over the years… but is it ever really random? 😇
When I was working as an insurance professional, TX was part of my region, and I had to semi-regularly go for work! I was always so excited when people would bring cool experiences into the mix for team-building or professional lunches. It was such a great way to break up the everyday routine and take some time to see a city from a different lens.
In recent years—especially post-pandemic—I realized it was time to counteract the grind with experiences that aligned with my energy—like planning food, beverage, and stays that felt fun and grounding, wherever possible. Turns out, work trips don’t have to be all laptop screens and hotel room walls…because…work travel can be done by the book and still be enjoyable. For a long time, it was solely work for me – you know when you’re on a biz trip and you’re eating, sleeping, and breathing work? You’re like… even working from the hotel bed or while you’re boarding the plane? 👀 That had to stop… lol. So I inserted some boundaries bbs! And that added what I’ve heard called balance… and I started enjoying my trips so much more.
First up: The Adolphus
Staying here was SO charming. What I loved most was taking advantage of what was already available to me—tapping into the resources included with the stay and nearby experiences. It’s historic – which, by the way, they offer a 45-minute guided historical tour included as part of the amenity fee if you’re staying there! During the tour, I learned about Queen Elizabeth II’s stay here during her 1991 visit to Dallas – how rad is that? AND for any of you Titanic lovers out there like me, they have the twin piano to the one that was on board the ship. Every painting and detail makes you feel like you’re wandering through a French museum. The hotel was so elegant, cozy, warm, and homey… like it really felt like a place you could call a home away from home. It reminded me that sometimes the best experiences are about leaning into what’s right there, waiting to be enjoyed in the moment.
Not to mention the key things for me on any trip:
- A vibey coffee shop in the hotel is everything. Morning rituals and morning beverages are my thing, so stopping by Otto’s Coffee & Fine Foods brought so much joy to the start of my day before diving into the busy details. Shoutout to Otto’s for allll the beverages for me – matcha, Vybes, Mayawell (from TX!), Recess, and Poppi (also from TX!).
- The lobby vibes were immaculate: fireplaces, cozy couches, and a delicious burger spot called Rodeo Bar. There were also plenty of other things to explore—bars, a boutique, and even a barber shop—but I only had time to take advantage of a few things in my downtime.
This hotel felt like the perfect mix of luxury and down-to-earth charm.
Next: Lunch at Neiman Marcus’ Zodiac Room ✨ Ladies (and Gentlemen) who lunch 🙋♀️
If you’re going to Dallas, pay attention! I didn’t realize—or didn’t put two and two together—that Neiman Marcus was from Dallas… so when I found out we were going to their flagship store for lunch, I was so amped. It felt like one of those right place, right time situations, and that was a hell yes for me in all ways. But the real question… was this going to live up to the Nordstrom Cafe? I’d have to try them both again to give you a final verdict 😉
Look fam, they are known for their popovers with strawberry butter, but I’m not a popover lover… don’t come for me. They looked amazing, though. The truffle fries? Delish. Everyone’s dishes were so pretty, and the presentation was great. And the restaurant’s ambient vibe and timeless elegance leave you with a great memory of the restaurant. This whole experience just felt special —a reminder that elevating life’s daily experiences is such a beautiful way to romanticize your life.
I was reading up on this and back in the day, the Zodiac Room even had models showcasing the latest Neiman Marcus collections during lunch—can you imagine sipping your soup while a runway moment happened right next to you?? Major FOMO of the 1950s and 60s rn.
Finally: The Rodeo at Fort Worth Stockyards 🐂
Okay, cue Kylie Morgan’s I Only Date Cowboys because this was the moment I regretted not buying her merch, or cowboy 👢 at Tecovas in Austin. Heading out to Fort Worth Stockyards for the PBR Stockyards Showcase was a classic Texas experience where you felt immersed in something totally different than your usual city tour. Fun fact: Cowtown Coliseum is home to the world’s first indoor rodeo. The Stockyards Championship Rodeo—held every Friday and Saturday—is also the world’s only continuous rodeo. Buyer beware though –traffic on the way out there from downtown Dallas was gnarly, so plan ahead.
Once we arrived, it was totally worth it. The Stockyards felt quaint and old-timey, especially compared to the scale of something like the Houston Rodeo (this was like the younger brother). The energy of the place, and watching the bull riding made it such a fun, quintessential team-building activity. You could still chit chat with each other, enjoy food & music, while watching the show. I definitely recommend going to a rodeo show if you haven’t been, and this was way less overwhelming than starting with the Houston one — but if you want to go big or go home, save it for Houston, hehe.
Special Mentions
- Kolaches Special shoutout to the amazing humans who would bring kolaches into the office. These little pastries are the perfect treat to bring to your desk or a morning meeting. (If you’re not familiar, here’s a quick read on kolaches).
2. Buc-ee’s FOMO And before anyone asks… I’ve tasted Buc-ee’s jerky and treats, but I still haven’t fully experienced one of those stops. I know it’s a rite of passage in Texas, and yes, I feel left out. Waiting for someone to volunteer to take me to the full Buc-ee’s experience. Until then, it remains on the bucket list (sigh).
3. Capital One Lounge (This note is written with 2025 in mind) — I don’t chat much about lounge perks on here, BUT there is one at DFW airport, not DAL airport. The line was way too long to get in when I went, so I can’t speak to it personally, but it’s definitely a perk when you have the time & space to go (and $$ if you’re not a Venture X cardholder). As of January 1, 2025, some cards will no longer offer their 2 free annual passes, so check your benefits if you’re planning a visit.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, Dallas has a way of surprising you with its vibes. I have a lot of gratitude for the hospitality and fun loving humans in Dallas. These experiences felt like the perfect mix of history, Texas charm, and little luxuries that made a work trip feel intentional and fun.
P.S. Half of these pics are from videos so forgive me for the quality!
Dallas has so many layers, and this is just the start—there’s more to explore, and I’ll be reporting back. 🤠
