Walking Date Ideas in Dallas

Walk the 9.4-mile loop trail along the shoreline of White Rock Lake, passing picnic structures, Mockingbird Point Dog Park, and playgrounds.

Paddle together afterward or midway: the on-site concession rents single and tandem kayaks. The White Rock Lake museum makes a stop once you are off the water, and the Dallas Arboretum sits on the lake shore if you want to add a garden.

An abandoned Union Pacific rail line is now the Katy Trail, a 3.5-mile greenbelt park. It looks out over Uptown and stays busy with walkers, bikers, and bladers.

The Knox neighborhood sits right beside the trail, with restaurants close by. Katy Trail Ice House is another stop afterward.

Stroll Klyde Warren Park, a 5.4-acre park above the Woodall Rodgers Freeway, with free programming on offer. Klyde Warren Park sits among the district's museums, so it can start or end a walk through the district.

Start a first date with a stroll through the boutiques of Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff, then grab a drink at a local bar. The area is not too hectic.

The merchants association also hosts a Bishop Arts District Wine Walk on several dates.

Hike through the woods at Oak Cliff Nature Preserve, a 121-acre preserve where the multi-use trails add up to over eight miles. Farther from the trailhead the paths get quieter, while the White Trail draws the most traffic.

A popular 6.5-mile loop of moderate dirt trails runs through forest, with two creek crossings. Wear water-resistant shoes, go early to avoid bike traffic, and keep dogs on a leash. After rain the trail turns muddy, so stay off it for several days once the rain stops. The preserve is open from dawn until dusk and charges no fee.

Take Flora Street between the Nasher Sculpture Center at 2001 Flora Street and the Crow Museum of Asian Art at 2010 Flora Street. The Dallas Museum of Art at 1717 N Harwood St is another stop, with adult programs such as Late Nights cocktail parties and guided tours.

Klyde Warren Park is part of the district too, and DMA Cafe and Nasher Cafe cover a bite.

Take in Georgian, Prairie, and Craftsman houses along Swiss Avenue, from the 4902 to the 6102 blocks. The Aldredge House, at 5500 Swiss Avenue, sits at the center of the district.

White Rock Lake is about 3 miles away, and the Dallas Arboretum is nearby, if you want to keep going.

Start downtown, cross the Trinity River to West Dallas, and finish at Trinity Groves for dinner, drinks, or a tasting at Four Corners Brewing Co.

Spread out over 13 trails, Cedar Ridge Preserve covers over nine miles, and you will see wildflowers, butterfly gardens, and native grasses and trees on the way. It sits less than 20 minutes from the skyline, and weekends are popular, so go early. There is a picnic spot on the grounds.

The preserve is open Tuesday through Sunday from 6:30am to dusk and closed Mondays. Entry is free, with a suggested $5 donation. Stay on marked trails, keep dogs leashed, and carpool if you can, since parking is limited.

Tour the themed gardens at the Dallas Arboretum, including the Sunken Garden, the Rose Garden, and the Jonsson Color Garden. Several picnic areas, flowers, and water features make it a spot for a picnic, and you can bring your own food, drinks, and coolers. Bring water for the walk.

The Arboretum is open daily from 9am to 5pm, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Adult admission is $21.95 Monday through Thursday and $25.95 Friday through Sunday. It sits on the shore of White Rock Lake, so it pairs with a lake walk.