Uptown Dallas is one of the city's premier districts, and thanks to its mixed-use development, it is able to cater to a range of tastes and preferences. Many well-to-do Dallas professionals call this upscale district home, and an array of enticing shops and restaurants line the main avenues. Also found in Uptown Dallas are a collection of bars and clubs, so by no means is it just a daytime destination. No other district in Dallas is more pedestrian-friendly than Uptown, so visitors can leave the car behind when dropping by for a look.

There is an eclectic nature to Uptown Dallas, and in many ways, the district could be compared to Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. The mix of shops, restaurants, and bars is impressive, and the overall atmosphere is vibrant. Some of the hottest Dallas shopping and nightlife can be enjoyed in the district, with the West Village area being an example of one of the hipper hangouts.

West Village is mostly a residential and retail development, and it is centered around Uptown's main street. McKinney Avenue is the main strip in Uptown, and it is not to be missed by art lovers. Art galleries can be found along McKinney Avenue, as is true of the West Village Shopping Center. Shopping and dining are two of the top things to do in Uptown Dallas, and the West Village Shopping Center is an ideal destination for both of these popular pursuits.

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The Uptown Dallas restaurants offer as much in the way of variety as the district's shops do. In addition to some fine-dining establishments, the district is also home to more casual eateries and a bunch of cafes. Many of the Uptown Dallas restaurants and cafes offer outdoor seating for when the weather is nice, and they can be ideal places to relax between shopping sprees. It is worth noting that anyone who gets a little tired on a shopping spree in Uptown can always hop on the M-line Streetcar to get up and down McKinney Avenue. The historic streetcars that are used for this free transportation service are akin to the historic streetcars that are popular in San Francisco.

The M-line Streetcar connects with Dallas' Dart light rail system at Uptown's Cityplace Station. Coincidentally, this station offers access to the 42-story Tower at Cityplace. The Tower at Cityplace is one of the most recognizable buildings in Uptown, and it offers more than 1 million square feet of office space. Heading towards the heart of the downtown area, the M-line Streetcar ends near the Dallas Museum of Art. Along the streetcar route, West Village and the upscale Zaza Hotel figure among the stops.

Once the sun starts to go down, the Uptown Dallas nightlife starts to heat up. Between the Uptown Dallas restaurants, bars, and clubs, the district has plenty to offer in the way of nightlife. Many of the local establishments offer enticing happy hour specials that help to attract patrons who are interested in going out on the town. Enjoying a little nighttime fun is one of the top things to do in Uptown Dallas, and at some of the bars and clubs, the fun goes well into the night. In addition to being home to some of the hottest places to eat and drink in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Uptown also boasts a chic movie theater and two other theaters that are ideal for cultural buffs.

The list of things to do in Uptown Dallas essentially revolves around strolling, shopping, dining, and enjoying some of the city's best nightlife. A great place to live and visit, Uptown has little trouble attracting locals and tourists alike. When Uptown visitors aren't enjoying the various Uptown attractions, they can venture over to nearby West End to check out attractions such as the Sixth Floor Museum. It is worth noting that the Victory Park development links part of Uptown with West End. This upscale development is also home to the American Airlines Center, the trendy and chic W Hotel, a House of Blues live music venue, and the Dallas Hard Rock Café.