Exploring Downtown Dallas Parks

I’ve lived a number of places, all of which I’ve enjoyed. Other than what will always be my hometown of Athens, Ohio, Dallas is my love. Even after living here for nearly 17 years (I had to count that twice to believe it’s been that long), there’s still so much to see and do. I haven’t nearly explored as many corners as I’d like, but we’re checking off the bucket list in our own sweet time.

Now that we have a little one that’s curious and bored easily, we have an excuse to stretch our legs — if not just desperation to get her out of the house. In December (I know, it was ages ago already) we unexpectedly — and thankfully — found ourselves with a day at home with nothing to do. Shocking, I know.

With all the bustle of the holidays, we — the collective Perots — were tired. Really tired. Beyond tired. But even with the freebie day off, we weren’t quite ready to tackle any projects at home, and the Cupcake and I were feeling a little under the weather. Which means, you don’t feel like doing anything in particular, but if you happen upon something, then great — just don’t make me plan it, you know?  Sometimes though, those days are the best days, the ones that make the special memories.

As luck would have it, the hubs had left a fresh pecan pie on his desk at the office a couple of days earlier (a crime suitable by punishment if let to spoil, especially since it was hand-delivered from Lea’s Lunchroom in LeCompte, Louisana. Which is only the home of the Pie Festival and the best pies. Like, ever.  A rescue mission was totally in order. Since the hubs works downtown at City Hall, I suggested we walk over to Neiman Marcus and see if the Cupcake could climb through their Holiday display. I had been waiting for 4 years for her to be big enough and brave enough to tackle it on her own.

If you haven’t seen the holiday display that the downtown Dallas Neiman Marcus creates each year, you’re missing out. Put it on your list for December 2013 right now.

Neiman Marcus suspends a climbing tube that twists and turns through magical displays and curves around the outside of the building. High in the air, kids can peer out the bubble at their jealous parents while they climb and slide and become one of the interactive windows decked out in Christmas wonders. And it’s free. Yes, free. At Neiman Marcus. I swear.

Here are a few of my favorite photos (and there were lots of photos):

After 4 trips through the tubes, the Cupcake was ready for more awesome downtown adventures, she was only getting started I’m afraid. We walked up the street and took in the Chinese lanterns in Main Street Garden park. Isn’t the Panda adorable? I’d have more photos but there was a photo shoot going on at the time. Seems we weren’t the only one loving the park.

However, a skinned knee off the stone benches meant it was time to feed the Cupcake’s wanderlust once again. She was officially done with Main Street Garden although I was ready to plop down for a snack from the food vendor.

Klyde Warren Park

This time we drove over to Klyde Warren Park which overlooks a slice of the Dallas skyline. If you’ve not seen it, this was a genius project by the City of Dallas. They took  recessed dead space on top of Woodall Rodgers Freeway and turned it in to a 5.2 acre urban green space, complete with a big spongy playground and the ideal food truck parking on the side.

It was packed on what was a moderate temperature and slightly damp day, but still it was a welcoming place to walk around and take it all in. Tables were set up for people playing checkers and chess and birthday parties, and you could pet probably 30 types of dogs, but my favorite was still the Yarn Bomb trees.

I so wish I could knit. I’d cover everything.

Anyway, I look back on this random afternoon and remember it as one of the most unpressured family days that we’ve had in a long while — and it ended in pie! What’s better than THAT?!

Whether you’re in Dallas or some other fabulous place, exploring the city where you live is such a worthwhile activity for you and your little ones. I highly recommend being a tourist in your hometown for an afternoon and of course, spending an afternoon moseying around downtown Dallas parks.