Stereotypes and misconceptions about Dallas abound, stemming from misleading TV series like “Dallas” and western films of the early to mid-1900s. People around the world (and in the U.S.) think Dallas is filled with cowboys, conservative oil magnates, women with big hair, and culture-less neighborhoods where you can’t get around without a car. But we want set the record straight, so check out these six neighborhoods that debunk Dallas’ most famous myths.

Uptown

Uptown neighborhood of Dallas

For some reason, people picture Dallas as a Western-themed city where men wear cowboy boots and hats, folks ride to work on horses, and ranches and farms are the go-to residences. Dallas is nothing like that; rather, it’s cosmopolitan, and that’s evident in the Uptown neighborhood. It’s a modern neighborhood full of historic homes and luxury condos. The community is home to hip professionals and young businessmen and women drawn to McKinney Avenue, the main drag home to wine bars, fancy steakhouses, boutique shops, spas, and vibrant bars and nightclubs. This is a spot to see and be seen, where luxury cars and name-brand clothing reign. The one thing missing in Uptown? Cowboy culture.

Deep Ellum

Deep Ellum neighborhood of Dallas

Big hair, rich oil money, and a conservative culture are other prevalent stereotypes about Dallas. And while there’s a lot of oil money in the city and that culture is visible in certain neighborhoods, Deep Ellum dispels that generalization. Deep Ellum is Dallas’ edgy neighborhood with a strong focus on live music, the presence of art in galleries and outdoor murals, and its hip industrial vibe visible in brick warehouses outfitted as rustic restaurants and nightclubs. The residents are alternative types interested in the arts, music, and all that is weird and quirky, and that’s far from the rich oil reputation of the city.

Oak Lawn

Oak Lawn neighborhood of Dallas

Yes, Texas is located in the South and while some parts of the state have a strong conservative demographic, Dallas is not one of those places. Just take a look at Oak Lawn. The neighborhood has a long history of commitment to the LGBTQ movement as it’s home to most of the city’s LGBTQ bars, the Dallas Pride Parade, and even the largest LGBTQ-inclusive church in the world. It attracts progressives and liberal-minded individuals, and continues to prove that the city isn’t as conservative as people think.

Lakewood

White Rock Lake

Dallas has a reputation for lacking greenspace, but that’s far from true. There are plenty of Dallas neighborhoods within walking distance of popular outdoorsy areas like Turtle Creek Park, Oak Cliff Nature Preserve, Harry S. Moss Park, and the Trinity River Corridor. One of those neighborhoods is Lakewood, and it borders the entire west side of Dallas’ most attractive nature area, White Rock Lake. White Rock Lake is home to tons of recreation from 9.33 miles of hiking and biking trails to an active water sports community that includes kayaking, sailing, and paddleboarding. Lakewood is a tight-knit community with mid-range and luxury homes that sell for $220,000 to $15 million. It’s always busy with folks pushing strollers, riding their bikes, or walking their dogs to White Rock Lake, proving that Dallas has an active nature scene.

Downtown Dallas

Downtown Dallas

Dallas is notorious for having an extensive highway system to accommodate travel in a city that’s extremely spread out. It’s no surprise then that most folks believe that Dallas isn’t a walkable city; while you couldn’t walk from the top to the bottom, there are pockets of pedestrian-friendly (and public transit-friendly) neighborhoods. Downtown Dallas is one such place. As Dallas’ primary business center with condos and high-rise living sprinkled in, it’s ideal for those who want to walk to work, restaurants, nightlife, museums, parks, and stores. From north downtown to south downtown, it’s just a 26-minute walk, while east to west is about 30 minutes on foot. And if it gets too hot or cold in Dallas, there’s even an underground tunnel and skywalk system that allows pedestrians to move in climate-controlled areas off the street. 

Oak Cliff

Oak Cliff photo courtesy of Michael Barera

Dallas’ supposed lack of cultural heritage is yet another misconception about the Big D. It’s far from true. There are plenty of neighborhoods that uphold and celebrate Dallas’ diverse cultural history and that’s evident in Oak Cliff. Oak Cliff is a neighborhood populated with Mexican-owned businesses, shops, restaurants, and art. It’s here where festivals like Cinco De Mayo and #214Selena, an event for Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez, are celebrated. The Oak Cliff Cultural Center plays an important role in featuring readings or art shows by people of color and hosting podcasts like De Colores that speaks on behalf of people of color in the larger Dallas community. Even the local theater, Texas Theater, hosts films and screenings that highlight cultural issues and Dallas heritage.