A few miles northwest of Downtown Dallas is Oak Lawn, a charming neighborhood that’s the home of the Dallas Pride celebration (held Sept. 15 and 16 this year). Outside of Pride weekend, the neighborhood attracts open-minded residents and visitors with shopping, restaurants, and an active nightlife scene. Learn more about what makes this Dallas neighborhood unique.

Oak Lawn Real Estate

Condo buildings in Oak Lawn

Homes in Oak Lawn are often described as quaint, whether they’re brand new, upscale townhomes and condominiums or historic, single-family homes that date to 1874. The median sale price in Oak Lawn in approximately $320,000, according to Neighborhoods.com. Popular among progressive urban professionals and young couples partially due to its location, Oak Lawn is near Uptown, Downtown Dallas, and the Dallas North Tollway.

The neighborhood centers around Cedar Springs, a popular thoroughfare with dining, shopping, and nightlife attractions, and Oak Lawn Avenue, a business-focused avenue. Both streets are within walking distance of most residential areas of the neighborhood. The lovely Turtle Creek Parkway Park borders Oak Lawn on one side, and it’s a popular destination for many of the runners and dog owners who live in the area.

Dallas’ Pride Parade

Enjoying a pride parade / Shutterstock

Oak Lawn is known throughout North Texas for being home to Dallas’ Pride Parade. While Dallas’ first Pride Parade was held in Downtown Dallas in 1972, it moved to Oak Lawn in the early 1980s. The parade become a Dallas staple thanks to the work of Oak Lawn merchants and neighborhood leaders, many of whom were active in the LGBTQ rights movement in Dallas. Dallas Pride is held in Oak Lawn during September every year, attracting thousands upon thousands of North Texas residents to this charming neighborhood for a celebration of diversity and equality.

Oak Lawn’s Daytime Activities

Oak Lawn neighborhood in Dallas

There are plenty of things to see and do in Oak Lawn during the day. Shopping is a favorite pastime here. There are women’s boutiques like Elizabeth W Boutique and Betty Lou Boutique and quite a few men’s boutiques too, including Al’s Formal Wear and Outlines Men’s Wear. Thrifty shoppers should check out Luxury Consignment, a men’s consignment store, as well as Genesis Benefit Thrift Store, which puts 100 percent of profits toward their women’s shelter, and Out of the Closet, a thrift shop that donates part of their profits to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

Fitness lovers can run throughout the neighborhood and to Turtle Creek Parkway Park or the Katy Trail. Dirt Cheap Yoga holds classes at Reverchon Park, while Classic Pilates is your go-to for a core-busting workout. It’s also a center for beauty and wellness with nail salons like the Nail Spa, spas like Candle Nails Spa & Massage, and upscale beauty treatments like laser hair removal and cellulite treatments at places like Advanced Skin Fitness Medical Spa & CoolSculpting Center.

Cathedral of Hope is another notable attraction in Oak Lawn, as it’s the world’s largest LGBT-inclusive Christian church.

Where to Eat

Great outdoor patio in Oak Lawn

Oak Lawn’s dining scene is diverse and includes a lot of local favorites. Oak Lawn Avenue is lined with dining establishments on both sides with popular spots like Steel Sushi, Pappadeux Seafood Kitchen, Open Sesame Lebanese Grill, and Mattito’s Tex-Mex.

Cedar Springs is the other go-to street to find great food. Street’s Fine Chicken is perfect for chicken-lovers, while Taqueria La Ventana has a great patio and tacos. Hunky’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers is a favorite Dallas burger spot. Chef House will take care of Thai and Chinese cravings.

For unique dining experiences, try Cosmic Cafe, Dallas’ most colorful vegan eatery, or Eatzi’s Market and Bakery, a European specialty store with a stunning selection of deli fare.

Best Nightlife Spots

Oak Lawn is a nightlife destination in Dallas with a large selection of LGBTQ-friendly bars and clubs. Round-Up Saloon is a gay western bar and club and Station 4 is a popular venue known for its drag shows. JR’s Bar & Grill is an iconic gay bar that’s been in Dallas since 1980. Sue Ellen’s is a popular lesbian bar and club. For a dive bar in the area, The Grapevine Bar is the way to go. They have funky drinks and a great patio with a basketball court. Specialty places like WineTastic Wine Bar and Casa de Montecristo, a cigar bar, round out the nightlife attractions of Oak Lawn.