Welcome to Highland Park/Park Cities
Small-town charm with an upscale, sophisticated vibe
This wealthy enclave boasts a small-town charm that can be hard to come by in a large metropolitan area. Luxurious and exclusive, the Highland Park neighborhood north of downtown Dallas offers expansive residences on broad, leafy avenues and a warm sense of community. Together with University Park, this area — coined Park Cities — is self-governing and has its own joint school district with some of the best public schools in the state.
Most homes in the Park Cities neighborhoods are detached, single-family homes, with an even higher percentage of these being owner-occupied — further contributing to the stable, historic feel of the area.
What to Love
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Safe, upscale, small-town feel
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Excellent public schools
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High-end shopping and dining
Local Lifestyle
Families with children and established couples are drawn to Highland Park and the Park Cities for their posh feel, ample community activities, and easy access to downtown Dallas and airports. With parks, a swimming pool, tennis courts, a public library, campus events at nearby Southern Methodist University, and the Dallas Country Club, there’s more than enough going on to keep residents in touch and active. Whether lunching and shopping at Highland Park Village or teeing off at the golf course, Highland Park’s residents enjoy a low-key, small-town charm with all the amenities of nearby Dallas.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Look no further than swanky Highland Park Village for shopping and dining. This upscale shopping center first opened in 1931 at the southwest corner of Preston Road and Mockingbird Lane and is now designated a National Historic Landmark. Within its striking Spanish colonial-style architecture, defined by red-tile roofs, an ornate fountain, and sweeping archways, shoppers find luxury stores such as Alexander McQueen, Christian Dior, Goyard (the only one in Texas), Rag & Bone, Tom Ford, and more. Foodies come for the specialty gourmet items at Royal Blue Grocery. While you’re here, consider resting your feet and catching a first-run film or classic oldie at the historic Village Theatre, with its large and small screening rooms (it’s also available for private viewing events).
Dining is top-notch at Highland Park Village, too, from seafood specialties at Cafe Pacific to the social cocktail scene at Bistro 31. Sit for a while with neighbors over a bistro galette stuffed with gruyere and ham while sipping a Joie de Vivre made with Zephyr gin, raspberry, lemon, and sparkling wine.
Pop over to Sadelle’s for a New York take on all-day dining —- the sticky buns have been ranked one of the best dishes of the year by The New York Times. Or, share snacks and tuck into delectable sandwiches at The Honor Bar, a space with first-rate cocktails, wine, and beer.
Things to Do
Pack a picnic and head to Lakeside Park on a sunny spring day (bring along extra bread to feed the ducks). This is also a popular spot for July 4th fireworks viewing. Within the 14-acre park, you’ll find a collection of enormous granite teddy bear sculptures, gorgeous azaleas between March and April, and access to the 1.8-mile Turtle Creek Greenbelt Trail that continues through Oak Lawn and Reverchon parks.
Art lovers will adore the Talley Dunn Gallery, an ode to contemporary art. The eclectic collection ranges from works on paper and canvas to etchings and sculptures. The exhibits, which usually run for one or two months, mainly consist of Texan artists. At the Meadows Museum, you’ll almost feel like you’re in Spain at the Prado. In fact, oil tycoon Algur Meadows was inspired by the Prado and donated funds to SMU in 1962 to open the museum. It holds one of the world's most complete collections of Spanish art. Look for pieces from the 10th to 21st centuries by masters such as El Greco, Picasso, Goya, and Miró.
When the fairways call, Highland Park and Park Cities residents make their way to the prestigious Dallas Country Club. With 117.5 acres of land overlooking Turtle Creek and the skyline of downtown Dallas, the club offers a host of recreational activities, social activities, family-friendly amenities, and more in a private, full-service atmosphere.
Schools
Students from Highland Park and the Park Cities neighborhoods attend schools in the Highland Park Independent School District. Some of these highly desired schools are:
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Bradfield Elementary School, K-4
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Armstrong Elementary School, K-4
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Mcculloch Intermediate School, 5-6
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Highland Park High School, 9-12