The underground tunnel network under downtown Dallas was built to connect nearby businesses and hotels. | Photo by DALtoday
Dallas boasts a secret world beneath its bustling streets: an extensive network of pedestrian tunnels known as the Dallas Underground. This subterranean labyrinth was once envisioned as a futuristic solution to urban congestion.
The Dallas Pedestrian Network is the brainchild of Montreal urban planner Vincent Ponte who was inspired by the success of Montreal’s Underground City. Construction began in the early 1970s to connect buildings, garages, and parks, creating a climate-controlled oasis for pedestrians.
However, despite its initial potential, the Dallas Underground never fully realized its vision. As the city evolved, the tunnels gradually fell into disuse.
Today, the once-promising network exists as a shadow of its former self. Some sections remain bustling, connecting office buildings and retail spaces, while others are eerily quiet.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Dallas Stars | 7 p.m. | American Airlines Center | $44+ | What’s a little lightning next to the full force of a billion-year-old celestial object?
Tech Roast Show: Roast of Dallas Tech | 7:30-9 p.m. | Texas Theatre, Palestine | $30+ | Unwind after SXSW by laughing along as former techies poke fun at Dallas’ nerdier side.
Friday, March 21
Dallas Silent Disco | 8-11 p.m. | Klyde Warren Park | $25+ | Put on the provided headphones and choose a side one of three stations: top hits, Kendrick Lamar, or Drake (all clean versions, so bring the kids).
Saturday, March 22
Electric Feels: Indie Rock + Indie Dance Party | 8:30 p.m. | The Echo Lounge & Music Hall | $15+ | Breaking news: skinny jeans and 3D glasses frames are back in — at least for this night.
Violent Femmes | 8 p.m. | The Pavilion At Toyota Music Factory, Irving | $39.50+ | Big 80s bands, we know you’re the one.
Queens’ Market | 12-4 p.m. | Community Beer Company | Free | Do some shopping while supporting local women-owned businesses — and mayyyybeeee adopt a cute puppy.
Tuesday, March 25
Pickleball Play & Mixer | 6-9:30 p.m. | At Fault, Farmers Branch | $40 | Meet some other pickleball enthusiasts while you pick up some swag, sip on some drinks, and watch your sick moves on instant replay.
Sip & Craft | 6-8:30 p.m. | Scout & Cellar Tasting Room | $28 | She makes sea shells by the cellar door — that is to say you’ll make nifty seashell trinkets while you sip on some nice wine.
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Y’all Street is growing once again — stock exchange operator Nasdaq has announced its intentions to build a second US headquarters in Dallas, joining the NYSE and Texas Stock Exchange. However, it’s still unclear where exactly the new HQ will go, though there is interest in being close to Goldman Sachs. (Dallas Business Journal)
Real Estate
Texas Rangers fans can now choose to live closely to their sports team — in more ways than one — with a new Rangers-themed luxury apartment complex that recently opened in Arlington’s Entertainment District. The complex features 35 team artifacts, 50 custom artworks, and amenities like a swim-up bar + sports viewing lounge. (Dallas Business Journal)
Coming Soon
Mark your calendars — H-E-B’s discount offshoot store Joe V’s will open its second Dallas location on Wednesday, March 26. Construction on the new East Dallas spot near Buckner and Samuell boulevards started about a year ago. (Dallas Morning News)
Arts
Time to get crafty. The State Fair of Texas has officially released the 2025 Arts & Crafts and Cooking Guides for those aiming for a blue ribbon. Registration for the pre-fair contests will open online on May 7, so there’s plenty of time to download the guides and get to making. (Culture Map Dallas)
Feel Good
This week, a bunch of local kids got to practice their reading skills in front of the most supportive audience a kid could have — puppies. The Garland Animal Shelter hosted these early readers at their “Reading to Pets” event on Wednesday. Enough kiddos signed up that the shelter had to make a waitlist. (NBC 5)
Sports
The Dallas Stars’ game against the Anaheim Ducks was a close call, winning 4-3 in overtime. What took so long? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Dallas Stars with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Small Biz
Good things come in small packages. We’ll be celebrating Small Business Week, an initiative to highlight our city’s local enterprises from Sunday, May 4 to Saturday, May 10. If you own a local small business, join us by filling out a form about your business.
Outdoors
With spring comes outdoor concerts + music festivals — luckily, these hearing aids are the world’s first with multi-stream processing, designed to help you engage in conversations effortlessly (even in noisy environments, like that must-see show).*
Stat
Every six seconds. That’s how often a pet owner spends $1,000+ in unforeseen care costs for their fur baby. Pet insurance could cover up to 90% of these costs — find the right plan.*
Biz
Calling all business owners. For a limited time, we’re offering 15% off your first advertising purchase on our self-service ad portal. No long-term contract required — simply use the code NEW15 at checkout to redeem the discount.
City Guide
City Guide
🖼 On exhibit
Nasher Sculpture Center makes for an excellent outing with the kiddos. | Photo via Kayla Oudthone
Museums are the cultural hubs of Dallas. Whether you’re looking to learn something new about the Big D or plotting a way to spend your Saturday afternoon, here are a few stellar museums to visit in our city.
Crow Museum of Asian Art, 2010 Flora St. | Free
Cruise through 600+ works of art that range from historical to contemporary pieces from all over China, Korea, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N. Field St. | $15+
Calling all curious minds — feed your brain with exhibits on fossils + animal bones, the stars and distant galaxies, and anatomy and the human mind. Plus, the new Glow Lab looks pretty sweet, too.
Texas Discovery Gardens, 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | Free No green thumb, no problem. Make friends with butterflies at the exotic butterfly house, “ooh” and “ahh” over various creatures at the snake and reptile house, or cruise the rotating art gallery.
Hi friends — It looks like I’ll be taking a trip over to Louisville, KY next month to visit my mom and I was curious if anyone had any recommendations for restaurants, bourbon tastings, or things to do that I should definitely check out?
I’ll be linking up with my coworkers over at LOUtoday + LEXtoday, but wanted to see if any of you had some thoughts, too. Let me know!
Hey [First Name], I wanted to personally send you this quick note. I hope you're doing well! Let me know if you have any thoughts on this. Feel free to reply, and we can chat more. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
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