Looking for an affordable staycation spot with endless shopping and dining options mere miles from luxe lodging? Look no further than just north of Dallas to Richardson, Texas! Richardson is smack dab in the middle of all the North Texas action. Pack your bags, round up your family and head out to enjoy a weekend full of bargain hunting, much-needed relaxing and delicious eats!
Where to Stay
Did we mention Richardson has a great lineup of nice hotels with crazy affordable room rates? Here are just a few of our favorites to choose from:
- The Hyatt Regency Richardson – Dallas is a modern, yet sophisticated hotel, conveniently located inside the “Telecom Corridor” just off 75, providing easy access to nearby golf courses, nature trails and an amazing selection of restaurants.
- The Renaissance Dallas Richardson Hotel is a newly renovated, stylish hotel with premier amenities, making it an exceptional guest experience.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dallas, offering free shuttle service covering a five-mile radius, is an elegant hotel that gives you warm chocolate chip cookies when you arrive. Need we say more?
- The Aloft Hotel will always be number one in our hearts. Located just steps from CityLine (literally), this boutique hotel is a convenient home base while you shop and play in Richardson.
Where to Shop
Now let’s get down to business. Richardson’s big bonus is the city’s amazing location! It’s about a ten minute drive from Dallas, the unofficial “fashion capital of Texas,” Allen, the outlet bargainista’s dream, and Plano, the extravagant shopping paradise. With everything from luxury items to steals and deals, these top spots can’t be beat.
Dallas’ NorthPark Center is a perfect mix of luxury brand storefronts, department stores and boutique-style retail. With anchors like Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, you will feel like you’ve walked into high-end fashion heaven!
Across the street, you’ll find the open-air shopping staple, The Shops at Park Lane. You can discover incredible brands at affordable prices at stores like Nordstrom Rack, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th and Bloomingdale’s The Outlet.
A hop, skip and a jump over to the 635 and Dallas North Tollway intersection, lands you at Galleria Dallas. Home to nearly 150 stores, Galleria Dallas features top-notch stores like Macy’s, Nordstrom, Banana Republic, and Belk. You’ll have no problem finding everything you need, and even stuff you didn’t know you needed! A ten-minute drive never looked so good.
Allen Premium Outlets is home to standout outlet shopping such as Coach, Kate Spade, J. Crew Factory and Michael Kors, just to name a few. If you enjoy saving money, Allen Premium Outlets is the place for you. With savings of 25-65% year-round, you can’t afford to miss out.
The Shops at Legacy is where you can enjoy an upscale atmosphere, entertainment, high-end shopping and more, all within walking distance!
Legacy West has quality stores you won’t be able to pass up. Favorites include Madewell, Pockets, Warby Parker, Neighborhood Goods and Johnny Was.
If you’re itching to get active during your stay, Richardson is the place to shop for sporting equipment. Pay a visit to Run On! to get expertly fitted for a pair of sneakers that will speak to your sole…we mean, soul.
Right next door, you’ll find Richardson Bike Mart. Here, you can get fitted for a new set of wheels and pick up all your biking essentials in one stop!
Where to Eat
CityLine is all the rage in Richardson – it’s a sensational mixed-use development with appetizing restaurants to boot. For a casual dining experience, check out one of CityLine’s fast and yummy restaurants like Good Union Urban BBQ, or a new favorite, Char’d: Southeast Asian Kitchen.
If you’re looking for a more upscale eatery, these CityLine gems are sure to hit the spot:
You know it’s true, we all have a sweet tooth whether you want to admit it or not, and Sweet Daze Dessert Bar has the perfect cure! You will fall in love with their rotating soft serve flavors such as fruity pebbles and black velvet, designer doughnuts that feature everything from uniquely-topped unicorns and 24k marble designs, plus handcrafted drinks, artistically decorated cakes and dessert bars!
As if this trip couldn’t get sweeter, Sweet Firefly Gourmet Ice Cream & Candied Treats is home to Richardson’s finest hand-crafted ice cream, Sweet Firefly has a wide variety of to-go desserts to choose from. Whether it’s an ice-cream sandwich, large gumballs, pints of homemade ice cream or dark chocolate cashews, you won’t want to miss out on the sweet treats!
What to Do
For some adult-only fun, Free Play arcade offers an irresistible gaming experience that will take you back in time with more than 95 retro games—they also have a great beer selection with foodie favorites!
After your retro gaming sesh, venture over to Four Bullets Brewery to sample “English ale with a Texas twist.”.
If the kiddos are tagging along on your staycation, keeping them engaged and entertained is a must on a family trip, and we’ll help you do just that. Glenville Pool isn’t just for swimming. Opening July 1, splash around in the water playground or sit back and relax at one of the three other pools Richardson has to offer!
Ready to roll up your sleeves and make a mess? Check out Quiggly’s Clayhouse! This clayhouse (not to be confused with a playhouse, although it will feel like one), hosts art camps and features a walk-in studio, where trained artists will help you create a masterpiece of your very own! Choose from pottery painting, glass fusion, mosaics, clay sculpting or letter art. They also make pottery kits for at-home crafts!
CityLine doesn’t just have tasty bites. Enjoy the day outside at the urban plaza, or explore the two nearby parks where you can bike, hike or walk the trails.
Speaking of the great outdoors, did you know Richardson is full of nature trails and parks? After you stop by Richardson Bike Mart and Run On!, you’ll be ready to explore Spring Creek Nature Area Trail—a 2.3 mile loop trail that features a river and is good for all hiking skill levels! Huck Finn Trail is a 1.4 mile trail that features a beautiful waterfall and a hike achievable for all ages! Bring your camera, because you’ll find plenty of spots for photo ops!
Remember that great location we’ve been doting on? Ride the waves 13-miles north to Allen and cut loose at Hydrous Wake Park at Allen Station, a wakeboarding facility that uses a cable system to pull riders around the 10-acre lake. They will have you looking like a pro in no time! Because of Richardson’s convenient location, the possibilities are truly endless.
