Uptown Neighborhood in Dallas

Uptown neighborhood is an area located in the north portion of downtown Dallas. The neighborhood is an upscale portion of the city that is full of restaurants, shopping, bars, and spas but it was not originally intended to be an upper-class area of the city. The Uptown neighborhood was originally home to the disenfranchised people in Dallas. Hispanic immigrants and freed African American slaves first established the neighborhood and named Uptown "Little Mexico" and "Freedmen's Town". The African and Hispanic historical roots of the area have been erased with the exception of a massive grave site called Freedman's Cemetery that is buried under an expressway. The area is bordered by Central Expressway, Turtle Creek Boulevard, and Blackburn Street.

Today, the Uptown neighborhood is one of the most upscale and walkable areas in the city of Dallas. A dramatic overhaul in the urban planning of the area has transformed it into an urban oasis of numerous entertainment establishments that is set in gorgeous architecture. The transformation took thirty years. Uptown is divided into three areas; State Thomas, West Village, and Knox Park. The Uptown neighborhood is also considered to be part of the Oak Lawn community. Uptown is now considered one of the most desirable places to live in Dallas.

Because the area is so walkable, cars are not necessary for locals or tourists in the area. There is an effective transportation system called DART which serves the Uptown neighborhood extensively. DART stands for Dallas Area Rapid Transit. The transit provides buses and light rail service in the Uptown area. An alternative transportation method is the McKinney Avenue Trolley which runs from downtown Dallas through Uptown and a portion of West Village. The area is very safe for individuals who prefer to walk, jog, or bike to the different shops and restaurants in Uptown.

A business community called the Uptown Dallas Association promotes tourism in Uptown Dallas. The organization makes an effort to bring in revenue to the area. Various events that are held in the Uptown area are promoted through the Association's website.

In many areas of Uptown, visitors can enjoy dining outdoors on the patio of a cafe, or even spend the evening dining at an upscale restaurant. Art galleries and the theatre bring an artistic aspect to the neighborhood and serve to culturally enlighten the locals. Places like the Magnolia Theatre (located in Uptown) have a broad selection of independent films. The Uptown theatre creates some diversity in the entertainment offered in the area.

The Uptown neighborhood consists of an architectural mixture of old and new buildings. There are old and preserved brick buildings situated between glistening high-rises and commercial buildings. Residents of the Uptown area can choose from hundred year old homes or brand new condos that are newly constructed. The architectural mixture makes Uptown a gorgeous place to live. Over the last decade, Uptown neighborhood has experienced a surge of residential growth that has attracted new restaurants, shops, and clubs. The neighborhood has roots that are over a hundred years old and is still growing each year.