Beautiful view and hangout in Dallas? (Bryan, McKinney: apartment, rent, chapel)

[quirky_alex]

I'm looking for a romantic location in Dallas with a great view to take someone who's a photographer and doesn't drink alcohol to go to in November. I've heard the Belmont and Nylo both have great views from their patios, but do they have indoor seating in case it's cool at night, and do they serve dessert or any fun non-alcoholic drinks that could be enjoyed by someone who doesn't drink? Any other suggestions for a place with a great view that would fit the bill? Don't really want to pay for the admission to Reunion Tower and would prefer something more unique, but I guess that's an option also. Or any non-restaurant spots, like parking garages or accessible rooftops that have nice views, if we decide to skip dessert?

[bencronin04]

Most of the parking garages around victory park and American Airlines Center have some good views. Granted the pics below have my car from years ago, it gives you an idea.

[robmab]

Have not tried the Nylo, but the Belmont patio is quite nice even on a cool evening. They have heaters on the patio to keep it toasty, and they offer a limited dessert menu in addition to drinks.

There's a restaurant at the top of the Anatole that has a nice view, but I haven't eaten ere since it changed from Nana. It's now called SER.

[TrueDat]

Second the Belmont. Also, if you're ever in the mood to deal with the Uptown bro crowd, there's a really nice downtown view from the third-floor rooftop bar/patio at The Den, a bar/dance club, assuming it's still open as I haven't been in awhile. As I recall, there's no cover, so you could just pop in, head immediately upstairs thus avoiding the dance floors, grab a drink, and check out the view.

[SVTRay]

I'm not sure about balconies with a view but the Crescent has some decent downtown views and is super nice. Its located right off McKinney Ave and in the heart of Uptown. You're only a stones throw away or very short cab ride from downtown Dallas. I'm an Amateur Photographer and shoot a lot of downtown Dallas. The best afternoon times start around 7:00-7:30 for a golden sun reflection on the buildings. Then around 8:00-8:45pm for some nice blue skies. Also, Comet ISON is supposed to be visible starting around November-December. So your friend maybe able to get a good shot of the comet and the city skyline. And if your friend lacks the lens for low light photography, they rent lenses at Competitive Camera. Feel free to PM me if you need some location ideas.

Anyhow, I'm not a drinker either and spent 2yrs living in Uptown. Outisde of the occasional drunk pulling the apartment fire alarm and people howling at the moon, it wasn't all that bad. I avoid the bro crow hotspots like the small clubs and stuck to the nice restaurants.

[djfaninfo]

Here is a perfect picture of the Dallas skyline:

[WorldKlas]

The Dallas County courthouse on Riverside has wonderful views from the 2nd floor.

Also good views from Trinity Grove area (restaurants and just a walking path to a viewing deck) across the Margaret Hunt bridge).

Other interesting photography shots around the Las Colinas canals; near The Cellar restaurant.

[6oo9]

Chase bank building has a "sky lobby" -- an observatory open free to the public during bank hours. The building is located in the middle of other down town Dallas high rises. It is known as the "keyhole building" for its unique architecture feature with a hole in the building. The sky lobby is right underneath the hole.

Kaycee's Photography - 1-2-2009

[Annikan]

The last few times I went to Five Sixty at Reunion Tower, there was no "admission". You have to pay for parking, but it's validated if you go to the restaurant. Most people don't realize that you can also just go to the bar--you don't even have to eat in the restaurant.

They used to have a great Happy hour from 4:30-6:30 where all bar appetizers and drinks were 5.60 and they had some great pork belly buns and mini sliders and some kind of won-ton appetizer that was pretty amazing.

ETA: Bar belmont is nice and used to be one of my favorite hangouts, but the view is from much further out. Not as photography-worthy. Haven't been to NYLO.

There also used to be a bar at Nana with a great view from one side and appetizers (again, from further out), but now that it's changed names, you'd have to call ahead to see if they still have that separate bar area.

The back patio of Bryan Street Tavern has a nice little view and is super casual--there's great food, also darts, shuffleboard, pool, and giant jenga to be played. It's also where I met my husband, so it's still quite romantic to me!

[Annikan]

For a place that's nice to visit and usually pretty empty, try Thanksgiving square and chapel in downtown-the chapel and sculptures are beautiful.

For something out of Dallas entirely, one of the most secret and beautiful places in all of DFW is the little trail/path near Celestial Park in Addison...you have to walk away from the park and down the road a bit into the residential area and then a path appears that goes through the woods---and it is beautiful for Dallas.