The silver screen’s greatest love stories often feel larger than life—and if we’re honest, a bit unobtainable. But while the sun-soaked adventures of Mamma Mia! may seem far-off, Dallas has plenty of opportunities to make your love feel just as cinematic. Whether you’re escaping the stress of wedding planning with a well-deserved date night or keeping the romance alive long after the big day has passed, here are four big-screen-ready local itineraries that’ll have you and your partner feeling like an A-list “It” couple.
1. If you yearn to roam the streets of Notting Hill…
Your day starts in North Dallas at Bird’s Bookstore, a millworked maze of nooks with shelves that are perfect for making googly eyes through. (For a truly on-the-nose reference, grab a British-made Perfumer H fragrance on your way out.) Next stop: Le Bloom in Knox-Henderson. This shop was plucked straight out of a storybook—part cafe, part flower studio, all charm. And after you’ve grabbed a caffeine fix and the perfect bouquet, head down to Klyde Warren Park to keep the romance rolling. Take up some real estate in this serene patch of the city and enjoy your new reads and roses—and each other—as the camera pulls away and fades to black.
2. If you’ve been rewatching 10 Things I Hate About You since 1999…
For Kat and Patrick, fun comes from a bit of controlled chaos. Follow in their colorful footsteps at Ascend Paintball for a splashy showdown, because there’s nothing more romantic than a little friendly competition. After a cool-down and clean-up, grab a blanket and head to Samuell-Grand Amphitheater for Shakespeare in the Park, which is entering its 54th season in Dallas. Close out the night at The Goat, an always-lively dive bar that even Kat would begrudgingly admit to having fun at. Bonus points if you go on a Wednesday or Sunday for karaoke. Now playing: “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”
3. If your dreams lead you to La La Land…
Dallas has a seriously sultry side—you just have to know where to look for it. If you like a little rhythm with your romance, your date night starts at Jettison, a cocktail bar whose hi-fi stereo creates an atmosphere inspired by Japanese jazz-listening cafes. Once you’ve caught the jitterbug, your next stop is Sons of Hermann Hall, where Mia and Sebastian would most definitely dance the night away. Of course, no night would be up to par with the City of Stars without a visit to a jazz club, and on Thursday nights, Babou’s in Hôtel Swexan is the place to be. Enjoy the lounge’s elevated glamour, and raise a Melting Clock Elixir to the fools who dream.
4. If you’re craving a madcap Mamma Mia!–inspired adventure…
Begin your day with brunch at Hudson House, whose coastal-infused menu will have you feeling like you’ve escaped to the Greek isles. Sophie’s best scheming was done in a cute swimsuit, and your next activity happens to have the same dress code. Head to the breezy shores of White Rock Lake for a catamaran sail that’ll have you humming the tune of “Our Last Summer.” And where better to show off your new sun-kissed glow than at the monthly Bishop Arts District Wine Walk? Enjoy a stroll with your sweetheart as you try local wines, shop the featured merchants, and satisfy that “Super Trouper” itch.
