More evidence that Dallas and its suburbs are hot destinations: They’ve collectively earned 12 accolades in the 2025 Texas Travel Awards.
The awards were created by Austin Monthly and Texas Music publishers, and the winners are decided by a panel of five industry professional judges. The awards were split into two smaller groups: statewide best attractions and best attractions by population. The latter was further divided into market size: small/mid and big market.
The DFW area took home five more awards than it did in 2024, and DFW earned 14 awards in 2023.
In Dallas proper, Reunion Tower won two “big market” by population awards for having the best destination social media account, and its annual Lone Star New Year’s Eve bash was named the best community event.
Montage, the upscale farm-to-table eatery located on the 11th floor of the JW Marriott Dallas Arts District Hotel, was ranked the best “big market” restaurant. Montage is known for using locally sourced ingredients for its cuisine, and it regularly hosts prix fixe meals, wine pairings, and special event dinners.
Montage is a fine dining restaurant that prioritizes using farm-to-table ingredients.Photo courtesy of Texas Travel Awards
Around Dallas
Three Dallas-area suburbs won several awards this year: McKinney won two awards total, while Frisco and Plano each won one award.
Plano especially won big after being crowned with the statewide honor as “Destination of the Year.” The suburb is certainly a popular place for travelers that want to explore buzzy new restaurants, coffee shops, or take a stroll through one of its many well-maintained parks.
Frisco’s sole award went to its Texas Sculpture Garden, which was recognized as the best “Big Market Public Art.” The sculpture garden is situated in Hall Park, and is known as the “largest private collection of contemporary Texas sculpture ever assembled and made available to the public,” according to Visit Frisco.
“[T]he Texas Sculpture Garden was created to benefit the Texas community by honoring the talent of homegrown artists and making their work accessible to everyone,” the website says. “Visitors to the park enjoy both the art and its remarkable setting. Winding walking trails, lush landscaping, lakes and fountains have been specially designed to complement the art and provide a fitting backdrop for the work.”
The sculpture garden is located in Frisco’s Hall Park.Hall Park/Facebook
McKinney’s longstanding Tupps Brewery earned a statewide award as the best brewery in Texas, while historic bed and breakfast The Bingham Estate was deemed the best “Big Market Unique Lodging.”
Five other attractions in Dallas-Fort Worth won awards including:
- Hotel Drover, Fort Worth – Best Big Market Hotel
- 31 Days of Denton Halloween – Best Big Market Destination Marketing Campaign
- Sledge Distillery, Tolar – Best Statewide Distillery
- Fort Worth Stockyards – Best Statewide Historical Site
- Fort Worth Zoo – Best Statewide Zoo/Aquarium