There are so many great places to live in Dallas that it helps to have an expert on your side. The Neighborhood Guide presented by Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty gives you insider access from the agents who live and work there, providing in-the-know info about your possible new community.

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Stephanie McPeak has spent her entire life in the Fort Worth area, and her affection for the Cultural District is rooted in decades of personal experience, professional expertise, and family memories. A long career in real estate is supplemented with a deep understanding of the district’s character and growth, and McPeak has watched the area evolve from a museum-centered enclave into one of the city’s most vibrant urban hubs.

“This part of Fort Worth is truly unlike anywhere else,” she says. “It’s vibrant, artful, and walkable — those are the three words that always come to mind.”

For McPeak, the Cultural District isn’t just where she works. It’s where she celebrates birthdays, attends performances, bikes with her family, and finds quiet moments on museum lawns. “There’s a certain creative energy here,” she explains. “It caters to people who love art, green space, great food, and being close to everything.”

McPeak offered up a few of her personal favorites about life in Fort Worth’s Cultural District. Here’s her guide to the area:

Where to eat & drink
According to McPeak, the Cultural District and its surrounding streets offer some of the most distinctive dining in Fort Worth, from elegant museum cafes to cozy neighborhood gems.

One of her top recommendations is Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, where she once hosted a surprise birthday celebration for her husband. She describes it as refined and polished, the kind of place where upscale seafood, a thoughtful wine list, and impeccable service create a memorable evening.

For something more down-to-earth, she sends people to Railhead Smokehouse, a beloved barbecue spot known for hearty plates and a genuinely local feel. “It’s Fort Worth comfort food at its best,” she says, though she gently reminds newcomers not to plan a Sunday visit, as they’re closed that day.

Inside the Modern Art Museum, Café Modern offers an architectural dining experience that harmonizes with its surroundings. Large glass walls, serene water views, and a seasonally rotating menu make it an ideal lunch or brunch destination. Just steps away, Salsa Limón delivers bold Mexican street food that’s quick, flavorful, and perfect before or after a museum stroll.

For cocktails, she points people toward The Amber Room, a speakeasy tucked behind a bookshelf, where plush seating and hushed lighting create a transportive ambience.

For coffee, she praises Summer Moon near Camp Bowie for its exceptional pour-overs and warm, community-focused atmosphere. “It’s the perfect start before a museum day or if you need a pick-me-up after hitting the trails,” she says,

Where to play
Living in the Cultural District means constant access to generous green space and some of Fort Worth’s most iconic events. McPeak’s personal favorite is the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, a tradition she has cherished since childhood. “I’ve gone since I was a little girl,” she says. “It’s truly one of the great Fort Worth experiences.”

Museums are woven into daily life here, from the Kimbell Art Museum’s serene green lawn — one of McPeak’s quiet-hour recommendations — to the Modern Art Museum, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, and the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History. She has particularly fond memories of the latter, as her children attended Museum School in their early years, which helped inspire their now science-focused college pursuits.

Outdoor lovers appreciate the district’s proximity to Trinity Park and the Trinity River Trails, ideal for jogging, biking, and meandering picnics. The Fort Worth Botanic Garden adds another layer of tranquility, balancing the energy of nearby performance venues such as Casa Mañana, Will Rogers Memorial Center, and Dickies Arena. These landmarks host everything from concerts to equestrian events, reinforcing the neighborhood’s celebrated diversity of culture across the arts, horticulture, sports, and performance.

And those who love unique home decor and boutique fashion will appreciate You Are Here, Chieffalo Americana, and Hale House, local favorites that add personality to the district’s retail scene.

With the West 7th and Left Bank developments bridging the district to downtown, residents enjoy a walkable urban village filled with shops, nightlife, and entertainment. “You can start your morning on the trails, spend your afternoon at a museum, enjoy dinner on West 7th, and never get in the car.”

Where to live
Residential life in and around the Cultural District is richly varied, offering everything from historic charm to sleek modern design. “It’s not a single, uniform neighborhood,” McPeak explains. “It’s a tapestry of adjacent areas that blend culture, urban living, and quiet residential streets.”

Buyers can expect a mix of early to mid-20th-century homes — Craftsman bungalows, Spanish-style cottages with tile roofs, Tudor-influenced residences — alongside new infill developments, high-concept condos, modern townhomes, and industrial lofts. Many lots are smaller due to the area’s urban density, but the range of architectural personality is one of its strongest selling points.

In the West 7th District, residential offerings include stylish lofts, walkable condominiums, and contemporary townhomes situated above retail and dining. Montgomery Plaza anchors the area with luxury condos inside a redeveloped historic structure, offering high ceilings, large windows, and resort-style amenities.

Closer to Camp Bowie and nearby neighborhoods such as Ridglea, buyers will find midcentury ranch homes, updated single-family residences, and new construction with upscale finishes. The common thread throughout the district is proximity to museums, green spaces, trails, theaters, restaurants, and downtown.

One of McPeak’s current listings, 2455 Halloran St., showcases exactly what makes the area so appealing. Positioned between the prestigious Shady Oaks and Rivercrest Country Clubs, this four-bedroom, four-bath luxury home blends timeless architecture with modern amenities in one of Fort Worth’s most coveted pockets.

Inside, soaring ceilings, rich natural light, and elegant finishes define the open-concept living spaces. The chef’s kitchen — with granite counters, custom cabinetry, double ovens, and a gas range — anchors the home, while a sleek gas fireplace brings warmth to the living room. The primary suite offers a serene retreat, complete with a sitting area, spa-inspired bath, and two walk-in closets. A dedicated office and functional utility room round out the main floor.

Upstairs, a remarkable 2,400-bottle wine room steals the show, paired with a private lounge and a loft-style living area featuring a wet bar — a true entertainer’s dream. Outdoors, a heated spa, tranquil fountain, putting green, covered arbor, and fire pit-ready patio combine to create a true backyard oasis.

The home’s location places it mere minutes from museums, dining destinations, premier country clubs, and downtown. “It’s refined Fort Worth living in every sense,” McPeak says. “Elegant, comfortable, and close to everything that makes this city special.”

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Stephanie McPeak works and plays in Fort Worth’s Cultural District. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email smcpeak@briggsfreeman.com, or call 817-874-6649. Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @home_goals_with_steph.