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The 6 Best Dallas Neighborhoods to Discover — Locals’ Picks

By U.S. News & World Report

To experience Dallas like a local, explore some of the funky and fun neighborhoods located a few miles outside downtown. Whether you’re looking for good music, well-crafted cocktails or high-end shopping, Dallas has a spot for you. Here are six neighborhoods that local experts say you shouldn’t miss on your next Dallas trip.

Highland Park

Stroll down Highland Park’s wide sidewalks, shop the upscale stores or dine at top-tier restaurants. Located north of downtown, Highland Park is one of the best places to spend an afternoon.

[Read: The Best Hotels in Dallas-Fort Worth.]

A fixture of this ritzy area is Highland Park Village, often called the Rodeo Drive of Dallas. The shopping center includes luxury stores such as Chanel, Dior, Hermès and Stella McCartney.

Once you’ve finished shopping, order dinner at renowned steakhouse Al Biernat’s, where, if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of a local celebrity.

And don’t forget to walk past Highland Park’s grand million-dollar homes. “The houses and mansions there are just absolutely amazing,” says Kris Wood, concierge at the Omni Dallas Hotel.

Bishop Arts District

Robert Case, concierge at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, says, “The Bishop Arts District is a revitalized residential neighborhood that is known for its great walkability. Fun, locally owned shops and restaurants litter the streets for fun roaming.”

The Wild Detectives bookstore, which lets you order a beer with your book, is just one of the many eclectic establishments you’ll find in the neighborhood.

For foodies looking for a taste of Southern cuisine, try the famous Lockhart Smokehouse or brunch favorite Hattie’s. Bishop Arts District’s growing nightlife scene and thriving performance venues make it a date-night favorite, and it also hosts family-friendly festivals, street fairs and wine walks.

Deep Ellum

The drinks are creative and cold, and the music is loud in Deep Ellum. Home to a number of breweries, bars and music venues, Deep Ellum is one of Dallas’ coolest neighborhoods.

At Black Swan Saloon, owner Gabe Sanchez has ditched the menu and instead asks a few questions to mix a cocktail unique to you. For craft beer lovers, Braindead Brewing is a local favorite.

The neighborhood is walkable, so after a quick drink, visitors can catch a show at the recently renovated The Bomb Factory, hole in the wall Adair’s Saloon or the ever-popular Trees.

[Read: 6 Must-Try Dallas Steakhouses.]

“It’s a great place to see local live music,” says Andrew Milke, concierge at The Adolphus. Deep Ellum “gets a bunch of great touring acts. There’s always entertainment of some kind.”

Uptown

Whether you’re looking to enjoy drinks, shopping or sports, Uptown has attractions that can keep you entertained.

Uptown is home to Victory Park, where you can catch a Dallas Mavericks basketball game or a Dallas Stars hockey game in the American Airlines Center. Sports fans can grab drinks beforehand at Victory Park’s many nearby bars. Indeed, because of its prime location, Uptown in general has plenty of good restaurants and bars with patios. Music lovers will want to try The Rustic, where live music is played every night.

Also, make some time to shop at West Village, which has a collection of cute boutique stores. Finally, if you’re looking for something to do outdoors in Uptown, hit the Katy Trail for a bike ride or run.

Lower Greenville

Bustling with restaurants and bars, Lower Greenville is a good place to go when you want a great meal and a great show.

“It offers a lot of locally sourced restaurants and boutiques that you wouldn’t find anywhere else in Dallas,” says Frank Everet, W insider at the W Dallas – Victory.

Lovingly called “the yard,” the Truck Yard features food trucks, outdoor space, an Airstream trailer-turned-bar and a treehouse bar. Foodies should grab a bite at HG Sply Co., where the food is made from natural ingredients.

[Read: 5 Dallas Parks to See on Vacation.]

The two most popular places for live music are the Granada Theater, an old movie theater, and Sundown at Granada, an indoor and outdoor venue. Both draw fun crowds and great bands.

Make time to walk through the residential areas. The historic homes of Lower Greenville boast a rugged charm. Expect to see residents enjoying porch parties, wine walks and other social events.

Design District

Antique enthusiasts will be dazzled by the array of stores located in the Design District, located a few miles northwest of downtown.

After you find a few hidden gems, head to one of the many galleries on Dragon Street and marvel at the art collections. Then, walk through the upscale interior design showrooms, which gave the neighborhood its name. You might find yourself inspired. Finish the day at one of the Design District’s great restaurants.

To experience more of what Dallas has to offer, check out the U.S. News Travel guide.

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The 6 Best Dallas Neighborhoods to Discover — Locals’ Picks originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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