Reasons Why Meeting Planners Love Dallas & Fort Worth

• A visit the Stockyards. Whether your guests want to window-shop, go country dancing or attend a rodeo, bring them to the Fort Worth Stockyards for a full-on Texas experience.

• A museum of horsepower. Automotive enthusiasts can visit the DFW Car & Toy Museum, home to the Ron Sturgeon Collection and the largest car museum in Texas. The museum houses more than 3,000 rare and antique toys and more than 200 collectible and rare cars, including a 1967 Toyota 2000GT. The museum is also available as an event venue.

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• The whole nine yards. If your group includes football fans, consider bringing them to AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. Groups of all ages can take part in stadium experiences, including Tour + Dine, Taste + Tour, the Cowboys Skills Challenge, an art tour and a VIP Private Tour for small groups.

• The gardens of Dallas. Add a little whimsy to your event by including the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden in your itinerary. In addition to exploring the grounds, groups can take advantage of educational opportunities, including STEM Nights and professional learning experiences. The arboretum also offers speakers planners can book to bring a little of the garden into their next meeting.

• Speakeasy and enter. When the meeting ends and the afterparty begins, consider introducing your group to some of Dallas’ speakeasies. Unlike during Prohibition, a password is not required. Suggested spots include AKAI, Jettison, Atlas Bishop Arts, La Viuda Negra, The Stache and Bourbon & Banter, among others.

Places to Meet & Stay

Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa features a 3,500-square-foot fitness center, heated outdoor pools, two championship golf courses and a 2-acre putting course.

127,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 500 guest rooms

The Barn at Hotel Drover, Autograph Collection features high, vaulted ceilings and 150-year-old reclaimed timbers. The rustic details give the venue an authentic sense of place.

14,628 sq. ft. of meeting space; 200 guest rooms

The Crescent Hotel‘s Canyon Ranch Wellness Club + Spa offers an elevated wellness experience with group fitness classes, a spin studio, yoga and Pilates.

14,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 200 guest rooms

Hilton Anatole is home to the JadeWaters Resort Pool Complex, featuring a swim-up bar, lazy river, luxury cabanas and two 180-foot water slides.

600,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 1,610 guest rooms

JW Marriott Dallas Arts District offers several on-site dining options for groups, including JW Steakhouse, 8 Hundred North, Vincent’s and the grab-and-go JW Market.

22,292 sq. ft. of meeting space; 267 guest rooms

Frisco Flavors for Every Group

Sometimes the best group outings happen around a table, especially when the restaurant gives attendees something to talk about after the plates are cleared. For planners bringing teams to Frisco, Texas, these local dining spots offer a mix of cocktails, comfort food, plant-based dishes and casual fun.

Groups looking for a cocktail-forward gathering place can start at Bottled in Bond Cocktail Parlour & Kitchen, a Frisco restaurant known for seasonal cocktails and American dishes with Caribbean flair. Its neighboring concept, The Parlour, offers a 21-and-older lounge atmosphere for planners seeking a more polished, after-hours setting.

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For plant-based dining, Chopping Roots brings a vegan approach to soul food, Caribbean, African and American favorites. The restaurant was founded by Chef Keke, who relocated from Los Angeles to Texas in 2016. Her mission centers on showing diners that bold flavor and plant-based eating can share the same plate.

For Korean comfort food, Chicken Barn Korean Style Cuisine offers a modern dining experience rooted in classic Korean dishes. Menu highlights include bulgogi, LA galbi, hot stone rice bowls and Korean chicken, giving groups a flavorful option for a shared meal with plenty of variety.

If smash burgers are more the group’s speed, Dad Jokes Cheesyburger brings a lighter, more casual energy to Frisco’s Rail District. The concept began as a food truck in 2024 before becoming a brick-and-mortar restaurant in 2025. The menu includes cheesy smash burgers, fries made in house and playful options such as the Daddy Stack, OK Onion, Livin’ on the Vedge and Chicken Sammy. For groups that want a low-pressure outing with comfort food, easy ordering and a little humor, this local burger spot fits the bill for a relaxed team meal before or after a busy day of meetings in North Texas together.

Described on its website as “a home away from home,” Didi’s Downtown serves meals made from scratch in a casual, welcoming setting. Groups can choose from dishes such as Fried BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese, Scratch Chicken Tenders, Texican Chicken, Blackened Catfish Pontchartrain and Seared Ahi Spinach Salad.

For a quick morning treat or an easy team snack, Detour Doughnuts and Coffee offers a playful stop for groups with a sweet tooth. On the shop’s website, Chef Jinny Cho notes that while America may be divided, everyone can agree on doughnuts. The menu began with flavors such as key lime pie, cookies and cream and crème brûlée, and has since evolved into a rotating selection that has included mango sticky rice, pumpkin mascarpone, orange cardamom hazelnut and blueberry goat cheese.

Groups looking for a more upscale dining experience can consider EG Steak, an independent, family-owned Brazilian steakhouse. Menu options include spicy picanha, roasted cinnamon pineapple and New Zealand lamb chops. The restaurant also offers several private and semi-private dining spaces, including its West Room, Conference Room, bar and lounge, semi-private area and Great Room, making it a fit for corporate dinners and special events.

Being in Texas, groups may also want to make time for barbecue. Earnest B’s BBQ & Catering Company serves smoked chicken, catfish fillet, rib tips and big smoked bologna, along with “Mama’s Sweet Heat,” a signature sauce created by owner Ernest’s mother, Mrs. Melissa. The restaurant also offers catering for planners who would rather bring the barbecue to their group.

For planners hoping to add local sports flair to an outing, Fanzo Sports Bar offers a chef-inspired, upscale sports-bar experience. The menu includes cheeseburgers, sandwiches, wings, flatbreads and global fusion options such as shrimp pepper stir-fry. Fanzo also offers brunch, a full bar and a video wall for guests keeping an eye on the latest score during group outings.

Together with Frisco’s cocktail lounges, plant-based restaurants, Korean comfort food and burger spots, these restaurants give planners a range of ways to feed attendees while adding local flavor between meetings.

This article appears in the July/August 2026 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.