Hit the Road

Where to eat, play, and stay in the restaurant haven of Addison

Mouthwatering, high-flying, and prost-worthy, Addison is a lively town just north of Dallas that boasts some of the biggest and best festivals in the Lone Star State.

From iconic food and music festivals to authentic Oktoberfest celebrations reminiscent of Munich, there's plenty to explore within Addison's compact, 4.4 square miles.

Make your plans to visit this unique gem that fuses the energy of city living with the charm of a tight-knit community, where more than 200 restaurants, 22 hotels, and endless entertainment options await. As the center of North Texas dining, events, and theater, Addison invites you to make memories of a lifetime.

Here's your quick guide to eating, staying, and playing in Addison:

Where to eat
Dining in Addison is an adventure unto itself, a culinary journey that spans the globe without ever leaving town.

With more restaurants per capita than any city in the U.S., there's something for every palate along Belt Line Road, from sushi to steakhouses, Italian to Indian, Asian to American, and Tex-Mex to Thai.

Check out this constantly updated list of restaurants, where new eateries are continuously joining the culinary scene and ensuring that each visit to Addison is the ultimate foodie adventure.

Taco Come hungry, and then stay for dessert.Photo courtesy of Visit Addison

Where to play
Experience Addison through its most iconic park, Addison Circle Park, which serve as the hub for the town’s most cherished annual festivities: Taste Addison, Kaboom Town!, and Oktoberfest.

Taste Addison is a three-day festival from May 31-June 2, 2024, that engages all the senses and offers something for everyone with eats, beats, and artistic treats.

Dozens of restaurants will be sharing their tastiest bites at this year’s festival in the Chow Hall, the Tasty Truck Stop, WorldEats Street Global Village, and at pop-ups throughout the park. A natural complement to those eats are the ever-popular drinks. Make sure you reserve your spot in the new Corkyard and Speakeasy in advance because spaces are limited.

Taste Addison also offers a beat for every listener with headliners like Sugar Ray, Toadies, and Hunter Hayes. Finally, the visual arts are bringing a whole new vibe to this year’s event with a Sip and Stroll ArtWalk, the Hall of Art, and the event’s first immersive art experience. Hotel packages include admission and Chow Hall food cards. Find more information and purchase tickets at TasteAddisonTexas.com.

Kaboom Town! on July 3 is one of the most impressive fireworks displays and dynamic airshows in the country, drawing literally thousands of patriotic fans to the area for this town-wide day of celebration.

Make sure to secure your spot early – this event sells out every year. A stay in an Addison hotel, though, is a sure-fire way to make sure you don’t miss the festivities. Learn more at AddisonKaboomTown.com

Addison Oktoberfest mixes the fun and traditions of Munich with a little Texas flare. Make plans to join this Bavarian festival that's complete with stein-hoisting competitions, dachshund races, plenty of brats and beer, and live polka bands.

This year's fest is scheduled for September 19-22, 2024 . Before you buy your tickets, remember that a hotel package includes admission, steins, and much more. Get the details at AddisonOktoberfest.com.

Addisom Kaboom Town Kaboom Town! is one of the best fireworks displays in the country.Photo courtesy of Visit Addison

Where to stay
Take your pick from 22 hotels that fit a range of budgets and preferences, ensuring a perfect accommodation for every traveler.

From the luxurious elegance of the Renaissance Dallas Addison to the contemporary comforts of the Marriott Dallas Addison Quorum, premier hotels promise a stay filled with top-notch amenities and impeccable service.

Additionally, there are several options for extended stays that cater to those seeking a home away from home during their visit to Addison. Whether you're in town for business or leisure, rest assured that Addison's diverse hotel offerings provide the ideal sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation after a day of exploration.

Hotel Drop your bags and stay a while.Photo courtesy of Visit Addison

Photo courtesy of Visit Addison

Get a Taste of Addison this summer.

Experience the extraordinary – head here to plan your visit to Addison today.

vacation restaurants festivals video promoted

REVIVING THE ALAMO

Texas landmark the Alamo reclaims historic cannon from private ownership

Photo by Gower Brown/ Unsplash

A 90-pound cannon used in the Battle of the Alamo is returning to its San Antonio home.

It turns out the Alamo's original 1836 cannons are good for more than just defense — they also make a sturdy birdbath. After serving as a garden ornament for Samuel Maverick’s descendants, an authentic piece of San Antonio history is finally returning home to the revered mission.

According to an Alamo announcement, the swivel cannon weighs 90 pounds and is approximately three feet long. The relic was originally found in 1852 when Maverick built a home near the northwest corner of the battle’s site.

The lawyer and land baron was saved from death when he was urged by William Barret Travis to ride to the Texas Declaration of Independence convention in Washington-on-the-Brazos to send reinforcements. Returning to the Alamo’s grounds, he found a cache of cannons buried where the Hotel Gibbs sits today.

From there, the cannon wound up at the Maverick family’s Sunshine Ranch on the Northwest Side, where it was eventually incorporated into the garden DIY project. In 1955, the cannon was removed from the ranch, and the current location remained a mystery until the Alamo received a call from a Maverick relative in Corpus Christi.

Alamo cannon This Alamo artifact gives an idea of what the cannon will look like once restoration is complete.Photo courtesy of the Alamo.

“The relative graciously donated the cannon to the Alamo,” wrote a rep from the mission. “Alamo Senior Researcher and Historian Kolby Lanham and Head Conservator Pam Jary Rosser drove down the very next day to take this piece of history home to the Alamo.”

Although the artillery is mostly intact, it is missing its trunnions (the pivot-point protrusions on the sides of the barrel) and cascabel (the knob and neck assembly at the rear of historic muzzle-loading cannons). The parts were removed by the Mexican army to make the cannon inoperable.

Once preservation is complete, this cannon and the Alamo Collection’s other battle cannons will make their way to the upcoming Visitor Center and Museum, where they will be joined by rocker Phil Collins' collection of Alamo artifacts. The Alamo is in the midst of a $550 million preservation project, which includes conserving the Alamo Church, Long Barrack, and the mission’s original footprint. The museum is on track to debut in late 2027.

history museums artifacts texas history the alamo

Hit the Road

Where to eat, play, and stay in the restaurant haven of Addison

REVIVING THE ALAMO

Texas landmark the Alamo reclaims historic cannon from private ownership

12 Houston restaurants score James Beard Award semifinalist nominations

Historic Houston burger joint sets opening date for new Woodlands store

Essential Houston crawfish joint heads to Beaumont for new location