Lakeside Park

Nestled inside the Dallas municipality of Highland Park (two miles from the downtown), an area best known for its multi-million dollar homes and manicured lawns, lies Lakeside Park, a stunning 14-acre swath of green space running parallel to Turtle Creek. It's a terrific place to take a stroll or a run as well as for picnics. There's not a bad time to visit, but the park is especially beautiful between the end of March and first of April when a multitude of azalea bushes are showing their true colors. Be sure to traverse the bridge to the other side to check out the enormous Teddy Bear sculptures. Also note that you can walk along Lakeside past Armstrong Parkway to cruise the Turtle Creek Greenbelt Trail, a 1.8-mile path that winds through Oak Lawn and Reverchon Parks.