Highland Park, TX

• About the City
• Geography
• Climate and Weather
• Landmarks and Points of Interest
• Transport
• Local Cuisine and Culinary Traditions
• Museums
• Sport and Sporting Legends
• Universities and Academic Institutions
• Healthcare Institutions and Facilities

Highland Park is an affluent town and an enclave of Dallas, known for its tree-lined streets, prestigious schools, and as the location of the historic Highland Park Village shopping center.

About the City

Official Status and Administrative Affiliation

• Full Official Name: Town of Highland Park.
• Administrative Role: Highland Park is an incorporated town and an exclave(enclave) of the city of Dallas . It is not a county seat.
• Location: It is located in central Dallas County, in the U.S. state of Texas . It forms the "Park Cities" together with the city of University Park to the north, an area known for being a wealthy and exclusive residential enclave within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex .

Date of Foundation and Age

• Year of Foundation: The land was purchased for development in 1889, but the modern development plan began in 1906 under the name "Highland Park" . The town was officially incorporated on November 29, 1913 .
• Age: As of 2026, the town is 113 years old (since incorporation).
• Founder: John S. Armstrong is considered the founder of Highland Park, having purchased the land in 1906 to develop an exclusive residential area . The original master plan was designed by Wilbur David Cook, who also planned Beverly Hills, California, and George E. Kessler .

Geographical Position and Coordinates

• Geographic Coordinates: 32°49′49″N 96°48′4″W (32.830178, -96.801103) .
• Natural Surroundings: The town is located on a high bluff overlooking downtown Dallas to the south, with Turtle Creek running through a portion of it . It is situated on the flat plains of North Texas.
• Elevation: The town's elevation is approximately 161 meters (528 feet) above sea level .
• Settlement Type: Highland Park is an affluent suburban town and exclave(enclave) of Dallas, characterized by master-planned, park-like residential neighborhoods .

City Type and Economic Specialization

Highland Park is primarily a high-end residential and administrative center. Its economy is based on property taxes, high-end retail, and professional services.

• Residential Enclave: Its primary function is to provide an exclusive, master-planned living environment with strict zoning ordinances .
• Retail Center: It is home to the historic Highland Park Village, one of the first planned shopping centers in the U.S., which features luxury retail stores and restaurants . This makes it a regional destination for upscale shopping.
• Administrative Center: It functions as an independent municipality with its own government, public safety department, and school district .

Population and Demographics

• Population: As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,864 .
• Population Class: Highland Park is a small town.
• Demographic Features: It is one of the most affluent communities in Texas and the United States, with a median household income exceeding $200,000 and a high concentration of college-educated residents . The population is predominantly White (85.21% in 2020) .

City's "Business Card" (Briefly)

Highland Park is a tranquil, tree-lined island of affluence just north of downtown Dallas. It is famous for its master-planned beauty, prestigious public schools, and the historic Highland Park Village, a National Historic Landmark that set the standard for American shopping centers.

Geography

Parks and Recreation

• Town Parks: True to its original master plan by George Kessler, which set aside 20% of the land for parks, the town is known for its green spaces . Notable parks include areas running along Turtle Creek .
• Dallas Country Club: Located within the town, this private club is a significant landmark and recreational facility .

Climate and Weather

Climate Type and General Characteristics

Highland Park has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) according to the Köppen Climate Classification system . It is characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters .

Average Temperatures by Month

The warmest month is August, with average highs around 37°C (99°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F) . The coldest month is January, with average highs of 13°C (55°F) and lows of 2°C (36°F) .

Precipitation and Humidity

• Average Annual Rainfall: Approximately 932 mm (37 inches) to 1208 mm (48 inches) . The wettest month is May, with around 152 mm (6 inches) of rain, while the driest month is July .
• Snowfall: Snow is rare, with an average annual snowfall of just 7 mm (0 inches) . When it does occur, it is most likely in January or February .

Seasonality and Best Time to Visit

• Spring (March-May): Warm and increasingly humid, with the highest chance of rain. This is a lush time of year, perfect for viewing the greenery in the town's parks.
• Summer (June-August): Very hot and humid, with daytime highs often exceeding 35°C (95°F). Activities are best enjoyed in the early morning or indoors.
• Fall (September-November): Warm temperatures gradually give way to mild, pleasant weather. The humidity drops, making it an excellent time for outdoor walks.
• Winter (December-February): Mild and generally cool, with occasional cold fronts. While snow is rare, it can happen. This is a good time to avoid the heat and enjoy the town's Christmas decorations. The best time to visit Highland Park is during the spring (March-April) or fall (October-November) when temperatures are most comfortable for exploring the outdoor shopping centers and parks.

Landmarks and Points of Interest

[Highland Park Village]

• Full Name: Highland Park Village.
• Year of Opening and Architect: Opened in 1931, designed by American architects Marion Fresenius Fooshee and James B. Cheek, who were inspired by the architecture of Spain, Mexico, and California .
• Historical Significance: It is recognized as the first self-contained shopping center in the United States and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2000 . It was designed to function as a town square for Highland Park .
• Location: Located at the southwest corner of Mockingbird Lane and Preston Road .
• Architectural Features: The center is a prime example of Mission/Spanish Revival and Colonial Revival architecture, with distinctive Moorish-style ornamental metalwork .
• Interesting Facts: It was the first shopping center of its kind in the U.S., and today it houses over 100 luxury retail stores and restaurants, including brands like Christian Dior, Tom Ford, and Saint Laurent .

[Highland Park Town Hall]

• Full Name: Highland Park Town Hall.
• Year of Construction and Architect: Built in 1924 and designed by the architectural firm Lang & Witchell .
• Historical and Governmental Role: It has served as the seat of municipal government since its construction. It also houses the Highland Park Public Library.
• Location: Located at 4700 Drexel Drive .
• Architectural Features: The building is a notable example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture .

[Highland Park Public Library]

• Full Name: Highland Park Public Library.
• Year of Opening: The library and art gallery first opened in 1930 within the Town Hall complex . It underwent major renovations in 2008 .
• Features: It is adjacent to the Highland Park Town Hall and serves as the community's primary public library. The original art gallery space has been repurposed over time as council chambers and part of the library .

Transport

Main Highways and Roads

Highland Park is strategically located for access to Dallas's major thoroughfares.

• US Route 75 (North Central Expressway): This major highway forms the eastern border of Highland Park, providing direct access to downtown Dallas to the south .
• Dallas North Tollway: This toll road forms the western border of the town . It's a key artery for commuting to North Dallas and other suburbs.
• Preston Road: A major north-south arterial road that runs through the town, home to Highland Park Village .
• Mockingbird Lane: An east-west arterial road that forms the southern boundary of the town in some areas .

Public Transportation

• DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit): The town is served by the DART system. Several DART bus routes pass through Highland Park, connecting it to the wider Dallas region, including the DART Rail light rail system, which has stations nearby .

Commuting Patterns

• Commute Time: The average one-way commute time for residents is 17.3 minutes, which is significantly lower than the US average of 26.4 minutes .
• Mode of Transport: The vast majority (80.4%) of residents drive alone to work, while 9.6% work from home . A very small percentage (0.5%) use mass transit to get to work .

Local Cuisine and Culinary Traditions

While Highland Park itself is a residential enclave known for its elegant homes and tree-lined streets, its dining scene is intertwined with the broader culinary offerings of neighboring University Park and the city of Dallas. The area is particularly noted for its classic Texas comfort food and a growing scene of innovative cafes and eateries.

A true local institution is the Highland Park Cafeteria. This family-owned restaurant has been a Texas landmark since 1925, serving generations of loyal customers well-prepared comfort food. The menu features beloved favorites like chicken fried steak, liver and onions, and homemade macaroni and cheese . It's a cherished spot for a taste of traditional, homestyle cooking.

Just across the street in the nearby Highland Park Village shopping center, you'll find Birdie, an elegant dining spot popular for its sophisticated atmosphere and outdoor seating . This area is also a hub for various culinary experiences. For a casual meal, Triple Beam Pizza offers amazing pizza with outdoor seating, while HomeState brings a taste of Texas-style tacos to the neighborhood . The area caters to diverse tastes, from the incredible plant-based menu at Kitchen Mouse Cafe to the fresh sushi at Ichijiku Sushi and the Peruvian cuisine at Rosty Peruvian Food .

The local coffee and pastry scene is also vibrant, with popular spots like Go Get Em Tiger, Civil Coffee, and DONUT FRIEND providing daily fuel for residents and visitors alike .

Museums

Highland Park is situated adjacent to the Southern Methodist University (SMU) campus, which is home to several world-class museums that serve as cultural cornerstones for the entire Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. A visit to Highland Park offers easy access to these renowned institutions.

The Meadows Museum at SMU is a cultural treasure, often referred to as "a small Prado for Texas" . It houses one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Spanish art outside of Spain, with works spanning from the 10th to the 21st centuries. The collection includes masterpieces by Golden Age greats like El Greco, Velázquez, and Goya, as well as modern masters such as Picasso and Dalí . The museum attracts an estimated 70,000 visitors annually, including more than 10,000 schoolchildren .

Also on the SMU campus is the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, part of the George W. Bush Presidential Center . This is America's 13th presidential library, operated by the National Archives. The museum offers an in-depth, interactive look at the eight years of the Bush presidency, exploring important events and decisions through immersive exhibits .

For those interested in aviation, the Frontiers of Flight Museum is located nearby, just southeast of Dallas Love Field Airport. The museum houses over 30 aircraft and a vast collection of artifacts, telling the story of flight from its earliest days to the space age .

The surrounding area of Dallas offers even more world-class institutions, such as the Dallas Museum of Art with its encyclopedic collection of more than 24,000 works, the Nasher Sculpture Center with its stunning indoor and outdoor sculpture garden, and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, a modern architectural marvel filled with interactive exhibits . The Crow Collection of Asian Art and the Haas Moto Museum are other notable specialized museums a short distance away .

Sport and Sporting Legends

Highland Park has a rich sporting culture, particularly at the high school level, where its teams are perennial powerhouses. While the town itself doesn't have major professional stadiums, it is just minutes away from the heart of Dallas sports.

The most prominent sport in Highland Park is lacrosse. The Highland Park High School Scots lacrosse program, founded in 1995, has evolved into the "gold standard" for lacrosse in the State of Texas . The program has won an impressive 13 State Championships and consistently ranks among the top teams nationally . The program's success is highlighted by a 2025 youth team that boasted a perfect 6-0 record, outscoring opponents 56 to 11 . This success has created opportunities for over 100 former Scots to play collegiate lacrosse at all levels (NCAA Division I, II, III, and MCLA) . The program has been led by notable coaches, including Mike Pressler, a highly decorated former collegiate coach at Duke University and current head coach and general manager of the New York Atlas in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), who was named the 2024 PLL Dick Edell Coach of the Year .

For professional sports, residents are fans of the major Dallas-Fort Worth teams, whose stadiums and arenas are a short drive away. These include the Dallas Cowboys (NFL) , Dallas Mavericks (NBA) , Dallas Stars (NHL) , and Texas Rangers (MLB) .

Universities and Academic Institutions

Highland Park is intimately connected with one of Texas's most prestigious universities. The main campus of Southern Methodist University (SMU) is uniquely situated on 234 acres known as "the Hilltop," straddling the neighboring communities of University Park and Highland Park . Located just five miles north of downtown Dallas, the campus is a major contributor to the region's culture and economy.

Founded in 1911, SMU is a private research university that offers more than 100 majors and 85 minors to its undergraduate students . It is comprised of several distinguished schools, including the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, and Simmons School of Education and Human Development . The university is particularly well-regarded for its business and law schools.

SMU's campus itself is a cultural destination. As mentioned, it houses the Meadows Museum and the George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes a library and museum . The university also enriches the community through hundreds of events presented annually by the Meadows School of the Arts and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors for cultural and athletic programs . The university has hosted numerous distinguished speakers and world leaders, including several U.S. presidents, British Prime Ministers, and global figures like the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu .

Beyond SMU, the greater Dallas area offers a wealth of other higher education options. A short drive from Highland Park, you'll find institutions like Dallas College (one of the largest in the nation) and further out, major public universities like The University of Texas at Dallas and the University of North Texas .

Healthcare Institutions and Facilities

Highland Park, being a primarily residential community, relies on the extensive medical infrastructure of the greater Dallas area. While it has local options for rehabilitation care, residents have access to numerous world-renowned hospitals and specialized medical centers nearby.

Within the town itself, long-term care and rehabilitation services are available. One such facility is Highland Park Rehabilitation & Nursing in nearby Houston, Texas (note: this facility is in a different city within the state) . As a skilled nursing facility, it provides care and therapy services, operating with a capacity of 120 certified beds .

For comprehensive medical services, residents of Highland Park are minutes away from some of the top hospitals in Texas and the nation. The UT Southwestern Medical Center, one of the world's foremost academic medical centers, is located nearby. It is renowned for its research, education, and patient care, with specialties including cancer, heart disease, neurology, and organ transplantation. The medical center's faculty includes six Nobel Prize laureates, underscoring its leadership in medical science.

Another major healthcare provider in close proximity is Baylor University Medical Center (Baylor Dallas) , part of Baylor Scott & White Health. It is a major teaching and research hospital, widely recognized for its excellence in cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, and transplant surgery. It serves as a primary clinical site for medical education and is a hub for complex surgical procedures. These institutions, among others in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, ensure that Highland Park residents have immediate access to some of the most advanced medical care available.

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