Highland Park, TX

Highland Park has always been designed with greenery in mind. Back in the early 1900s, the town brought in Wilbur David Cook, the landscape architect behind Beverly Hills, to design tree-lined, curving streets centered around Turtle Creek. Cook set aside about a fifth of the land purely for parks, giving the neighborhood a lush, manicured feel that has lasted for over a century. Though bordered by Dallas on three sides, Highland Park incorporated as an independent town in 1913. Today, together with neighboring University Park, it forms the Park Cities, an enclave known for peaceful streets, beautiful green spaces, and a strong sense of community.

ATTRCarol M. Highsmith / Public domain

The residential streets showcase a mix of grand historic homes, timeless revival architecture, and brand-new custom estates. It is common to see a meticulously preserved 1920s Tudor sitting right next to a modern luxury build. Because property values are among the highest in Texas, buyers frequently remodel or rebuild to make the most of valuable lots. The town maintains strict zoning and architectural guidelines to protect the neighborhood look, so anyone planning a major renovation, pool installation, or custom addition will work closely with town planners. If you are looking at properties near Turtle Creek or lower elevations, checking drainage and flood plain boundaries is a smart step before making an offer.

ATTRHasteur / CC BY-SA 3.0

At the corner of Mockingbird Lane and Preston Road sits Highland Park Village, the town's premier open-air shopping and dining destination. Built in the 1930s with Spanish Mediterranean architecture, it holds historic status as one of America's first planned shopping plazas. Today, it serves as a central neighborhood gathering place filled with luxury boutiques, sidewalk cafes, and popular local restaurants. Aside from the Village, Highland Park is almost entirely residential. Routine errands like grocery runs often take you a few blocks across city lines into Dallas, while residents enjoy independent municipal services, including dedicated police and fire departments with rapid response times.

ATTRHasteur / CC BY-SA 3.0

Outdoor recreation revolves around the town's green spaces, especially Lakeside Park along Turtle Creek. Featuring walking paths, scenic footbridges, and landscaped lawns, the park is famous for its giant granite Teddy Bear statues, a favorite stop for families. The town maintains over twenty pocket parks and gardens, along with the Harvey R. "Bum" Bright Library at Town Hall. Families are also drawn by the top-rated Highland Park Independent School District. For getting around without a personal vehicle, the town operates Highland Park On-Demand, a local rideshare service connecting residents to neighborhood destinations and the Mockingbird DART station. It creates an exceptionally polished, walkable community just minutes from downtown Dallas.