Where to Stay & Play Near American Airlines Center

American Airlines Center, a fixture of downtown Dallas, is home to the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and the NHL’s Dallas Stars. Since opening in 2001, the AAC has contributed to the popularity boom of Dallas’ Victory Park neighborhood, with many businesses and attractions settling in the near vicinity to satisfy the roughly 21,000 fans and concertgoers who fill the arena’s capacity.

Across American Airlines Center’s annual sports events to top-tier concert bookings, the surrounding area has plenty of complementary amenities, activities and attractions to offer guests. As a result, fans will not need to venture far past “The Hangar” or its open-space PNC Plaza entrance to find some of Dallas’ most delectable spots.

Prepare for your visit to American Airlines Center by learning more about the offerings inside the venue as well as the best stops to make before and after each event.

Where to Stay Near American Airlines Center

The area surrounding American Airlines Center features several hotel options between the Victory Park neighborhood and adjacent areas like West End and the City Center District. Below are a number of accommodations within just a few minutes of American Airlines Center.

Hotels Near American Airlines Center

• The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, 2121 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75201
• W Dallas – Victory, 2440 Victory Park Ln, Dallas, TX 75219
• SpringHill Suites by Marriott Dallas Downtown/West End, 1907 N Lamar St, Dallas, TX 75202
• Hyatt House Dallas/Uptown, 2914 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75201
• Le Méridien Dallas, The Stoneleigh, 2927 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75201
• Hôtel Swexan, 2575 McKinnon St, Dallas, TX 75201
• Fairmont Dallas, 1717 N Akard St, Dallas, TX 75201

Where to Eat & Drink Before an Event at American Airlines Center

American Airlines Center has attracted many of Dallas’ prime restaurants to its home Victory Park neighborhood and adjacent districts. Fittingly, restaurants near American Airlines Center provide quick bites and guaranteed gathering places for fellow fans, while elevated cuisine offerings have begun to open in and around the area for a remarkably deep assortment of dining choices.

Mesero – Victory Park

Mesero has become one of the fan-favorite places to eat near American Airlines Center since opening in the early ’10s. The Victory Park location offers the franchise’s familiar Tex-Mex twists on tacos, chilaquiles, and queso while serving specialty cocktails like the Licor 43-infused Frozé. Mesero is just a short walk from the American Airlines Center and will regularly host diners going to and from the arena.

Directions

The Mexican

The Mexican, located in Dallas’ Design District, was hailed as one of the “World’s Most Beautiful” restaurants by the Prix Versailles in 2023. Opened in 2022 as a high-end Monterrey-inspired culinary experience, co-owner Roberto González Alcalá presents a diverse menu of Mexican favorites, including lobster elote and beef tenderloin tacos, in an immaculately designed dining room.

Directions

Ellen’s

Ellen’s is a favorite of locals due to its all-day, homestyle comfort food menu and happy hour specials. The West End neighborhood diner is the closest to American Airlines Center and is the original location of the growing franchise, which opened under Joe Groves, Russell Mertz and Andrew Chooljian in 2012.

Directions

Where to Go After an Event at American Airlines Center

With a constant stream of must-see events at American Airlines Center, it’s no surprise that several of the city’s best bars and venues can be located in close proximity to the downtown Dallas arena. Here are some of the top spots only a short distance away:

House of Blues Dallas

House of Blues Dallas was established in 2007 at the historic White Swan Building, which traces back to the 1920s. The location, which borders the Victory Park and West End neighborhoods, promotes acts ranging from rock to rap to country to dance music and offers a variety of cocktails and food options. More information can be found in the Ticketmaster guide for House of Blues Dallas.

Directions

The Echo Lounge & Music Hall

The Echo Lounge & Music Hall is one of Dallas’ newest event spaces after opening in 2021. Despite its home in the city’s Design District, which is separated from the AAC by Interstate 35, the 1,000-seat venue still has close ties to the arena’s NBA home team, the Dallas Mavericks: Echo Lounge was founded by former Mavs majority owner Mark Cuban, and its location borders the team’s practice facility complex.

Directions

Majestic Theatre

The Majestic Theatre on Elm Street lies in the deeper downtown City Center District, but the slightly longer hike from American Airlines Center pays off with views of Dallas’ decadent, historic venue and a performance slate with some of the top artists and comedians the city has to offer.

Directions