The video above is a walking tour through the historic downtown area of Carrollton, TX, filmed during a trip to the Dallas area to record songs at Audio Dallas recording studio over in Garland. Carrollton is a city of more than 130,000 people sitting about 20 miles northwest of Dallas and 35 miles northeast of Fort Worth in the DFW metroplex. It's well connected to the rest of the region through multiple freeways and a DART Rail stop, and that highway access fueled the city's growth during the 70s and 80s, turning what had been a rural farming community into a full-blown Dallas suburb. The city's slogan — "where connections happen" — nods to both the transportation infrastructure and the community ties that hold the place together.
History and Landmarks in Downtown Carrollton
Carrollton's roots go back to the mid-1800s, starting as a small farming community with grain silos and flour mills. When railroad lines came through, it grew into a significant shipping center for livestock and agriculture, eventually becoming a grain and gravel town tied to the dairy industry. One of the most recognizable landmarks is the grain silo that rises above the downtown square, dating to the 1950s. Walking around the historic district, you'll find brick-and-mortar shops, boutiques, antique stores, and restaurants. The Pink House stands out as the oldest building in the area — a 100-year-old gingerbread-style house that now sells jewelry, luggage, and gift items. There's also a gazebo in the center of the square that dates to 1921 and hosts events and entertainment throughout the year, plus a Market on the Square running Saturdays for six months out of the year with local crafts, arts, and food.
Where Can You Find Live Music in Carrollton, TX?
Downtown Carrollton has a handful of spots that host live music, and a few more that bring in acts from time to time. Here are the ones worth knowing about:
- Pocket Sandwich Theatre — Located right on the square, this venue hosts a range of events including live music performances in an intimate setting
- Barrel and Bones Craft Beer and Smokehouse — A spot that pairs smoked meats with craft beer and occasionally brings in live music
- Three Nations Brewing — A local brewery that's a possibility for catching live music alongside their beer lineup
- Twisted Root Burger Company — Known primarily as a burger joint, but they've been known to host music at this and other DFW-area locations
- Plaza Arts Center — Housed in a historic 1949 building, this venue hosts various events and entertainment on the square
Good Food Worth Stopping For
One restaurant that comes up again and again when people talk about this area is Babe's Chicken, which has built a serious reputation across the DFW metroplex. The fried chicken is the main draw, but the experience inside is what keeps people coming back — main courses come with unlimited sides, and the atmosphere is a big part of the appeal. Carrollton also has a Korean food district known locally as K-Town, a strip of Korean restaurants that's become a real draw for the area. David Bridwell was passing through Carrollton on his way to record at Audio Dallas, and the footage gives you a solid feel for what downtown looks like on foot — the old buildings, the square, and the kind of low-key Texas suburb that rewards a closer look.