We had the good fortune of connecting with Andressa Hendler and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Andressa, how does your business help the community?
The Dallas Wanderer mission is to help people enjoy their lives and the place where they live to the fullest. And to ease the transition to life in Dallas for newbies.
We showcase the best in Dallas and its surroundings through our social media channels – Blog, Facebook, and Instagram.
Our goal is to be a source of inspiration for whenever people feel like taking a (much needed) break from routine.
There are outstanding travel destinations right here in Texas. And unbelievably beautiful places to visit near Dallas many people don’t even know to exist!
And by bringing them to light, we intend to help people add wonder to their daily lives without the need to wait for the next vacation.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The Dallas Wanderer started as a personal project and ended up becoming a full-time job and mission, which I absolutely love!
When I moved to the U.S. six years ago and left my corporate job at Bayer behind, I had to reinvent myself professionally.
Also, do a lot of digging to find things really worth seeing around Dallas to make myself home.
I knew nothing about Texas when I first got here, and most people I would meet would direct me to the nearest airport when I asked about places to visit!
I have a Marketing background and a lifelong passion for traveling, writing, and photography. And my strongest motivation is to help others and leave a mark in the world.
So, at some point, it just made sense to combine my professional experience, passions, and Texan discoveries with helping people.
The Dallas Wanderer was born to share the unique places and experiences I was uncovering along the way. To help people settle in Dallas. And ultimately debunk the myth that there is not much to see in Texas.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1: Uptown Have brunch with live music at The Rustic. Hop on the M-Trolley right next door and head to the Arts District.
Explore the Arts District museums & Klyde Warren Park. Have dinner and cocktails at The Henry.
Day 2: Fort Worth
Have brunch at Reata Restaurant in Fort Worth. Stroll through Sundance Square and its surroundings. Visit the Fort Worth Water Gardens.
Head then to the Fort Worth Stockyards to watch a rodeo championship. Top off with live music at Billy Bobs or White Elephant Saloon.
Day 3: Glen Rose (1h20 from Dallas)
Take a side trip to Glen Rose, 1h20 from Dallas. Visit Fossil Rim Safari to feed the animals from your car in the morning and go hiking at Dinosaur Valley State Park in the afternoon.
Day 4: Downtown & West End District
Visit the Sixth Floor Museum. Have lunch at Ellen’s Southern Kitchen.
Explore Downtown landmarks on foot: Flying Horse, Pioneer Plaza, Giant Eyeball, Neiman Marcus Flagship Store.
Then watch the sunset at Reunion Tower GeO-Deck.
Day 5: Deep Ellum
Try Texas barbecue at Terry Black’s Barbecue in the Deep Ellum. Stroll through the neighborhood’s unique shops. Grab a gourmet popsicle at Picole. Listen to live music at Dallas’s most authentic honky-tonk, Adair’s Saloon.
Days 6 & 7: Jefferson & Caddo Lake (2h30 from Dallas)
Saturday:
Start with a wine tour and tasting at Enoch’s Stomp Vineyards, part of the Piney Woods Wine Trail.
Head then to Jefferson and stroll through the small town quirk shops and superb antique stores.
Take a Ghost Walk and finish the day with dinner and live music at McGarity’s Restaurant.
Spend the night at one of Jefferson’s superb historic B&Bs.
Sunday:
Start the day with a swamp tour at Caddo Lake, Texas’s only natural lake and largest bald cypress tree forest in the world – it is unreal! Have lunch overlooking Caddo Lake at Riverbend Restaurant. Head to nearby Caddo Lake State Park for hiking and to paddle through the bald cypress trees. Watch the most beautiful sunset ever and head back home!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
No project is possible without strong support from the people we love the most and our community.
I am lucky to have the best family and friends on Earth.
They give me unconditional support. Be cheering for me every step of the way, being dragged in my travel adventures, or motivating me in the inevitable moments of doubt that are part of any journey.
And blessed by an extraordinary “tribe” of followers on social media that share the same passion for travel and life as I do.
And that inspires me beyond imaginable when they share the experiences they were able to live through the recommendations they found at the Dallas Wanderer.
Website: www.dallaswanderer.com
Instagram: @dallaswanderer
Facebook: @DallasWanderer
Other: howdy@dallaswanderer.com