United States · Texas
Where to Stay in University Park, Texas
University Park is a city in Dallas County, Texas, one of the two Park Cities and the home of Southern Methodist University.
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Where to stay in University Park
Where visitors usually base themselves, and why.
University Park is bordered by Dallas on the north, east, and west and by Highland Park on the south, and with Highland Park it forms the Park Cities. Elsewhere the city is houses and parks: Curtis Park holds the Holmes Aquatic Center, and Highland Park Presbyterian Church lies inside its limits despite the neighbour's name. The Moody Family YMCA stands inside it.
Addresses in University Park may use either Dallas or University Park as the city.
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Southern Methodist University
University Park began as a cluster of homes around Southern Methodist University, founded in 1915.Find hotels in Southern Methodist UniversityHighland Park Presbyterian Church, inside University ParkHighland Park Presbyterian Church
Highland Park Presbyterian Church stands within University Park, though it carries its southern neighbour's name.Find hotels in Highland Park Presbyterian ChurchHotel links are affiliate links: booking through them may earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you. It never affects how places are ranked. How this works
Things to do in University Park
Ranked by global recognition; descriptions from Wikidata (CC0).
Museums & Galleries
1- Meadows Museum
Churches & Religious Sites
1- Highland Park Presbyterian Church
Landmarks & Notable Places
3- Bob and Beth Holland House
- Elbert Williams House
- Jerry and Mary Bywaters House
worth knowingacross 3 categories in University Park
About University Park
What is University Park known for?
University Park grew up around Southern Methodist University, founded in rural Dallas County in 1915, and the campus even supplied the first homes with their utilities. The city runs a string of parks, Burleson and Williams among them. Its six tennis courts are open only to people who live in University Park, and the Holmes Aquatic Center in Curtis Park is open to people who live in the city or in the Highland Park Independent School District.
What are the main landmarks in University Park?
Southern Methodist University is University Park's institution. The Meadows Museum, which houses the largest collection of Spanish art in the United States, stands on its campus, and so does the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the presidential library of George W. Bush. Highland Park Presbyterian Church, despite its name, lies inside University Park.
What is the history of University Park?
University Park began as a cluster of homes around the new university. The university supplied those homes with utilities until 1924, when the settlement outgrew them. Highland Park refused to annex the area, and so did Dallas, both over the cost of services.
On April 24, 1924, voters approved incorporation as a separate city by a five-to-one margin, and a bond issue soon paid for a water supply, street paving, a city hall, and a fire station. At incorporation the city held 380 homes. Growth was quick, and by 1945 Dallas wanted to annex it; in one of the largest turnouts in the city's history voters said no, 53 to 47 percent.
A home rule charter failed in 1946 and passed in 1989, bringing a council-manager government. The city's area has held steady since the 1940s, and from around the 1970s smaller houses gave way to larger ones.
Where is University Park?
University Park lies in Dallas County, Texas, north of Highland Park, with Dallas on its north, east, and west sides. The two towns make up the Park Cities. It covers about 9.6 square kilometres.
Common questions
What is the best area to stay in University Park?
Southern Methodist University: visits to the Southern Methodist University campus in University Park. Highland Park Presbyterian Church: Highland Park Presbyterian Church, inside University Park.
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Updated October 2026