(Dallas, TX) Birthday Photo Scavenger Hunt and Ice Cream Crawl in Bishop Arts District

Birthday Photo Scavenger Hunt/Ice Cream Crawl in the Bishop Arts District, Dallas, TX

Needed: 1 camera, money to buy ice cream, good walking shoes

(When going on this adventure, it is recommended to read directions step by step. If you read too far ahead, the anticipation and discovery are cheapened.)

1. Happy Birthday! You are about to celebrate your birthday by venturing out on a birthday quest! A quest that will carry you and your friends through the Bishop Arts District as you gather treasures of photographs and ice cream! Will you have the strength and patience to see it through? Grab your camera and walking shoes and find out….

Command your ranks! Divide everyone up into vehicles and tell everyone to meet at the Bishop Arts parking lot at the corner of N. Madison Avenue and W. 7th Street, Dallas, TX.

Make sure to take pictures to document your mission or feel free to delegate camera duties to someone in your group.

(Before you drive off to the Bishop Arts District, have someone in your group snap a picture of you leaning out of the passenger seat window of a vehicle, leading the cavalry)

2. Welcome to the Bishop Arts District! Your arduous journey to this whimsical land has already drained your energy supplies. Never fear – cold creamy desserts are nearby. Quick – walk over to the Cafe Brazil parking lot (cross W. Davis Street) and spot the creepy pirate octopus man on the wall and let him lead the way. Behind him lies ice cream booty.

(When you reach the octopus man, have someone in your group take a picture of you in front of him, with someone from your group hiding behind you using their arms to give you extra tentacle arms like octopus man!)

After you snap your photo, look behind that octopus man and go inside La Original Michoacana Ice Cream. Make sure to pace yourself and only buy a humble serving, so you can save room for treats in the beyond!

3. No time to waste! Once everyone has their ice cream, it’s time to take those sweets on the road with you as you venture forth! Go back up w. Davis Street and look for the giant red sundial. It’s just past the Greek Café and Bakery on Davis!

(When you reach the big red sundial, make as many of your friends join you on top of it as you can. Then have someone in your group take an album cover shot of you all on the sundial. Def. “Album Cover” adj. = artsy, angsty, moody and cool.)

4. You’re hardcore! You don’t need to use roads or sidewalks! Cut through to W. 7th Street by leaving the sundial and heading towards Oddfellows on W. 7th Street. Once you’ve reached Oddfellows, time for a picture or two!

(Outside Oddfellows, get a picture at the patio tables. Have someone snap a picture of you with two other friends as you all look as "odd" as you possibly can.)

After your cheesy camera shots, keep walking along W. 7th Street towards Bishop Avenue. You’ll notice an iconic Bishop Arts District mural on your right.

(When you reach the mural next to Cretia’s, make someone take both a close-up and wide shot picture of you in front of the mural. Make sure to not look at the camera to achieve that “editorial shot” feel.)

5. It is high time for more ice cream! Ditch the mural and head down Bishop Avenue and look for Espumoso Caffe. Listen for the South American music. When you reach it, venture inside and head directly toward the glow of the ice cream cooler. Pull one of your friends towards the ice cream and have them buy you the ice cream of your choice. Remember to not fill up too much - more dessert decadence lies ahead.

(Once everyone has ice cream in hand, ask the Espumoso barista to take a group shot of your entire party lounging together in the lounge area.)

6. Have your group tumble out of Espumoso onto Bishop Avenue again. Find a stranger and in your sweetest voice or persuasive (whatever tactic works best), ask the man or woman for a dollar “because you’re celebrating your birthday.”

(When you obtain the dollar, pin the dollar on your shirt and have someone in your group take a picture of you with the stranger.)

7. It’s your birthday and you’ll play darts if you want to! Herd your friends up to the second floor of Eno’s and throw darts until you get a bulls eye!

(When you get your bulls eye, have someone in your group take a smug/champion picture of you with at least two of your friends.)

8. You know it’s time for more creamy goodness! Head downstairs, out of Eno’s, and make your way down Bishop Avenue towards Hunky’s!

Go inside Hunky’s – you’ve reached your well-deserved birthday destination! Now, buy your chocolate malt and rest your weary legs. Be sure to make everyone sing “Happy Birthday” to you when the group is seated.

(After everyone is seated with malts, find someone in Hunky’s to take a picture of your entire group.)

Your birthday photo scavenger hunt ice cream crawl has come to an end, but your new year of life has just begun! Happy Birthday!