Breakfast in Toronto, lunch in Dallas: It’s an itinerary that’s entirely doable, given that a direct flight between the two cities is just about 3.5 hours. Once cross-border travel gears up again, the rapidly growing American city is poised to be a draw. According to the latest available census stats, the population of Dallas climbed more than 12 per cent between 2010 and 2019. That influx has created a huge buzz, with new shops and services serving newcomers and tourists alike.

With six pro teams, sports events are among the big attractions. And ice hockey defenceman Jamie Oleksiak, 28, has been a Dallas fixture. The Toronto-born athlete (brother of Olympic swimmer Penny Oleksiak), nicknamed the Big Rig, was taken by the Dallas Stars in the first round of the 2011 draft. He’s played for the team for all but two years of his career (although, in breaking news, it was announced this week that Oleksiak has signed with the Seattle Kraken).

Like other NHLers, Oleksiak spends more than half the year in arenas, practicing or going toe to toe with the world’s best players. “I work a lot and I work hard, so I like to go out when I get the chance,” he says. When he does, here are some of his insider picks for visitors to Dallas.

(Regional travel guidelines and access to specific places can change quickly; always check official updates before you go).

For an authentic Texas meal: Pecan Lodge (2702 Main St., Dallas).

Oleksiak says the smoked meat and pulled pork are hard to resist, but it’s the burnt ends, the smoky, charred and fatty trimmings from beef brisket, that keep him coming back. “This is classic Texas barbecue at its finest, with lots of meat and lots of sauce,” he says. The BBQ pit burns with oak and mesquite 24 hours a day and closes at 8 p.m. on most days — or sooner, if they sell out.

For noteworthy guitars: Killer Vintage Specialty Guitars (#108-3738 Haggar Way, Dallas).

Worldwide guitar appraisal expert Dave Hinson used to visit Dallas for guitar auctions. He got hooked on the vibe and, five years ago, set up shop (his second location) here, in an unassuming industrial mall. Oleksiak, a sometimes-bassist with a $200 axe, was wide-eyed when a friend who works there invited him to check out the vintage inventory — such as a rare 1960 sunburst Gibson Les Paul, offered for US$190,000. That one’s since been sold, but visitors are welcome to play the approximately 80-plus other vintage guitars on display.

For the artful setting: The Nasher Sculpture Center (2001 Flora St., Dallas).

This world-class facility, located in the Dallas Arts District, is renowned for its depth of key artists, including Picasso and Matisse. In addition, the centre’s grounds feature a 1.5-acre sculpture garden with approximately 25 large-scale works. The mature foliage — magnolias, cedar elms, willows and holly — create serene outdoor spaces, which Oleksiak finds to be a restful departure from the rink.