Top 10 Places to Visit in Dallas and Ft. Worth
AMERIQUEST FIELD (THE BALLPARK IN ARLINGTON)
Sure, Arlington (a suburb between Dallas and Ft. Worth) may be home to Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor, but most tourists can get the Six Flags experience in a number of cities. To get a real taste of Texas baseball, you must visit the Ballpark. A tour of the park is a must, but many tourists may not be aware of the Legends of Baseball Museum located on site, which you can visit separately without buying a game ticket. It’s like a mini-Cooperstown, with memorabilia like Babe Ruth’s jersey. In fact, many items are on loan from the Hall of Fame. There is a focus on Texas baseball history that you will enjoy, and there is even a kid’s section that will keep them busy for awhile. Besides the Museum, at the Ballpark you will also find a sports art gallery, a souvenir shop, and two restaurants if you are hungry.
If it is baseball season, do your best to attend a game and get a unique baseball experience from the place that introduced nachos to the game. If a Ranger hits a home run, watching the fireworks go off while “The Natural” music plays will send chills down your spine. The seventh inning stretch is also traditionally when you’ll hear “Cotton-Eyed Joe” being played; and even the worst dancers are expected to dance.
Ameriquest Field is easy to find, just take I-30 into Arlington from either Dallas or Ft. Worth. Exit Ballpark Way, and you will see the stadium from the freeway, behind a hotel and the convention center.
1000 Ballpark Way, 817-273-5222, www.TexasRangers.com
THE DALLAS ARBORETUM
Most tourists think Dallas is a couple of skyscrapers in the middle of a flat prairie. A trip to the Arboretum will change that perception. Just minutes from downtown Dallas on the shores of White Rock Lake, the Arboretum is an Eden-like paradise of trees and floral displays spread across 66 acres. A wonderful place to relax and unwind after a full day of running around the city.
Not only is the Arboretum home to some wonderful gardens and landscaping, you can also visit several historical mansions on-site as well as enjoy stunning views of White Rock Lake and the Dallas Skyline. Don’t let the size scare you; a tram is available to whisk visitors to the major gardens in the park. Breakfast and lunch are also served in two different restaurants on-site. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food if they would like to picnic on the grounds. Cooking is not allowed.
The Arboretum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, except for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Day. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for children ages 3-12, with children under 3, as well as Arboretum members, are free.
8525 Garland Rd., 214-515-6500, www.DallasArboretum.org.
DEALEY PLAZA
It was built to be the gateway to Dallas, but Dealey Plaza became infamous as the site of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Today, Dealey Plaza, a landscaped park on the western side of downtown, remains largely the same as it was on November 22, 1963. Visitors can explore the area, including the Grassy Knoll, and the School Book Depository, which is now the home of the Sixth Floor Museum, a place of remembrance of the events in Dallas and a tribute to the legacy of President Kennedy.
Facing Dealey Plaza is the “Old Red” Courthouse, now a museum and visitor’s center that is open to the public. Right behind “Old Red” is the Kennedy Memorial, which symbolizes the dreams and unfulfilled promise of the Kennedy Presidency. Just within walking distance of Dealey are a number of hotels, train stations, The Holocaust Museum, and Dallas’ West End, featuring a number of restaurants and clubs.
For those planning to visit the Sixth Floor Museum, note that the first five floors are used by the city and are not open to the public, so do not use the main building entrances facing the street. Instead, go around to the back of the building (parking lot attendants can help you if you drive in) and follow the signage into the visitor’s center. Dealey Plaza is located just off of Interstate 35 at the Main Street/Commerce exit, almost in the shadow of Reunion Tower (the famous “lollipop” tower).
The most complete information about Dealey Plaza can be found at www.JFK.org, the official website for the Sixth Floor Museum. The Museum phone number is (214) 747-6660.
THE FORT WORTH STOCKYARDS
Designated as a National Historic District, the Ft. Worth Stockyards is a mix of the Old West with modern entertainment and shopping located in downtown Ft. Worth. It’s chock full of everything you could want in a vacation destination: hotels, shopping, dining, entertainment, all within a short walking distance. If you’re driving in, parking is abundant: just look for lots near your attraction.
Among the attractions in the Stockyards are the “Tarantula Train,” a vintage train that runs from the Stockyards to Grapevine, Texas. During the summer, train robbers “hijack” the train and entertain riders. Round trip tickets run $20 for adults and $10 for children. One way tickets and shorter trips are available.
Other attractions in the Stockyards include the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Cowtown Coliseum (featuring a Wild West Show), and the Cowtown Opry. Hotels in the area include the Holiday Inn, Amerisuites, and a number of high end independent hotels and B&Bs. Restaurants include plenty of barbecue and steak houses, Joe T. Garcia’s (with some great Tex-Mex), and Giovanni’s Pizza and Pasta. There’s shopping galore, and if you’re in the mood for a mall experience, Northeast Mall is a short drive away.
The Stockyards are also the home of world-famous honky-tonk Billy Bob’s, which is open daily, family friendly, and features country music and bull riding every weekend.
Ft. Worth Stockyards Visitor’s Information Center, 130 E. Exchange Ave., 817-625-9715, www.fortworthstockyards.org.
Billy Bob’s Texas, 2520 Rodeo Plaza, 817-624-7117, www.billybobstexas.com
THE FORT WORTH WATER GARDENS
First gaining national attention after being featured in the 1970’s sci-fi film Logan’s Run, the Water Gardens are a unique attraction in the shadow of downtown Ft. Worth’s skyline. Designed by renowned architect Phillip Johnson, the gardens feature three pools, with the most famous featuring cascading falls into a central pool with a stone pathway weaving down among the falling waters.
The Water Gardens are undergoing renovation now but will reopen by Fall 2006. The Gardens will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. every day. Admission is free. Access to the nearby Convention Center is available for those attending events there. It is also near other downtown attractions like the Stockyards.
The Water Gardens are located between Houston and Commerce Streets in downtown Ft. Worth, 817-871-7698
THE GAYLORD TEXAN
The Gaylord Texan is not just a resort; it is a destination unto itself. Located on Lake Grapevine, about 30 miles from downtown Dallas, the Texan is a grand attraction that offers you enough to make it tempting not to venture out to Ft. Worth or Dallas.
Perhaps the highlight of the Gaylord Texan is the enormous Lone Star Atrium, a four and a half acre enclosed landscaped environment featuring gardens, a river, and a recreation of a San Antonio mission, the Riverwalk, and the Palo Duro Canyon. There’s a even a nine story oil derrick. Stuffed with restaurants offering just about every variation of Texas cuisine available, the Atrium alone could keep you busy, and yet relaxed, for days.
The restaurants and on-site entertainment could easily keep you indoors during your entire stay, but there is also the world’s first NFL themed golf course, the Cowboys Golf Club, adjacent to the Gaylord, and a jogging trail from the resort along Lake Grapevine beckons visitors outdoors. There’s also everything from fishing to boating available on the lake.
The rooms at the Gaylord are high-end resort quality, with a distinctly Texan style that makes you feel at home. High speed internet and all the extra amenities are available in all rooms.
The Texan claims it is a mere 20 minutes from Dallas or Ft. Worth. Unfortunately, that must be by helicopter, because it will take you much longer than that to drive to the Texan from either city’s downtown. If you are flying in from DFW Airport, it is much closer. It is strongly suggested that you get a specific map and
driving directions to the Texan if you are visiting from out of town. The specific directions are too involved to go into detail here, and it isn’t simply off an interstate exit. The destination, however, is worth the trip.
1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, Texas. (817) 778-1000. www.GaylordTexan.com
GILLEY’S DALLAS
You know you want to give in to your inner cowboy or cowgirl. You also know that you want to be able to brag to your friends that you visited Gilley’s while you were in Texas. Now, you can buy the t-shirt or cowboy hat. The home of the “urban cowboy” is a great destination for those looking for a real western night on the town. Gilley’s offers up live country music, dancing, a restaurant, and mechanical bull rides. Mickey Gilley sighting is not guaranteed. Located on Lamar south of downtown, on the south side of I-30. Open late.
1135 S. Lamar, 888-GILLEYS, www.gilleysdallas.com
LONE STAR PARK AT GRAND PRAIRIE
A grand palace of horse racing. Located just off of Belt Line Road near I-30, this beautiful facility is family friendly and offers all of the amenities you would expect at a world-class track. Thoroughbred horses race from April until July and quarter horses run from September to November, usually: check with the track for specific race schedules. Simulcast racing is offered seven days a week. Lone Star Park often hosts concerts and family activities during holidays like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, so be sure to check with them for any special events.
Tourists will find Lone Star Park is located near major attractions and hotels in the suburbs between Dallas and Ft. Worth. The Palace of Wax and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is a mere three minutes away. Six Flags Over Texas, Hurricane Harbor, and Ameriquest Field / The Ballpark in Arlington are all about five minutes away down I-30. Restaurants, drug and grocery stores, and other shopping venues are all along Belt Line Road, including Irving Mall, which is about ten minutes north of Lone Star Park at Belt Line Road and Airport Freeway. There is a skater’s park near the entrance of Lone Star for your thrill-seeking teen, and the Nokia Theater is right next door, and is the venue most major singers and bands play when they pass through Dallas or Ft. Worth. There is also a tourist information center near the Gate 1 entrance of Lone Star Park.
1000 Lone Star Parkway, Grand Prairie, 75050, just north of Belt Line Road and Interstate 30, 972-263-RACE. www.LoneStarPark.com
THE NASHER SCULPTURE CENTER
Built on the concept of a “roof-less” museum, the Nasher Sculpture Center has quickly become one of Dallas’ most talked about destinations in the Arts District of downtown. Showcasing a number of three dimensional pieces from the collection of Ray Nasher, the Center has become a lunchtime oasis for downtown workers from the surrounding skyscrapers.
Works from a number of masters, including Picasso, populate the Center, but the seamless melding of the artificial with nature is something to see. Besides featuring the impressive Nasher collection, a number of traveling exhibitions are featured there as well. Of course, the Dallas Museum of Art is nearby for those who wish to visit a more conventional, yet just as impressive, art museum.
The Center is open Tuesdays through Sundays, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Thursdays, the Center is open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and children under 12 are free.
2001 Flora Street, (214) 242-5100. www.nashersculpturecenter.org
SOUTHFORK RANCH
It is a pop culture landmark. Arguably, it stands with the White House as one of America’s most recognized homes. While it was rarely actually used as a filming location for the show Dallas, Southfork Ranch is the iconic home in which viewers remember the events of the television series.
In reality, Southfork is not actually in Dallas, but rather in Parker, Texas, about 20 minutes north of downtown Dallas. Unlike what many saw in the television show, Dallas is heavily urban, and there are few ranches within the city limits. Southfork is now an event and conference center, and can accommodate up to 10,000 people within 63,000 feet of indoor space. It also features tours for folks who want to see how the Ewings really lived. The “Dallas Legends” exhibit features memorabilia from the show, including the gun that shot J.R., costumes, and even Jock’s car. You can eat at Miss Ellie’s Deli and shop in two on-site stores. A tram takes you from the visitor’s center to the actual mansion, where a guided tour is given. You’ll even get to see the longhorns and horses that live at Southfork, for the city folk who want to brag that they saw a real Texas longhorn.
Tour rates, as of 2006, were $8.95 for adults, $7.50 for seniors, $6.50 for children 5-12, and free for children under 5. If you’re looking for a hotel nearby, the ranch has a sister location, the Southfork Hotel, (866-665-2680) located at 1600 N. Central Expressway in Plano, about eight miles from the ranch.
To find Southfork, take Interstate 75 (Central Expressway) north, take exit #30, and turn right at Parker Rd. Continue east on Parker for almost 6 miles until you reach FM 2551 South or Hogge Rd. (also known as Murphy Rd.). Turn right on Hogge Rd., and the entrance to Southfork will be on your immediate left.
3700 Hogge Rd. in Parker, 972-442-7800, www.Southfork.com
