Twelve Things to Do While in Dallas, Texas
The Sixth Floor Museum, located at 411 Elm Street, Dallas Texas, in the Texas School Book Depository, houses a tribute to President John F. Kennedy and his assassination. This museum is located on the sixth floor, where a sniper’s nest and rifle, thought to have been Lee Harvey Oswald’s, were found following the assassination. Visitors here will have the opportunity to view official documents, writings, pictures, films and news coverage of the fateful day in Dallas. Audio tours are also available in seven languages as well as a children’s audio tour. For more information, visit www.jfk.org or call 214-747-6660.
The Dallas Museum of Art, located at 1717 North Harwood, in Dallas’ Arts District, offers visitors a casual atmosphere where they can enjoy beautiful art such as paintings, sculptures and decorative arts set in different periods. Special events are the norm here, such as late night, held once a month with music, food, classes and free tours. There is also 2 restaurants and a gift shop located here. For more information, visit www.dallasmuseumofart.org or call 214-922-1200.
Fair Park, located at 1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd., is just 2 miles from downtown Dallas. Visitors here will find many things to do, including 9 museums, 6 performance facilities, and even a regulation size ice rink. This establishment is a National Historic Landmark and has the largest collection of 1930’s Art Deco exposition style architecture in the United States. Fair Park is also home to the State Fair of Texas. For more information, visit www.fairpark.org or call 214-670-8400.
Grapevine Mills, located at 3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, is located 2 miles north of the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport and 21 miles northwest of downtown Dallas. Grapevine Mills, with its more than 200 retail outlet stores, restaurants, entertainment venues and arcade is what shoppers’ dream of when they dream. This shopping mall is open Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 9:30 pm and Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm. For more information, visit www.grapevinemills.com or call 972-724-4910.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, located at 8525 Garland Road is located just minutes from downtown Dallas. Visitors here will find 66 acres of over 100 varieties of tree, fragrant gardens with year-round color and lush lawns. The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is the perfect location for weddings, receptions, corporate retreats, family reunions and any other reason to visit. For more information, visit www.dallasarboretum.org or call 214-515-6500.
The Dallas Zoo, located at 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway, with 95 acres is over 100 years old and offers exhibits of exotic and traditional zoo animals. This zoo keeps its younger visitors in mind with a petting zoo, pony rides, water play zone and a playground along with its animal exhibits. Visitors will also enjoy a 20-minute monorail ride that travels through the zoo. For more information, visit www.dallaszoo.org or call 214-670-5656.
The West End Marketplace, located at 603 Munger Avenue, is in the historic West End area of Dallas, just minutes from downtown. Brick-lined streets, horse-drawn carriages and Victorian street lamps offer shoppers’ a step back in time as they enjoy shops, galleries and entertainment. West End Marketplace is open from 11am to 9pm Monday through Thursday, 11am to 10pm Friday and Saturday and 12am to 6pm on Sunday. For more information, visit www.westendmarketplacedallas.com or call 214-720-1024.
Reunion Tower at Hyatt Regency, is located at 300 Reunion Boulevard East, has been part of the Dallas skyline for over 20 years. Visitors can travel 55 stories, to the top of Reunion Tower, to witness a breathtaking 360-degree view of Dallas as the tower rotates at the rate of one revolution every 55 minutes. While at the top of Reunion Tower, visitors can enjoy a public observation deck, eat at Antares restaurant or enjoy a cocktail at the Dome. Observation deck hours are Sunday through Thursday, 10am to 10pm, Friday and Saturday 9 am to 11 pm. Hours may vary depending on the weather. For more information, visit www.dallasregency.hyatt.com or call 214-712-7145.
Cedar Ridge Preserve, located at 7171 Mountain Creek Parkway, is only 20 minutes from Dallas. This 633-acre not-for-profit natural habitat offers visitors hiking trails, a native plant nursery, a butterfly garden, picnic areas as well as special programs throughout the year. A snack bar, gift shop and amphitheater are also located on the property. Cedar Ridge Preserve is open from sunrise to sunset, Tuesday through Sunday. For more information, visit www.audubondallas.org or call 972-293-5150.
The Dallas World Aquarium, located at 1801 North Griffin Street offers its visitors an 85,000-gallon saltwater aquarium that is home to marine life from around the world. This establishment also allows the visitor to walk through a panoramic tunnel where they can get a new perspective on marine life, a predator exhibit as well as other exhibits with marine life from around the world. Visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy exhibits from the rainforest, South Africa and Ancient Maya. The Dallas World Aquarium is open 7 days a week, 10am to 5pm. For more information, visit www.dwazoo.com or call 214-720-2224.
White Rock Lake, located at 8300 Garland Drive is a 1,015-acre city lake. Visitors here will find 9.33 miles of hiking and biking trails, bird watching areas, wetland sites, picnic areas, rental facilities, fishing piers, special events and even a museum. For more information, visit www. whiterocklake.org or call 972-622-7283.
Plaza of the Americas, located at 700 North Pearl Street, consists of two 25-story towers connected to a hotel by a multi story atrium with a skating rink. Also in the atrium are retail shops and restaurants. For more information, visit www.dallasarchitecture.info/plofam.htm or call 214-720-8000.
Visiting any or all of these attractions is sure to keep the visitor busy.
