Destination attractions things to do in dallas

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Dallas is a large city located in the northern part of Texas. The DFW Metroplex includes Dallas, Fort Worth and numerous suburbs of the two larger cities; an international airport that serves both Dallas and Fort Worth is located between the two cities. Dallas is known as a business city and has many Fortune 500 corporate headquarters, so you might find yourself in Dallas on a business trip someday. What is there for you to do in Dallas if you have some leisure time?

Shopping

Dallas is the home of Neiman Marcus, the Galleria, NorthPark Center, the West End Marketplace, Highland Park Village, and many other shopping malls. Smaller boutiques and antique shops can be found along Greenville Avenue, in Deep Ellum, and in many downtown areas of outlying suburbs. Outlet and factory stores are found in malls in Grapevine and Allen. For those who like flea markets, Traders Village in Grand Prairie is open every weekend and has more than 2,500 dealers; Dallas largest RV park is next door.

Bass Pro Shop

Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World is located in Grapevine very close to DFW Airport, and shuttles are available from the airport to the store. All kinds of sporting equipment, fishing and hunting supplies, boats, and clothing are available at Bass Pro Shop. Theres a giant aquarium, a restaurant, snack bar, firing and archery ranges inside, and seminars on hunting and fishing are held often.

Museums

Dallas has a number of good art museums. The Dallas Museum of Art, Trammel and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art, Nasher Sculpture Center and SMUs Meadows Museum of Art are all excellent. Fair Park houses a number of museums, including the Dallas Museum of Natural History, The Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park, The Womens Museum, African American Museum, Science Place, and the Age of Steam Railroad Museum.

JFK Remembrance

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is located in the building that once housed the Texas School Book Depository, and has exhibits that examine the life and death of Pres. John F. Kennedy. There are photographs, video displays, and changing exhibits that tell the visitor about what happened on that terrible day in 1963. There is a Kennedy Memorial close by and also the Conspiracy Museum, which seeks to dispute the findings of the Warren Commission.

Southfork Ranch

The TV show Dallas, popular during the 1980s, had its exterior shots filmed at Southfork Ranch in Parker, north of Dallas. The house and grounds are open for tours, and there are photos, videos and exhibits commemorating the show and its stars. Southfork Ranch has hundreds of events during the year; see their website for details. There is a restaurant and gift shop with Texas-themed items; there is also a chuck wagon dinner and program for large groups. If you ever watched Dallas on television, you would probably have fun touring the ranch.

Nightlife

Dallas has plenty of entertainment to keep you busy at night. Deep Ellum, which is east of downtown, has night clubs, restaurants, galleries, shops and theaters and is known for its live music and late night entertainment. Try Gypsy Tea Room, Club Dada, Greenville Bar & Grill, and Sambuca for jazz, rock and the blues. If you like country-western music, Gilleys is the place to go.

Restaurants

If you are hungry or just want to soak up some atmosphere, Addison is restaurant mecca. Addison has more than 160 restaurants that will serve you just about anything you want. Many of the restaurants are located on Beltline, and there are also clubs, theaters, and lots of shopping in Addison. Check the citys website for a list of restaurants and dates of the many festivals that are held there throughout the year.

State Fair of Texas

At the end of September, the State Fair comes to Fair Park and lasts until mid-October. Theres a giant midway, plenty of food, exhibits, animal shows, and musical entertainment. Ride the enormous Texas Star, a Ferris wheel that is billed as the largest in the Western Hemisphere, or eat a corny dog or fried cheesecake (believe me, its good!) Many of the permanent museums at Fair Park admit visitors at reduced price during the time when the State Fair is open.

Sports

Dallas has professional sports teams in baseball, football, hockey, basketball, and soccer. The Texas Rangers play in Arlington at Ameriquest Field, the Dallas Cowboys play at Texas Stadium in Irving, the Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, and Dallas Sidekicks play in American Airlines Center, and the Dallas Burn play soccer at the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park. The annual Texas University v. Oklahoma University football game is held during the time of the State Fair in the Cotton Bowl also. For rodeo fans, theres the Mesquite Rodeo, and for golfers, the Byron Nelson Classic is held in May at the Four Seasons Resort in Las Colinas.

Nature

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a delight at any season. On the shores of White Rock Lake, the arboretums 70 acres contain gardens, water elements, walking trails, gift shops, and lovely old residences of the former owners of the estate. The arboretum features seasonal festival events such as Dallas Blooms, and recurring programs, many aimed towards families. The arboretum is a beautiful, peaceful place for visitors of all ages. Outside the arboretum, the 12-mile track around the White Rock Lake is a popular place for jogging, biking, skating, and walking.