City of Dallas

You won’t believe all there is to see and do in Dallas. We can’t wait to welcome you to our city. And we hope you’re ready for an unforgettable, exciting visit. In the meantime, look below to start exploring and browsing all the information we’ve provided to help you plan the perfect trip.

ADVENTURE

The mystique of Dallas harkens back to the adventurous times of the Wild West. But today, a whole host of modern- day excitement awaits those who visit Dallas – either for a day, a weekend, or weeks of unforgettable fun. Ideas for adventure are never in short supply. Here, you can let your imagination, and your family, run wild.

  • Six Flags SIX FLAGS Life really is a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Texas. This major amusement park offers exciting rides for all ages. Located in Arlington, just 15 miles west of Dallas, the park’s name “Six Flags Over Texas” stands for the six different nations’ flags that have governed Texas, including France, Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the United States of America. www.sixflags.com/overTexas/
  • Medieval Times MEDIEVAL TIMES Dallas is no stranger to people on horseback. So authentic jousting tournaments from 11th century Spain are a perfect complement to the city’s entertainment lineup. The majestic Medieval Times Castle, near the heart of Dallas, has an ivy– covered tower, nine tree–lined acres, and a moat filled with live koi. Inside you’ll find challenging medieval games, not to mention royal feasts fit for a king and his family. www.medievaltimes.com/findcastles/dallas/
  • Speed Zone SPEEDZONE Get your adrenaline pumped at SpeedZone with wheel–to–wheel racing on the Turbo Track, the Top Eliminator Dragster, Slick Trax, the brand–new Thunder Road track, the Fireball! looping coaster, plus over 100 of the latest video games and two 18–hole mini–golf courses. Then grab food and drinks and watch your favorite team on the big screen. Located at I–35 and Walnut Hill. www.speedzone.com/dallas/
  • Hurricane Harbor HURRICANE HARBOR While you won’t find gusty winds at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Arlington, the tides are always rising and there’s a high probability of fun. And that’s not surprising when you consider that the park has over 3 million gallons of water beckoning you and your family to make a splash. So for heart–pounding thrills, slide in and ride the waves. www.sixflags.com/hurricaneharbortexas/

ARTS/CULTURE

Most people think you have to travel to Italy or France to experience the world’s finest art. But it may surprise you, and perhaps Michelangelo and Monet, to know that the largest contiguous arts district is right here in Dallas. You’ll discover a collection of galleries and museums filled with masterpieces and artifacts guaranteed to pique your interests.

  • Sixth Floor Museum SIXTH FLOOR MUSEUM Stand at the exact location that changed our nation forever. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, located in the former Texas School Book Depository, offers a comprehensive exhibit on the life, death, and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. See “A Photographer’s Story: Bob Jackson and the Kennedy Assassination,” featuring the work of the Pulitzer Prize–winning Dallas Times Herald photographer who captured the image of Jack Ruby shooting Lee Harvey Oswald. www.jfk.org
  • Museum of Nature and Science MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE Here, get three for the price of one. Because this museum was created by merging three others – the Dallas Museum of Natural History, The Science Place, and the Dallas Children’s Museum. Unlike any cultural exhibit in the nation, it features over 3,000 mammal specimens, the second–largest scientific collection of birds in Texas, and insects from northeast Texas and Big Bend. www.natureandscience.org/information/
  • Dallas Museum of Art DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART Located in the Arts District in downtown Dallas, the Dallas Museum of Art features an outstanding collection of more than 23,000 works of art from around the globe. And these pieces span an enormous time period, from ancient to modern times. Established in 1903, the DMA is an inviting, tranquil setting where you’ll find the ideal atmosphere for observing important influences in the world of art. www.dallasmuseumofart.org/Dallas_Museum_of_Art/index.htm
  • Dallas Summer Musicals DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS Give your regards to Broadway from the heart of Texas with Dallas Summer Musicals. The Southwest’s largest and oldest producer of such entertainment, it has staged the finest Broadway touring shows on the circuit since 1941. Enjoy the Summer Musical series from May to October at the Music Hall at Fair Park and the Winter Broadway Contemporary series of plays and musicals from November to May at the Music Hall and the historic Majestic Theatre in downtown Dallas. www.dallassummermusicals.org/2009/index.shtm
  • Nasher Sculpture Center NASHER SCULPTURE CENTER Along with a breathtaking, Asian–inspired outdoor sculpture garden that provides ample space for relaxing with a refreshing stroll or picnic, the Nasher Sculpture Center features some of the finest modern art in the world, including awe–inspiring pieces by Matisse, Picasso, and Serra. It’s located next to the Dallas Museum of Art. And thanks to Target, admission is free the first Saturday of every month. www.nashersculpturecenter.org
  • Frontiers of Flight FRONTIERS OF FLIGHT Fasten your seatbelts, adjust your tray tables, and prepare to relive aviation history from Kitty Hawk to the Moon Walk at the Frontiers of Flight Museum. Here, amidst one of the world’s greatest collections of artifacts, scale models, photographs, and other memorabilia, explore over 100,000 square feet of exhibit space, including 25 aircraft, 20 interactive displays, educational workshops, and regular presentations from space shuttle astronauts and NASA officials. See the Apollo 7 command module, the only moon rock on display in north Texas, the Bell “Huey” Helicopter, or the most extensive collection of ejection seats. www.flightmuseum.com
  • Crow Collection of Asian Art CROW COLLECTION OF ASIAN ART A culture that goes back thousands of years deserves a permanent set of galleries dedicated to the arts it produced. And the Crow Collection is just that. Located in the Arts District in downtown near the Nasher Sculpture Center, the Crow Collection offers visitors major works of art from China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia, all in a serene setting for quiet reflection and learning. www.crowcollection.org
  • Kimbell Art Museum KIMBELL ART MUSEUM The Kimbell Art Museum occupies a distinctive place in the international community of museums. This is remarkable, considering it’s a mere 35 years old. This small collection of less than 350 works, acquired at a time when the supply of great masterpieces was thought by many to be drying up, has come to symbolize quality and importance at the very highest level. www.kimbellart.org
  • Museum of the American Railroad MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN RAILROAD Pardon me, boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo? Here’s one way to find out: visit the Museum of the American Railroad in Dallas. Their mission is to share the heritage of American railroading, as well as current and future development, through artistic, cultural, and educational programming. All aboard! www.dallasrailwaymuseum.com
  • Dallas Heritage Village DALLAS HERITAGE VILLAGE You’d think a city with such a storied past as Dallas would have a museum unto itself. And it does. The Dallas Heritage Village offers visitors, both young and young at heart, a unique chance to learn the history of Dallas and north central Texas. Located in Old City Park on 13 wooded acres just south of downtown, the museum uses a collection of historic buildings and furnishings to represent the period 1840–1910. www.dallasheritagevillage.org
  • Dallas Holocaust Museum DALLAS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM The Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance is located in the historic West End on the DART rail line. To book group tours, school student tours, and speaking engagements with Survivors, contact Hope Levine at (214) 741–7500 x106. This museum is not recommended for children below the 6th grade level. Parental discretion is advised. Parking: Easy Access to the Museum from the West End DART Station and surrounding lots. www.dallasholocaustmuseum.org

NATURE/WILDLIFE

Although Dallas offers plenty of entertaining activities to appeal to both your adventurous and artistic sides, we haven’t forgotten about your wild side. Not only will you find a bouquet of options for enjoying truly spectacular varieties of flowers and plants, but animal enthusiasts will also discover sanctuaries for some of the world’s most interesting species.

  • Dallas World Aquarium DALLAS WORLD AQUARIUM With the help of The Dallas World Aquarium, you’ll be transported to a city by the sea. This unique and memorable experience in the historic West End district features 80,000 gallons of saltwater exhibits, including sharks, stingrays, and hundreds of reef fish all in living coral reef ecosystems. Tropical plants and animals from around the world will surround you and your family. As will the eyes of truly amazing deepwater creatures. www.dwazoo.com/d/
  • Audubon Dallas TRINITY RIVER AUDUBON CENTER The Trinity River Audubon Center is your gateway to explore the amazing resources of the 6,000–acre Great Trinity Forest. As the largest urban hardwood forest in the United States, this forest supports a diverse community of plant and animal species and contains a unique mixture of bottomland hardwoods, wetlands and grasslands. Visitors have the opportunity to explore hands–on exhibits, four miles of nature viewing trails, the Children's Discovery Garden, and a great nature store with unique gifts and nature related items. Programs offered at the center educate and entertain children, families, and adults. www.trinityriveraudubon.org
  • Dallas Arboretum DALLAS ARBORETUM Imagine taking a leisurely walk on pathways lined with the most colorful and interesting flowers you’ll ever see or smell. That’s what you expect at Dallas Arboretum. With 66 acres of peaceful woods and beautifully manicured lawns and flowers, the Arboretum attracts families, couples, and, yes, butterflies. www.dallasarboretum.org
  • Heard Wildlife Sanctuary THE HEARD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Birds of feather don’t always flock together. Sometimes they hang out at the Heard sanctuary. You’ll encounter numerous sights, sounds, colors, textures, and patterns as you walk through the nature trails at this oasis situated within the rapidly developing Collin County. Many species of birds, insects, and animals have found refuge in the sanctuary. Perhaps you will, too. www.heardmuseum.org
  • Dallas Zoo DALLAS ZOO Every city has a zoo, right? Well, only Dallas has the largest zoo in Texas. This 95–acre park features an impressive collection of animal species, not to mention an education department that offers fascinating, fun programs for all ages. After all, how many exhibits can you lay your eyes upon that can do the same in return? So go ahead, take a walk on the wild side. www.dallaszoo.com
  • Texas Discovery Gardens TEXAS DISCOVERY GARDENS Children and parents alike can observe nature’s intricate web of life at Texas Discovery Gardens. This year–round organic urban escape is filled with natural wonders for visitors of all ages. Ten different themed areas await you, including a butterfly habitat, native wildlife pond, scent garden, shade garden, and heirloom garden. Family events are offered throughout the year. Plus, get expert advice on using native and adapted plants to create backyard habitats for butterflies, birds, and other native wildlife. www.texasdiscoverygardens.org

SPORTS

It’s no secret that Dallas has some of the best championship sports in the world. From the NBA to the NFL to MLB, it’s a city known for its competitive spirit. But there are several other live sporting events to entice you and your family. And while all are spectator sports, they’re certain to keep you on the edge of your seats.

  • Texas Rangers TEXAS RANGERS Make a homerun with your family. Take them to a Texas Rangers baseball game, from April through October. The Rangers sent four players to the Major League Baseball All–Star Game in 2008, including center fielder Josh Hamilton, whose record–breaking performance in the All–Star Game Home Run Derby captivated TV viewers nationwide. The Rangers compete in MLB’s American League West Division. texas.rangers.mlb.com
  • Rough Riders FRISCO ROUGHRIDERS The Frisco RoughRiders, or “Riders,” serve as the Class AA affiliate of the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball club. The team plays in the Texas League, assigned to the South Division. They compete at the Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, which seats 10,600 fans. Innovative and unique, the stadium’s bullpens are surrounded by seats, and there is a pool area available for rental just beyond the right center field wall. www.ridersbaseball.com
  • Lone Star Park LONE STAR PARK You’ll be amazed at how fast the words “and they’re off” can make your heart race. But that’s just what happens when you enjoy fun–filled afternoons and evenings at Lone Star Park. This state–of–the–art 36,000–square–foot pavillion is open six days a week for thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. And the atmosphere is one of exhilaration as fans cheer their chosen horse to victory. Thoroughbred season runs from April to July. www.lonestarpark.com
  • FC Dallas FC DALLAS Dallas offers visitors the best of anything the world has to offer, so it’s only fitting that we would have a team in one the world’s most popular sports: soccer. FC Dallas (formerly the Dallas Burn) is the area’s only Major League Soccer franchise. They play April through October, in north Dallas’s Pizza Hut Park. And remember, even though players can’t use their hands, you can. So be ready to applaud. fc.dallas.mlsnet.com/t104
  • Mesquite Rodeo MESQUITE CHAMPIONSHIP RODEO So you thought a city as cultural as Dallas couldn’t have a sport as rough and rugged as the rodeo. Think again. Bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding, chuckwagon races, cowgirl barrel racing, and more are waiting for your bewildered looks at the world–famous Mesquite Championship Rodeo. It all takes place in an ultramodern, covered facility on Friday and Saturday evenings from April through September. www.mesquiterodeo.com

NIGHTLIFE

In Dallas, when the sun goes down, the energy goes up. You’ll find surprisingly diverse areas of the city to explore in your quest to create the perfect evening. And you’ll have no trouble doing so, when you consider the endless entertainment options, live music venues, pubs and bars, exquisite dining choices, and unique boutique retail shops.

  • Deep Ellum DEEP ELLUM Immediately east of downtown, this former warehouse district is Dallas’s headquarters for live music. In the early 1900s, it was the hotbed of the blues and African–American life and culture. It still is today, but the area also swings with everything from jazz to alternative beats. Among the numerous clubs and restaurants are shops and galleries where clothing and jewelry often double as original works of art. Deep Ellum is the place if you’re looking for the unusual. Described as a little New Orleans and Southern SoHo, it’s a trendy, hip area of modern Dallas. www.deepellumtx.com
  • West End WEST END The historic West End is where the Dallas of days gone by meets the glitz and glamour of Victory Park. Here, you can take a carriage ride on some of the area’s original brick–lined streets or check out the many historical sites within walking distance. Stand on the Grassy Knoll, visit the Sixth Floor Museum, or stop by “Old Red,” the famous courthouse, home to the Dallas Tourist Information Center. www.dallaswestend.org
  • Uptown UPTOWN Just northeast of downtown, the 125–year–old neighborhood known as Uptown has recently experienced a surge of residential growth that also brought new clubs, shops, and restaurants. McKinney Avenue is Uptown’s main street. And the McKinney Avenue trolleys connect the Uptown area with the downtown Arts District. This chic, historic area includes dozens of restaurants, boutiques, spas, art galleries, upscale shopping, and opulent hotels. www.uptowndallas.net
  • Knox-Henderson KNOX–HENDERSON Just minutes from downtown toward the SMU campus, Knox–Henderson is one of Dallas’s oldest shopping districts. Named for two streets that cross Central Expressway, the area was revitalized in the mid–1990s. But many of the original 1920s storefronts remain. It’s the ideal place to park the car and stroll from shop to shop. You’ll find some of the city’s most eclectic restaurants, furniture stores, and gift shops. www.214area.com/dallas/knox–henderson/
  • Fair Park FAIR PARK Dallas’s largest cultural center, Fair Park is a historical treasure of national importance. It’s home to the 71,000–seat Cotton Bowl and the 130–seat Margo Jones Theater. In between these are a coliseum, music hall, two outdoor amphitheaters, and popular exhibit facilities. Fair Park hosts a wide variety of annual public events, including the largest state fair in the nation, the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic football game, and the Dallas Summer Musicals. www.fairpark.org
  • Greenville Avenue GREENVILLE AVENUE Every night, there’s a stretch of Greenville Avenue from Ross Avenue to Mockingbird Lane that comes alive. Locals and visitors flock to quaint shops, restaurants, and clubs. Just northeast of downtown, the district is divided into three parts – Upper, Lower, and Lowest Greenville. The last two are where you’ll find an assortment of one–of–a–kind shops and outdoor dining in this historic 1920s neighborhood. The free–spirited atmosphere is obvious in the mix of antique shops, homey pubs, and ethnic restaurants. www.homeandabroad.com/c/49/Site/62585_Greenville_Avenue_visit.html
  • Highland Park HIGHLAND PARK Considered one of the more prestigious neighborhoods in Dallas, Highland Park is home to the upscale shopping area of Highland Park Village, with fine dining and fine couturiers. Celebrities can often be seen here. Bordered by Dallas on the south, east, and west and University Park on the north, Highland Park is considered a residential “island city” within a big city. www.hptx.org
  • Dallas Arts District DALLAS ARTS DISTRICT Those hoping to soak up art and culture during a visit to Dallas should prepare to be drenched. The Dallas Arts District is the largest urban arts district in the country. It features Pritzker Prize–winning architecture. And the selection of galleries is mind– boggling. Visit the Crow Collection of Asian Art, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dallas Museum of Art, Meyerson Symphony Center, Nasher Sculpture Center, and Dallas Center for the Performing Arts, opening in 2009. www.artsdistrict.org
  • Bishop Arts District BISHOP ARTS DISTRICT Just five minutes south of downtown Dallas in charming Oak Cliff, the unique Bishop Arts District is home to over 50 local merchants, restaurants, boutiques, and services. You’ll find friendly locals and shop owners, along with more of a small town–square feel. It’s perfect for a fun–filled night of great food and an evening stroll. www.bishopartsdistrict.com
  • Mockingbird Station MOCKINGBIRD STATION Hop on the DART rail and you’re an easy 8–minute ride from downtown to Mockingbird Lane Station. Here, you’ll find 216 loft apartments, the 8–screen, art–house Angelika Film Center and café, more than 90 unique shops and restaurants, plenty of parking, and an enclosed public plaza. Commercial and residential tenants are drawn to Mockingbird Station as much for its convenience as for its true urban character, which mixes materials, architectural styles, and unprecedented amenities to create a lively community. www.mockingbirdstation.com
  • South Side SOUTH SIDE Dallas’s landmark community, South Side is multifaceted with historic characteristics from an era long forgotten but still treasured. Here, along with timeless loft designs and commercial space, you’ll discover unforgettable intriguing music venues and retail shops. This unique urban community is quickly becoming a must–see for all visitors. www.southsideonlamar.com
  • Victory Park VICTORY PARK Adjacent to the historic West End, Victory Park is a modern, 75–acre neighborhood filled with options for sophisticated shopping, dining, entertainment, and nightlife. And it’s only steps away from jogging attractions like the Katy Trail and green spaces. Victory Park is in the heart of the “new Dallas” – an area on the west side of downtown experiencing tremendous growth and offering unprecedented promise for the future. www.victorypark.com
  • Swiss Avenue SWISS AVENUE Legend has it that some of Dallas’s early wealthy residents resided in the large brick and stone mansions on this wide and picturesque avenue. The well–preserved homes here span a variety of architectural styles, from Prairie to art deco and from Tudor to Spanish renaissance. It’s a wonderful place to take an afternoon drive or an evening stroll and then pop into a nearby Irish pub. During the holidays, the avenue boasts one of the city’s best displays of colorful lights and decorations. www.sahd.org/home.html

SHOPPING

If you love to shop, a trip to Dallas is like a trip to nirvana. Here, shopping is an art form. And you can create a different, yet affordable experience every time you visit. There are more stores than you can imagine. So you may want to bring a Texas–sized SUV to hold all those shopping bags.

  • North Park Center NORTHPARK CENTER Honored by the Dallas Business Journal as “Dallas/Ft. Worth’s most popular Metroplex attraction” every year since 1998, NorthPark Center offers a unique combination of the area’s finest selection of boutiques and restaurants situated among world–renowned art and award–winning architecture. International visitors enjoy a tax–free shopping break, and everyone enjoys a complimentary shuttle to and from a nearby DART rail station. www.northparkcenter.com
  • Highland Park HIGHLAND PARK VILLAGE As the nation’s first planned shopping center, Highland Park Village opened in 1931 and was recently designated a National Historic Landmark. Warm weather year–round enables days filled with outdoor strolling, shopping, and dining. Visit its boutiques and high–end shops, including Chanel, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren. Guests can grab a bite, take in a movie, ride in a horse–drawn carriage, or witness the annual Christmas tree lighting. www.hpvillage.com
  • Galleria Dallas GALLERIA DALLAS USA Today says Galleria Dallas is “one of the top 10 places to spend it all.” And who could argue? This international collection of shops and boutiques sets the standard for world–class shopping in Dallas. It is also a prime dining destination in Dallas, offering exquisite restaurants like The Grill on the Alley, SUSHISAMBA, Grand Lux Cafe, and Oceanaire. From its legendary ice rink to its fusion of hip fashion and chic dining, Galleria Dallas is truly a premier destination. www.galleriadallas.com
  • Neiman Marcus NEIMAN MARCUS For over a century, Neiman Marcus has been the pinnacle of fine shopping. The flagship Neiman Marcus in downtown Dallas has set the standard for fashion and elegance since its grand opening in the early 1900s. The downtown store also features a fifth–floor museum that tells the story of this ready–to–wear couture retail legend. www.neimanmarcus.com
  • West Village WEST VILLAGE One of the newest hot spots for shopping, dining, and entertainment in Dallas, West Village is home to the popular Magnolia theatre, an inviting and comfortable destination that supports independent film and arts. Nestled at the northern tip of the popular Uptown entertainment district, this area is easily accessible via the free M–Line streetcar. West Village has quickly become a model for trendy Dallas shopping. www.westvil.com