Dallas has a long history of ranching, farming, and oil extraction. After the railroad was built in 1873, the city expanded quickly as a commercial hub. As a result of the city’s influx of insurance companies and banks after World War II, it developed into a significant commercial and financial hub, providing ideal material for the most well-known soap opera about money, power, and intrigue: Dallas.
There are a lot of other attractions and activities to do in Dallas outside merely exploring its intriguing history. It is simple to fill a schedule with anything from museums, symphony halls, and city parks to the architecture of structures like the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Gothic revival Kirby Building.
The finest area to begin a visit is in the city centre. You can find a tonne of great hotels, restaurants, and museums here, along with a tonne of entertaining things to do. You can explore additional neighbourhoods in Dallas, such as the West End, the Arts District, and the burgeoning Deep Vellum District with its unique eateries and stores.
1. Dealey Plaza’s Sixth Floor Museum
The former Texas School Book Depository, located downtown Dallas at the corner of Houston and Elm Streets, is now a museum honouring one of the nation’s most tragic and pivotal events: President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
The museum’s multimedia exhibits that depict the political climate of the early 1960s and then focus on President Kennedy’s visit to Texas in November 1963 and his final days serve as an introduction to the historical backdrop for visitors. Just beyond here, you can see a replica of the sniper’s position in the corner window from which Oswald fired the fatal bullets. This position was made to match the images taken at the scene of the murder.
The remaining displays take you through the anxious moments right after the incident. They cover memories of the shock that gripped the country and the rest of the world, the investigations that followed, and JFK’s legacy.
A copy of the Mannlicher-Carcano rifle discovered at the crime scene, a scale model of Dealey Plaza utilised by FBI agents throughout the inquiry, forensic evidence, and memorabilia like Jack Ruby’s hat and Lee Harvey Oswald’s wedding ring are among the historical objects on display.
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza tour includes entrance to the museum as well as a guided audio tour that elaborates on the content in the exhibits, allowing you to get more out of your visit. The tour features audio clips of authentic radio broadcasts, eyewitness accounts, and police statements from the incident and the days that followed the tragedy in addition to narration by Pierce Allman.
Spend some time exploring Dealey Plaza outside. It’s a moving experience to visit the precise spots with such historical significance, such as The Grassy Knoll and even the roadside markers showing where John F. Kennedy was shot to death.
Dallas, Texas, 411 Elm Street
JFK.org, the official website
The Dallas Botanical Garden and Arboretum
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, which occupies 66 acres along White Rock Lake’s southeast bank, is a short distance from downtown Dallas. The fourteen internationally renowned exhibits on the property feature seasonal flowers, beautiful shrubs, trees, and plant collections. In addition to seasonal outdoor festivals, music performances, art exhibits, and educational events, the gardens also provide guided tours of the grounds.
Despite being envisaged in the early 1930s, the park wasn’t created on the grounds of a 1939 home until 1984, making this magnificent tourist destination a reality. The beautiful fountains and sculptures in places with names like Toad’s Corner, Texas Town, and Pecan Grove add to the enjoyment.
Make sure to stroll around White Rock Lake Park a bit as well. This enormous lake, which has a surface area of more than 1,000 acres and is surrounded by 10 miles of hiking and biking paths, is renowned for its exceptional opportunities for bird and wildlife watching, fishing, and sailing.
Location: Dallas, Texas, 8525 Garland Road
Website of the Dallas Arboretum
Dallas World Aquarium, third
Dallas World Aquarium is a pleasant and instructive experience for both young and old, and it’s conveniently located within easy walking distance of the city’s historic downtown core. A wide variety of marine species, including rare leafy seadragons, enormous groupers, sea turtles, stingrays, and bonnethead sharks, may be found in the 87,000 gallons of saltwater that make up the aquarium.
The exhibit on the Orinoco Rainforest is a fun feature. This entertaining attraction features a variety of free-flying birds, including toucans, tree sloths, and aquatic animals, including Orinoco crocodiles and poison dart frogs. Check the feeding schedule in advance to observe the animals when they are most animated and to learn about forthcoming seminars and lectures.
Plan to eat at one of the aquarium’s three restaurants, which provide anything from gourmet and foreign cuisine to sandwiches and snacks while offering views of the aquarium’s resident marine life.
Dallas, Texas, 1801 N. Griffin Street
www.dwazoo.com is the official website.
Fourth Reunion Tower
Although not the highest structure in Dallas, the Reunion Tower is without a doubt the most notable and recognised. It was finished in 1978 and has a 560-foot length that is beautifully illuminated at night to highlight its distinctive shape. It resembles a geodesic ball situated atop five cylindrical concrete rods.
The GeO-Deck observation viewing platform, which offers panoramic views of Dallas from 470 feet above ground, is the tower’s main attraction. With those 360-degree vistas, there are constantly special events happening, such as yoga and art courses.
300 Reunion Boulevard East, Dallas, Texas
Authentic website: reuniontower.com
The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum is number five.
In-depth information about the 43rd president of the United States and the Bush family’s legacy of public service can be found at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. On a 23-acre plot of land on the Southern Methodist University campus, the museum is situated. Explore the more than 43,000 artefacts gathered during the George W. Bush presidency in the galleries and archives.
Items from the September 11th terrorist attacks and diplomatic gifts are among those kept in the permanent collection. There is also a delightful display that highlights the lives of Miss Beazley and Barney, the First Pets who gained popularity in the Bush White House. Finish off your museum tour with a cup of coffee, a snack, or alfresco dining in the Courtyard Cafe or the museum’s Cafe 43.
Dallas, Texas, 2943 SMU Boulevard
Website of the organisation: www.georgewbushlibrary.gov
6. Perot Museum of Science and Nature
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, located in a vast Thom Mayne architectural masterpiece, is a popular Dallas tourism destination for curious visitors and families.
Sustainability was a top priority in the building’s design. Innovative eco-friendly design elements include solar-powered water heaters, the use of recycled and locally produced building materials, and drip irrigation and recaptured condensation from air conditioners for summer water conservation.
The museum is organised into themed sections with high-tech exhibits, games, and interactive instructional stations. The engineering and invention, energy, evolution, earth sciences, and other topics are some of these subjects. In addition, it has a 3D theatre, the Moody Family Children’s Museum, a playground, and a 54-foot escalator with a glass casing that offers a view of the surrounding area.
In Dallas, Texas, at 2201 N. Field Street
www.perotmuseum.org is the official website.
7. Dallas Art Museum
Since its founding in 1903, the Dallas Museum of Art has been a well-established landmark in the community. One of the top ten largest museums in the country, it houses more than 24,000 pieces of art from the Americas and other parts of the world, ranging from historic items to modern works.
Classical artwork and antiquities from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, paintings by Claude Monet in the European art gallery, and many contemporary works by Jackson Pollock are some of the highlights of the collection. Temporary exhibitions also complement the permanent collections by showcasing the work of well-known artists, delving into particular themes, and showcasing historical items.
The Wendy and Emery Reves Collection, a sizable collection from a single philanthropist donor that contains more than 1,400 objects, is another exhibition worth checking out. Among the priceless objects are painted fans, lacquered boxes, Chinese porcelain, and furniture from the 17th century in Europe.
Dallas, Texas, 1717 N. Harwood Street
Website of the Dallas Museum of Art
Klyde Warren Park 8.
Klyde Warren Park is a nice area to stop and unwind when travelling through downtown Dallas. The stunning public park is a haven of calm situated between the busy downtown streets and tall structures. You may take advantage of food trucks, outdoor restaurants, green space, public art, and a laid-back social environment on any given day.
There are numerous sitting spaces near the fountains and cafés scattered around the five-acre area. Although there are frequently free activities held there, it can be just as much pleasure to bring a lunch and a blanket along when you tour the nearby sights and set aside a half-hour to calmly soak in the Dallas cityscape.
Location: Dallas, Texas, 1909 Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Visit the official website at www.klydewarrenpark.org.
Dallas Zoo 9.
More than 2,000 exotic animals from 406 species are housed in the 106-acre Dallas Zoo in a range of distinct habitats. One of the oldest zoos in the country, this entertaining site is three miles from the city centre and is always a favourite with families. It was founded in 1888.
Regional sections of the zoo, such as ZooNorth, the Wilds of Africa, Giants of the Savanna, and a kids’ zoo, are divided up. Animal encounters, such as the daily giraffe feedings, shows on the Wild Encounters Stage, and the interactive aviary known as Birds Landing are among of the zoo’s most interesting activities.
The T-Rex Express min train, a miniature electric train in ZooNorth that can add another excitement to the day, is a good time for youngsters. Even though the zoo has several restaurants and snack shops, you might wish to pack a picnic and eat it at one of the many picnic tables scattered around the grounds.
Dallas, Texas, 650 S R L Thornton Fwy
www.dallaszoo.com is the official website.
American Airlines Center, 10.
It is not surprising that popular entertainment groups visit Dallas and frequently hold concerts at the American Airlines Center. It is a top venue for sporting events, concerts, and other live entertainment in the country. The Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association and the NHL Dallas Stars both call it home.
You can easily plan a night out at the arena because it not only hosts home games for the Mavericks and Stars but also features practically nightly entertainment throughout the year. Walk the PNC Plaza around the arena before or after your event to take advantage of the eateries and social scene that go along with the performance in the arena.
Dallas, Texas, 2500 Victory Avenue
Authentic website: www.americanairlinescenter.com
The Nasher Sculpture Center, number 11.
The Nasher Sculpture Center, which was established in 2003, houses a collection of modern and contemporary sculpture in addition to exhibits that examine the development of the sculpture medium. It is situated in the centre of the Dallas Arts District, close to the Dallas Museum of Art, and has a number of substantial outdoor sculptures scattered across the grounds’ tree-lined areas.
Highlights of its interior exhibits include works by Andy Warhol, Max Ernst, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Edgar Degas. Events including talks and concerts are frequently held at the sculpture park and museum. This art gallery is housed in the University of Texas at Dallas and is devoted to Southeast Asian, Chinese, Japanese, and Indian art.
Dallas, Texas, 2001 Flora Street
www.nashersculpturecenter.org is the official website.
Bishop Arts District, 12.
The Bishop Arts District in Dallas’ North Oak Cliff neighbourhood offers virtually limitless options for food, shopping, and entertainment if you’re seeking for something to do. More than sixty independently run and owned enterprises can be found there. Chic stores, art galleries, eateries, and charming small-town ambience coffee shops may all be found here.
There are various women’s vintage clothes boutiques, specialist stores that appeal to male customers, such as the eccentric M’antiques, as well as a wide variety of stores that sell goods created by regional artists and designers. The neighbourhood, which has a strong feeling of community, frequently stages outdoor performances and family-friendly street festivals.
Dallas, Texas, North Bishop Avenue
http://www.bishopartsdistrict.com/home is the official website.
13. Sculptures along Dallas Cattle Drive in Pioneer Plaza
A portion of the Shawnee Trail, one of the great Texas cattle drives in the 19th century, may be seen in Pioneer Park, which is maintained by the nearby Dallas Convention Center. It’s a lovely, sizable green area near Dallas’s financial centre that’s enjoyable to explore and has a stream that cascades over limestone cliffs.
The 49 life-sized bronze statues of Texas Longhorn cattle being led by three mounted cowboys through the park and across the creek, however, are its most striking feature. The park, which was created by artist Robert Summers, is planted to resemble the location of the renowned industry that helped define early Texas.
Location: Dallas, Texas, Pioneer Plaza and Young Street
Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, number fourteen
One of the most well-known performing arts venues in Dallas is the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, which continues to be the biggest ensemble of its kind in the southwest part of the country. The Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center is home to the symphony’s renowned classical and contemporary concert performances.
The Dallas Symphony, which is led by Fabio Luisi, also frequently performs in different locations all throughout Dallas and offers educational initiatives to give back to the community. If you come during the summer, you can take in one of the Symphony in the Parks series’ free outdoor performances, which are held in a number of Dallas community parks.
Dallas, Texas, 2301 Flora Street
Website of the organisation: https://www.dallassymphony.org
15. Museum of Frontier Flight
More than 30 aircraft may be found in the Frontiers of Flight Museum, which also features extensive exhibits that trace the history of aviation from Leonardo da Vinci’s invention through contemporary space research. A full-size replica of the Wright Flyer, artefacts from the Hindenburg, as well as several aircraft and artefacts from World Wars I and II, are among the museum’s outstanding collection.
A fully restored Stearman PT-17 Kaydet Biplane and the Apollo VII spacecraft are two examples of vintage aircraft on display. The Braniff Gallery and Virgin America exhibit reflect the history of commercial aviation and are on display at the museum’s Love Field location.
Dallas, Texas, 6911 Lemmon Avenue
www.flightmuseum.com is the official website.
John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza, number 16.
The John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza is situated across from the city courthouse a few blocks from Dealey Plaza. This massive yet subtle memorial to President Kennedy was created by famous architect Philip Johnson, and after years of dispute, it was finished in 1970.
The idea of a “open tomb,” which resembles a cenotaph, was created by Johnson to symbolise Kennedy’s “free spirit,” in his opinion. This amazing structure is built of big marble slabs and is around 30 feet tall and 50 feet broad. Make sure to read the two epitaphs at the monument’s entrances because they provide a sobering tribute to the President.
Dallas, Texas, 646 Main Street
John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza’s official website is at https://www.jfk.org/.
The Cavanaugh Flight Museum 17.
The Cavanaugh Flight Museum is yet another top-notch aviation museum worth visiting. The museum’s amazing collection of vintage aeroplanes, together with a variety of related relics and exhibits, are stored at a sizable hangar in Addison, a city just north of Dallas.
A self-guided tour is available where you may witness military and civilian aircraft from the Vietnam War, the Korean War, World War I, and World War II on exhibit. Military trucks and armoured vehicles, including an M50 Super Sherman, are also on show.
Addison, Texas 4572 Claire Chennault Street
the official website is cavflight.org