Welcome to Dallas, Texas! There are many beautiful, historical and entertaining sights to visit and things to do in Dallas. One will not have any trouble finding things to do in Dallas but might be limited by time constraints. Therefore, a summary of recommended must sees has been provided. Best of all, these recommendations are family oriented.
First stop on the tour is the Arts District located in downtown Dallas. Nearly 70 acres of cultural attractions, entertainment, nature and restaurants are encompassed in 20 city blocks. Due to all the many attractions, one could spend an entire day or as many as three days. Start at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science which is a five-story museum with 11 permanent exhibitions. Some of the highlights are the Journey Through The Solar System, earthquake simulator, dinosaur skeletons and fossils along with many interactive exhibits for all ages.
Another fascinating site to visit within the Arts District is the Klyde Warren Park; it was the former the site of Woodall Rodgers Freeway. The highway was relocated underground to accommodate this spectacular park. There are many more places to visit in this area like the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, and the Crow Museum of Asian art which features both ancient and contemporary displays.
The second recommended place to visit is the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden. It covers 66 acres of lush greens, and it is just 15 minutes away from the Arts District. It is a treat for the senses, with 19 beautiful gardens containing everything from tulips to camellias.
On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald. History has been preserved on the Dealey Plaza both in the Texas Schools Book Depository which now functions as a museum and in the forever memorialized tribute to President Kennedy located by the Dallas County Courthouse. The Sixth Floor Museum focuses on the life of JFK and his fight for the civil rights movement. The museum tour ends on the sixth floor from the window where Lee Harvey Oswald took aim at a much beloved President. The tribute to President Kennedy was designed as a cenotaph (an empty tomb)by Philip Johnson, a friend of the Kennedy family.
Another amazing attraction is the Reunion Tower built in 1978. The observation or GeO-Deck allows for a 360-degree view of the city with a 32 mile viewing range on a clear day. The dome at the top is lit by more than 250 LED bulbs. There are different levels of the tower which house different restaurants, and they rotate at designated times. The rotation time varies from 55 minutes to 72 minutes.
Come visit the Dallas Zoo located 3 miles south of downtown. It features 106 acres with 2,000 animals and 406 different species. Take an African Adventure Safari by riding the monorail and see hippos, zebras and gazelles. This zoo is open 364 days a year and has been around since 1888.
For all aviation enthusiasts, there is the The Frontiers of Flight Museum. The museum is located in the Dallas Love Field Airport. There are many different types of aircraft to see from a full-size model of the Wright Brothers plane circa 1903 to the Apollo VII command module.
Lastly, visit the beautiful and touching Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum that pays tribute to the six million Jews who were annihilated by Adolph Hitler. Hear eye-witness testimony from survivors. Learn about the Jewish people’s persecutions and how they survived the concentration camps.
