Dallas offers something for everyone — whether it’s classic family fun, the latest trends in retail, dining, music, sports, art, culture, or history. There are so many great places to explore, see, taste, buy, learn, play, shop, relax, dine, or dance, there’s always something exciting happening around every corner. And sometimes, those events are just for you.
The Best things to do in Dallas, Texas
Nature & science
Victory ParkThe Perot Museum Of Nature & Science can be overwhelmed with pre-pubescent kids on any given day, so every Thursday the museum staff throws the kiddos out the door for a full night of grownup pleasures.
That means food trucks, boozey beverages, live music, board games, and access to all of the museum’s exhibits in an age-restricted environment.
Fall’s the best time to hit up the place, too, when it gets darker a little earlier and cooler a little later.
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Things to do in Dallas
Dallas is a major metropolis located along the state’s southern border. With over 2 million residents, it ranks as the sixth most populous city in the United States. It is also home to the headquarters of the world’s second largest bank, Bank of America.
The city lies within the DFW Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Collin County, Ellis County, Kaufman County, Rockwall County, and Van Zandt County. As of 2016, the total population of the area was 5,066,834.
In addition to being known as the birthplace of the American cowboy, the city has been called “the Wall Street of the South,” and “Oil Capital of the World.”
The city is famous for its architecture, museums, art galleries, sports teams, parks, and shopping opportunities.
With over 300 days of sunshine per year, the weather in Dallas is generally pleasant. Summers, however, bring humidity levels close to those found in coastal Florida. Winters are milder than those experienced in the north or Midwest.
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1. Dallas Museum of Art
The Dallas Museum of Art (also known as DMA), located in downtown Dallas, Texas, is one of the most visited art museums in America. With over 10 million visitors each year, it is the fourth largest museum in the United States.
Founded in 1903, it is one of the ten oldest art museums in the United Sates. Its collection includes over 35,000 objects, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, textiles, ceramics, glassware, jewelry, decorative arts, furniture, silver, coins, stamps, medals, books, manuscripts, musical instruments, archaeological artifacts, Asian art, African art, Native American art, Oceanic art, Latin American art, and Western art.
In addition, the museum houses one of the world’s finest collections of French Impressionist painting. In 2006, the museum opened the $140 million Renzo Piano building designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano. This state-of-the-art facility features a spectacular rotunda and a dramatic modern wing that connects the original 1904 Beaux Arts structure. #thingstodoinDallas
2. Dallas Zoo
The Dallas Zoo is one of the largest urban zoological parks in North America. Located just south of downtown Dallas, it covers 543 acres along the banks of the Trinity River. It includes five major habitats: the Savanna, the Plains, the Tropical Forest, the Valley and the Riverfront. These areas are home to hundreds of animals representing over 250 species.
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3. Dallas World Aquarium
Dallas World Aquarium in the West End Historic District has more than just fish; it’s home to a wide array of animals from around the globe. Located in the former headquarters of the Texas Electric Railway Company, the building dates back to 1924, making it one of the oldest operating aquaria in North America.
Mundo Maya is located in the historic district, and it features a variety of creatures native to Mexico and Central America. Visitors can see ocelots, American pink flamingos and a variety colourful passerine birds and owlets. On the upper floor, there’s a recreation of the Orinoco rainforest, complete with sloths, giant river dolphins, toucans, pygmy marmoset and red howlers.
The 10 main tanks feature a range of species from across the world, including giant Japanese spider crabs, bright yellow angelfish, blue tangs, butterflyfish and the magnificent moon jellyfish. Outside the South Africa exhibit, visitors can watch playful black-footed penguins.
4. Reunion Tower
The Reunion Tower is one of the most iconic buildings in Dallas. If it weren’t for the tower being built in the middle of downtown, Dallas wouldn’t look like it does today.
The tower is located just south of Dealy Plaza and is home to many restaurants, including Wolfgang Puck’s five-star restaurant “Five Sixty.” The building itself is shaped like a giant cylinder with three smaller cylinders inside of it. These smaller cylinders are where the elevators go. On the outside of each cylinder there are large windows that offer stunning views of Downtown Dallas.
The tower opened in 1980 and stands at 170 meters tall. In 1984, the observation deck was added to the tower. This observation deck offers amazing views of the city of Dallas. You can see the entire city from the observation deck.
5. Deep Ellum Art Walk
Deep Ellum is known as the birthplace of country music in DFW. The area is full of bars, clubs and live music venues. Every year, on the third Saturday of May, the streets of Deep Ellum become an art gallery. More than 200 artists sell their work directly to consumers at various locations throughout the neighborhood.
6. Klyde Warren Park
Klyde Warren Park is a park in the Central Business District of Houston, Texas. It was designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and opened to the public on August 27, 1936. The park’s name honors Klyde Warren, Jr., who donated $1 million for its construction.
The park features an open-air amphitheater with seating for up to 3,000 people, two swimming pools, tennis courts, baseball fields, football fields, soccer fields, playgrounds, picnic facilities, barbecue grills and a children’s play area.
7. Dealey Plaza
Dealey Plaza is a public park and the site of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963. The area was originally named Dealey Plaza after businessman Lamar Hunt (1897–1981), who owned the land where the plaza sits. It was renamed to honor J. Evetts de Blieck, Jr., an American diplomat and ambassador to Venezuela, in 1999.
8. Fair Park
Fair Park is a 1,200 acre (0.49 km2) cultural center in Dallas, Texas, United States. It is located in the central part of the city and includes the following attractions: the State Fair of Texas, the Cotton Bowl Classic college football game, the annual Big 12 Conference Championship Game, the International Rose Test Garden, the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, the National Black Arts Festival, the National Hispanic Heritage Month Festival, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Memorial for Peace Officers, the National Veterans Art Museum, the World Golf Village, and the White Rock Lake.
The park was created in 1891 by the City of Dallas to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo. The fairgrounds were used until 1929 when they were replaced by Highland Park. In 1960, the state of Texas bought the park and began expanding it into what it is today. Today, the park attracts more than 20 million visitors annually.
9. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealy Plaza is one of the most comprehensive museums dedicated to the life of John F. Kennedy. Opened in 1989, the building was home to the Dallas Public Library prior to being converted into a memorial.
As you work your way up from the basement to the sixth floor, you learn about Kennedy’s life and career, including his presidency and his days as a young senator. You see how he dealt with the civil rights movement and the Cuban Missile Crisis. And you come face to face with the fateful day in November 1963, when President Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a motorcade through downtown Dallas.
You’re sure to encounter many questions, such as “Who really killed him?” and “Why did he do it?” But don’t worry; the museum does a good job answering those questions and more.
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10. Dallas Farmers Market
The Dallas Farmers Market is one of the oldest farmer’s markets in America, and it’s still going strong. In fact, the market opened in 1941 just across the street from the Trinity River. It’s located near downtown and features vendors selling everything from fresh produce to handcrafted jewelry.
The market is open seven days a week, 365 days a year. There are three different locations – the Main Market, which is open every day; the Shed, which is open on Saturdays; and the West Village, which is open on Sundays. All three locations feature over 400 vendors offering thousands of products.
#Dallas Farmers Market Team #Dallas Farmers Market
11. Museum of Biblical Art
The Museum of Biblical Art is located just off the main campus of Southern Methodist University in downtown Dallas. This museum is housed within the SMU library and features exhibits and displays relating to biblical art.
There is no shortage of museums in Dallas, but this one stands out because it focuses specifically on biblio-artistry. Many visitors come here to see some of the most famous pieces from around the world, including the Shroud of Turin and the Dead Sea Scrolls.
#Arts District #largest art museums #largest arts districts
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