Activities

The ninth-largest city in the USA and part of the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the nation, Dallas is an ultra modern and sophisticated city attracting worldwide travelers.

Dallas is centrally located and within a four-hour flight from most North American destinations.  DFW International Airport offers several flights a day with non-stop service to 144 domestic and 44 international destinations worldwide annually. In addition, Dallas Love Field is conveniently located 10 minutes from downtown. Once here, visitors can ride one of the fastest-growing light rail systems in the nation or the historic, free McKinney Avenue Trolley from the Dallas Arts District and throughout the Uptown area with its restaurants, pubs, boutique hotels and shops.

Throughout the city, a visitor will enjoy the best shopping in the southwest, a great variety of restaurants and the largest urban arts district in the nation.  Add moderate weather and year-round sports, plus true Southern hospitality for a true “taste” of the Dallas difference. Visitors are exposed to a city that models its slogan, “Live large. Think big.™” Its pioneering spirit is alive and well, and the philanthropic contributions from its many residents continue to enrich the community and quality of life.

Things to do while in the Dallas area:

Dallas Arts District - The largest urban arts district in the nation with 19 blocks (68 acres) of culture is home to a variety of festivals, performances, museums and local art organizations, including the Dallas Museum of Art, the Crow Collection of Asian Art, the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Nasher Sculpture Center and most recently the AT&T Performing Arts Center

Dallas City Hall - Famed architect I.M. Pei designed the inverted-wedge shaped building, which is one of the most distinctive structures in all of Dallas. The plaza is home to one of Henry Moore's largest bronze sculptures.

Fountain Place - Waters dance and leap skyward at downtown's Fountain Place.  At the base of this dramatically sculpted 1.2-million-square-foot office tower of green reflective glass lies an oasis of colorful flowers, waterfalls, 172 bubbler fountains and a central fountain. The latter is one of the world's most complex fountains and consists of 360 computer-driven water jets. Designed by the acclaimed architectural firm of I.M. Pei & Partners, Fountain Place has received international recognition.

Dallas Heritage Village - Take a step back in time as you stroll through this village that portrays a living breathing history of Texas through a collection of buildings and museums highlighting the time period 1840 – 1910.

Texas Discovery Gardens - Explore the 7.5 acres of diverse garden styles and botanicals with native plants as well as plant species from other regions of the world that are on display, along with a butterfly house and insectariums.

Greenville Avenue - One of the oldest entertainment areas in Dallas is home to many boutique and eclectic shops as well as live-entertainment clubs, great bars and restaurants. Greenville Avenue is home to Granada Theater, a perfect spot to catch live music, as well as enjoy foodie favorites like The Grape.

Uptown and West Village - Dallas' popular Uptown District is exploding with new residential and retail centers and a variety of elements coming together for a shopping, dining, and entertainment experience that will appeal to all types of tastes. Just east of Uptown is the popular West Village area. Home to tree-lined streets and eclectic cafes and restaurants, the area offers the perfect spot for window shopping and people watching. When exploring this area, be sure to hop aboard the free McKinney Avenue Trolley.

West End - What was once a warehouse and an old candy and cracker factory, has been reborn into a tourist's delight. Downtown's West End Historic District is great for browsers and features specialty shops, a variety of restaurants and clubs. Summertime nights in the district are often filled with the sound of free concerts.

Main Street - Explore the historic nucleus of downtown Dallas with a stroll down Main Street and shop at the flagship Neiman Marcus store; dine at the restaurants of Stone Street Gardens and top if off by spending some quality time with nature at Main Street Garden.

Deep Ellum - Just east of downtown is this collection of bars, retail stores, galleries and restaurants. With roots steeped in the blues era of the 1920’s, the area is a regular spot for patrons enjoying everything from midday lunches to midnight live music performances.

Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center - This acoustically renowned center designed by I.M. Pei, is free to tour on select Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. (Please call in advance for monthly tour schedule, as tours are subject to change with rehearsals and performances.) Discover the 4,535 pipes on the Herman W. Lay Family Organ crafted by C.B. Fisk Inc., which is truly an acoustical wonder! Enthusiastic and experienced volunteer docents are available to welcome visitors for one-hour tours detailing points of interest throughout the Meyerson.

Fine Arts Chamber Players - Listen as players inspire and educate crowds during their Basically Beethoven Festival (July). Concert goers can also catch the rising stars recitals which occur just prior to the main concert during the July season.

Dallas Farmers Market Local farmers display and sell a mouth watering and eye-pleasing selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, herbs and floral plants at this open-air market – perfect for a leisurely stroll to take in the colorful, glorious sights.

Farmers Branch Historical Park – This park is home to several historic structures from the 1840s to the 1940s, including log cabins, the oldest stone structure on its original foundation in North Texas and a 1930s gas station. Tours are free; interactive programs are available.

Historic Dallas - Dallas is home to some scenic and captivating, beautiful and breathtaking neighborhood communities. Walk, ride or drive around Turtle Creek and adjoining Highland Park, and don't miss the historic homes of Swiss Avenue (including the Wilson Block Historic District), Kessler Park, Munger Place and other lovely locales featuring gorgeous parks, lakes and landscapes.

JFK Memorialc - Dallas pays homage to one of its darkest times, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated during his 1963 visit with this memorial designed by Kennedy family friend Philip Johnson.  The open-roofed, concrete-walled monument is symbolic of an open tomb. It is not unusual to find flowers and notes placed here. Nearby, the infamous School Book Depository and "grassy knoll" have not changed at all - part of the historic nature of the museum and area - since that devastating day in our nation's history.

Galleria Dallas - One of the best places to people watch in town! Well-known faces such as Carrie Underwood, Sharon Stone, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, Miley Cyrus, Rob Reiner, Robert Pattinson and Mary J. Blige have been seen touring the Galleria. Ice skaters are also fun to watch on the indoor rink open year-round and where Olympians Dorothy Hamill, Kristi Yamaguchi, Brian Boitano and Scott Hamilton have performed.

Retail Renaissance - The looking is free, but the buying may be hard to resist! Visit many of the city's fine centers and stores such as the renowned Galleria Dallas, where you can enjoy more than 235 world-class specialty stores and restaurants, and Highland Park Village – the first planned shopping center in the United States.