Dallas, Texas, is one of the most exciting
cities in the Southwest, boasting hundreds of exciting attractions and
events. Sports fans know Dallas for its reputation as home to the Cowboys,
Rangers, Stars, and Mavericks. Visitors will be pleased to know that there
is even more to see beyond Dallas' many arenas and stadiums. From amusement
parks and entertainment to zoos and museums, there's never a dull moment
in Dallas.
The people of Dallas are serious about offering up an incredible number
of options for family fun. The numerous amusement parks include Six Flags
Over Texas, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, GameWorks, and AMF FunFest. For
a more relaxed afternoon, visitors can enjoy the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center,
which has over 2,700 acres of wildlife preserves with guided tours and
scenic drives.
Every family that comes to Dallas should be sure to visit Fair Park and the Dallas Arts District. The Arts District includes 17 blocks of museums, galleries, theatres and other performance spaces. The Dallas Museum of Art features art from around the world, specializing in pre-Columbian American art. Fair Park, comprising over 277 acres, is a national historical landmark. The Park encompasses the largest collection of cultural facilities in Dallas, is open year-round, and has seven museums on its grounds. In downtown Dallas, the Majestic Theatre puts on state-of-the-art productions in a wonderfully restored 1920's playhouse.
Dallas has plenty of sites of historic interest as well. Many neighborhoods remain preserves of the way Dallas was fifty, one hundred, or even one hundred and fifty years ago. The Hall of State offers public tours given by the Dallas Historical Society on the role of the city in the history of Texas and the United States. Old City Park is an outdoor museum of architectural and cultural history with a restored antebellum mansion and an historic bank. The John Neely Bryan Cabin is a reconstructed model of the home and trading post built by Dallas' founder in 1841. And every American knows the tragic importance of Dealey Plaza, the site of the assassination of President Kennedy. The plaza has been preserved as it was on that day. Visitors can tour the Sixth Floor Museum in the nearby Texas Book Depository to learn more about one of the most calamitous events in modern American history.
Throughout the city, Dallas has managed to mix entertainment, dining, and culture into a successful experience for every one who visits. For example, Dallas' West End Historical District features more than 80 shops and over 50 restaurants, and is a perennial favorite among tourists. Families love Dallas and with good reason -- for there is indeed a lot to love in this teeming, energetic Texas city.