Cool Places to Visit in Dallas, Texas

Dallas County Historical Plaza
Dallas has been called 'the city that never should been.' City founder John Neely Bryan built a small cabin in 1841 in what is now downtown Dallas, under the mistaken impression that steamboats could make it 300 miles up the Trinity River from the Gulf of Mexico for commerce. You can see a cabin at John Neely Bryan's original site in the Plaza, at the southwest downtown edge at Main and Market streets.

Dealey Plaza
Most visitors to Dallas come to Dealey Plaza at some point during their stay. It was here that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, by shots said to have been fired from the former Texas Schoolbook Depository Building on the corner of Elm and Houston. In this building you will find a permanent exhibit-on what is known as the Sixth Floor-highlighting the life of President Kennedy through photographs, artifacts, a half-hour audio tour and films.

West End Historic District
It is questionable whether anything of historic value actually happened at the West End Historic District, but the old brick buildings have nevertheless been restored to house some of the best clubs and restaurants in Dallas. It was a business district during Dallas' early days-street venders and craftsmen sell their wares there now. In addition, you can take a carriage ride from the several block area centered around Market Street from Pacific to McKinney. The 1892 red sandstone courthouse, one of Dallas' oldest buildings, is located at Main and Houston Streets. At its center of this Historic District is the West End Marketplace. For more info please call: (214) 748-4801

Deep Ellum
Located east of downtown Dallas, Deep Ellum was a business and entertainment center for the African-American community around the turn of the century. Bounded by Elm, Commerce, Oakland and Good Latimer streets, it is now a center for popular blues musicians and artists. The old stores here, like the West End Historic District, have been turned into shops, restaurants, and clubs, featuring music ranging from country/Western to rock. For more information please call: (214) 747-3337

Thanksgiving Square
This triangular park, located between Pacific Avenue, Ervay, and Bryan streets, features unique angles and walkways, all leading to a manmade waterfall. Opened in 1977 in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the American Thanksgiving tradition, the park houses Chapel of Thanksgiving, the site of regular, worship services for many various faiths. This park was created as a sanctuary in the heart of the city. Ironically, it is one of the most happening places in Dallas. At lunchtime, people from all walks of life gather here.

Neiman Marcus
Three blocks south of Thanks-Giving Square at 1618 Main Street is located one of Dallas' most upscale retailers, Neiman Marcus. As a department store, it rivals those found in New York and Paris, and has boasted exquisite Texas-style fashion since 1907. It is said among Texans that those who strike it rich in the Texan oil fields go directly to Neiman Marcus to spend some of newly found fortune. Neiman Marcus Fortnight is an international arts and crafts, food/drink, antiques and hate couture which coincides with state fair during last three weeks of October. It is an invitation-only opening gala and is one of most important social events of Dallas social season. There is also the Semiannual Last Call sales in late January and late July when items are marked down.

Arts District
Located in a five block city area on the eastern edge of downtown, the Arts District typifies the Dallas cosmopolitan arts scene. Here you will find the Morton H. Myerson Symphony Center, which opened in 1989 as home of Dallas Symphony Orchestra, one of the nation's largest and best endowed symphonies. Also here is the Dallas Arts Museum, opened in 1984; doubled collection in 1985 with the acquisition of the Reves Collection; fills six second-floor French villa rooms with Cezannes and Picassos, medieval furniture and a renowned pre-Columbian art collection.

Fair Park
The Texas State Fair, which is the largest in the nation, draws an average of 6 million visitors each October. Between fairs, the park, which is located off I-30 east of downtown, is the permanent site of the Dallas Museum of Natural History, the Dallas Aquarium, and the Dallas Civic Garden Center. The Texas Hall of State can also be seen here, and was built for the Texas centennial celebration in 1936. It also is the site of the Museum of Texas History, which houses the world's largest oil paintings.

Old City Park
Old City Park is a step back into the past, a place with furnished log cabins, shops from the early 1900's, a Victorian bandstand on the village green, a drummer's hotel, and Southern Colonial mansions. It is located immediately south of the downtown business area.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Located only minutes from downtown Dallas, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens contain 66 acres of natural beauty. The Gardens feature the 5.5 acre Jonsson Color Garden, with over 2,000 varieties of azaleas, and the Palmer Fern Dell with more than 30 species of ferns. There is always something to see, as plants bloom here throughout the year.

Also on the grounds is the historic DeGolyer House, a Spanish Colonial-style mansion built in 1940 by Texas oil tycoon Everett DeGolyer. Its many rooms contain numerous works of art and antiques from the 16th and 17th centuries; the mansion itself is surrounded by an Old English garden, footpaths, rolling lawns, and woodlands on White Rock Lake.

Dallas Museum of Art
The Dallas Museum of Art features an excellent collection of pre-Columbian artwork, as well as the Museum of Americas, a new wing housing a permanent collection of American art with many long-term loans covering the artistic styles of the Western Hemisphere.

A significant collection of European and American art is also featured, including works by Monet, Sargent, and Matisse, and sculptures by Rodin and Henry Moore. The Reves Collection, which doubled the Museum's holdings in 1985, features works by Cezanne and Picasso. Traveling exhibits are also a regular part of the Dallas Museum of Art.

Pioneer Plaza
Located between the historical Pioneer Cemetery and the Dallas Convention Center, this 4.2 acre plaza features native plants and the world's largest bronze monument--70 Texas Longhorn steers being driven by three cowboys on horses.

The Reunion Tower
The Reunion area, settled by French immigrants during the 19th Century, features the Reunion Tower, standing over fifty stories tall. It has an observation deck, a restaurant, and a revolving lounge. Located off I-35 at the southwest edge of downtown, it is next to the Hyatt Regency Hotel and the nearby, restored Union Station. The Reunion Arena has scheduled entertainment and sporting events, including ice shows, concerts, rodeos, and circuses.