The Sights Worth Seeing in Dallas

Like a rhinestone cowboy, Dallas is a unique blend of style and western culture. With everything to offer from more shopping centers per capita than any other major U.S. city, over 6,000 restaurants, three professional sports teams, and home to one of the most famous TV shows of the same name, it goes without saying that whatever your heart desires can be found in Dallas. Here’s a handful of reasons why Dallas is the No. 1 visitor destination in Texas.

Experience Dallas’ more cultured side with a trip to the Dallas Arts District. The 19- block area is home to several world-renowned performing and visual arts organizations. A few highlights include: the Nasher Sculpture Center, the first institution in the world dedicated exclusively to the exhibition of modern and contemporary sculptures; the impressive Dallas Museum of Art, which houses one of the most extensive collections of African art; and the $81.5 million Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, designed by the famous architect I. M. Pei, which hosts the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and houses the last hand-made Fisk organ actually to have been worked on by Charles Brenton Fisk before he died. Bonus: Discover the architecture and story of each building in the impressive Museum District. A free Arts District tour is available on the first Saturday of every month where a guide will point out the architecture, the tradition, and the history of this unique neighborhood.

One of the most memorable and tragic events in American history happened right here in Dallas. On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy met his untimely death. As a way to ensure that his legacy and story not be forgotten, Dallas created The Sixth Floor Museum of the Texas School Book Depository, the location from which Lee Harvey Oswald is said to have shot and killed the president. The story of his assassination is detailed here, along with historic photographs, artifacts, and documentary films. Bonus: For the conspiracy theorist, head to the Conspiracy Museum on Market Street. Conspiracy theories surrounding Kennedy’s death, as well as other high-profile assassinations of leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, are included in this comprehensive collection.

Who shot J.R.? OK, so we already know, but if you were glued to the tube for the 13-year run of Dallas, a trip to Southfork Ranch should be on your agenda. Southfork is open daily, year-round for guided tours of the famed Ewing mansion. View show memorabilia such as the gun that shot J.R., Lucy’s wedding dress, and video clips of interviews with the stars of the show that will be sure to have you reliving the drama that was Dallas. Bonus: Originally scripted as a non-continuing five-part drama, the show grew to become the most watch series in the world. The series continues to be broadcast in syndication and is in first-run status in many countries around the world.

Everything’s bigger in Texas. Don’t believe us? Head down to Fair Park during the annual State Fair of Texas and visit the tallest cowboy in the state, Big Tex. The State Fair is the largest exposition in North America and is home to the Texas Star, the tallest Ferris wheel in the northern hemisphere. Bonus: Plan your trip accordingly and you might even catch a little college football action. Every year, the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners duke it out in an intense rivalry match dubbed the “Red River Shootout” at the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park. Or, come watch the Cotton Bowl Classic in late December.

Speaking of football, come see Tony Romo and “the Boys” play in the brand new Dallas Cowboy’s stadium, the location of Super Bowl 2011. Of course, there’s more to Dallas than football. With the always competitive, and often controversial, Dallas Mavericks, and the Stanley Cup-winning Dallas Stars, there’s something for every sports enthusiast in Dallas. Bonus: Take a few steps outside of Dallas and catch the Texas Rangers in Arlington or the fast action of NASCAR at Texas Motor Speedway in Grand Prairie. If you’re looking for a taste of steer-roping and barrel-racing, watch real cowboys and cowgirls at the Mesquite Rodeo every Friday and Saturday night from April through September.

JUST THE FACTS
The Dallas Arts District Located in the northeast corner of Downtown Dallas, Pearl Street passes through the center of the Arts District. The Arts District Walking Tour starts in front of the Trammell and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art at 2010 Flora Street. For more information about the Dallas Arts District, contact the Dallas Arts District Alliance at (214) 953-1977 www.artsdistrict.org The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. 411 Elm Street Dallas, Texas (214) 747-6660 www.jfk.org	The Conspiracy Museum Hours: 7 days a week 10 a.m. to 6 a.m.110 South Market Street Dallas, Texas (214) 741-3040 Southfork Ranch 3700 Hogge Road Parker, Texas 75002 Toll-free: (800) 989-7800 Direct: (972) 442-7800 www.southfork.com The State Fair of Texas 3921 Martin Luther King Blvd. Dallas, Texas 75210 (214) 565-9931 www.bigtex.com Dallas Cowboys 2401 E Airport Fwy. Irving, Texas 75062 (972) 785-5000 www.dallascowboys.com Dallas Mavericks 2500 Victory Avenue Dallas, Texas 75219 For tickets, call (214) 747-MAVS www.nba.com/mavericks/ Dallas	Stars 2500 Victory Avenue Dallas, Texas 75219 For ticket information, call (214) GO-STARS stars.nhl.com Texas Motor Speedway 3545 Lone Star Circle Fort Worth, Texas 76177 (817) 215-8510 www.texasmotorspeedway. com Rangers Ballpark in Arlington 1000 Ballpark Way Arlington, Texas (817) 273-5100 www.rangers.mlb.com Mesquite Rodeo 1818 Rodeo Drive Mesquite, Texas 75149 (972) 285-8777 www.mesquiterodeo.com