Dallas is a city north of Austin, the capital of Texas, and is one of the top 10 biggest cities in the nation. Every year almost a million people come to Dallas on vacation. While here, people want to know what they should not miss Here is a list to make things exciting for yourself or your family.
On the drive into Dallas, take a snapshot of the new Trinity Bridge. It is one of those staple must do's in Dallas. After your cool snapshot, post it to Instagram, and tag the City of Dallas for everyone to see you made it. This has become a recent trend for visitors.
In 2015, one of the biggest things in the State of Texas while in Dallas, is the worldwide well known Fair Park. Vacationers from September through the end of October will be excited to see the State Fair of Texas. Outside of that, Fair Park is open, and plays host to the Dallas Summer Musicals at the Music hall. Museums like the Science and History Museum with the famed IMAX Theater are there. Also, there are tons of music concerts at the Gexa Energy Pavillion, Also, if you get a Dart Rail pass for the day, you can ride the Dart train to most of the great attractions inside of the Dallas area. Check out their guide on their official website.
Not a far drive from Fair Park is the Dallas Arboretum. There are always new things happening at this place. In the springtime, they have Dallas Blooms, for summer expect Summer at the Arboretum as well as Cool Thursday Concert Series, for the fall they have Autumn at the Arboretum alongside the amazing Pumpkin Patch. This place is full of places for kids to run, play, and for parents to tak some great photos. The best festival to catch is the 12 Days of Christmas, which runs from Nov. through Jan. 1.
Another thing not to miss in Dallas is the new Perot Museum. The Hoglund Theatre that shows 3D National Geographic Films, this is a great place to hang out for a day. Completed with multiple levels of Science and History, museum goers will ride the glass escalator to the top, and work their way through the maze of history and science. There is some surprising fun for those young and old, so do not skip this museum. The museum offers sleepovers, discovery days, a children's day camp, as well as a multitude of other special events. If you visit in the Spring of 2015, they are showcasing the Sherlock Holmes exhibit.
Most people who come to Dallas want to explore the JFK Museum in the West End. This museum is not very large, so don't plan on spending all day there. One video, and a couple of unique items adorn the museum which showcases about a president being shot in downtown Dallas on Daley Plaza. You can't stand where JFK was shot, or you might get run over by a car. You are welcome to take a photo, and see the actual book depository. The Sixth Floor Museum is more suitable for adults, and while some would argue, children just do not understand why there is a museum about a president getting shot. There are gruesome photos on display, so be aware. Adults who love to follow the mystery and mayhem behind the Kennedy assassination love this museum.
Reunion Tower and Wolfgang Puck's Five Sixty is a great place to stop and dine close to the West End. Higher scale than most restaurants, it is very classy. Still, they welcome and enjoy children who want to dine while circling over Dallas with a breathtaking 360 degree view. You can walk there from the west end, and on the way to or from stop over at the Old Red Courthouse for a quick tour and some good factual Dallas history.
If you are an avid museum lover, then take the Dart on over to the Dallas Museum of Art. They offer art classes for babies, and some free art shows. Jazz music lovers enjoy the wine and Jazz nights every Thursday evening, which includes free admission to the performance, along with food and cocktails available for purchase.
Nightlife in Dallas can be fun either with kids or without. If you have children, check out the Majestic Theater, and theWinspear Opera House for some great family friendly fun. Also, there is the American Airlines Center, which plays host to the Dallas Mavericks basketball team, as well as the Dallas Stars hockey team, as well as concert tours and children's shows. Some hotels have in house sitters so that parents can enjoy a night out.
On the music scene there are two types of venues. First, there is the live music scene, which boasts of Trees, The Gas Monkey Bar & Grill, The House of Blues which is close to the West End and is sometimes kid friendly, Gilley's Dallas (Southside Ballroom), The Bone, The Rustic, Sons of Herman Hall, and Cowboy's Red River (Country Music only). Some of these have hard rock, and others mix between Rock and Country. If you want to see people in cowboy hats and boots, grab some jeans and head over to Cowboys Red River. The venue is almost in Irving, so you will need to take a cab, but it is still considered one of the best places to go for visitors. Most of the other bars in big D do not have original bands, but will host a cool cover band or a neat tribute band.
There is the dance club scene, where DJ's are set to entertain a dance party with some hoppin EDM beats. Places like Plush, LeVu, Lizard Lounge, Avenu, Thrive, Zouk, Candleroom, Dragonfly, Club 8, and Dreamz are all real dance clubs. Almost all of them are 21 and up only. Most of the others that call themselves "dance clubs" are actually Adult Entertainment venues (strip clubs), or are gay clubs, so consider ye warned. These listed clubs have been known to host some of the hottest dance parties in Dallas, and have been spotlighted on many occasions.
If you are a bar hopping type, take a cab down to lower Greenville Avenue, and hop till you drop. There are over 30 bars and restaurants to choose from in one small area. Easy to navigate, and walk to and from each place, there are choices from Biker Bars to upscale dining. Check out the Granada Theater too, and you might just catch a great independent movie or cool show.
For those interested in the gay scene, enjoy all that there is to offer in the Oak Lawn area. There are gay dance clubs, tattoo parlors, hotels, restaurants, art galleries, and so much more. Shows are highly entertaining at Station 4, where the Drag Shows make you sometimes laugh, but all in good fun. Whether or not you are gay, this area is fun to visit, without the kids because the entertainment in this area is not suited for young children. Most of the clubs in the gayborhood allow people 18 and up in to party.
For shopping, grab a cab and head on over to Northpark Mall or The Galleria. Northpark boasts of the most luxurious and upscale stores that Dallas has to offer. The Galleria has a good mix of both upscale, and traditional shopping that won't break those on a budget. Galleria mall also has an indoor ice rink for the kids to get out some of that high spirited energy.
The Dallas Convention Center will sometimes host events in Dallas, but most of the time is either empty or hosting private events. When they host big events, it is mostly things like comic cons, or home and garden stuff. You will have to pay for parking here. Also in the heart of Dallas is Klyde Warren Park, where you can sample food from the Food Truck Vendors, and spend a nice afternoon in the park. Kids who love animals will also love to spend a day at the Dallas Zoo, The Dallas World Aquarium. Parents and kids also love to explore the new George W. Bush Presidential Library (located on the SMU campus).
For the record, this is a list of things to do only inside of Dallas City Limits, not of Dallas and surrounding areas. Yes, there is more fun than just inside of Dallas!
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