Dallas: The Western Home of Elegance and Culture
by CL Hendricks
Once a trading post in the 1800s, the things to see in Dallas are varied and interesting. Dallas is not just the oil center of Texas but is filled with many interesting cultural and historic places. It is a beautiful metropolis just waiting for you and your family to visit. A list of the Top Ten Sights to See will show the many interests in this remarkable city.
Dallas World Aquarium: Plan on a full day to take in all of the wonder of this world ecosystem exhibit. There are five main tank systems in all and the ones from British Columbia and the rain forest from South America are just two of them.
Dallas Zoo: This is one of the oldest zoos in the nation! It's been around since the 1800s and has a huge display of mammals and reptiles and over 300 species of birds. The 100+ acre preserve is set up to mimic the natural habitat of each species as much as is possible.
Dallas Museum of Art: The Museum of Art has a wonderful collection of American artists, as well as European and Asian masterpieces. Noted for the Ten Treasures, it also displays collections from other museums and private individuals.
Dallas Arboretum: The 60 acres of this awesome arboretum with it's thousands upon thousands of plant species was recently named "Top 10 Best Public Gardens" by Southern Living magazine. A trip here will leave you spellbound.
White Rock Lake: This is another sight that will easily take up a whole day. It has nine miles of trail encircling the lake and is home to waterfalls and scenic wonders. You can fish, hike, hunt, camp and even horseback ride here, and renting a boat and getting on the lake is a worthwhile experience.
Plaza of the Americas: This is shopping at its best! The Plaza is home to hundreds of stores, many wonderful restaurants and the world famous Le Meridien Hotel, where you might catch a glimpse of the many celebrity visitors to the region. A nearby park is even home to an ice skating rink!
Reunion Tower: Often compared to Sears Tower, this wonder of Dallas is a magnificent addition to the skyline for the last twenty years. The dome itself is well worth the visit and is brilliantly lit up at night and can be seen for miles. It is a wonderful tour to take.
Trammell and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art: One of the few Asian art museums in the country, this museum has thousands and thousands of paintings, sculptures and carvings that can not be viewed any where else. This is definitely an attraction to visit when in Dallas.
The Old Red Courthouse: Listed on the Register of Historic Places as a City of Dallas Landmark and as a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark, this courthouse was built in the 1800s and is located in Dallas County Historic Plaza. Its design recalls the Romanesque Revival period. Free tours are available.
Ice Skating Center at the Galleria: There are not many indoor ice skating centers located in shopping malls anymore but this one at The Galleria Dallas shopping mall is a great place to come and have fun. Whether it's summer or winter you can bring the kids and enjoy a day on the ice.
About the Author
C.L. Hendricks has been a Jill-of-all-trades and become an expert in some. She has also traveled extensively and now writes about travel destinations around the world for Family Vacation Spots and Best Vacation Getaways
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