South - What is there to see/do in Dallas?

Will have a day or so free in Dallas. What would locals or those familiar with the area recommend that a first time visitor see or do? Thanks.

Nothing! this is the armpit of Texas...
but there is Southfork Ranch, a fair bit of nightlife in the West End, the aquarium (which lost its accreditation a few years ago), the museums at Fair Park, the 6th floor museum and the site where JFK was shot (he was about to spend all day in Dallas - they really did the guy a favor), some wineries in Grapevine, cowboy type stuff in Fort Worth and the movie studios in Irving. People are nice in Dallas and restaurants diverse and plentiful.

Not much in Dallas... in Fort Worth, on the other hand, you have four world-class museums (all in one nice centrally located district), interesting restaurants, the Stockyards, and a nice walkable downtown that is lively on the weekends.

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The Nasher Sculpture Garden/Museum is definitely worth a visit (and this is coming from someone who doesn't usually like art museums).

There's lots of good live blues music to be heard, though there's not one specific club I'd recommend. If you're interested in that, PM me as your date approaches, and I can make specific recommendations.

We have the Texas Rangers, Frisco Rough Riders, and Ft Worth Cats if you like baseball. Lone Star Park for Horse Racing. Six Flags for thrill rides. Some very nice "gentlemen's clubs", for adult entertainment. Lots of good shopping.

Another vote for the Book Depository. If shopping is your thing, there are outlet stores in Grapevine and the Galleria mall of 635

.....the site where JFK was shot (he was about to spend all day in Dallas - they really did the guy a favor)

That, my friends, is comedy!

Another vote for the Nasher sculpture garden/museum (I do like art - and I went to Dallas just to see this museum). Robyn

Another vote for the West End - a historic district with interesting shopping, dining, architecture. Also Deep Ellum, Dallas' entertainment and arts district on the other side of downtown. Catch a Rangers game (or Mavericks or Cowboys in different seasons). Ride the rides at Six Flags, or Hurricane Harbor for waterslides.

The School Book Depository and surrounding stuff is the only thing remotely interesting in Dallas. Next best thing is to head south on 35 to Willie Nelsons home town and buy a turkey sandwich. That about wraps it up for that part of Texas. Can you possibly escape to San Antonio or Austin?

Another vote for the West End - a historic district with interesting shopping, dining, architecture. Also Deep Ellum, Dallas' entertainment and arts district on the other side of downtown. Catch a Rangers game (or Mavericks or Cowboys in different seasons). Ride the rides at Six Flags, or Hurricane Harbor for waterslides.


I deliberately left off Deep Ellum from my list because I have seen a lot of fisticuffs (make that knife-i-cuffs) in that area. West End is IMO a nice, safe area that is easy to reach.

I believe that the dangers of Deep Ellum are exaggerated. I have spent many nights down there and never had a problem; most of the bad stuff happens at 2am when the bars close; leave by 1 or so and you'll be fine.

That said, sadly, Deep Ellum is a shadow of what it was just 2 or 3 years ago. So many of the good bars and clubs have closed.

West End??? Really??? That's a dying area that's been propped up lately by the opening of Victory Park and the new House of Blues. Their are a few average restaurants in W/E but nothing special by Dallas standards. The only safe nightlife that they have now is at the Walrus. For what you'll pay to venture around West End...I would instead recommend going a mile or two over into Victory Park or Uptown.

downtown dallas - 6th floor, nasher, dma, aquarium are nice. west end is nothing but a tourist trap and not a good one at that.

night life - avoid west end, deep ellum (not safe anymore and really nothing down there anymore). The uptown area has plenty of bars/resturaunts that are good. victory park area is starting to take off (HOB is there). knox/henderson area is also good for food/bars.

shopping - nieman's downtown. north park mall just expanded and is pretty nice.

Ft. worth is also a good option and plenty to do there. its too much to hit both ft. worth and dallas in the same day. (1 hr apart and the airport is in the middle)

As a tourist, I can't imagine Dallas has a lot to offer. If you know people here or know where to go then it is probably fun.

I'd definitely go to Ft. Worth over Dallas. Just personal preference.

Ft. Worth has done a lot to improve the city and the experience. The parks, museums and downtown are all great. ^

If I can hijack this thread a bit, Mr. silverthief2 just found out he'll be going to Dallas for 2 days next month, and I'm going along. He has a function at the Magnolia Hotel; are there any other good hotels in that area anyone would recommend (it looks to be directly downtown)? Or should we go ahead and stay right there? Thanks in advance.

Slightly OT, the Nasher Museum in North Carolina is right down the street from me, and although I'd imagine it's quite a bit different as it's a university art museum, I really enjoy going there. I loved the exhibitions from the Nashers' permanent collection so I am def. going to see the Sculpture Center. :)

If I can hijack this thread a bit, Mr. silverthief2 just found out he'll be going to Dallas for 2 days next month, and I'm going along. He has a function at the Magnolia Hotel; are there any other good hotels in that area anyone would recommend (it looks to be directly downtown)? Or should we go ahead and stay right there? Thanks in advance.

Slightly OT, the Nasher Museum in North Carolina is right down the street from me, and although I'd imagine it's quite a bit different as it's a university art museum, I really enjoy going there. I loved the exhibitions from the Nashers' permanent collection so I am def. going to see the Sculpture Center. :)

If you don't mind giving up the points, the Magnolia is lovely.

The Nasher is amazing... I've had a membership since before opening and its the best concentrated sculpture collection I've seen. I also love that they have several Calders in the collection as I have now "Calder-stalked" on four continents and have a collection of photography from those hunts.

If you don't mind giving up the points, the Magnolia is lovely.

That is always the quandary. ;) I'll think about it some more.

The Nasher is amazing... I've had a membership since before opening and its the best concentrated sculpture collection I've seen. I also love that they have several Calders in the collection as I have now "Calder-stalked" on four continents and have a collection of photography from those hunts.

Excellent. Thanks, techgirl!

Nothing.. Nada.. stay home/hotel and sleep nicely otherwise. I'm living in Dallas. Except 6th Floor, JFK memorial I dont think there is anything interesting. If you really wanna spend with animals you can probably hit Fortworth I heard Fortworth Zoo is very good. I heard goodthings about stockyards I still have to check out. Man.. I'm writing too much about Dallas.

The Magnolia is fine but I think "lovely" might be going a bit far since it lacks a proper bar or restaurant. The rooms are pretty big, nice windows and good beds, but the bathrooms are pretty lacking.
The Adolophus is across the street if you prefer the Grand Dame feel.
The Fairmount is just up the street. The Ritz Carlton and Crescent Court across the freeway but still just a few minutes away.

The 6th Floor, Nasher, and the Dallas Museum of Art are all just around the corner. Dallas is pretty lacking in sights otherwise. If you like shopping the flagship Nieman Marcus is just a block or two away.

I agree Ft. Worth is a better option with The Kimball, Amon Carter and Ft. Worth Modern museums all in walking distance of each other. The Ft. Worth Zoo is nice and the historic Stockyards area for a real taste of the old west.


Dan