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Dallas (Texas) Vacation - Things to do

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Planning to come and visit ? Take a look at the FAQ with Essential Questions and Answers...

Looking wider than Dallas ? Here are the 39 Things To Do In Texas before you die...

And a new and special McKinney recommendation... Mitas Hill Vineyards.

Not only in Dallas... because it is a worldwide franchise by now... but still a lot of fun and your choice of three facilities in and around Dallas: Topgolf (Allen, Dallas, The Colony) a great way to a social golf challenge.

Another cinema experience... iPic Fairview (kitchen, bar, in-seat service, great seats, ...) - also : with comfortable seats, private lounges and real food: LookCinemas and IvyKitchen Dallas or McKinney Movie & Eatery.

BOD2017

d-logo.png Read up on Dallas, its scene, and how to fit in : D-Magazine.

SixthFloorMuseum Dallas Texas USA

The Sixth Floor Museum - Remembering the assassination of JFK

No visit to Dallas can be complete without spending some time remembering the assassination of JFK on November 24th 1963. The museum paints the full story. The Museum is located on the sixth and seventh floors of an early 20th-century warehouse formerly known as the Texas School Book Depository.

Other things to see in Downtown Dallas:

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Rodeo - Stockyards Rodeo (fort Worth)

Catch a live rodeo Friday and Saturday nights to watch competitive bull riding. Bull-riders buck, cowboys lasso calves, and trick riders thrill audiences in a century-old stadium (Cowstown Coliseum). Though trick riding, roping, and bull riding are the stars of the Fodor's-recommended show, cowboy culture can be found throughout the stadium. Live country-western music provides the soundtrack, and occasional visits from singing cowboys or beat-boxing bulls add an air of spectacle to the events.

Address: 121 E. Exchange St., Stockyards, Fort Worth, TX, 76164
Hours: Fri.-Sat. 8pm

Alternative rodeo location: Mesquite Pro Rodeo - on the East side of Dallas.

Dallas Arboretum

Dallas Downtown Arboretum

The Arboretum obviously has nice gardens - but besides that there are multiple reasons throughout the year to pay a visit... there are ever changing art exhibits, and big seasonal displays (spring flowers, Halloween Pumpkin Village, Christmas, ...). So check out the events during your stay !

Address: 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218-4335
Dates: September 22 - 21 November 2012, 9am - 5pm

Winstar Casino

Visit the Winstar casino - Oaklahoma

Winstar is the closest casino to Dallas, just one mile across the Oaklahoma border. It definitely matches the Vegas casinos in size and variety of events, with 500,000 square foot of gaming and gambling (both electronic and table games). But... it stands all by itself next to the highway - as opposed to on the Las Vegas strip. There is a big event room - where popular concerts are scheduled throughout the year... so check out the calendar.

Address: WinStar World Casino, 777 Casino Ave., Thackerville, OK 73459

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Southfork Ranch - The Ewing Mansion

SFlogo Dallas Texas The Ewing Mansion, home of the Dallas T V-Series is part of Southfork. The iconic Southfork Ranch is located about 25 miles north of Dallas and is usually open to the public for tours and special events.

Address: 3700 Hogge Drive, Parker, TX 75002

Hours: Mon-Sun 9am–5pm

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Texas Discovery Gardens

7.5 acres of gardens and botanical collections in downtown Dallas. Discover the beauty of local and adapted plants and flowers as well as experience the magic of newly emerged butterflies fluttering free. Things to see at the Texas Discovery Gardens ... Leftwich Pond, the impressive butterfly habitat, herbs and vegetables, playground for children, ... See also the Reviews on Tripadvisor.

Address: 3601 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Dallas, TX 752101, 10am-5pm daily
Admission: $6 for adults

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First Baptist Church - Dallas

A great (and enormous) example of Dallas' downtown redevelopment - the First Baptist Church (FBCD) as opened for Easter 2013. It includes a 3,000 seat theater (!), complete with IMAX screen, a full blown Kids Town, a massive fountain at the entrance, etc. Impressive to go and have a look - or make an appointment if you want a tour (or attend the Sunday sermon). Or read the Wikipedia Discussion on the construction of this new campus

Address: 1707 San Jacinto St, Dallas, TX 75201, 8:30am-5pm daily

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George Bush Presidential Library Dallas

Opened on May 1st, 2013 and located on the SMU Campus just at the outskirts of downtown Dallas, is the George Bush Presidential Library and park. The Library has a full replicate of the Presidential Office ("The Oval Office") along side many other artifacts - while the park is a true native Texas landscape with plenty of eco-features for water conservation. Definitely a worthwhile stop to visit !

Address: 2943 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75205
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, Sunday 12:00 to 5pm.
Admission: $16/adult

Useful External links...

Dallas News - most popular local news source and newspaper.

Things to see and do, in and around Dallas (Texas, USA). Other sources... Dallas News Things To Do (Event Guide) and their sister local picture site.

Or check what's up in Texas with the official Tourism site Travel Tex.

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Splash pads (free) to do with kids (Dallas Morning News Full Article)

  • MAIN STREET GARDEN. The park on Main Street in Dallas has a flowing layer of water on the bottom of its fountain, which keeps feet nice and cool as you walk around. There are also some benches within the fountain space, so you can have a seat and cool your toes. Main Street Garden also features a mini playground, a lawn and a dog run. On Main Street between St. Paul and Harwood streets in downtown Dallas. mainstreetgarden.org.
  • ADDISON CIRCLE PARK. The jets send refreshing arcs of water high in the air (the littlest splashers might be a bit intimidated by the height of the spray), and a layer of water eases any potential foot-sizzling. The Blueprints sculpture across the street provides a cool backdrop. It’s a great place for fun photos. 4950 Addison Circle Drive, Addison. addisontexas.net.
  • THE VILLAGE AT FAIRVIEW. Officials say the fountain at this shopping center is for those 12 and younger, and it’s a great end to a shopping trip. There are also periodic shows where the water movement is choreographed to music and lights (on a recent visit, Michael Jackson’s “Bad” was featured), and all splashers have to get out. Good news if you’re hungry: It’s right by the patios for Gloria’s and Cane Rosso in the area around 148 Fountain Court, Fairview. thevillageshopping.com. Done - nice when eating at Gloria's.
  • GALATYN PARK URBAN CENTER. The plaza features a kid-magnet fountain that sends up bursts of water that’ll get everyone soaked quickly. It’s often lighted at night, and during special events the water show is sometimes choreographed to music. The fountain’s right in front of performing arts venue the Eisemann Center, and there’s a DART station nearby. Near 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson. Done - next to the Renaissance Hotel.
  • HILLSIDE VILLAGE. The centerpiece of this shopping center, formerly known as Uptown Village, is the interactive fountain, which sends water shooting up at delighted kids (it’s for ages 10 and younger and those 48 inches tall and shorter). You’ll find it near Barnes & Noble, at 305 W. FM1382, Cedar Hill. shophillsidevillage.com.

Texas - outside of Dallas

Big Bend National Park - Visit Big Bend