Dallas much more than JR and JFK
Most skylines say a lot about a city. New York is wonderfully gorgeous, Los Angeles is vaguely hectic, and Philadelphia is goofy. So it’s hard not to say that Dallas, Texas is undeniably beautiful.
And while Dallas has a reputation for being all business and tech, it is slowly changing its image and progressing towards a more cultured and artistic Dallas. It’s no longer just a haven for dotcommers and suits in general, it’s fast becoming a shopping phenomenon and, as some of you locals may already know, it’s a sports mecca. You have to be able to party in a city like this, after all, the Margarita was first invented here!
Whether you’re a conspiracy theorist, historian, or just a keen tourist, Dallas is an exciting place. You no doubt already know that this is the city where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, so it should also be a given to visit Grassy Knoll, the Sixth Floor Museum, and Dealey Plaza while you’re there.
You can visit the exact window on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository where Lee Harvey Oswald shot JFK while Kennedy was driving through Dealey Plaza in his car. The Sixth Floor Museum (left) is the building where he started it all, so head there first for all the facts (you’ll need them when you create your own theory of what happened!).
Even if you don’t really know much about the murder and subsequent conspiracy theories, this is the best place to start. This museum is the most visited attraction in all of North Texas! It’s a fascinating and comprehensive look at everything to do with the death of JFK, and even a little more about his presidency and legacy.
Head to Elm Street and Dealey Plaza for a more hands-on approach to the facts you just learned. See where the JFK motorcade traveled to the shooting and then as the car sped to the hospital. Visit the nearby and infamous ‘Grassy Knoll’, now a common euphemism for all things suspicious and conniving.
If you need to relax after the intensity of your own theory, White Rock Lake is a good place to take a breather. White Rock Lake is a great park area close to town with plenty of picnic areas, playgrounds, and places to run, bike, or cuddle. The lake is also equipped with its own romantically enchanted story of The Lady of the Lake, a female ghost searching for her lost lover. Oh creepy.
Within White Rock Lake you can find historic buildings and the Dallas Arboretum (above), 66 acres of gardens and fountains along with great views of Dallas. The plant life is incredible, with 2,400 varieties of azaleas alone.
Another recreational spot worth mentioning is Boulder Park, a must-see for mountain biking enthusiasts. There are many different trails, ranging from beginner to advanced, and the park is highly regarded in cycling circles.
For more art and history, the Dallas Art District is your one stop. This area has numerous art venues and stage complexes for music and drama. The largest gallery is the Dallas Museum of Art, but don’t forget the new Nasher Sculpture Center. You can also find the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Theater Center, and the Guadalupe Shrine Cathedral in this same district. I told you it was good.
But if that’s not your thing, chances are you skipped all the previous reading to find this section. Okay, Dallas sports is a big deal.
Dallas hosts teams from the NBA, NHL, soccer, and the Arena Football League. If you want to know where to go, head directly to the American Airlines Center for the Dallas Desperados, Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars. The main team, the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League, is based in the nearby town of Irving, if you’re in town to root for your boys. Dallas is crazy about the sport and most closely about the Dallas Cowboys, so if you get a chance to see them play, it’s worth it for the supportive atmosphere alone.
Need to wet your whistle after a game or two? An odd mix of laundromat and bar, Bar of Soap is a Dallas drinks icon. Watch big bands play while you grab a beer and wait for your colors to come through. Kick back with your friends while you fold the bedding, and hey, maybe this is the perfect place for you to try that native Dallas margarita.