One of the best places to visit in Texas, Dallas is a thriving metropolis full of attractions and sightseeing opportunities. Bustling with culture, it has a collection of museums and performance outlets, as well as a flourishing art scene nurtured in the Dallas Arts District, which is the biggest entertainment district of its kind in the US. It is home to one of the largest collections of Art Deco exhibits in the nation and offers an array of areas to feel one with nature. Here are 5 must-visit spots for sightseeing in Dallas, TX during an excursion.
Fair Park
For three weeks starting on the last weekend of September every year, Fair Park houses one of the longest-running fairs in the US: the State Fair of Texas. It is also the home to the largest collection of Art Deco structures and art in the country. The architectural pride of this complex has to be The Hall of State, a beautiful limestone-clad building that holds a plethora of statues, murals, and artifacts. Fair Park also features a Music Hall where performing arts events take place. It is a great place for architecture and cultural enthusiasts who may want to consult the event calendar to catch events of interest.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
The 66-acre oasis along the banks of White Rock Lake features an impressive stretch of seasonal flowers and flora. It also offers an interactive children’s garden with a treetop canopy, cascading, and a treehouse that is two stories high. The Arboretum hosts a variety of public events, including art shows, concerts, and festivals, and provides educational programs for people of all ages. This location is best visited during the Dallas Blooms, where over 500,000 blooming bulbs and annuals wash the whole park in a stunning array of colors.
Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
The Dallas Holocaust Museum, recently opened in the West End, provides visitors with a look into the horrors of the Holocaust whilst also exploring genocides of the 20th century and the American Civil Rights Movement. Exhibits are enhanced with technology like videos of Holocaust survivors from the Dallas area, a boxcar from during the Nazi era and a collection of concentration camp artifacts. The museum is a great stop for anyone interested in history, but do take note that it is recommended for ages 12 and above.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Located on the edge of the Arts District, this magnificent five-story tall science museum is home to a multitude of interactive exhibits ranging from engineering to earth and space, geology and paleontology. A children’s museum features a dinosaur dig site, earthquake simulator and displays of gems and minerals. Visitors are advised to take the glass elevator to the highest floor before working their way down from the top.
Dallas Art District
As the largest urban entertainment district in the US, the Dallas Arts District easily takes the number one spot on must-see sites in Dallas, TX. It spans 68-acres and 19 contiguous blocks and houses the largest cluster of buildings designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects in any one area. The district offers outstanding performance venues such as the famous Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, and also has three distinguished museums: The Nasher Sculpture Center, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Crow Collection of Asian Art. Contained within the district is a giant green open area, Klyde Warren Park, where games and picnics, as well as yoga and movie events, take place.