Take at least 3
Welcome to Dallas. There are so many fine art galleries, shops, restaurants and entertainment all ideally positioned in the heart of lively Uptown Dallas. Nearby in the West End Historic District, you’ll find even more shops and restaurants, and the Dallas Arts District, with museums and performance centers are all only minutes away from each other. I have written just a brief blurb about each place and will write some reviews later. Don't let all these possibilities overwhelm you because you can always come back more than one time. I love coming over to Dallas because it is only a couple of hours from my home. If anyone would like to visit some of these places, drop me a line and let's meet up. I hope you have just as much fun explore the area as I had. It is pretty fun to go back time and time again as so much is always changing.
I have broken it up in to sections and so you can pick and choose what you like to experience.
Entertainment Districts
Dallas World Aquarium
Featuring
saltwater life from around the globe, Dallas World Aquarium represents
the waters of four continents and three oceans. Here you can experience
a panoramic view of reef life and the excitement of the predators
exhibit.
Fair Park
Home to nine museums
and six performance facilities, including the Music Hall, Smirnoff
Music Centre, Band Shell and the Cotton Bowl Stadium, Fair Park is just
two miles east of downtown Dallas. This National Historic Landmark is
located on 277 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and has the
largest collection of 1930’s Art Deco exposition-style architecture in
the United States.
Knox-Henderson
Knox-Henderson
is known for its collection of dining and shopping choices, including
trendy furniture and home accessory shops.
Lower Greenville
This interesting neighborhood of restaurants and bars is as popular with locals as it is with visitors.
Oak Lawn
Oak Lawn is home to an eclectic mix of small bars, trendy restaurants and luxury high-rise condos.
West End Historic District
This
turn-of-the-last-century warehouse district on the west side of
downtown has more than 80 restaurants, shops and nightclubs. Vintage
street lamps, red-brick streets, horse-drawn surreys and a large plaza
for gathering add to the color and ambiance of the area.
West Village
McKinney
Avenue is the new and very popular West Village, featuring more than 60
restaurants, cafes, shops and theater, all set in the narrow-street
style of Europe.
Museums
Dallas Museum of Art
Best
known for its exceptional collection of European, Greek and modern art,
as well as its special exhibits, the Dallas Museum of Art is just a
great place to spend the day.
Sixth Floor Museum
The
site of the former Texas School Book Depository is now the Sixth Floor
Museum at Dealey Plaza. This thoughtful museum examines the life, times
and death of President John F. Kennedy.
Crow Collection of Asian Art
The
Crow Collection of Asian Art is a serene setting for quiet reflection
in the heart of the big city.
Nasher Sculpture Center
Designed by
world-renowned architect Renzo Piano, Nasher Sculpture Center houses
one of the world’s finest collections of modern and contemporary
sculpture, including works by Matisse, Picasso, Rodin and more.
Performing Arts
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
The
Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s year-round performances include classical,
pops and a summer series. Located in the internationally acclaimed
Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.
Majestic Theatre
Earning
its name, the Majestic Theatre is an elegant and beautifully restored
historic site in Downtown Dallas.
Theatre Three
The authors, the
actors and the audience ��" without these three elements, there could
be no theatre art and certainly, no Theatre Three. Theatre Three has
been providing quality theatre-in-the-round for over 40 years.
Dallas Theater Center
Producing
classic, contemporary and new plays at the highest artistic level,
Dallas Theater Center creates communal experiences that inspire new
ways of thinking.
Points of Interest
American Airlines Center
As
the focal point of Dallas’ Victory Park, the American Airlines Center
is home to the Dallas Stars and the Dallas Mavericks. The Center
also hosts concerts and special events like Ringling Brothers and
Barnum & Bailey Circus and Disney on Ice.
Dallas Convention Center
Housing
the world’s largest singular column-free Exhibit Hall, the Dallas
Convention Center is also the site for many conventions held in Dallas.
Dallas Market Center
The Dallas Market Center is the site of Dallas’ many fashion markets.
McKinney Avenue Transit Authority
Linking
Downtown with Uptown, the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority
(MATA) is a wonderful heritage streetcar system still running along the
original tracks. MATA is responsible for preserving, refurbishing,
operating and maintaining this historical jewel.
Pioneer Plaza
This is a Dallas original with a larger-than-life bronze sculpture depicting a cattle drive from Dallas’ past.
Reunion Arena
Host
to many of Dallas’ sporting and entertainment events, Reunion Arena is
one of the most versatile facilities of its kind in the nation.
Smirnoff Music Center
The lovely outdoor Smirnoff Music Center hosts both national and local celebrities from all music genres.
Nokia Theatre @ Grand Prairie
Every
seat in the house enjoys the venue’s unparalleled acoustics and
intimacy in this superior performance environment. Enjoy everything
from music concerts to Broadway productions and family shows at the
Nokia Theatre @ Grand Prairie.
Shopping
NorthPark Center
Featuring
over 230 stores and restaurants with the finest names in retail,
including such classics as Neiman Marcus, Barneys New York, Nordstrom
and Macy’s, it’s no wonder that NorthPark is Dallas’ number one tourist
attraction. Newly renovated in 2006, the mall is also home to AMC
NorthPark 15 movie theater, a 1.
McKinney Avenue Antique Mall
The McKinney Avenue Antique Mall features quality antiques from America and England with a sampling of collectibles.
Neiman Marcus’ Flagship Store
Since
its grand opening in the early 1900’s, Neiman Marcus’ flagship store in
Downtown Dallas has set the standards for fashion and
elegance. The store is also home to a fifth-floor museum that
tells the story of this ready-to-wear couture retail legend.
Stanley Korshak
An
award-winning crown jewel of American specialty stores, Stanley Korshak
offers the finest in men’s and women’s apparel, cosmetics and shoes. A
unique home collection and exquisite linen boutique make it one of the
most interesting shopping destinations in the world.
Highland Park Village
Highland
Park Village is at the center of fashion, in the heart of Dallas. As an
internationally recognized destination for individuals seeking
exclusive brands and haute couture, it’s an experience beyond compare.
West Village
This
popular European-style district, straight up McKinney Avenue, is home
to more than 60 restaurants, cafes, shops and theater.
The Shops at Willow Bend
With
lush landscaping, soft lighting and rich wood, the Shops at Willow Bend
are a new way to shop and a fashion-lovers playground. This is just a
short drive from this area in Plano.
The Galleria
This
famous mall is home to some of the finest stores in the world, with
three levels of spectacular shopping for your convenience.
Sports
University of Texas/University of Oklahoma Football
The annual meeting of these famous rivals is held every October at the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park.
Dallas Cowboys
The
five-time, world champion (’71, ’77, ’92, ’93, ’95) Dallas Cowboys call
Texas Stadium. next season the Cowboys will have a new stadium in
Arlinton very close to the Ballpark. You have to check them out on line
at:http://stadium.dallascowboys.com
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks bring new energy and excitement every year to the American Airlines Center.
Dallas Burn
Exciting Dallas Burn soccer action is at the Cotton Bowl. Went to see Beckham when the played LA, but of course he was hurt.
Dallas Stars
Their quest for the Stanley Cup means a new level of ice hockey for the Dallas Stars.
Texas Rangers
From
April through October, the beautiful Ballpark at Arlington is home to
the Texas Rangers. The Ballpark complex also includes the Legends of
the Game of Baseball Museum, Children’s Learning Center and the Dr.
Pepper Youth Ballpark.
Dallas Desperados
Catch a show of thrilling arena football with the Dallas Desperados at Reunion Arena.
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The rooms are always quite nice. You will always find a Bible in the room as well as a copy of the Book of Mormon. The entire hotel is smoke free which I really like. They offer a entire range of services, so you can really feel comfortable staying here. It is also very close to most of the sites in the uptown area of Dallas right next to Addison Texas Restaurant Row, Addison Circle Park and the Dallas Galleria. It is very close to Dallas Fort Worth and Love Field airports, downtown Dallas and Plano business district.
The restaurant is good, a bit pricey, but if you get the package deal, you will feel very good about what you eat. I like this hotel and I have a Marriott Rewards card that adds up points whenever I stay.
There are some policies in place for photos, like you can't use a flash; hence it is hard to see me in some of the photos, tri-pods on certain days, etc etc. Check the website or give them a call to verify all of this.
They have some permanent collections, but the ones they change out are pretty spectacular. Check with them to see what is up.
We really enjoyed our visit and plan to go back again really soon. Whenever you are in Dallas and just want a quiet moment in the middle of a noisy city, pop in. You won't be disappointed.
If you have ever visited Tuscany, you would get a traditional gelato which was made with milk, eggs, sugar, cream, and other natural ingredients. In Sicily, due to the hot weather, the frozen treat was made with water, fresh fruit, and sugar. The first one I had was a fruit one and I was hooked.
Nowadays, gelaterie (gelato shops) flourish on every street corner in Italy. Modern machinery helps create a smoother consistency by quickening the freezing process. This cool treat is 80 percent less fat than American ice cream. It has a velvety texture that melts in your mouth without leaving any unpleasant coating.
For me, I do not like dairy, so the fresh fruit gelatos are a nice way to enjoy a desert with friends and at Paciugo, they uphold their Italian roots by making their gelato with whole milk and all-natural ingredients. Their sorbets are made with fresh fruit, sugar, and water. They also prepare all their ingredients by hand. There are no artificial flavoring and preservatives in their products. And I promise you will taste the fresh ingredients and flavors in every spoonful. My favorite is the Mango. You can get your gelato in a cup or on a cone. They have three different sizes which allow you to get three or more flavors in one serving. I always get the small and get three different tastes.
You are free to taste any and all of the flavors they have in the case. I would just suggest that you go for it. The prices are not cheap, but well worth it. This shop has a few seats inside, nice and air conditioned, but there are a few tables outside that make for great people watching. I would recommend that you check out their website for all of their locations and stop in and get some.
So, as you probably can gather, the museum's permanent art features the collection of Raymond and Patsy Nasher...a couple with impeccable taste in art and particularly with an eye for sculpture. I adore the many unique figures they have accumulated over the years in the garden, particularly Auguste Rodin's Eve (lovely) and Magdalena Abakanowicz's Bronze Crowd (always a fun Kodak moment). Indoors, Constantin Brancusi's Le Basier (the kiss!)
Notable to highlight also is the Nasher's extensive group of Henri Matisse sculptures, including:
- Deux Negresses (two women)
- Decorative Figure
- Grand Nu assis (large seated nude)
- Madeleine I
On the whole, the collection is very modern and contemporary, featuring some Picasso sculptures and a few paintings among everything else. The cafe is always wonderful for a drink or snack and the gift shop is particularly well stocked with very relevant souveniers to the items in the museum.
I will say, for visitors to the fabulous state of Texas, spring is definitely the best time to go. I've gone in the summers before, and it's just way too scorching hot to enjoy the garden (which is pretty much the highlight of the museum). The fall is nice too, but there's really nothing that compares to sitting on the stone benches in the garden as the flowers bloom, smelling the fresh grass, with the beautiful sun shining. Bring a book or some work to do so you have an excuse to bum around in the garden the whole day! With free admission on the first Saturday of each month, I didn't have to pay to enjoy this amazing space which exposes me to some culture that isn't of the "pop" variety.
There are various places to eat, but we didn't know this before we went so we ate first. They also have banquet facilities for large or small groups.
The admission price was fair. They do offer discounts for children and seniors. Don't be surprised when you pay and think that they have charged you too much, they don't include the tax in the posted price. Still a good deal for about $20
