Moving to the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex? Get your answers and make your buying decisions easy by using our resource guide.
| Dallas at a Glance |
If you’ve had your fill of animal attractions, head to Southfork Ranch, America’s most famous ranch since filming for the "Dallas" television series begun. While there you can tour the famed Ewing Mansion, re-live moments from the series, and see the gun that shot J.R.
White Rock Lake, Bachman Lake, and Grapevine Lake are urban escapes for water recreation. The lakes have a well maintained perimeter to take in the scenery and the water is apt for sailing and fishing.
HISTORIC SITES
Since that tragic day in 1963 when President John F. Kennedy was shot on the streets of Dallas, the Texas School Book Depository achieved notoriety and is now the site of the Sixth Floor Museum. The museum has had more than 6 million visitors from around the world and offers information about the assassination. Adjacent to the Sixth Floor Museum is the Old Red Courthouse Museum which serves as a symbol of Dallas heritage. Built in 1892, the beautifully restored Old Red Courthouse contains some of Dallas County’s most fascinating historical artifacts. Right outside the Old Red Courthouse is a replica of Dallas founder John Neely Bryan’s cabin. Also in the vicinity is Dallas Fair Park, a National Historic Landmark and home to nine museums, six performance facilities, a lagoon, the world’s largest collection of 1930s Art Deco exposition buildings and the largest Ferris wheel in North America. For a taste of western cultural history, head down to the Fort Worth Stockyards where you can visit the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Stockyards Museum. White Rock Lake, Bachman Lake, and Grapevine Lake are urban escapes for water recreation. The lakes have a well maintained perimeter to take in the scenery and the water is apt for sailing and fishing.
DINING/CUISINE
Steakhouses are plentiful in Dallas/Fort Worth and it’s no wonder with a cattle-drive background. Barbecue and Tex-mex are also treasured regional cuisines and discovering the variations is an easy way to explore your new city. With global diversity in the Metroplex, an ever-growing range of ethnic dining options are becoming available and many fusion restaurants are blending foreign favorites with down-home recipes. Catering to the sophisticated palate are many upscale restaurants that are attaining nationally acclaim, like York Street in East Dallas and Fearing’s in Uptown. Each year the Dallas Observer creates a “Best Of” food and drink list which can be used to begin your eating adventure.
VISUAL/PERFORMING ARTS
The opening of the new AT&T Performing Arts Center in 2009 marked the completion of the world-class Dallas Arts District and is already receiving recognition for its venues, performances, and skyline. In fact, the AT&T Performing Arts Center is the largest new performing arts complex built since New York’s Lincoln Center. The Arts District is home to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Chamber Orchestra, Dallas Opera, Dallas Theater Center and others. Bringing the creative works of Shakespeare to the Dallas community is the cultural institution called Shakespeare Dallas. Inspired by the New York Shakespeare Festival, the company now produces year-round events. Since 2003 the Nash Sculpture Center has been displaying modern art, including twentieth-century paintings and drawings, and stunning sculptures. The indoor gallery, garden detail and the building itself are works of art offered as a retreat from Downtown Dallas. Centrally located in the Metroplex is the Grapevine Opry, which is known in the country music industry as one of the finest live music venues; and Irving Arts Centers, designed to accommodate a wide range of cultural and civic needs.
MUSEUMS
Sharing the rich-cultural and historic heritage of Dallas is done with the help of dozens of museums and learning centers. The Museum of Nature & Science and the African American Museum in Fair Park are such examples. Niche museums like the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, The American Museum of Miniature Arts, National Scouting Museum, and the International Museum of Cultures are rare and interesting places to visit if you’re looking for something less mainstream. Museums are located all across the Metroplex so finding one near you is easy, visit the "Resource Directory" from our Homepage for a complete list.
SHOPPING
When it comes to shopping, Dallas is a consumer’s paradise. Dallas has more shopping space per shopper than any city in the country. Antique and specialty stores, high-end retailers, and independent boutiques are abundant in and around Dallas/Fort Worth. Naming all the malls and shopping centers would be an expansive list, so here are the highlights:
—SHOPPING DISTRICTS
Highland Park Village
In 1931, the first planned shopping center, Highland Park Village opened with a unified architectural style and stores facing toward an interior parking area, built and managed under single ownership. Today Highland Park Village offers an unparalleled selection of international and local retailers, with Diane von Furstenberg, Christian Louboutin, and The Marquee Club opening later this year.
NorthPark Center
Developed from a 97-acre cotton field, NorthPark Center has transformed the land with quality of materials, architectural detailing and use of natural light. 21 million visitors annually enjoy luxury retail, market exclusives and fine dining with wide promenades, spacious courts, water features and lush landscaping. Major works of art are displayed in the center and new pieces are rotated in. New stores coming soon are: E5H; Cherish; Gucci; Gregory's; Disney Store; Vera Bradley; and Essensuals London.
White Rock Lake, Bachman Lake, and Grapevine Lake are urban escapes for water recreation. The lakes have a well maintained perimeter to take in the scenery and the water is apt for sailing and fishing.
HISTORIC SITES
Since that tragic day in 1963 when President John F. Kennedy was shot on the streets of Dallas, the Texas School Book Depository achieved notoriety and is now the site of the Sixth Floor Museum. The museum has had more than 6 million visitors from around the world and offers information about the assassination. Adjacent to the Sixth Floor Museum is the Old Red Courthouse Museum which serves as a symbol of Dallas heritage. Built in 1892, the beautifully restored Old Red Courthouse contains some of Dallas County’s most fascinating historical artifacts. Right outside the Old Red Courthouse is a replica of Dallas founder John Neely Bryan’s cabin. Also in the vicinity is Dallas Fair Park, a National Historic Landmark and home to nine museums, six performance facilities, a lagoon, the world’s largest collection of 1930s Art Deco exposition buildings and the largest Ferris wheel in North America. For a taste of western cultural history, head down to the Fort Worth Stockyards where you can visit the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Stockyards Museum. White Rock Lake, Bachman Lake, and Grapevine Lake are urban escapes for water recreation. The lakes have a well maintained perimeter to take in the scenery and the water is apt for sailing and fishing.
DINING/CUISINE
Steakhouses are plentiful in Dallas/Fort Worth and it’s no wonder with a cattle-drive background. Barbecue and Tex-mex are also treasured regional cuisines and discovering the variations is an easy way to explore your new city. With global diversity in the Metroplex, an ever-growing range of ethnic dining options are becoming available and many fusion restaurants are blending foreign favorites with down-home recipes. Catering to the sophisticated palate are many upscale restaurants that are attaining nationally acclaim, like York Street in East Dallas and Fearing’s in Uptown. Each year the Dallas Observer creates a “Best Of” food and drink list which can be used to begin your eating adventure.
VISUAL/PERFORMING ARTS
The opening of the new AT&T Performing Arts Center in 2009 marked the completion of the world-class Dallas Arts District and is already receiving recognition for its venues, performances, and skyline. In fact, the AT&T Performing Arts Center is the largest new performing arts complex built since New York’s Lincoln Center. The Arts District is home to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Chamber Orchestra, Dallas Opera, Dallas Theater Center and others. Bringing the creative works of Shakespeare to the Dallas community is the cultural institution called Shakespeare Dallas. Inspired by the New York Shakespeare Festival, the company now produces year-round events. Since 2003 the Nash Sculpture Center has been displaying modern art, including twentieth-century paintings and drawings, and stunning sculptures. The indoor gallery, garden detail and the building itself are works of art offered as a retreat from Downtown Dallas. Centrally located in the Metroplex is the Grapevine Opry, which is known in the country music industry as one of the finest live music venues; and Irving Arts Centers, designed to accommodate a wide range of cultural and civic needs.
MUSEUMS
Sharing the rich-cultural and historic heritage of Dallas is done with the help of dozens of museums and learning centers. The Museum of Nature & Science and the African American Museum in Fair Park are such examples. Niche museums like the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, The American Museum of Miniature Arts, National Scouting Museum, and the International Museum of Cultures are rare and interesting places to visit if you’re looking for something less mainstream. Museums are located all across the Metroplex so finding one near you is easy, visit the "Resource Directory" from our Homepage for a complete list.
SHOPPING
When it comes to shopping, Dallas is a consumer’s paradise. Dallas has more shopping space per shopper than any city in the country. Antique and specialty stores, high-end retailers, and independent boutiques are abundant in and around Dallas/Fort Worth. Naming all the malls and shopping centers would be an expansive list, so here are the highlights:
—SHOPPING DISTRICTS
Highland Park Village
In 1931, the first planned shopping center, Highland Park Village opened with a unified architectural style and stores facing toward an interior parking area, built and managed under single ownership. Today Highland Park Village offers an unparalleled selection of international and local retailers, with Diane von Furstenberg, Christian Louboutin, and The Marquee Club opening later this year.
NorthPark Center
Developed from a 97-acre cotton field, NorthPark Center has transformed the land with quality of materials, architectural detailing and use of natural light. 21 million visitors annually enjoy luxury retail, market exclusives and fine dining with wide promenades, spacious courts, water features and lush landscaping. Major works of art are displayed in the center and new pieces are rotated in. New stores coming soon are: E5H; Cherish; Gucci; Gregory's; Disney Store; Vera Bradley; and Essensuals London.
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