Dallas, A Whole Lot More Than J. R. And JFK

Most skylines say a lot about a city. New York is beautifully magnificent, Los Angeles is hazily hectic and Philadelphia is no- nonsense. So it’s hard not to say that Dallas, Texas is just undeniably pretty.

And while Dallas has a rep for being all business like and technological, it’s slowly changing its image and progressing onto a more cultured and artistic Dallas. No longer is it only a haven for the dot- commers and suits in general, but it’s fast becoming a shopping phenomenon and as a few of you locals already know a sporting 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, a historian or just a really keen tourist, Dallas is an exciting place. No doubt you already know that this is the city where President John F Kennedy was assassinated, so it should also be a given that you check out the Grassy Knoll, 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 riding through Dealey Plaza in his car. The Sixth Floor Museum is the building where it all started so you should head there first for all the facts (you’ll need those when you create your own theory of what happened!).

Even if you don’t actually know much about the assassination and subsequent conspiracy theories, this is the best place of all to start. This museum is the most visited attraction in all of north Texas! It’s a fascinating and thorough look everything that has to do with JFK’s death, and even a little more about his presidency and legacy.

Head down to Elm Street and Dealey Plaza for a more hands on approach to the facts you just learned. See where JFK’s motorcade traveled up to the shooting and after as the car sped to the hospital. Visit the nearby infamous ‘Grassy Knoll’, now a common euphemism for all things suspicious and conspiring.

If you need to lighten up after the intensity of your own theorizing, White Rock Lake is a good place for a breather. White Rock Lake is a massive parkland area close to the city with loads of picnic areas, playgrounds, and places for a run/ cycle/ cuddle. The Lake is also equipped with its own romantically haunted tale of The Lady of the Lake a female ghost, searching for her lost lover. Ooh, creepy.

Inside White Rock Lake you can find historic buildings and the Dallas Arboretum, 66 acres of gardens and fountains alongside great Dallas views. The plant life is amazing, with 2,400 varieties of azaleas alone.

Another recreational spot worth a mention is Boulder Park, a must do for those who love mountain biking. There are lots of different trails, ranging from beginners to advanced and the park is highly regarded within cycling circles.

For more arty and historic stuff, the Dallas Art District is your must- do, only stop. This area boasts numerous art venues and performing complexes for music and dramas. The biggest gallery is the Dallas Museum of Art, but don’t forget the newer Nasher Sculpture Center. You can also find the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Theater Center and Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe in this same district. Told you it was good.

But if that’s not your thing, you’ve most probably skipped all the above reading to find this section. That’s okay, Dallas sport is a big deal.

Dallas homes teams for the NBA, NHL, soccer, and Arena Football League. If you want to know where to go, head straight to the American Airlines Center for the Dallas Desperados, Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Stars. Major team the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League are based in the nearby town, Irving, if you’re in town to support your boys. Dallas is sport mad and more closely Dallas Cowboy mad, so if you get a chance to see them play, it’s worth it just for the supportive atmosphere.

Need to wet your whistle after a game or two? A strange mix of laundromat and bar, the Bar of Soap is a Dallas drinking icon. Watch great bands play while you nurse a beer and wait for your colors to go through. Chill with your mates while you fold your linen, and hey, maybe this is a perfect place for you to try that Dallas native margarita.