In And Around Dallas
In a state as big as Texas, there is bound to be something of interest for just about anybody. The following is a list of destinations around the Dallas/Fort Worth area and other travel resources around the state.
Dallas County Historical Plaza
Surrounded by the skyscrapers of downtown Dallas, the Dallas County Historical Plaza commemorates the profound events that have taken place there over the centuries.
A reconstruction of the original log cabin of John Neely Bryan, the man believed to be the first settler in the area, stands near the Kennedy Memorial Plaza, which contains a small monument dedicated to President John F. Kennedy. The president's limousine passed by here the day he was assassinated in 1963. Also in the plaza is the Dallas County Courthouse, a huge Romanesque-style building of dark-red Pecos sandstone built in 1891.
Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden
Not far from downtown, the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden covers 66 acres in one Dallas' oldest neighborhoods. The garden and arboretum stretch out over the former property of Texas oilman Everett DeGolyer. It was DeGolyer who first proposed a botanical garden back in 1938. His Spanish Colonial-style mansion still stands on the property and is kept up along with the gardens.
Fort Worth Cultural District
Fort Worth has taken six museums and combined them to make the Fort Worth Cultural District. The Cowgirl Hall of Fame is there along with the Cattle Raisers Museum, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and three fine art museums.
Palo Duro State Park
Canyon, Texas
Due west of Dallas, the Palo Duro State Park follows the Palo Duro Canyon as it cuts into the Texas plains. The canyon walls plunge 1,000 feet in some places, exposing multicolored strata. Camping, picnicking, horseback riding and hiking are all popular within the park.
Six Flags Over Texas
Arlington, Texas
If you are looking for a place to take the kids, try Six Flags Over Texas in nearby Arlington. Thrill rides with names like Runaway Mountain, Mr. Freeze and Shock Wave are sure to entertain the older kids. The park has several, less frightening rides for the little ones including a carousel.
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
Waco, Texas
Opened in 1968, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum built to preserve and memorialize the history of one of the best-known law enforcement services in the world: the Texas Rangers. Twenty-five lawmen have been inducted into the hall of fame. The museum tells their stories along with the 160-year history of the rangers.
For information on the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Tour Texas has travel tips, maps and destination guides. It also has coupon offers to selected destinations.
Put together by the Texas Department of Economic Development, Travel Texas has region-by-region listings of tours, attractions, lodging, dining and upcoming events throughout the state. It also has a search function for easy access to information.
The Texas Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus has links to Visitor Bureau sites across the state.