Dallas Travel Guide

Dallas Summary

What It's Like

Everything's bigger in Texas: the highways; the malls; the steak. While Dallas has a reputation for being materialistic and image-obsessed, that doesn't mean the Big D' comes up empty handed when visitors ask for some entertainment.

For starters, the nation's largest Art District resides here. The massive Dallas Museum of Art houses a number of collections, including ancient American, contemporary, African, and ancient Mediterranean art.

While visitors probably won't want to spend much time outside during the summer months, most of the year is just fine for outdoor activities. Numerous festivals, parades, and fairs take place during all seasons. And when those August days bring sizzling heat waves, visitors can bounce between the various indoor options, especially Dallas' renowned barbecue restaurants and smokehouses.

Where To Stay

Visitors will probably want to stay within the main neighborhoods: Highland and University Park (north); Greenville and Lakewood (east); Downtown (central). South Dallas mostly offers strip malls and residential areas.

• Highland and University Park make up the ritzy Park Cities. Also home to Southern Methodist University, these areas have top-of-the-line shopping centers and high-end eateries.
• East Dallas is a hip area with lots of personality. It's home to Greenville and Lakewood, and boasts a vibrant music scene. Because of safety issues, this area may not be the best place to stay with the family.
• Downtown -- perhaps a better option for families -- combines historical sites, commercial property, fashion boutiques, and hot restaurants and nightclubs.