OVERVIEW OF THE CITY OF DALLAS, TEXAS TX: Dallas is in Dallas county and is the county seat. Population is estimated at over 1 million. The last survey found Dallas to be the 9th largest city in the nation and the 3rd largest in the state of Texas. For more stats and info about Dallas, Texas, visit Dallas City Hall. The Trinity River runs through Dallas. To see plans for future development for the river area, visit The Trinity River Corridor Project.

Texas' #1 visitor detination is Dallas. The city of Dallas encompasses 384 square miles. Elevation ranges from 450 to 750 feet. For more about Dallas, visit The Dallas Convention & Visitor's Bureau

The television series, "Dallas", was shot partly here and it is what a lot of people think of when the word "Dallas" is mentioned. "Dallas The Movie", will be coming out soon. Don't forget to visit Southfork Ranch while you're here!

A BRIEF HISTORY OF DALLAS, TEXAS TX: John Neely Bryan, a lawyer from Tennessee, discovered the Dallas area in 1839. He had plans of setting up a possible trading post, but things didn't turn out that way so he decided to build a permanent colony there instead.

The town was called Dallas in 1842. Cotton was the main industry in the early days. In the early 1900's, financial centers started cropping up. Oil later led to more growth in the 1930's. For more history on Dallas, Texas, visit The Dallas Historical Society

HOW DID DALLAS GET ITS NAME?: No one knows for sure, but the town was known as Dallas early in 1842. It has been said that John Neely Bryan named it for "his friend, Dallas." There are several candidates for whom this friend might be: Commodore Alexander Dallas, Walter Dallas, James Dallas, or Joseph Dallas...just to name a few.

SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS IN THE DALLAS, TEXAS TX AREA: The kids will love to explore the Dallas World Aquarium and Zoological Gardens or The Dallas Zoo. The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, is a beautiful place to visit almost all year round. Visit Dallas Fair Park, for lots of things to do. Fair Park was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1986, and was the site of the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition. Explore the world and space without leaving your seat at the IMAX Theatre. If you crave outdoor activities, hang out at White Rock Lake. The Dallas skyline is a memorable sight with the view of the Reunion Tower, where dining is available. The Dallas Cotton Bowl Stadium hosts a football bowl game every year and has been the home of the Texas-OU game for many years. The former railroad line that traveled through Dallas, is now a 3.5-mile pedestrian and bicycle path called The Katy Trail. The Katy Trail is to be 4 miles upon completion. There are other projects in development for the trail.

Not too far away from Dallas for fun things to do....Don't forget Six Flags Over Texas Amusement Park, Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax and Ripley's Believe It or Not!, and Hurricane Harbor, all in the Arlington, Texas area.

In late spring, visit Scarborough Faire in Waxahachie, Texas. In the fall, don't miss the State Fair of Tex where Big Tex will greet you at the gate!

ENTERTAINMENT & SHOPPING AREAS with a bit of history IN DALLAS, TEXAS TX: Speaking of shopping.... Combine history with shopping by visiting The Dallas West End Historic District. Don't miss the Dallas Farmer's Market in Downtown Dallas, one of the largest open-air markets in the country. Linking Dallas Arts District with Uptown, is the McKinney Avenue Trolley where you ride for free! On the route is West Village, a newly developed shopping and residential complex. A little to the northwest, is what is described as the "Beverly Hills of Texas", Highland Park, where you'll find Highland Park Shopping Village, considered the first shopping center in America with the first luxury suburban theatre in Texas, and all close to the oldest country club in Texas, the Dallas Country Club. In the same area, is Northpark Center or Mall, which was at the time it was built, the largest climate-controlled retail establishment in the world in the 1960's. New to the area along central expressway, is Mockingbird Station where people are starting to call the area, Midtown Dallas. A bit to the east is Greenville Avenue, which is one of the oldest entertainment & shopping areas in Dallas. To the southwest of downtown Dallas, come see the historical district where Dallas originally started, The Bishop Arts District. If you love historical architecture, don't miss visiting The Swiss Avenue Historical District, where some of Dallas' early wealthy residents built homes. During the holidays, the avenue boasts one of the city's best displays of colorful lights and decorations.

ART & MUSEUMS IN DALLAS, TEXAS TX: Dallas also offers many museums for those who enjoy discovering history or art. Just to name a few - The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, and the Dallas Museum of Natural History and The Science Place, which are now called The Museum of Nature & Science. There is also the Crow Collection of Asian Art, Meadows Museum at SMU Dallas, The Women's Museum, The African American Museum, The Dallas Museum of the American Railway, and The Dallas Firefighter's Museum. Nature & history combined in downtown Dallas, Dallas Heritage Village at Old City Park, which is home to more than 37 historic buildings. To learn more about Dallas, Texas architecture, visit Texas Architecture.

PERFORMING ARTS IN DALLAS, TEXAS TX: The Music Hall at Fair Park, Dallas Theatre Center, The Meyer's Symphony Center, The Dallas Symphony Orchestra , and the Dallas Black Dance Theatre

SPORTS IN DALLAS, TEXAS TX: Everyone knows The Dallas Cowboys. North Texas hosted the Super Bowl in 2011! Don't forget that The Dallas Mavericks were the 2011 NBA Finals Champions, The Dallas Stars that were the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals Champions, The FC Dallas Soccer Team which is formerly The Dallas Burn whose stadium is in Frisco, and in Arlington...The Texas Rangers for baseball who have been in the 2010 & 2011 World Series finals. Don't forget the Mesquite Championship Rodeo either!