Local Dallas Area Info & Links
There is so much to do and see in the Dallas, Texas area! Below, we've included just a small sampling of information and links about the DFW Metroplex for your next visit to the area or if you plan on moving here!
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. In 2018, the Dallas-Forth Worth area experienced the largest population growth of any other city in the United States. 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.
Dallas is always a popular visitor destination. 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. 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 here 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. 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. One of the newest parks to be
developed in downtown Dallas is The Klyde Warren Park
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 Grapefest in Grapevine and the State Fair of Texas 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 theater 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, & PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY 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 Perot Museum of Nature and Science are all great places to check out. There is also the Crow Collection of Asian Art, Meadows Museum at SMU Dallas, The African American Museum of Dallas,
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 Perservation Dallas. The presidential library for the 43rd president of the United States is on the SMU campus
The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
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, and don't forget that The Dallas Mavericks were the
2011 NBA Finals Champions, and The Dallas Stars 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!
Dallas is often
voted as one of the best skylines in the world! In 2014, Big Tex was
voted as #1 in the Best Quirky Landmark contest.
Just remember
though, there ain't no saguaro cactus in Texas! You'll see their images
on products that go into some Texas baskets, but they only occur
naturally in southern AZ and parts of CA and Mexico.
SOME OF THE CITIES IN THE DFW - METROPLEX AREA (Click on the city for a link to their city hall website):
Addison, Texas:
Allen, Texas:
Arlington, Texas:
Bedford, Texas:
Carrollton, Texas:
Cedar Hill, Texas:
Cockrell Hill, Texas:
Colleyville, Texas:
Coppell, Texas:
Dallas, Texas:
Dalworthington Gardens, TX
DeSoto, Texas
Duncanville, Texas
Euless, Texas
Farmer's Branch, TX
Flower Mound, TX
Fort Worth, Texas (east of 820)
Frisco, Texas
Garland, Texas
Grand Prairie, Texas
Grapevine, Texas
Highland Park, Texas
Hurst, Texas
Irving, Texas
Lancaster, Texas
Las Colinas, Texas
Lewisville, Texas
McKinney, Texas
Mesquite, Texas
Murphy, Texas
North Richland Hills, Texas
Pantego, Texas
Parker, Texas
Richardson, TX
Rockwall, Texas
Sachse, Texas
Seogoville, TX
Southlake, Texas
Sunnyvale, Texas
The Colony, Texas
University Park, Texas
Wilmer, Texas
Wylie, Texas