The US's eighth largest city shines with an urban patina attributable largely to a thriving oil industry. The sheen is well reflected in Dallas's gay life, concentrated mainly in the Oak Lawn area. Bars and clubs catering to varied gay kinks, apparel and accessory stores, restaurants, and more permeate what locals call Boys town.
Time Zone
Dallas is on Central Standard Time zone; same as Chicago They adopt Eastern Daylight Savings time on the first Sunday in April and revert to Standard Time on the last Sunday in October.
Language
The language spoken throughout America is, of course, predominantly English. However, a large number of people in Dallas speak Spanish or other languages.
Currency
U. S. Dollar - USD = 100 cents
Weather
The Dallas-Fort Worth area offers visitors
the famous Texas blue skies,
bright sunshine and clean, fresh air. |
| |
Average
Rainfall |
Average
Temperatures |
| |
F |
C |
| |
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
| January |
1.31 " |
56 |
35 |
13 |
2 |
| February |
1.97 " |
59 |
38 |
15 |
3 |
| March |
2.34 " |
68 |
46 |
20 |
8 |
| April |
3.88 " |
76 |
55 |
24 |
13 |
| May |
4.63 " |
83 |
63 |
28 |
17 |
| June |
2.91 " |
91 |
71 |
33 |
22 |
| July |
2.23 " |
95 |
74 |
35 |
23 |
| August |
2.23 " |
95 |
74 |
35 |
23 |
| September |
2.94 " |
88 |
67 |
31 |
19 |
| October |
3.00 " |
79 |
57 |
26 |
14 |
| November |
2.20 " |
67 |
46 |
19 |
8 |
| December |
1.92 " |
58 |
37 |
14 |
3 |
Airport
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport - DFW Airport is the world's third largest airport in terms of operations. It is home to American Airlines. Located 18 miles from downtown Dallas or about 25 minutes by car.
Holidays
2007 Federal Legal Holidays
- January 1, 2007: New Year's Day [Jan. 1 every year]
- January 15, 2007: Martin Luther King Day [3rd monday in Jan]
- February 19, 2007: Presidents Day [Washington's Birthday] (observed) [3rd monday in Feb]
- May 28, 2007: Memorial Day (observed) [last monday in May]
- July 4, 2007: Independence Day [July 4 every year]
- September 3, 2007: Labor Day [1st monday in Sept]
- October 8, 2007: Columbus Day (observed) [2nd monday in Oct]
- November 12, 2007: Veterans' Day [Nov. 11 every year]
- November 22, 2007: Thanksgiving Day [4th thursday in Nov]
- December 25, 2007: Christmas Day [Dec. 25 every year]
Internet
It is possible to connect to the Internet through the phone sockets of most hotel rooms in the United States. If you own a mobile phone contact your phone company as it may be possible to use this to connect to the Internet.
Getting Around
All major car rental companies operate out of DFW International Airport. Yes, rent a car. There is no other way to see Dallas. Public transportation is nonexistent and taxis are rare and expensive. Besides, Texans believe they have an inalienable right to freeways and inexpensive parking. They virtually drive everywhere, even if it is across the street. To their defense, who would want to walk when it is over 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside?
Word of caution about car rental companies
Most of them carry absolutely no insurance for their cars while you rent them, thus making your personal car insurance the primary insurer. If you use your credit card to cover your insurance deductible, all credit cards except for Diners Club will be secondary insurers. Yes, we were surprised to learn that even American Express Platinum has gone the secondary route. That means that the accident, whether or not it was your fault will get into your car insurance report. We find Hertz car company the worse offender because they charge for loss of use and add administrative costs to the handling of the accident. (not covered by any insurance we know of). On the cards side, we find Aadvantage Master card Platinum the worst offender. Takes forever to pay and will harass you with millions of forms just to see if you give on them and pay your deductible.
Our recommendation:
- Get a Diners Club card (now with a Master Card logo) which will cover the rental as the primary insurer and use it to rent your car.
- Pay the extra dollars to get insurance from the car rental company
- Avoid Hertz rentals if possible.
Taxicab service is available at designated areas along upper-level curbside exits. Other ground transportation is available at the lower level of each terminal. Fares to downtown Dallas are approximately $38 (US). Fares to downtown Fort Worth are approximately $43 (US).
Ground transportation between the Airport and Metroplex-area destinations are provided by numerous companies. For additional ground transportation information, contact 972 574 5878 or 972 574 CABS (2227).
Things to see
- Walking Sculpture Tour Tour cultural Dallas while working off excess calories with the city's new Walking Sculpture Map. Henry Moore, Richard Serra, and Harry Bertoia lead the all-star sculptors on the plan. Most of their works are clustered in downtown zones identified by six different itineraries, but combining two or more routes boosts the Walking Sculpture trek. The map is free at many Dallas hotels and also available by calling 214.741.19898 or logging onto Dallas Foundation.
- Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden The lawns of this 66-acre/27-hectare arboretum and botanical garden roll right down to the shore of White Rock Lake. Native, drought-resistant plants are represented in its gardens. It boasts impressive azaleas, too. Daily 10 am-6 PM. US$6 adults. 8525 Garland Rd. Phone 214-327-8263.
- Dallas City Hall The ultramodern city hall was controversial when it opened in 1978, a time when city leaders were trying to cultivate an international reputation for the city. It was designed by renowned architect I. M. Pei (who also designed the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in the Arts District). Outdoor festivals and special events abound at City Hall Plaza. Monday-Friday 9 am-4 PM. 1500 Marilla. Phone 214-670-3011.
- Dallas County Historical and Dealey Plazas Market, Elm, Commerce and Houston Streets. In Historical Plaza you will find a broad spectrum of Dallas County history and a variety of architectural styles. Old Red Courthouse, built in 1890 in Romanesque Revival-style of rough-cut, red Pecos sandstone, trimmed with Arkansas blue granite. The John Neely Bryan Cabin, a reconstruction of the cabin built in 1841 by the founder of Dallas; and the Kennedy Memorial. Just around the corner, on Houston Street, is Dealey Plaza, a small park located at Dallas' triple underpass. Plaque describes nearby a assassinating site.
- Fair Park This 277-acre/112-hectare park southeast of downtown Dallas off I-30 has been the site of the annual State Fair of Texas since 1887. Attracting more than 3.5 million visitors annually, the State Fair is one of the largest in the US Fair Park, a National Historic Landmark, has one of the nation's largest collections of art-deco buildings. The park houses eight museums as well as the Dallas Horticultural Center, the Hall of State, an aquarium and concert venues. Hours vary; call Fair Park Administration for more information (phone 214-670-8400). For information about specific events, call 214-421-9600. 1st Street and Grand Avenue.
- Nasher Sculpture Center 2001 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201. Tel: (214) 242-5100. Situated in downtown Dallas at the base of the city’s skyline, the Nasher Sculpture Center represents Ray Nasher’s vision to create an outdoor “roof-less” museum that will serve as a peaceful retreat for reflection of art and nature and public home for his collection of 20th-century sculpture. The goal was to produce a structure of lasting significance that will sustain the legacy of the collection-- a kind of noble ruin reminiscent of the solidly-grounded archaeological sites of ancient civilization and their continuity through time.
- Old City Park The 13-acre/5-hectare park where 35 restored historic homes and businesses have been gathered is a bit shabby, but it does serve to remind you of the humble origins from which this megacity sprang. Buildings reflect life from the 1840s to about 1910. Living-history demonstrations are held in the old printery, blacksmith shop and pottery-maker's shop. Dance troupes perform during the summer, the park hosts a special 4th of July celebration and candlelight tours and caroling take place during the Christmas season. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-4 PM., Sunday noon-4 PM. Hours may be extended for special events. Admission, including tour: US$6 adults. 1717 Gano Ave. Phone 214-421-5141.
- Pioneer Plaza Young & Griffin Streets. This group of 70 large bronze longhorn steers and their cowboy horseback riders is the largest sculptural group in the world. Created by Robert Summers of Glen Rose, Texas, Pioneer Plaza and its bronze display is actually located on the historic cattle trail used beginning in 1854.
- Reunion Tower This tower affords the best view of Dallas. It has a revolving cocktail lounge and restaurant. Sunday-Thursday 9 am-10 PM., Friday and Saturday 10 am-midnight. Admission to observation deck: US$2 adults (free with a receipt from the restaurant or lounge). 300 Reunion Blvd. Phone 214-651-1234.
- Sundance Square 420 Throckmorton Street, Suite 950, Fort Worth, TX 76102. Tel: 817-255-5700. Email Downtown Fort Worth's Entertainment and Shopping District.
- Swiss Avenue Historic District Swiss Avenue from Fitzhugh to La Vista. Like old photographs preserved from an attic trunk, the Swiss Avenue Historic District homes recall memories of past years. The district has been restored and preserved as a beautiful example of Georgian, Spanish, Mediterranean, English Tudor and Prairie School homes. The Wilson Block, 2900 block of Swiss Avenue, is the most intact assemblage of houses in Dallas, circa 1898-1902.
- West End Historic District Marquet St, Pacific Ave, Woodall Rogers & McKinney Ave -downtown-The Historic West End is Dallas's most unique restaurant, retail and nightlife district. A wide variety of international cuisine and entertainment is available from elegant to eclectic. Located on the west side of downtown Dallas, this area, also known as the warehouse district, is rich in historically preserved buildings that date back to the turn of the century. Its street life is colorful with old-fashioned street vendors and sidewalk cafes.
- Wilson Block Historic District These renovated homes built 1898-1902 are provided rent-free to 22 individual nonprofit organizations. The Victorian-style homes have earned a listing on the National Register of Historic Places. 2900 block of Swiss Avenue (just east of downtown).
Museums
- African-American Museum This museum houses historical artifacts, art, folk art and other exhibits. Tuesday-Friday noon-5 PM., Saturday 10 am-5 PM., Sunday 1-5 PM. Free. 3536 Grand Ave. (Fair Park). Phone 214-565-9026.
- Dallas Museum of Art This museum houses a permanent collection spanning several periods from pre-Columbian to modern and also hosts major touring exhibitions. Works by Church, Oldenburg, Monet, Van Gogh, Matisse, Rodin, Henry Moore and others are on display. An impressive modernist structure, the museum building is itself a work of art. Tuesday-Sunday 11 am-5 PM. Free (admission may be charged for special exhibits). 1717 N. Harwood. Phone 214-922-1200.
- Dallas Holocaust Museum The Dallas Holocaust Museum, Center for Education and Tolerance, is a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching the lessons of the Holocaust and memorializing its victims. It provides guided tours for groups, public lectures and exhibits, and other programming. It is open seven days per week, from 10am - 5pm on weekdays, and 11am - 5pm on weekends. 211 N. Record St, Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75202. Tel: (214) 741-7500
- Meadows Museum Located on the campus of Southern Methodist University, this museum provides a handsome setting for a permanent collection of paintings, drawings and prints from five centuries of Spanish art. In March 2001, a new building was dedicated to house the museum. Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 10 am-5 PM., Thursday 10 am-8 PM., Sunday 1-5 PM. Free. 5900 N. Bishop Blvd. Phone 214-768-2516.
- Old City Park Phone: (214) 421-5141. Old City Park is a remarkable outdoor museum and home to some of the oldest structures in North Texas. The 37 restored historic homes, buildings and shops of the museum village provide a step back to the 19th century when Dallas was transformed from a rugged frontier town to a center of transportation and finance. Watch working craftsmen demonstrate "everyday life activities" of early settlers, and on Main Street stop in McCall's store, a Unique Victorian gift shop.
- Science Place Science Place hosts exhibits about subjects ranging from dinosaurs to robotics. Its IMAX Theater features "you are there" films-completely surrounding viewers with a huge domed screen for a larger-than-life experience in, say, a space ship or a volcano, or on a roller coaster. Sunday-Thursday 9:30 am-5:30 PM., Friday and Saturday 9:30 am-9 PM. US$6 adults. 1620 1st Ave. (Fair Park). Phone 214-428-5555.
- The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza Emai. Phone: (214)747-6660. An educational exhibit and memorial to the life, death, and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. The display is on the sixth floor of the former Texas School Book Depository, the site from which the shots that killed President Kennedy were allegedly fired. Portable audiocassettes available in 7 languages explain the more than 400 photographs, displays, artifacts, and films.
- Trammell Crow Center Inside this downtown commercial tower is a gallery housing the Trammell Crow collection of Oriental art. Outside, there's a sculpture garden with 22 French bronzes, including works by Rodin. Tuesday-Sunday 11 am-6 PM., Thursday until 9 PM. Admission is free. 2010 Flora St. (across from the Dallas Museum of Art). Phone 214-979-6430.
- Women's Museum This national center for the study of women's history features exhibits about the achievements of women in science, art, sports and adventure. The museum also has a theater, a public events hall and a gift shop. Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 PM., Sunday noon-5 PM. US$5 adults. 3800 Parry Ave. (Fair Park). Phone 214-915-0860.
The Scene
Shopping
SHOPPING HOURS Generally, Monday-Saturday 10 am-6 or 7 PM., Sunday noon-6 PM. Larger malls and shopping centers are usually open until 9 or 10 PM. on weekdays and Saturdays.
Day Trips
- Las Colinas Las Colinas is a sleek, modern business complex in neighboring Irving. Within it, the Mandalay Canal area is reminiscent of a European village, with shops and restaurants. The Mustangs of Las Colinas at Williams Square plaza is the largest equestrian sculpture in the world. The Studios at Las Colinas is a major motion-picture and TV-production center. Tours are offered; call 972-869-3456. Vintage radios, TVs, phonographs and communications memorabilia are on display at The National Museum of Communications. 6305 N. O'Connor Blvd., Suite 123, Irving. Phone 972-869-7762.
- Park Cities Together, Highland Park and University Park are referred to as the Park Cities. They are incorporated cities surrounded by the city of Dallas. With large homes and beautifully landscaped neighborhoods, both warrant a leisurely drive-through. The campus of Southern Methodist University, with its handsome red-brick buildings, is in University Park. Highland Park Village was the first of the nation's many shopping centers. The Park Cities, 10 minutes north of downtown Dallas on Central Expressway, are bounded by the Central Expressway, Northwest Highway, Dallas North Tollway and Wycliff Avenue.
- South Fork Ranch Visitors can tour the ranch where Dallas, the famous soap opera about the Ewing clan, was set. View the gun that shot J. R., Lucy's wedding dress and other Ewing memorabilia at the "Texas Legends-Fact to Fantasy" exhibit. Open daily 9 am-5 PM. US$7.95 adults. Guided tours last 30 minutes. 3700 Hogg Rd., Parker (30-40 minutes north of downtown Dallas). Phone 800-989-7800.
References
Site created and maintained by GLBTEvents - Bill Rattan webmaster.
Travel