What to Do in Dallas
Dallas is regarded by many as Texas' most metropolitan and cosmopolitan
city. It is the Southwest's largest banking center, and the headquarters
for American Airlines, J.C. Penny, Kimberly-Clark, Frito-Lay, Southland
Corporation, and high-tech firms such as Texas Instruments, Electronic Data
Systems, MCI Telecommunications, and GTE Corporation.
Dallas is also well known for it sports, shopping and dining opportunities.
For sports, three of the four professional teams may be playing during the
CSTS conference: the Dallas Cowboys (if we make the playoffs), the Dallas
Mavericks (basketball), and the Dallas Stars (hockey). The Texas Ranger's
Ballpark at Arlington is worth a visit even during the off-season.
Outstanding shopping is available at the original Neiman Marcus (near the
hotel), as well as at numerous first-class shopping complexes. If you are
looking for a special meal, there are over 3,000 restaurants to choose
from. If you want to go western, you can visit Southfork, the site of the
Dallas television program, Ft. Worth's Billy Bob's, the world's largest
honky-tonk, or try country-western dancing at one of the many C-W clubs.
Dallas is a blend of the glittery cosmopolitan and the down-home country.
Whether you are in the mood for barbecue or sushi, cultural events or a
rodeo, punk rock or the symphony, family fun or the nightclub scene, you
should be able to find it here---oftentimes a short distance from your
hotel.
Near the conference hotel you will find the following attractions:
DALLAS ARTS DISTRICT
Step into a world of cultural significance as you walk
through the nation's largest centralized arts development, the Dallas Arts
District. You can leisurely tour the Dallas Museum of Art which houses an
existing permanent collection in addition to hosting most major touring
exhibitions. Across the street you can walk through the sculpture garden of
the Trammell Crow Center featuring 22 French bronzes highlighted by the
works of Rodin. Two blocks east is the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center,
home of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
WEST END HISTORIC DISTRICT
The arched entryway provides an open invitation
to stroll or ride in a horse-drawn carriage, down brick-lined streets
enhanced by renovated turn-of-the-century offices. warehouses and even a
brewery that today includes over 150 of Dallas' most popular and diverse
boutiques, restaurants and clubs. Just south of the West End entry you can
see the Old Red 1891 Courthouse, John Neely Bryan's Cabin built in 1841 by
the city's founder, the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza, and of course,
Dealy Plaza and the Texas School Book Depository which houses the Sixth
Floor Exhibit, an interpretation of the life and assassination of President
Kennedy which took place at this site.
FINANCIAL CENTER
Centermost in Downtown Dallas you can step through the
shadows of the city's earliest skyscraper, the Magnolia Building built in
1921 and topped by the landmark red neon Pegasus, as well as the city's
more recent skyscrapers, including NationsBank Plaza rising 12 stories and
outlined at night with over 2 miles of green argon. You can shop at the
original Neiman-Marcus then pause at Thanksgiving Square, a few blocks
down, to admire the spiral-shaped chapel with its stained-glass ceiling.
Perhaps the biggest treat is beneath the city's streets - 3 miles of
walkways accessing 250 shops and restaurants.
REUNION
Facing Houston Street is the 1914 railroad terminal, Union Station,
which even today is serviced by AMTRAK. Behind the station and accessible
by an underground walkway are the Hyatt Regency and Reunion Tower, an
international landmark and defining structure in the Dallas skyline. Ride
in a glass-enclosed elevator 50-stories to the geodesic dome on top where
an observation deck and revolving restaurant offer a spectacular view of
the entire Dallas area. Directly south of the tower is Reunion Arena which
seats 19,000 and hosts the city's major sports and entertainment events
throughout the year: it is the home of the Dallas Mavericks professional
basketball team and the pro hockey of the Dallas Stars.
DALLAS FARMER'S MARKET
Step right up and get your fruits, vegetables,
flowers and plants at any of the striped shed of the Dallas Farmers Market.
Located in the southeast corner of downtown, you can "make your best deal"
with the farmers from the surrounding areas seven days a week.
OLD CITY PARK
You can step into the mid-19th century lifestyles of Texas as
you walk through an authentic prairie-style country store, blacksmith shed,
church, bank, home and even a school house in Old City Park. Admission is
free and paid tours are available daily (except Monday).
CIVIC CENTER
This area contains the city's best-known public landmarks. You
can visit the Dallas Convention Center, one of the nation's largest with
nearly 2 million square feet under one roof, marvel at I. M. Pei's
futuristic architectural masterpiece, Dallas City Hall. Across the street
is the Central Library where free activities for children and adults are
scheduled.
McKINNEY AVENUE
Step out in style and explore sophistication at The Shops
and Galleries of The Crescent, located just north of Downtown Dallas. To
the south on brick-lined McKinney Avenue, you can walk to some of the
city's finest restaurants, antique shops and galleries, all within a
five-block area. And, renovated electric trolleys will take you to and
from the Arts District.
DEEP ELLUM
In the 20's it featured jazz joints and rhythm and blues, today
it steps to a different beat. In a number of transformed low-rent offices
and warehouses east of downtown, Deep Ellum hosts an eclectic collection
of art galleries, restaurants and clubs where you can hear bands perform
everything from rock to reggae; from country to heavy metal.
FAIR PARK
This 277-acre park southeast of downtown 30 has been the site of
the annual State Fair of Texas since 1887, but there is much to see and
do year-round at this National Historic Landmark. Seven major museums are
located in this scenic setting: the Museum of Natural History, The Science
Place I and 11, Museum of African-American Life and Culture, Dallas
Aquarium, Dallas Civic Garden Center, Hall of State and the Age of Steam
Railroad Museum. Sports spectacles, concerts and other major happenings
are staged at the Cotton Bowl Stadium Coliseum, Music Hall, Band Shell,
StarPlex Amphitheater, and the Margo Jones Theater in the Magnolia Lounge.
Other attractions to be explored include the Texas Vietnam Veterans
Memorial and the Leonhardt Lagoon. Fair Park also features the nation's
largest collection of art deco buildings, erected in 1936 for the Texas
Centennial Celebration.
For information on the conference hotel, select:
The Harvey Hotel - Downtown
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