Dallas Mini Guide
Tell me What you can About Dallas?
Dallas was originally part of New
Spain, an arm of the Spanish Empire stretching up from
Mexico. Eventually Mexico gained independence from Spain taking Texas with it. Before long Texas sought independence and became its own country in 1836 joining the US nine years later. In the early days the discovery of oil and that cotton grew well here founded the city whose wealth grew exponentially as more efficient methods of extraction were developed. Parts of the original city still remain in the areas of West End and East Dallas, these areas becoming more and more bohemian when compared to the glass and steel heart of the new city.
What’s the Best way of Getting to Dallas?
It has to be by flying into Dallas Fort Worth Airport, one of the largest in the world and a modern master piece. The airport is found halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. The only ways to reach the cities are by hire car, taxi or bus with many people choosing to collect a hire car at the airport as the climate is so hot here in summer, it’s thought of as madness to walk any great distance.
What is There to do and see in the City?
There’s plenty to keep you occupied there during your stay. The city was the setting for the most infamous assassination in history – the shooting of JFK and the museum set up in the room from which the fatal shot was fired is very poignant. Many people like to take in a sports event here and the baseball, American Football and basketball teams have all achieved honours in the last few years. The most popular sports outing is to a Dallas Cowboys NFL game.
Another exciting event that grips the whole city is the annual state fair, renowned across the globe. At the autumn event, cowboys pit their skills against the animals in a variety of contests including rodeo and lassoing. The events are accompanied by great food, drink and musical entertainment together with a huge fairground. For the fans of the iconic TV show Dallas, many companies operate tours to ‘Southfork’, an hour out of the city. There, you can see where Sue Ellen drank her way through the day whilst husband JR schemed and was ultimately shot!
I’ve Heard That the Shopping’s Good too?
The city has a number of exclusive shopping areas pandering to the desires of the super wealthy but also many malls which appeal more to those with smaller purses. Nieman Marcus is a great shop which is now more of a tourist attraction providing gorgeous dresses and fabulous jewellery to adorn the city’s debutantes.
What About After Dark?
There are many great bars and restaurants around the city. Whilst you may be tempted to try a typical American bar, be aware that the same risks exist here as in other major cities. For a more refined and traditional evening, visit the bars of ‘Downtown’.