Reunion Tower has been a fixture on the Dallas skyline since 1978. At 561 feet tall, it was one of the tallest structures in Dallas, and it is one of the city's most recognizable features at night. Described by one reporter as a "giant dandelion", the building is surrounded by a superstructure in the shape of a sphere that has over 250 lights placed at all the joints.

Inside the three outside legs that hold up the sphere are elevators that will give visitors a ride to the 50th-floor observatory as well as the restaurant and café that make up the top floors. The ride takes about a minute and the elevators have a windowed front that allows for spectacular city views. The high-end rotating restaurant, called Five Sixty (a nod to the building's height) was opened by Wolfgang Puck in 2009 and the food has a very definite Asian flair.

The Reunion Complex – which consists of Reunion Tower, Reunion Arena, and the Hyatt Regency Hotel – was seen as a tremendous boost to downtown Dallas and civic pride. The long-awaited opening on April 15, 1978, featured a spectacular light show on the tower and a massive fireworks display that brought freeway traffic all over the city to a halt.

Pioneer Plaza is a 4.2-acre open space – the largest in the central Dallas business district – where a natural setting of native Texan plants, with a flowing stream and waterfall, all combine to memorialize the hundreds of cattle drives that took place at this old junction once known as the Shawnee Cattle Trail. The photo-ops are numerous, and you can wander in through the herd to see how much attention to detail was put into each individual longhorn, from facial expression down to hooves. Created by Robert Summers of Glen Rose, Texas, this is the largest bronze monument of its kind in the world.

The plaza and its accompanying cattle drive were the idea of real estate developer Trammell Crow, who wanted an iconic "Western" sculpture in the city of Dallas and assembled a group to donate the works. The first bronze longhorn was unveiled September 21, 1993, along with the trail boss and his horse; the entire project was completed in 1994. With the striking Dallas skyline as its background, this has become an iconic new landmark in downtown Dallas, and is free to visit.

Tip:
The adjacent Pioneer Cemetery is interesting to walk through, surrounded by tombstones that date back some 150 years.

The Cedars area near downtown Dallas is a home to the vast outdoor history landscape, known as the Dallas Heritage Village. Sprawled on 20 acres, this open-air museum features tree-shaded sidewalks lined with the largest ensemble of historic buildings in the city. There are in total over 25 structures presented, including a wide variety of authentic 19th-century pioneer and Victorian homes and commercial buildings – the finest collection of its kind in Texas.

In particular, the Village showcases properties dated from 1840 to 1910, such as a Victorian Main Street, a railroad complex, a log cabin, a pre-Civil war home, an 1860s farmstead with livestock, a 19th-century church, schoolhouse and more. All these buildings have been brought from throughout North Central Texas to the City Park – the first public park in Dallas, plotted in the 1870s. The first ever historic building moved here, back in the late 1960s, was the Millermore plantation house.

Each site in the Village is decorated with period-specific furniture, tools and ephemera, and is attended to by a team of role-playing interpreters that bring it to life, creating an immersive setting illustrative of the way ordinary Texans used to live over a century ago. In fact, strolling the grounds one can easily forget about the present day and age altogether, and the only hint of the passage of time would come from the Downtown Dallas skyline over the trees. Somewhat mind-boggling...

Deep Ellum, located near downtown East Dallas, is a lively neighborhood showcasing the city's diverse culture and history. Once a bustling commercial area for African Americans and European immigrants, it's now renowned for its arts and entertainment scene. Its historical significance is further underscored by its remarkable collection of early 20th-century commercial storefronts, a feature that distinguishes Deep Ellum in the urban landscape of Dallas. Moreover, the area is dotted with numerous individual structures, each bearing historical importance and contributing to the neighborhood's unique character.

However, what truly sets Deep Ellum apart is its profound connection to music. The district has long been celebrated as a pivotal hub for the music scene, drawing artists and fans alike to its lively venues. This musical heritage has not only defined Deep Ellum's identity but also contributed significantly to its reputation both locally and beyond.

Adding another layer to its cultural fabric is Deep Ellum's association with graffiti. The neighborhood has emerged as a hotbed for this art form, with many music venues leveraging the talents of graffiti artists to promote their shows. This synergy between music and visual art has further enriched Deep Ellum's cultural landscape, making it a dynamic and compelling district that continues to attract visitors and locals who are drawn to its creative energy and historical depth.

Thanks-Giving Square was developed initially to help relieve downtown traffic. While it has helped to accomplish that task , the area is so much more than just a traffic relief spot. There are three levels to the Square, although most people only think about the ground level area. The inner most layer is the Bullington Truck Terminal. It lies 50 feet below the park above and handles a fair amount of truck traffic.

The Dallas Pedestrian Network lies above the truck terminal and below the ground level Square. It covers 36 city blocks and connects buildings, parks, hotels, office space and garages through a network of tunnels and sky bridges. Underground there are restaurants, spacious walkways, and areas where employees of the surrounding businesses can relax for a few minutes. This area is open to the public during normal business hours.

Thanks-Giving Square is spectacular. The park entrance starts with a praise wall followed by the bell tower. This tower has three large bells that are reminiscent of the Liberty Bell. These bells chime the hour and then carol at noon. Visitors are then encouraged to enter the courtyard through the Ring of Thanks. This is a large aluminum ring that is covered by 23 carat gold leaf and is just beautiful. The highlight of the square has to be the Chapel of Thanksgiving. The building spirals toward the sky and inside it is a breathtaking stained glass ceiling. Around the park are waterfalls, a meditation garden, mosaics, and just a general feeling of peace and thanksgiving.

The use of "aquarium" in the name is a little misleading, as there is much more than fish and creatures of the water to be found here. Starting out on the 3rd floor, in the reproduced rainforest, you'll get to see a large number of birds, sloths, anteaters, monkeys, reptiles and amphibians; there is even a wild cat habitat that changes every few years. Though somewhat labyrinthine, the layout is quite beautiful, with winding paths and overhanging plants allowing for multiple photo opportunities. With no guiding signs to follow, your best bet is to follow the map in the provided brochure.

Going deeper down the path, the aquarium portion of the facility features ten panoramic windows into 85,000 gallons of saltwater exhibits, each designed to take you to a different aquatic locale: Japan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, British Columbia, the Bahamas, Fiji, Palau, Southern Australia, Lord Howe Island, and the Solomon Islands. An additional 22,000- gallon walk-through aquarium, recently renovated, puts visitors in the middle of reef life native to the Continental Shelf, including an unusually large number of stingrays. At some point, you will eventually come back out to be greeted by flamingos and stand above a shark tank. It's like a winding maze that leads you through all the levels of this vivarium. Enjoy the adventure!

Tip:
There might be fewer people on weekdays or off-season if you want to explore at a more leisurely pace and really get your money's worth. At other times, arrive early to get a jump on the crowds!

The Arts District in Downtown Dallas is a significant hub for performing and visual arts, showcasing the city's rich cultural tapestry. Strategically positioned, it is bordered by several key neighborhoods: to the south by State Thomas, to the southeast by Uptown, to the north by the City Center District, to the west by Bryan Place, and to the east by the West End Historic District. This vibrant district serves as a cultural epicenter, housing an impressive array of 18 facilities and organizations that cater to a wide range of artistic expressions and cultural experiences.

Among the notable landmarks within the Arts District is The Annette Strauss Artist Square, a lively outdoor venue that hosts a variety of live performances. The Belo Mansion/Dallas Bar Association stands as a testament to the city's architectural heritage and legal community. Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts is renowned for nurturing young talent, providing an educational foundation for future artists. The Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe offers both spiritual solace and architectural beauty, contributing to the district's diverse cultural landscape.

The Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dallas Museum of Art, and Dallas Symphony Orchestra are pillars of the arts scene, offering world-class dance performances, art exhibitions, and musical concerts, respectively. The Dallas Theater Center, Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, and Nasher Sculpture Center further enrich the district's artistic offerings with their varied programming and events. Saint Paul United Methodist Church and Fellowship Church provide community and spiritual engagement, while the Trammell Crow Center and the Trammell & Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art bring international art and culture to the heart of Dallas.

The George W. Bush Presidential Center, established on April 25, 2013, is a complex comprising the presidential library and museum of former President George W. Bush, the George W. Bush Policy Institute, and the administrative offices of the George W. Bush Foundation. Situated on the Southern Methodist University (SMU) campus in Dallas, it serves as a hub for various activities and initiatives associated with the Bush presidency.

Prior to George W. Bush assuming office, Baylor University in Waco, Texas began efforts to secure the library, citing their proximity to his Crawford ranch and strategic location near major metropolitan areas. However, SMU also pursued the opportunity after Bush became President. The White House delayed discussions until after Bush's re-election, eventually inviting six universities and one city to submit proposals. These included Baylor, SMU, the University of Texas System, Texas Tech, the University of Dallas, Midland College, and the city of Arlington, Texas.

Midland College later merged its bid with Texas Tech, forming a "West Texas Coalition" to enhance their proposal. Renowned architect Robert A.M. Stern from Yale University was selected to design the library, with construction commencing on November 16, 2010. The groundbreaking ceremony coincided with the publication of Bush's memoir, "Decision Points." The project was undertaken by the Manhattan Construction Company, the same firm responsible for building the George Bush Presidential Library.

Costing an estimated $250 million, the center earned a platinum certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design in April 2013, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability. Its completion and dedication ceremony occurred on April 25, 2013, attended by all living former U.S. presidents, including the incumbent, Barack Obama. Notably, there was no mention of the Iraq War during the event, despite its significance in George W. Bush's presidency.

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake, covers an impressive 66 acres (about 267,000 square meters) and provides a peaceful escape from the urban hustle and bustle. Its array of gardens, fountains, and picturesque views of the lake set against the downtown Dallas skyline make it a truly stunning destination.

Originally part of the 44-acre estate called Rancho Encinal, owned by geophysicist Everette Lee DeGolyer and his wife, Nell, the arboretum has its roots deeply embedded in Mrs. DeGolyer's passion for gardening. Since 1976, it has evolved into a significant attraction, with the addition of the adjacent Alex and Roberta Coke Camp estate, expanding its grounds for showcasing a wide variety of plant life.

One of its notable features is its extensive collection of 2,400 types of azaleas, which draw in both casual visitors and avid plant enthusiasts. Thanks to the favorable climate of Dallas, the arboretum offers a delightful floral experience year-round, ensuring each visit is memorable.

Beyond its natural beauty, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden also pays homage to the region's rich horticultural history and the enduring legacy of the DeGolyer family's passion for gardening.