Explore the variety of plants and flowers at the Dallas Arboretum. Spread out over 66 acres along White Rock Lake, the Dallas Arboretum has been welcoming visitors since 1984, including 541,000 in 2009. While it remains one of Dallas' top tourist attractions, it's also an educational facility, conducting horticultural research year-round. Owned by the City of Dallas, the gardens surround two mansions: The DeGolyer Home, built in 1939 and The Camp Home, built in 1938. The Dallas Arboretum is open daily, and adult admission costs $10, while children get in for $7 as of 2010.
Dallas Arboretum
8525 Garland Road
Dallas, TX 75218
214-515-6500
dallasarboretum.org
Check out the variety of locally grown fruits and vegetables at the Dallas Farmers Market. Located downtown and situated on 12 acres, it's a one-stop destination for not just produce, but meats, specialty foods, flowers and furniture. Open seven days a week year-round except on Christmas and New Year's Day, the Dallas Farmers Market has been operating since 1941.
Dallas Farmers Market
1010 South Pearl Expressway
Dallas, TX 75201
214-939-2808
dallasfarmersmarket.org
See more than 6,000 aquatic animals living at the Dallas World Aquarium. Housed inside more than 100 tanks, some up to 15 feet wide, the marine life varies from freshwater fish to alligators to piranhas of the Amazon. As of 2010, the price of admission ranges from $12.95 to $20.95 plus tax, depending on age. Children under the age of 2 get in free. While the Dallas Aquarium operates primarily as a park, it also serves an educational purpose, supporting ongoing conservation efforts and long-term marine research projects.
Dallas World Aquarium
1801 North Griffin St.
Dallas, TX 75202
214-720-2224
dwazoo.com
Visit the Old Red Courthouse, a historic landmark in downtown Dallas. Built in 1892, the stately structure attracts history buffs and those who appreciate its Romanesque architecture, which resembles a castle from the middle ages. From the Visitor Information Center on the ground floor to the intricate tiles and arched hallways, the Old Red Courthouse serves as a concrete reminder of Dallas' rich past. Open daily, the price of admission ranges from $5 to $8 as of 2010, depending on age.
Old Red Courthouse
100 South Houston St.
Dallas, TX 75202
214-745-1100
oldred.org
Appreciate the architectural wonder of the Plaza of the Americas, a 25-story complex in the heart of downtown Dallas. With a white marbled interior and adjacent atrium with retail shops, an ice rink and the Le Meridian Hotel, the Plaza bustles with constant activity. The Plaza of the Americas first opened its doors in 1979.
Plaza of the Americas
700 North Pearl St.
Dallas, TX 75201
214-720-8000
