# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Travel Planning

Interesting Events in the Dallas area

There is always something interesting to do or see in the Dallas Metropolitan area of over three million people. Dallas has art, history and science museums, botanical gardens, a zoo, professional sports teams, parks and recreational outlets plus wonderful ethnic attractions representing segments of the area's population. Seasonal special events top the list of must-see-and-do while in the area.

Annual National Championship Indian Pow Wow
- Watch dances of all ages compete in full colorful regalia.
  
  Each fall Dallas hosts the National Championship Indian Pow Wow. Tribal dance contests, cultural demonstrations, teepees, Indian food and arts & crafts make up this free weekend event sponsored by the Dallas-Fort Worth Inter-Tribal Association. Dancers of all ages compete in full colorful attire of buckskin, beadwork, bells and feathers. Sample Indian foods such as tacos, corn soup and fry bread. View authentic teepees. Attend the arts & crafts show to meet artisans and see their creations.
  
  Annual National Championship Indian Pow Wow
  
  Traders Village Grand Prairie
  
  2602 Mayfield Rd.
  
  Grand Prairie, TX 75052
  
  972-647-2331
  
  tradersvillage.com
State Fair of Texas
- Enjoy cotton candy and other fair goodies while visiting the State Fair of Texas.
  
  For three weeks every fall you can sample the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of State Fair of Texas, a giant event showcasing livestock, creative arts, entertainment, new autos, carnival rides and games. Spend all day and evening walking through the fairgrounds eating fried peach pie, corny dogs and salt water taffy while watching stunt bicyclists, high divers and viewing the newest automobiles. No visit is complete without stopping by to say "howdy" to Big Tex and staying till dusk to see the starlight parade and the laser light show that follows.
  
  State Fair of Texas
  
  3921 Martin Luther King Blvd.
  
  Dallas, TX 75210
  
  214-565-9931
  
  bigtex.com
Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot
- Start your Thanksgiving Day with a run at the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot.
  
  Dallas runners, joggers and walkers enjoy a Thanksgiving morning Turkey Trot of eight miles in length. The odd length is due to the origins of the event. It started in 1968 at White Rock Lake whose shoreline measures eight miles. From 107 participants in 1968 to 36,500 now, the race moved to downtown to accommodate the increase in popularity. The Trot starts at City Hall. The 5K and 8 Mile Run are certified. Join the throng and walk or run the Turkey Trot this year. Bring the family to watch and enjoy race day activities including pony rides, clowns, bounce houses and live entertainment.
  
  Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot
  
  T. Boone Pickens YMCA
  
  601 N. Akard
  
  Dallas, TX 75201
  
  214-954-0500
  
  thetrot.org
Mesquite Championship Rodeo
- Watch real cowboys compete in traditional rodeo events.
  
  Enjoy a real Texas rodeo every Friday and Saturday evening from May through August. The Mesquite Championship Rodeo features traditional rodeo events such as saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, bareback riding, barrel racing, tie down calf roping and team roping. These events originated as typical ranch activities. At some point cowboys began to wonder how quickly they could rope a calf or how long they could ride the bronc. Ranches would host area cowboys to show off their skills. Today you can watch professional rodeo riders compete in a Dallas suburban air conditioned arena.
  
  Mesquite Championship Rodeo
  
  1818 Rodeo Drive
  
  Mesquite, Texas 75149
  
  972-285-8777
  
  mesquiterodeo.com