'''Downtown''' Dallas includes both the skyscraper district and the historic West End.
Get in
See
'''The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza''' 411 Elm Street, Suite #120, Tel. (214)747-6660 or toll-free: 888-485-4854, fax (214)747-6662, [http://www.jfk.org/]. Open daily from 9am - 6pm. Adults $13.50. An unfortunate part of Dallas' history is that it is the site of the assassination of President Kennedy. The Texas Book Depository is the site where shots were fired by Lee Harvey Oswald, and the museum is located on the sixth floor of the same building. It is an incredibly moving experience with videos, full-wall descriptions and photographs, along with artifacts from the event. Even with repeat visits, there is always something new and interesting to see.
'''Old Red Museum of Dallas County History and Culture''', 100 South Houston Street, Tel. (214) 745-1100, fax (469) 227-8417, [http://www.oldred.org/]. Open Mo-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Adults $8. Tells the story of the development of Dallas County from pre-historic times to the present day. This museum opened in May 2007 and the quality of the exhibits and explanations is unusually high. Very much worth a visit if you want to understand the historical context of Dallas. Located in the restored 1892 Courthouse Building, a few minutes' walk from the Sixth Floor museum.
'''Dallas Museum of Art''', 1717 North Harwood St, Tel. (214) 922-1200, [http://dm-art.org]. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 11AM-5PM, Thursday 11AM-9PM, Closed Mondays, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Great works of art from eastern and western cultures, from all ages. Admission $6, free on Thursdays from 5pm to 9pm.
'''Nasher Sculpture Center''', 2001 Flora St., Tel. 214-242-5100, [http://nashersculpturecenter.org]. This collection of sculpture provides a fantastic outdoor oasis in the heart of the downtown arts district. The Renzo Piano designed facility pulls in the surrounding light and energy of the district but does not overwhelm. The indoor-outdoor collection of renowned Dallas collector Raymond Nasher is truly astounding. Ask about the combined admission ticket to see the Nasher and the Dallas Museum of Art, located directly across Harwood St.
'''Dallas World Aquarium''', 1801 N. Griffin St., Tel.214-720-2224, [http://www.dwazoo.com/default.html]. More than just an aquarium, this unique zoo tour starts at the canopy level of a rain forest. Visitors wind their way down past many types of animals to find the aquarium at the bottom. Admission $15.95 Adults and $8.95 Children.
'''Reunion Tower''', one of the defining landmarks of the Dallas skyline, is closed for renovation until late 2008.
Do
'''Dallas Segway Tours''', 972-821-9054, [http://www.DallasSegwayTours.com]. Provides the most unique and fun guided sightseeing tours of downtown Dallas imaginable. Several daily tours to choose from. Tours depart from the Historic Dallas West End.
Buy
Eat
There are tons of restaurants, or a couple dozen anyway, including '''TGI Friday's''', '''Dick's Last Resort''', '''The Palm''', '''Landry's Seafood House''', '''Hooter's''', and the original '''Spaghetti Warehouse'''. There are several popular local establishments as well. This area does not make the list of must-see places in Dallas but is a convenient place for dinner or a drink if you are already in the area.
'''Jimmy's Food Store''',4901 Bryan St, +1 214-823-6180. A little bit of Brooklyn right in the middle of Big D. Jimmy's is a great neighborhood grocery store with an Italian deli. They make great sandwiches and what many say is the best sandwich in Dallas, the Cuban pork sandwich. Ham, roast pork, pickles, and swiss cheese grilled panini-style. You can get it with or without hot sauce. They have a great selection of imported foods from Italy, cheeses and deli meats, homemade sausage and meatballs, and a sizable wine selection.
'''RJ Mexican Cuisine''', 1701 N. Market St. Suite 102, +1 214-744-1420, [http://www.rjmexicancuisine.com/]. Kind of classy Mexican food in the West End. Try the quail.
'''Spaghetti Warehouse''', 1815 N. Market St., +1 214-651-8475, [http://www.meatballs.com]. The original Spaghetti Warehouse and flagship location of the chain. Was the first restaurant in the area, opening in 1972, and basically started what the West End is today.
Bread Winner's. The best resturant ever! Went for breakfast came back for lunch and dinner. Amazing Cinnamon Bread, to die for. Great customer service.
Drink
Please note that the West End Marketplace recently closed and the crowds are going elsewhere, especially in the evening.
'''Dick's Last Resort''', Tel.214-747-0001, [http://www.dickslastresort.com/].
'''Froggy Bottoms''', tel. 214-969-0300.
'''Gator's''', Tel.214-748-0243, [http://www.gatorsdallas.com/].
'''Honky Tonk Heaven'''.
'''West End Pub''', Tel.214-748-5711.
Sleep
Budget
'''Dallas Irving Backpackers''', 214 West 6th St. in Irving, Tel. (214) 682 9636. This $21/night hostel is a TRE train ride away from Union Station. It feels more like a student flat than a hotel, but the staff are friendly and the price is right.
Mid-range
'''Amerisuites - West End''', 1907 North Lamar Street, Tel: 214-999-0500, [http://amerisuites-dallas.interstatehotelsresorts.com/].
'''Belmont Hotel''', 302 Fort Worth Avenue, Tel: 877-870-8010,[http://www.belmontdallas.com]. An historic boutique hotel designed by Architect, Charles Stevens Dilbeck, which was built in 1946 and recently restored. Offering unparalleled views of the Dallas skyline and the Trinity River Corridor. Just two miles from the Bishop Arts District and American Airlines Arena.
'''Hotel Lawrence''', 302 South Houston Street, Tel: 877-396-0334,[http://www.hotellawrencedallas.com]. An historic boutique hotel in the West End, which was built in 1925 and recently renovated. Across from the George Allen Courthouse and the closest hotel to Dealey Plaza and the Kennedy Sixth Floor Museum.
Splurge
'''Hotel Crescent Court''', 400 Crescent Court, Tel (214) 871-3272, [http://www.crescentcourt.com/]. This downtown Dallas luxury hotel offers Euorpean-style guestrooms, a day spa, business center, meeting space and wedding facilities, and a private club.
'''Magnolia Hotel''', 1401 Commerce Street, Tel. (888) 915-1110, (214) 915-6500, Fax (214) 253-0053, [http://www.magnoliahoteldallas.com/dallas.aspx]. The Magnolia Hotel re-opened in 1999 and is located in the oldest high-rise building in downtown Dallas. Adorning the top of the building is a red lighted Pegasus, which is a permanent fixture in the Dallas skyline. The hotel offers great features, location and amenities, such as: complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks, breakfast and cookies and milk at bedtime.
'''The W Hotel''', 2440 Victory Park Lane, Tel: 214-397-4100, [http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=1521]. Fax: 214-397-4105. Just opened, very nice and has a modern feel. Checkout Ghost Bar if you stay there.
Contact