This almost-300-acre area was established in 1880 and holds the largest
collection of cultural facilities in Dallas, with many structures built for the
1936 Texas Centennial Exposition that are now on the National Register of
Historic Places. Fair Park is owned and operated by the city of Dallas and is
open year-round. It is home to various museums, a Vietnam memorial, exhibit
facilities and park areas. The State Fair of Texas is held here in autumn every
year. 1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd. 214/670-8400. www.fairparkdallas.com.
African American Museum — Founded in 1974 as part
of the Bishop College Library, the museum houses one of the largest collections
of African-American folk art in the nation. Open noon–5 p.m. Tue.–Fri., 10
a.m.–5 p.m. Sat. and 1–5 p.m. Sun. 3536 Grand Ave. in Fair Park. 214/565-9026.
www.aamdallas.org.
Children's Aquarium at Fair Park — This aquarium is
designed with children in mind, including eye-level interactive exhibits, touch
pools and feeding demonstrations. The outdoor Stingray Bay pavilion offers
up-close views of stingrays and zebra sharks. Other exhibits feature animals
from a range of freshwater and saltwater environments. Open 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily.
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission charge. 1462 First Ave.
496/554-7340. www.childrensaquariumatfairpark.com
Cotton Bowl Stadium — Newly renovated with
state-of-the-art amenities, the stadium now has a 92,100-spectator capacity and
a high-definition video scoreboard. The stadium hosts the Texas–OU football game
and others during the State Fair. Other events include international soccer
tournaments, concerts and Fourth of July fireworks spectacular. 3750 Midway
Plaza. www.cottonbowlstadium.com.
Museum of Nature and Science — This three-building
facility in Fair Park is the product of a merger of the original Museum of
Natural History, The Science Place and the Dallas Children's Museum. Rare finds
abound at The Nature Building, which houses more than 200,000 artifacts and
animal specimens, and covers approximately 1.7 billion years of Earth's history
through geology, earth sciences, biodiversity, and a fossil lab. The Science
Building offers more than 200 permanent, hands-on exhibits that deal with
physics, astronomy, health, robotics and nature, as well as special areas for
young children. The facility also houses special exhibitions, galleries and an
IMAX Theater with a giant domed screen that makes discovery and exploration a
unique adventure. The Planetarium presents programs on astronomy and space
exploration using a Digistar 3 System. Open in summer (May 28–Sept.. 5) 9:30
a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Sat. and noon–6 p.m. Sun., and in other seasons 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Mon.–Sat. and noon–5 p.m. Sun. Closed on major holidays. Admission charge. 3535
Grand Ave. and 1318 Second Ave. 214/428-5555. www.natureandscience.org
Hall of State — A national landmark celebrating the
history of Texas. Dallas Historical Society exhibits are in this art deco
monument. Open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Tue.–Sat. and 1–5 p.m. Sun. Free. 214/421-0281. www.hallofstate.com.
Museum of the American Railroad — Relive the golden
age of the passenger train at this outdoor exhibit with the world's largest
diesel-electric locomotive. (Note: Construction began in 2011 on a new facility
to house this museum in Frisco, about 30 miles north of Dallas. Call to confirm
location.) Open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Wed.–Sun. Admission charge. 1005 Washington St.
214/428-0101. www.museumoftheamericanrailroad.org.
Music Hall at Fair Park — The hall, designed in
Spanish Baroque style with Moorish architectural influences, made its grand
debut in 1925. Home of Dallas Summer Musicals performances. Admission charge.
909 First Ave. 214/565-0071. www.liveatthemusichall.com.
State Fair of Texas — This fair began in 1936 with
the Texas Centennial Exposition and has been an annual tradition ever since. The
three-week fair is the largest expo in North America and hosts more than 3
million visitors a year. Begins last week of September and the first two weeks
of October. Exhibit buildings open 10 a.m.–10 p.m. daily Admission charge. 3921
Martin Luther King Blvd. 214/565-9931. www.bigtex.com.
Texas Discovery Gardens — Featuring the Benny J.
Simpson Texas Native Plant Collection, the center also includes a two-story
tropical conservatory, waterfall and a scented garden for the blind. Open 10
a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri. and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat. 3601 Martin Luther King Blvd.
214/428-7476. www.texasdiscoverygardens.org.
The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future —
This national center for the celebration and study of the immeasurable
contributions women have made to society offers exhibits on the women's
movement, as well as women in the arts, sports and sciences. Inductees include
Eleanor Roosevelt, Barbara Jordan, Georgia O'Keeffe and Margaret Mead. Open
noon–5 p.m. Tue.–Sun. Admission charge. 3800 Parry Ave. 214/915-0860. www.thewomensmuseum.org.