White Rock Lake sprawls over 1,015 acres (410.75 hectares). It boasts picturesque picnic spots and recreational areas that provide great respite from city life. Numerous waterfront trails are popular among local hikers and bikers as well as those visiting Dallas. A complete loop around the lake takes about three hours. The adventurous can indulge in an array of outdoor activities on offer like fishing, sailing and, horseback riding. Bird enthusiasts have reason to rejoice, as the area attracts beautiful, exotic species. The panorama of verdant landscapes that enclose calm waters is the very definition of tranquility.
The beauty of Texas' nature can be experienced first-hand with a hike through this 630-acre (146-hectare) preserve. With guided and self-guided tours available along the ten miles of wooded trails, outdoor enthusiasts can wander up to the Escarpment Nature Preserve, the highest point in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Along the way you can view ponds, wildflowers and a butterfly garden before arriving at vistas and an observation tower. The trails vary in difficulty. All are natural terrain paved with rock, mulch, or dirt. They are designed for foot traffic only, and bikes or roller blades are not allowed. Hikes can last anywhere from 15 minutes to three hours, depending upon the trail selected. A snack bar, gift shop, and amphitheater are also located on the grounds.
Off the shores of White Rock Lake lies the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The 66 acres (26 hectares) of lush, perfectly manicured landscapes hold a treasure trove of trees, bushes, and flowers that are sure to make anyone green with envy. The DeGolyer House, a 1940s-style Spanish mansion, is also located on the grounds. Tours of the house and its sculpture garden are offered. The Jonsson Color Gardens, A Woman's Garden, and the Lay Ornamental Garden are all exquisite features of the picturesque grounds.
If you're looking for fun outdoor activities in Dallas, head over to Klyde Warren Park. Built over the Woodall Rodgers Freeway, this park gives city-dwellers a much needed green space. Dogs can run free through the water fountains in the dog park to keep cool. Concerts and other events open to the public are held here often. Bask in the sun, play some chess or ping pong, or take the kids over to the playground - make a day of it!
This historic site sprawls over 227 acres (918,636 square meters) and has one of the nation's largest collections of Art Deco buildings. Built in 1936, Fair Park is registered as a National Historic Landmark. It was built by the WPA to house the Texas Centennial Exposition, celebrating Texas' independence from Mexico. It boasts an inspiring list of museums including the African American Museum, Age of Steam Railroad Museum, Museum of Nature and Science, Music Hall At Fair Park, Dallas Aquarium and Dallas Horticulture Center. You will also find concerts at the outdoor Coca Cola Starplex, college football in the Cotton Bowl, and the annual State Fair of Texas. The Visitor Center shows a 10-minute film about the park and offers walking tours by appointment.
Dallas Zoo encompasses 106-acres (42 hectares) of exotic and traditional zoo animals. Visitors are greeted at the entrance by one of the tallest statues in Texas - a 67.5 foot (20.5 meters) giraffe. The Wilds of Africa attraction includes the chimpanzee forest, the gorilla center and an aviary on a quarter-mile nature trail where six natural habitats are featured: forest, mountain, woodland, river, desert and brush. A 20-minute monorail ride runs the course of the attraction and costs an additional fee. The ZooNorth attraction includes a bird and reptile building, children's zoo with touchable animals, cheetah exhibit, elephants, giraffes, flamingos and other traditional animals.
David Dike Fine Art Gallery, in business since 1986, is located near the exclusive Quadrangle/Uptown shopping and dining area. David Dike has put together a delightful collection of 19th and early 20th century oil paintings. This includes an impressive group of Texas Regionalist and Texas landscape works, including those of Jerry Bywaters, Julian Onderdonk and Frank Reaugh. The gallery is housed in a ranch-style duplex.
If you are interested in tribal, Asian, pre-Columbian and ancient artworks, the Joel Cooner Gallery is a must-see. The gallery is located just west of downtown, near I-35 and Oak Lawn Avenue in the design district. Specialties include masks, sculptures, textiles, currency, weapons and jewelry from China, Japan, Africa and Asia. The art's authenticity is guaranteed and the staff is happy to update clients on current research regarding purchases.
While shopping the gallery district in Dallas, be sure to stop at Roughton Gallery and indulge your passion for fine 19th and 20th century paintings. Located just north of downtown Dallas, Roughton Gallery offers a wide selection of quality paintings including the works of Louis Aston Knight and Hovsep Pushman. The gallery was founded more than 60 years ago and has a satellite showroom in Los Angeles. Other services include appraisals, framing and installation.
Take a cruise on Lake Grapevine and watch as your cares float away. You'll board the Black Watch, a wooden ship with a sail that has a timeless elegance. Chart the ship and relax as you experience a trip like no other. The Romantic Dinner Cruise is the perfect cruise if you want to enjoy amazing food while watching the sunset with your loved one.
The Dallas Firefighters Museum is a historical landmark in the city. Built in 1907, this building was a functioning fire station for more than 60 years. The museum has over 2000 items on exhibit, including photographs and trucks. The most famous item here is a steam pumper from the 19th century which was pulled by horses. The visitors here are mostly kids in school groups.
Looking every bit like an over-the-top haunted mansion that it was intended to look like, the Munster House is the private home of McKee family. Big fans of the popular 1960s sitcom, the McKees designed their house to be an accurate copy of the set used on The Munster House. What's even surprising, is that since there was no blue print available to design the house, they got to it just by watching the episodes chronologically. Every room featured on the set is present in this house including the scary old oak at the entrance. Widely popular in the city, the Munster House is open for public only in October when it also provides venue for the community's Halloween Fund Raiser.