Dallas is often the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Texas, although it is neither the capital nor the largest city in the country. But the city in the far northeast of the state forms an economic frontier: Here the cotton and oil fields meet the vast prairies of West Texas.
In 1841 John Neely Bryan took possession of this area and built a lone log cabin. He envisioned building a commercial center that would take advantage of the vastness of the land and the river. With the construction of the railroad in the mid-1870s, Dallas developed into a vibrant business location and center of commerce. The influence of French, German, Swiss and English immigrants – well educated and cultured – gave Dallas a cosmopolitan flair unparalleled in the border region. Neiman Marcus was founded here in 1907, followed by the Federal Reserve Bank in 1914, Southern Methodist University in 1915, and Dallas Love Field Airport in 1927. “Dad” Joiner struck oil at the nearby East Texas Oil Field in 1930 and hosted the Texas Centennial Exposition in 1936 instead of.
According to Transporthint, Dallas is the ninth largest city in the USA, which is now growing together with neighboring Fort Worth. Most of the sights are in the bustling center of the metropolis. With the opening of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Bryan’s dream has actually come true: the airport, which opened in 1973, is now the third largest in the world – measured by passenger numbers and take-offs and landings.
Dallas information
Location and Size Dallas is located in northeast Texas. The city area covers an area of 999 km².
Residents Dallas has around 1.3 million residents, and 7.1 million people live in the Dallas metropolitan area. Along with neighboring Fort Worth, the city is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the USA. About a quarter of all Texans live in this region.
Arriving by Air Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is located 24 km (15 miles) northwest of Dallas and 29 km (18 miles) east of Fort Worth. Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) is located 16 km (10 miles) north of Dallas.
Climate Dallas has a subtropical climate with mild winters (around 15 °C) and hot summers (around 35 °C). In winter, however, frost and snowfall can also occur. During the summer months, temperatures repeatedly climb above the 40 °C mark. The amount of precipitation reaches about 850 mm. The temperature extremes are between −18 °C and 45 °C. The city is also in a tornado prone area.
Average temperatures in Dallas, Texas in °C
Month
Jan
Feb
March
Apr
May
June
July
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Max
14
16
21
25
29
33
35
36
32
27
20
14
Min
-1
2
6
11
16
19
22
22
18
11
6
0
Tips for Dallas visitors
Dallas Attractions Dallas’ slogan “Big Things Happen Here” accurately captures the dynamism of a city built on big dreams and the pioneering spirit of emerging communities, embodying the attitude that anything is possible.
The city is experiencing a renaissance, with investments of more than US$20 billion in new and ongoing urban development projects contributing to the city’s rich diversity. Dallas is home to America’s largest urban arts district, countless luxury accommodations, the Southwest’s finest shopping, award-winning restaurants and 15 distinct entertainment districts, each with a distinct ambience.
Bishop Arts District Once one of Dallas’ hidden gems, this two-building former storage area sits in South Dallas’ North Oak Cliff. With over 60 boutiques, restaurants, bars, coffee shops and galleries, this is one of Dallas’ most unique (and not-so-secret) districts. 319 N. Bishop Ave., Dallas, 75208, www.bishopartsdistrict.com
ContinentalAvenueBridge The Continental Avenue Bridge and West Dallas Gateway, as part of recent improvements to the Trinity River River Corridor, provide space for activities with uninterrupted views of the Trinity River and the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. 109 Continental Ave., Dallas, 75207, www.dallascontinentalbridge.com
Dallas Arboretum The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens features 90 acres of 11 lush show gardens that are adorned with seasonal colors year-round. Home to the Dallas Blooms, the Southwest’s largest outdoor bloom festival, the Arboretum is a tranquil oasis where visitors are surrounded by the beauty of all seasons. 8525 Garland Rd., Dallas, 75218, www.dallasarboretum.org
Dallas Arts District Dallas proudly boasts the largest contiguous urban arts district in the United States: covering more than 27 acres, this 19 block stretch is home to some of the city’s most important cultural landmarks including the AT&T Performing Arts Center, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Meyerson Symphony Center and the Dallas City Performance Hall. Also worth seeing are the Crow Collection of Asian Art exhibition and the Nasher Sculpture Center. All sights can be reached on foot on a walk within the district. 2200 Ross Ave., Dallas, 75201, www.dallasartsdistrict.org
Dallas Museum of Art The Dallas Museum of Art’s collection includes American masterpieces by Church, O’Keeffe and Wyeth, contemporary art by Pollock, Rothko, Warhol, and Lichtenstein, European and Impressionist works by Renoir, Van Gogh, Cezanne and Monet, as well as art from North, South and Central America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. There are changing special exhibitions throughout the year. 1717 N. Harwood St., Dallas, 75201, www.dma.org
Dallas World Aquarium The adventure at Dallas World Aquarium begins at the top with the rainforest exhibit featuring exotic animals. Here you will find a large number of animals that are part of various species protection projects. The aquarium, with its 322,000 liter saltwater tank, recreates the ecosystem of a coral reef with fish from all over the world. The approximately 12 m long tunnel with stingrays and sharks is breathtaking. African penguins, shoe-billed storks and Madagascan giant day geckos can be found in the outdoor exhibition on South Africa. 1801 N. Griffin St., Dallas, 75202, www.dwazoo.com
Dallas Zoo Voted one of the top 20 zoos in the United States, Dallas Zoo is home to thousands of animals at 150 acres and is the largest animal park in Texas. The zoo has an educational facility that offers programs for all ages. Worth a visit is the Giants of the Savanna exhibit, where visitors can get up close and personal with giraffes, elephants, lions, cheetahs and many other African animals on a 10-acre safari. 650 SRL Thornton Fwy., Dallas, 75203, www.dallaszoo.com
GeO Deck at the Reunion Tower The best view of the city can be enjoyed from the 50th floor at a height of over 150 m from the striking Reunion Tower. While it is not the tallest building in the city, it is the tallest with a public viewing platform. From the Observation Deck one can use Halo, the Observation Deck’s digital information system, to learn more about the City, its monuments of the City. 300 Reunion Blvd. E., Dallas, 75207, www.reuniontower.com
George W. Bush Presidential Center The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum is home to the largest collection of electronic records in a presidential library, with more than 200 million e-mail messages and almost four million photographs. Freedom Hall features a HD videowall montage of the 44 US Presidents and a full-size replica of the Oval Office. The museum and accompanying six-acre city park are located on the campus of Southern Methodist University, the alma mater of former First Lady Laura Bush. 2943 SMU Blvd., Dallas, 75205, www.bushcenter.org
Klyde Warren Park Klyde Warren Park opened its doors in 2012, bringing a central green space to the bustling city centre. The 5-acre park offers a full calendar of activities for locals and visitors, including daily fitness classes, a dog park, a children’s center, games and live music. Visitors can reach Klyde Warren Park from the surrounding neighborhoods on foot, by historic tram, trolley, or bicycle. 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway., Dallas, 75201, www.klydewarrenpark.org
Perot Museum of Nature and Science The Perot Museum of Nature and Science houses eleven permanent exhibitions, hosts various touring exhibitions throughout the year and provides hours of entertainment for children, adults and lifelong learners. A gallery brings visitors closer to the history of the building with a presentation of the conception to the present day. The $185 million project was built by 2005 Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Thom Mayne. The museum’s glass elevator offers views of downtown Dallas as you travel to the top floor. 2201 N. Field Street, Dallas, Texas 75201, www.perotmuseum.org
SixthFloorMuseum at DealeyPlaza The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza chronicles the assassination of John F. Kennedy and his legacy through documentaries, photographs, and artifacts. A tour tells the story of Kennedy’s life, his presidency and those moments on November 22, 1963 when a whole nation stood still. A live feed from the museum camera shows a real-time view of the spot where the sniper was located. Two areas of the museum have been redecorated to match their appearance in the year of the assassination. 411 Elm St., Dallas, 75202, www.jfk.org
Trinity Groves Six acres is the center that offers dining, shopping, arts and entertainment at the foot of the Margaret Hill Bridge in west Dallas. Trinity Groves’ mission is to help startup companies grow by incubating a new culture of innovation and enterprise in Dallas. There is a brewery, the center for culinary events and various restaurants to choose from for a visit. It is also home to the Restaurant Concept Incubator Program – a kind of concept forge – which supports gastronomic entrepreneurs in developing restaurant concepts and using them to become the novelty of the block. 425 Bedford St., Dallas, 75212, www.trinitygroves.com
Shopping Dallas has more malls per capita than any other city in the United States. Dallas is also home to America’s oldest shopping center, Highland Park Village .
Other shopping centers are Galleria Dallas , NorthPark Center , West Village and Mockingbird Station . The daily Dallas Farmers Market downtown is one of the largest open-air markets in the country.
At least a dozen entertainment districts can be found dotted around Downtown, each offering its own mix of culture, shopping and dining: Dallas Arts District, Fair Park, Deep Ellum, Main Street, Greenville Avenue, Knox-Henderson, Uptown, West Village , West End, Oaklawn, Mockingbird Station and Bishop Arts District. The Latino Cultural Center teems with multicultural activities and artistic works.
In the fall, the State Fair draws more than 3 million visitors to see cattle shows and horse shows, Big Tex, the famous Fletcher Corny Dogs fried hot dogs, famous entertainers, college football games and the gigantic Texas Star Ferris Ferris Wheel, the highest in the northern hemisphere. bigtex.com
Six professional sports teams originate from Dallas: the Dallas Cowboys (NFL), the Dallas Mavericks (NBA), the Dallas Stars (NHL), the Dallas Desperados (AFL), FC Dallas (MLS) and the Texas Rangers (MLB).
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit System and the Trinity River Express keep the region moving.
