The Downtown Dallas district contains much of the city’s gastronomic, artistic and cultural treasures beside the glassy skyscrapers of its business zone. Its upscale shopping options and leafy parks provide daytime entertainment, while nightclubs come alive after sundown. Get a sense of the local culture by meandering through the daily Dallas Farmers Market.

Head to the West End District of Downtown to learn about one of Texas’ most memorable moments: the assassination of JFK. Head to the John F. Kennedy Memorial to enter the huge blocks that serve as a place for quiet contemplation of the event. Overlooking Dealey Plaza, where the president was shot in 1963, is the Sixth Floor Museum, whose displays detail the assassination and its effect on world history.

For further information read the plaques near the Grassy Knoll. Walk through the area and admire the historic buildings including converted railway stations and warehouses. 

A little north find magnificent attractions for kids: Dallas World Aquarium and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. These sights stand beside the Dallas County Historical Plaza, where you’ll also find the Old Red Courthouse, the Dallas Holocaust Museum and the John Neely Bryan Cabin.

Move on to the Arts District, one of the largest of its kind in the U.S. Among its highlights are the Dallas Museum of Art, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at Meyerson Symphony Center and the Dallas Theater Center. Visit the food trucks and join the events in Klyde Warren Park.

The Downtown Dallas district is in the center of the city, between the areas of Deep Ellum, Uptown and Trinity Groves. From the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, drive southeast for 23 miles (37 kilometers) to get here in about 30 minutes. While in the city, consider visits to other neighboring parts such as Park Cities, Old East Dallas and Cedars.