The fourth-largest metropolitan area in the U.S., there’s much more to Dallas than big hair and J.R. Ewing-styled oil barons. Visitors to the Big D are often surprised to learn that it is home to more restaurants per capita than New York City, including a battalion of celebrity-chef establishments. It is also a magnet for international arts connoisseurs, with the largest urban Arts District in the U.S. And this is the city that has elevated shopping to an art, where shopaholics get dressed up to go to its plethora of boutiques and high-end stores like Barney’s and Neiman-Marcus.

But in Dallas, the passion for sports also runs deep. The city hosts teams from five major professional sports leagues – including the Cowboys, one of the most recognizable and successful franchises in the world, playing at the new Cowboys Stadium – along with the NBA’s Mavericks, the MLB’s Rangers, the NHL’s Stars and Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas. Fans extend the love to Dallas’ plethora of amateur and collegiate teams.

Tourists will find that the city is home to a surprising array of eclectic and luxury hotels. To make the most of your visit, check the online Dallas Observer, a handy source of information on music, bars, nightlife and events in Dallas. Another good source is the Sunday entertainment section in the city’s daily newspaper, The Dallas Morning News.

Why Go?
In Dallas, visitors can live large and think big, like the city itself. It offers a thriving culinary scene, a top-notch Arts District, multiple luxury hotels, pro sports, trendy entertainment districts and shopping venues that rival New York – but at more wallet-friendly prices.

When to Go
Dallas seldom experiences cold weather, with an average high temperature of 76 degrees and an average low of 55 degrees. The most popular time to visit is spring, when sporting events and outdoor activities peak. The lowest prices are usually found in the winter.  Summer is most popular with families, although the weather can be hot.

How to Get There
Dallas is within a four-hour flight from most North American cities. DFW International Airport is the world’s third busiest, offering nearly 1,800 flights per day, and Dallas Love Field Airport is conveniently located 10 minutes from downtown. Cheap flights can often be found from as close as Houston and as far away as New York. Once in Dallas, visitors can ride the light rail system, or board the historic, free McKinney Avenue Trolley from the Dallas Arts District throughout the Uptown area.

Must See
The Dallas World Aquarium; The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza; shopping at the original Neiman Marcus (just to say you did); the edgy scene of trendy Deep Bellum; the Fort Worth Stockyards; the Dallas Arboretum; and Nasher Sculpture Center.