Dallas – larger than life city in northern Texas

It’s easy to see why Dallas is known locally as ‘Big D’. Everything is on a grand scale, from the skyscrapers and huge cars to the mega shopping malls and steakhouses. Even the Dallas Cowboys are a larger than life football team, having bagged five Super Bowls. These 400 miles of flat prairie land are home to 1.2 million people, making Dallas the ninth largest city in America. As a major centre for business, finance and oil, epitomised by the 80s soap opera ‘Dallas’, this ambitious city is all about making and spending money – and there are plenty of opportunities to do both. A thriving business district is punctuated with massive shopping malls, restaurants, bars and entertainment. You’ll find galleries and museums in the downtown Arts District, concerts at the Symphony Centre and Broadway shows at the Majestic.  Polish off the day with a huge Texan steak and a beer!

Why Go?
Go for the shopping, the restaurants, the nightlife and the sports. Go for the annual conventions and festivals – the Deep Ellum Arts Festival in April, and GrapeFest and the State Fair in autumn are certainly ones to watch.

When to Go?

Dallas enjoys a warm, humid climate with hot summer winds and spring thunderstorms. Warm weather, spring art festivals and autumn food festivals make May, June, September and October the most comfortable and attractive times to visit. July and August can be unbearably hot and sticky, though if you’re planning on spending your time at air-conditioned attractions, finding a hotel room shouldn’t be a problem. Conventions are big at this time of year too.

How to get there?

Dallas is served Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Dallas flights depart from several airports across the UK. London Heathrow offers direct flights to Dallas, which takes around 10 hours. Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool and Belfast offer indirect flights (one-stop or two-stop services). There are also direct flights to New York and Washington from the UK with connecting flights to Dallas.

Must see

Dallas is notorious as being the scene of President John F Kennedy’s fateful assassination and many like to pay their respects at the JFK memorial or visit Dealey Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum. While you’re in the West End, stop by at the MarketPlace, known for its street entertainers, unique shops and outdoor ice rink; then take afternoon tea at the elegant Hotel Adolphus. A trip to Dallas wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Southfork Ranch where you can take a guided tour of the mansion and see the gun that shot JR.