On 13 acres near downtown Dallas, Heritage Village offers a glimpse into the lives of Dallas dwellers from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. Nearly 40 historic structures are preserved here, teaching visitors about all aspects of pioneer life.

Named one of the top 10 art museums for kids by Child Magazine, The Dallas Museum of Art has special family audio tours to make art for fun for youngsters. The museum has more than 23,000 works spanning 5,000 years of human creativity.

Founded in 1888, the is the oldest in Texas. It’s also the largest, on 95 developed acres and featuring about 1,500 animals from 300 different species. The Dallas Aquarium is also housed in Fair Park, which features more than 6,000 aquatic animals.

Encompassing nearly 10 acres of retail, office and parking space, Highland Park opened in 1931 as the first shopping Center in America. Designated a National Historic Landmark in March of 2000, visitors love the international shopping experience as well as seasonal events.

Old Dallas County Courthouse - also known as Old Red, this historic building was constructed in 1891. Currently, it houses the Dallas Visitor Information Center as well as the Old Red Museum of Dallas History.

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza allows visitors to remember President John F. Kennedy and learn more about his death and the events following it. Original media reports, videos of worldwide reaction and recreations of how the sixth floor looked that fateful day in November 1963 are all included.

The West End - was established in the mid-1800s, this historic district is brimming with renovated historic buildings currently housing retail businesses, museums and an exciting Dallas nightlife.

The White Rock Lake is a mere 10 minutes from downtown Dallas, lovers of the outdoors enjoy fishing, biking, bird watching along with countless other outdoor activities on the nine and a half miles of shoreline and over 1000 acres of lake surface. A great escape from the hustle of the city.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden: Landscaped 66-acre setting on White Rock Lake features gardens, Texas Pioneer Adventure interactive exhibit and two historic mansions. 8525 Garland Road, Dallas. $7, $6 seniors, $4 children 3-12. Parking $4. 214-515-6500 or 214-327-4901 (hotline). www.dallasarboretum.org

Old City Park: Dallas' oldest park contains 38 buildings, including a general store, commercial buildings, schoolhouse, Victorian homes, log cabin, working farm and historic artifacts from North Texas. Volunteers demonstrate pioneer crafts. 1717 Gano St., Dallas. $7, $5 seniors 65 and older, $4 children 3-12. 214-421-5141. www.oldcitypark.org

Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie: Track features thoroughbred racing April through mid-July and American quarter-horse racing in October and November, daily race simulcasts in Post Time Pavilion and 15-acre Family Fun Park with playground and pony rides. 1000 Lone Star Parkway, Grand Prairie (off Belt Line Road).$3 general admission. 972-263-7223. www.lonestarpark.com

The Mustangs at Las Colinas: The largest equestrian sculpture in the world, created by internationally acclaimed wildlife artist Robert Glen, features five mares, two colts, a dominant stallion and a young stallion galloping through a stream. Williams Square, 5205 N. O'Connor Blvd., Irving. Free. 972-869-9047. www.irvingtexas.com

Six Flags Over Texas: a 212-acre park featuring awesome rides, great shows, and incredible attractions! In addition to thrilling rollercoaster rides, the original in the Six Flags Amusement Park chain hosts many events through the year such as: Spring Break Out, Festival Latino, Best of Texas Festival, Holiday in the Park, and Fright Fest. 2201 Road to Six Flags, Arlington, TX 76010. (817) 640-8900. www.sixflags.com/overtexas/index.aspx

The American Airlines Center: is home to the Dallas Stars, Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Desperados professional sporting teams and is the premier entertainment venue in the South. 2500 Victory Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75219. (214)222-3687. 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday- Saturday, Closed Sunday. www.americanairlinescenter.com/

The Galleria Mall: is one of Dallas' best known malls, hosting several retail venues, restaurants, an ice skating rink, and hotel. 13350 Dallas Pkwy Suite 3080, Dallas, TX, 75240. (972) 702-7100 Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 11am-7pm www.galleriadallas.com

North Park Mall: is an upscale center known for integrating world class art into it's interior decor. North Park is home to several upper end shops and restaurants as well as a movie theatre. 8080 North Central Expressway, Suite 1100, Dallas, Texas 75206 (214) 361-6345. Monday – Saturday: 10 am to 9 pm Sunday: 12 pm to 6 pm, With extended restaurant hours. www.northparkcenter.com/

Myerson Symhpony Center: is home to the Dallas Symphony and a beautiful audio and visual piece. The interior is customized each performance to optimize sound quality and over all experience. 2301 Flora Street, Dallas, Texas 75201, (214) 670-3600 fax:(214) 670-4334. dallassymphony.com/The_Meyerson.aspx

Reunion Tower: A 68-second elevator ride propels visitors 55 stories to the top of the Hyatt Regency's Reunion Tower for a breathtaking 360-degree view of Dallas. An easily recognizable landmark for Dallas and a dramatic addition to the evening skyline with its lighted dome and flashing light show, the tower has a public observation deck as well as Antares restaurant and the Dome cocktail lounge that rotate at the rate of one revolution every 55 minutes. Observation Deck hours: Sun-Thurs 10:00am-10:00pm, Fri-Sat 9:00am-11:00pm. Call first hours may vary. Admission: Adults $2.00, Children $1.00. dallasregency.hyatt.com

W Hotel: is located in the heart of Victory Park and blocks away from the American Airline Center. The W also houses one of Dallas' Night life hot spots, the Ghost Bar. 2440 Victory Park Lane · Dallas, Texas 75219 · United States Phone: (214) 397-4100 · Fax: (214) 397-4105 · www.starwoodhotels.com

Dallas Farmers Market: is recognized nationally as an important center where farmers still sell their seasonal crops directly to customers. Located in the southeastern corner of the central business district in downtown Dallas at 1010 South Pearl Street, Dallas, Texas 75201, it provides a unique opportunity to shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, specialty and international products.The Dallas Farmers Market is open Sunday thru Saturday 7am to 6pm. www.dallasfarmersmarket.org/