Dallas Arts District is a must visit on your list of places to visit in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. It is 20 square blocks of concentrated cultural attractions that includes the Dallas Museum of Art, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and the neo-Gothic Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin Guadelupe that was built in 1902 with 100 stained glass windows.
Dallas Museum of Art was founded in 1903 and is one of the top 10 largest art museums in the US. Its art collection ranges from ancient art dating back 2,000 years, to modern artists like van Gogh, Monet and O’Keefe.
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science has eleven permanent exhibit halls on five floors. The architecture of the building is a work of art in itself, but everyone will be inspired by the variety of ever-changing exhibits — from dinosaurs to robots.
While in the Arts District, take time to browse through Kylde Warren Park, with a children’s park, botanical garden and a collection of food trucks with delicious meals for a picnic.
Visit the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden to see one of the largest azalea gardens, boasting more than 2,000 varieties in the 6.5-acre Margaret Elisabeth Jonsson Color Garden. Stroll through the Palmer Fern Dell and enjoy ferns, azaleas, camellias and large trees alongside a stream.
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Nasher Sculpture Center is a two-acre garden that displays sculptures from Raymond Nasher and his wife Patsy’s collection. It is refreshed every few months and includes pieces from Rodin and Picasso.
Meadows Museum has one of the largest collections of Spanish art outside of Spain. Named for the oil baron Algur Meadows, who made many trips to Spain and fell in love with Spanish art. Some of the great artists in the collection are El Greco, Rodin, Picasso and Dali.
Looking for art galleries and eclectic shops? Visit the Dallas Design District that has taken over old showrooms and warehouses from the 1950’s.
The Crow Museum of Asian Art boasts one of the largest collections of jade in the United States. Trammell Crow was a collector of East and Southeast Asian Art.
Interested in Samurai? Then make the time to stop at The Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum. This museum is open free to the public at the former St. Ann’s School. It includes suits of armor, horse armor, masks, helmets and katanas.
The Museum of Biblical Art collects art that is inspired by the Bible, including works by Marc Chagall, John Singer Sargent and Andy Warhol. It includes a wing that is home to the National Center for Jewish Art, with a collection of Judaica.
Looking to slow down a bit? Do some bird-watching at the Trinity River Audubon Center, about a 15 minute drive from downtown Dallas. You’ll be on the edge of the Great Trinity Forest, a 6,000-acre hardwood forest. Be on the lookout for blue herons, northern harriers, scissor-tailed flycatchers and more.
Enjoy the colors and smells at the Dallas Farmer’s Market – open seven days a week. You’ll find beautiful fresh flowers, delicious fresh produce, meat and seafood, as well as local artists selling their wares.
For something a bit more obscure, visit the Adrian E Flatt, M.D., Hand Collection. This is a collection of bronze hands from astronauts, presidents, baseball players and more. Dr. Flatt was an orthopedic surgeon who specialized in hand surgery. You’ll find the display at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center — it contains over 100 pairs of famous bronze casts.
And, if you are like us, bringing home souveniors means a little fabric, beads and yarn.
Check out the fabric stores in and around Dallas-Fort Worth
Check out the bead shops in and around Dallas-Fort Worth
Check out the yarn shops in and around Dallas-Fort Worth