Zero Gravity Thrill Amusement Park

This thrills-only attraction promises “Extreme Rides for Extreme Family Fun!” Of course, they apply the term “family” in a loose and nontraditional sense; kids have to be over 10 to take on the Zero Gravity experience. Rides include the “Nothing but Net,” which is a 16-story, parachute-less freefall onto a waiting net below, the “Texas Blastoff,” which flings patrons into the air for twists and flips, and classic Bungee Jumping. If you’ve got a steely reserve and an iron stomach, this is the amusement park for you.

Fair Park

The Fair Park complex, a National Historic Landmark and treasured bastion of kitsch, is comprised of nine museums, several performance venues, various relics of the annual Texas State Fair, and the Texas Star, which is the largest Ferris wheel in North America. The vicinity is also a prime shopping and dining destination, and the park hosts regular flea markets, antique fairs, and bazaars. Families will especially enjoy the grounds’ multitude of available amusements; the Dallas Aquarium and the Texas Discovery Gardens are among Dallas’ most kid-friendly spots.

The Sixth Floor Museum

The Sixth Floor Museum commemorates both the site of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and the life and times of the man himself. Located on the very floor from which Lee Harvey Oswald presumably shot the President, the museum is a favorite of amateur political historians and conspiracy theorists. Exhibits showcase JFK’s political commitments and incendiary speeches, journalistic records of the tragedy, and home movies of the event. Perhaps the most intriguing holding is the Memory Book, an ever-expanding catalog of visitors’ impressions of the President.

Speedzone

Speedzone’s many motorsports-centered attractions include a family friendly go-cart track, a wild and free-form “slick track,” over 100 assorted video games and simulators, and, most importantly, a 300-horsepower dragster racecourse that enables participants to go from 0 to 70 in about 3 seconds. Participants describe the latter feat as a once in a lifetime experience. Should you tire of driving, the park also offers the “Fireball” Looping Rollercoaster, an innovative six-story thrill ride.

Dallas Heritage Village and Old City Park

Dallas is committed to preserving its strong ties to the Old West past, and Old City Park is its consummate effort. Unlike a standard museum, the Heritage Village presents its holdings as living history. That means that visitors should expect to speak with costumed, funny-accented historians who aim to replicate the social atmosphere of the Nineteenth Century. These knowledgeable guides will lead participants through various frozen-in-time offices and trade outposts, as well as the popular 1860s Living Farmstead.

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The American Airlines Center

This massive Victory Park edifice is home to the NHL’s Dallas Stars, Arena Football club the Dallas Desperados, and most notably the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. Its grounds include an open-air plaza with an immense HD screen for game and movie viewing, and in its off season it hosts countless performers on their arena tours.

Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame

Absorb some local flavor by browsing this museum’s various inductees. Among the chosen ones are bull riders, calf ropers, steer wrestlers, rodeo clowns, and even the odd cowgirl. Other exhibits showcase covered wagons and Justin boots, and visitors can pose for a costumed, Old West-style saloon photo in the Jersey Lilly Photo Parlor.

Cowboy Stadium

You already know how you feel about the Dallas Cowboys, but your trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to their new iconic arena. Come see what $1.8 billion can buy these days…hint: seating for 100,000, large video screens, and a sophisticated retractable roof. See the Cowboys in action or catch an off-season event.

Rangers Ballpark in Arlington

The former Ameriquest Field is a design hodgepodge, compiling architectural elements of Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Camden Yards, and Ebbets Field. “The Ballpark” is set to have a new Arlington neighbor in the new Cowboys’ Stadium, so sports fans will be able to visit both of metro Dallas’ favorite venues in one trip.

Ten Sports Grill

Dallas’ most famous sports bar is a haunt for many local athletes; patrons have gotten pictures with the likes of Steve Nash and Charles Barkley. The bar’s especially close to the American Airlines Center, so it’s a good choice for a pre- or post- game brew. If you don’t have tickets for an event, it’s an ideal venue for spectatorship: the bar boasts ten HD TVs, large projection screen, and free in-booth speakers for audible play-by-plays.

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This Dallas neighborhood bar is committed to vintage elegance, offering a fantastic view of the city’s downtown neon skyline. The lush and darkly colored lounge gives way to a broad patio, where patrons enjoy the fruity champagne house cocktail called the Belmontini. The menu includes some of Dallas’ best bar food, including half pound sirloin burgers.

Ghostbar

The 33rd floor of the W Hotel is one of Dallas’ most popular spots, modeled after the bar of the same name in Vegas. The space is sleek, with modern designs and modular, Scandinavian-inspired furniture, and the bar earns its creepy moniker with its green and blue neon lighting. Patrons who want a quiet night should take warning: noteworthy Ghostbar visitors include Paris Hilton and the chippies from the Hills.

Library Bar

The Warwick Melrose Hotel’s main attraction recalls a pastoral English estate, and appropriately devotes its attentions to a mean brunch, a wine and cheese bar, and upscale cocktails. Patrons enjoy large, plush sofas and chairs, and a piano player entertains on a baby grand. The spot is suitable for late-night drinks as well as mealtimes, and its specialties include Kobe burgers.

Founders Grill

The Lawrence Hotel’s classic brick bar and grill offers an extensive list of wines and after dinner cocktails, though its specialty is the decadent Chocolate Martini. Its lunch and dinner menus stick to the basics: burgers, steaks, and filets of fish abound. Enjoy the stately, old-timey atmosphere along with views of Dallas’ famous courthouse and Reunion Tower.

Hotel Zaza: Dragonfly/ Urban Oasis

These two distinct spots are encompassed in the same luxury hotel; the Dragonfly Lounge boasts a 150-bottle wine list, several inventive “Zatinis,” and an upscale menu that includes Duck and Antelope. Urban Oasis, meanwhile, is a tropical poolside resort bar that specializes in colorful cocktails and encourages an exclusive atmosphere.

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Purple Cow has an authentic soda fountain that kids of any age will enjoy.  With it’s 1950s décor, you feel like you’ve gone back in time.  If you’re visiting other locations in Texas and you’ve enjoyed the Purple Cow, look for them in Plano and  Ft. Worth as well.

Patrizio is touted one of the best Italian restaurants in Dallas, yet it is as family friendly as it can be a romantic diner out for two.  They are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.  You’ll love their Tuscan décor of renaissance paintings against stark white walls and large archways lead out to a huge brick patio with lumbering green umbrellas over each table.  Try their special Tortellini in Pesto.  The tortellini languishes in a tomato pesto sauce that is to die for.  Children will love their specialty pizzas.

All Good Café has all the unsophisticated cuisine that kids love – adults too.  You know they’re going to be happy whether they order the Grilled Chicken Nachos, the Bean and Cheese Nachos or the Chicken Fried Chicken Fingers.  Adults will love the “San Jose” Sangria, their specialty.  Everyone will love the retro Texas musician posters on the wall while they slip into red vinyl booths, a real bohemian style.  Nights can get a bit busy later on and will be more in style with teen and adult live entertainment on their stage. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro is a place where your family can gather around one of their large tables and admire the décor of tall double stallions and carved wood screens.  The food is definitely Chinese but with a modern edge to it.  Many of the sauces are made right at your table by your server.  Try the Wok Fried Scallops with Lemmon Sauce or Orange-peel Beef with Chili Peppers for one of their house specialties.  Adults will love trying a new wine to go with their meal from their menu of 50 different wines.

Chips is touted as the place to get the “Best Dallas Burger.”  They offer the basic menu with burgers, shakes, fries and salads, but with an incredible style.  Be sure and gather plenty of extra napkins to your table for these juicy burgers.  They serve the old fashioned “real” potato fries with skins and French fried onions.  Order a half order of each to go with your Chips burger.

Paradise Bakery & Café have the best chocolate chippers in all of Texas.  There are so many delicious cookies to choose from, but only after the kids have a great sandwich for lunch (made with freshly baked bread) and soup or salad.  Or stop by for a quick breakfast muffin right out of the oven and an espresso coffee drink.  They are “making the world a sweeter place, one cookie at a time.”

Dream Café is the place to go if you’re trying to keep your family eating healthy yet delicious food while on vacation in Dallas.  They offer a variety of dishes, all organic and in an appealing family-friendly atmosphere.  Open for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  Try their special fresh spinach, Swiss cheese and mushroom omelet for breakfast or their One For John which is a grilled vegi/rice/musroom burger with soy cheese and all the trimmings.  They have unique and great dinner menu choices as well.  However, the biggest surprise of the Dream Café has to be their Saturday and Sunday brunch filled with such items as fresh pastries, fresh fruit, organic steel cut oatmeal and mile-high or Santa Fe omelets.  Don’t miss it if you are passing through the downtown Dallas area.

Tin Star offers fast to eat there or to go American cuisine.  You can order quickly at the counter and they will bring your food to your table.  The fun thing about the Tin Star is that they offer a real twist on the usual Tex-Mex cuisine with their quesadilla station, grilled steak taco or their grilled chicken platter – yum.  They have four restaurants in the Dallas-Ft Worth area to choose from.  A great place for a quick bite that’s way better than the drive through burger place.

2900 is unique.  Where else are you going to find Manchego-stuffed beef with chorizo cheese grits and cilantro.  It’s Chef Mikes signature dish, but it’s not the only menu item you will find enticing.  Keep your eye on the big window at the back of the restaurant where you can watch Chef Mike and his “helpers” make all of their wildly delightful dishes.  Besides the cuisine you will find the service excellent, which always makes the meal so much better.  This is not a place for small children, but excellent for introducing the teens to fine dining or for a romantic dinner for two.

Simply Fondue is the place to go when you’re looking for something different.  Order one fondue base or several with the burners right at your table.  What could be more fun for the family or just the two of you?   For larger groups, enjoy the circular tables so everyone can dip to their hearts content.  Finish this delightful dinner with a chocolate fondue and dip angel food cake and fruit. They use cholesterol-free oil so you can pretend the meal is completely healthy. So much to choose from, you’ll have to come back a for a second try and eating every fondue you want.

Texas Roadhouse offers steaks grilled to perfections as you request.  They are hand-cut and cooked with their secret spices.  Besides steaks you can order their award-winning ribs as well as their home-style country dinners.  Pot roast, fried chicken, grilled pork chops, even fried catfish.  If you are craving some down-home southern cooking try the Texas Roadhouse to please everyone in the family.

Texas Family Dining

From the restaurant choices we’ve listed here, you can see how you can almost plan a Dallas vacation around the many styles and flavors of their dining destinations.  Don’t be fooled though, you’ll find wonderful sites and entertainment in this southern city besides it’s great food.  But, it is true you will find no other city with as good a quality and amount of choices in it’s cuisine.

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(cc: photo credit: ~Devil’s Angel~)

Dallas, the second largest city in Texas, is a great place for a vacation. Here are fifty different things to do there:

1. Learn about the life of JFK at the Sixth Floor Museum where Oswald fired those infamous shots.
2. Wander around thegardens of Fair Park.
3. Get some culture at the Dallas Museum of Art.
4. Explore the Dallas Museum of Natural History.
5. Watch tigers swim at the Dallas Zoo.
6. See works from Rodin, Picasso and Matisse at the Nasher Sculpture Center.
7. Shop til you drop or hit the nightlife in Deep Ellum.
8. Photograph the monument to JFK on the plaza next to the Texas School Book Depository building.
9. Wander through the galleries of the Meadows Museum of Art.
10. Go running, fishing or birdwatching at White Rock Lake Park.
11. See the double-story conservatory at the Texas Discovery Gardens.
12. Visit the African American Museum.
13. Find the resting place of the Clyde half of Bonnie & Clyde at the Western Heights Cemetery.
14. Get scientific at the Museum of Nature and Science.
15. Take a stroll down Greenville Avenue and around Pioneer Plaza.
16. Listen to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
17. Visit historic Winfrey Point where Germany POWs were held during the 1940s.
18. Uncover a plot at the Conspiracy Museum.
19. See works of art from Japan, China and Southeast Asia at the Crow Collection of Asian Art.
20. Explore Texas history at the Dallas Heritage Village.
21. Get a good view from the Reunion Tower Lookout.
22. Climb aboard at the Age of Steam Railroad Museum.
23. Explore the Museum of Biblical Art.
24. See the smallest things at the American Museum of Miniature Art.
25. Celebrate aviation achievements at the Frontiers of Flight Museum.
26. Visit the historic Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe.
27. Explore women’s contribution to America at the Women’s Museum.
28. Haunt some antique stores in the Bishop Arts district.
29. Catch a performance at the Bath House Cultural Center.
30. Count the 172 fountains at Fountain Place.
31. Laugh the night away at the Ad-Libs Improv Comedy Club.
32. Check out the Dallas Art Institute.
33. See Dallas’ tallest building, the Bank of America Plaza.
34. Drive-in to Keller’s Drive-In restaurant.
35. Appreciate some grim history at the Dallas Holocaust Museum.
36. See a play at the Majestic Theater.
37. Take a picture at the Freedman’s Memorial.
38. Save the sea turtles at the Dallas World Aquarium.
39. Catch games at the Cotton Bowl, Reunion Arena or American Airlines Center.
40. Choose from 20 screens at the Cinemark Theater.
41. Get dinner and a show at Medieval Times.
42. Play 18 holes at the Tenison Highlands golf course.
43. Dance your night away at Sons of Hermann.
44. Take a walk along the Trinity River.
45. Stroll through the Dallas Arboretum and botanical gardens.
46. Go hiking in Boulder Park.
47. Find birds with your binoculars at the Old Fish Hatchery Nature Area.
48. Ride the McKinney Avenue Trolley.
49. Walk around the Swiss Avenue Historic District.
50. Get on the rides at Six Flags Over Texas.

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(Photo via flickr cc)