Dallas Weekend

Dallas is the third largest city in Texas, yet is the center of the state's largest metropolitan area, having contributed significantly to the petroleum, telecommunications and computer technology industries. It’s also a popular destination for conventions. Because of all this, it has a reputation as being "less Texan" than Houston or San Antonio. If you want to see a cowboy hat, you may have to venture into a honky-tonk. Fort Worth is 30 miles away and a much better bet for "cowboy culture."

In September and October, the State Fair is held at Dallas, vying with its Iowa counterpart for the title of the country's largest state fair. There are a large variety of wonderful golf courses in the Dallas area, and the city boasts five municipal courses. Other attractions include the Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas Mavericks (NBA) and Cowboys (NFL), and the Dallas World Aquarium. More than just an aquarium, the zoo tour starts at the canopy level of a rain forest. Visitors wind their way down past many types of animals to find the aquarium at the bottom.

The European-style, 25-story Fairmont Dallas is located in the Dallas Arts District. The West End Historic District of Dallas is a cluster of cultural offerings, unique shops, delicious Tex-Mex eateries, and exciting nightlife. An extensive array of parks and lakes offer refuge during the summer months. Easily accessible freeways offer quick access to the Dallas Market Center, major shopping centers, and Southfork Ranch, which is a stunning acreage with its own unique history. Within three miles of the hotel are Dallas Convention Center, Dallas Market Hall, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas Zoo, Fair Park, Main Tower Building, Old City Park, and Texas University. Six Flags Over Texas is 17 miles away.Eat by the pool or in the elegantly appointed Pyramid Restaurant. To unwind, take an invigorating swim or relax with a full body massage across the street at Metropolitan Fitness Center, where guests of The Fairmont Dallas enjoy Health Club and Spa privileges. The hotel offers meeting facilities, laundry service, 24-hour room service, turndown service, a coffee shop, lobby bar, shops, a theater desk, and garage parking at a fee. This hotel also allows small pets.The guestrooms feature climate control, radios, cable TV, hairdryers, irons and ironing boards, safes, and fax machines. Mini-refrigerators are available upon request at the front desk.

Dallas's historic trolley system transports visitors and residents along a three-mile stretch from downtown to uptown McKinney Avenue seven days a week, 365 days a year. Workers discovered the original trolley tracks under layers of asphalt and concrete in 1983, and today five authentic streetcars use those restored lines, preserving a piece of Dallas history. In the future, the city plans to extend the tracks to run farther south into the West End Historic District. Current stops include the Dallas Museum of Art and Hard Rock Cafe. The trolleys can also be chartered for private events, including birthday parties and wedding receptions.

The cornerstone feature of the Arts District, this museum holds a renowned collection of treasures and timeless exhibits. Permanent collections include Ten Treasures, highlighting the key areas of the museum's interests and the Wendy & Emery Reves Collection, a personal gathering of quality pieces from their mansion. A multitude of temporary exhibits travel into and out of various galleries, such as the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs. Previous exhibits have included Degas to Picasso: Painters, Sculptors and the Camera, Watch the Skies! The Art of David Weisner and Art in Post-Revolutionary Mexico. A restaurant and café are located in the museum to quench your appetite. Extensive selections of books, posters and designer items are available for purchase in the Museum Store.

This fine collection of Asian art includes more than 300 paintings, sculptures and architectural items that have been part of the personal collection of real estate czar Trammell Crow and his wife for more than 30 years. Although originally acquired for personal enjoyment, many pieces in this vast collection are museum quality. Highlights include a 120-item exhibit from the Crows' 1,200 piece Chinese jade collection, the world's second-largest impeccable crystal ball (19th century Japanese), plus several Japanese paintings and antique Indian stone statues. Although some objects date from 3,500 B.C, most are less than 400 years old. Adjacent to the museum you will find the Trammel Crow Center with its shaded sculpture garden featuring delights such as Rodin's Genius of Eternal Rest, Maillol's Nymph With Flowers and Bourdelle's Horse for Alvear Monument. Admission to the museum is free.

The dark, cozy ambiance here is popular among lovers, but the food and wine are the real stars. The menu changes bi-monthly so there is always some new delight to try. Relax in the softly lit room or choose a patio table to observe the action on Lower Greenville. Lunch favorites include Quiche Lorraine and Walnut Seabass. Popular dinner entrees include Braised Lamb Shank and Beef Tenderloin. Cream of mushroom soup is a favorite starter. The wine list has over 100 offerings with several reasonably priced selections.

Travel three blocks east of Downtown Dallas and you will find Deep Ellum. It is a conglomerate of unique shops, eclectic restaurants and residential lofts. Previously deserted historic buildings and warehouses are now thriving with people eating, working, living and playing. Deep Ellum is home to numerous clubs, featuring an array of music, from blues and jazz to reggae and alternative rock, but it is also home to various theatrical and artistic venues. For a sampling of the best music the district has to offer, come out on the first Friday of any month, where you will get into five participating clubs for five dollars.

Built in the late 1930s, Dealey Plaza, with its Art Moderne style, was once considered the ceremonial gateway to Dallas. It was built to honor publisher and civic leader George Dealey. This small park was once Dallas' original riverfront settlement. All of that was eclipsed by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy as his motorcade passed the park's grassy knoll toward the triple underpass. A National Historic Landmark, reflecting pools and a bronze memorial plaque give one pause.

Once the palatial home of a Texas cotton magnate, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Rosewood Hotels and Resorts' flagship property, has received such honors as the top US hotel by Zagat and the top hotel for service in the world. Situated in the fashionable Highland Park neighborhood, the Mansion retains the intimate ambience of a private residence while providing the highest levels of quality and service. Hotel amenities include: 24-hour in-room dining, Business Center, Fitness Studio complete with Universal machines, free weights, sauna, massage services, Outdoor heated swimming pool with poolside bar in the summer , Concierge services, complimentary shoe shines, laundry & dry-cleaning services, secretarial services. Complimentary newspapers, 24-hour pressing service ,Full housekeeping service twice daily including nightly turndown service, Extensive 24-hour security ,2-to-1 staff-to-guest ratio. The renovated restaurant pays tribute to the Mansion's historic character. The restaurant's new look is highlighted by sleek furnishings, contemporary fixtures, and vibrant artwork. The restaurant's contemporary American cuisine features dishes prepared with regional ingredients. Dining Room Hours: Open breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. Room amenities include: Fresh flowers, Seasonal arrival amenity ,Bottled water , terry robes , Custom bath products by Lady Primrose's , minibar, and in room safes.

This high-end clothes and convenience store, fills its 9,000 square feet of space with designer clothes, jewelry, accessories, cosmetics, candles, fragrances, and home decor items. Fashion wear from the brand Proenza Schouler and famous ramp designer Rick Owens, known for his asymmetrical designs, can be found here. If you're lucky, you could rub shoulders with celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey. It's tough to get tired shopping here but when you do, have your lunch at the pretty café inside. You can have the salad and the panini sandwich coupled with the coffee and desserts.

Few cities outside of Spain have a finer collection of Spanish art than what is exhibited in this Dallas museum. The funds to construct it were donated by oil magnate Algur H. Meadows back in the 1960s and was built in memory of his first wife. The nearby Elizabeth Meadows sculpture garden was inspired by Mr. Meadow's love for his second wife. The museum's permanent collection includes such works as Velasquez's "Sibyl With Tabula Rasa," Picasso's "Still LIfe in a Landscape" and Goya's "Yard With Madmen." The sculpture garden includes works by both Rodin and Claes Oldenburg.

The authentic food served here reflects the owner's frequent travels to Spain. The atmosphere is lively and casual, with outside tables to enjoy the sunshine. The offering of 25 various tapas changes on a daily basis, so although you may not find your previous favorite, you may be pleasantly surprised the next time around. Selections may include rabbit, quail, oxtail stew and other Spanish delicacies, as well as a variety of all-vegetable dishes. The all-Spanish wine list here earned the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Home-made desserts are another specialty you won't want to miss. Reservations are not accepted, so plan to stay a while for an excellent meal that is worth the wait.

If you're looking for an eventful day, go shopping! West Village is a shopping plaza that lures shoppers with clothes, jewelry, eyewear, shoes, books, and CDs. Relax at the spa to prepare your muscles for an extension of your shopping trip. Visit the tailor if you didn't find the clothes you were looking for. If you're not into retail therapy, spend some time at the theater watching parallel cinema. Has your wallet gotten too light? Don't worry, there's a bank here as well. You can then munch at any of the several eateries, which include Taco Diner and Starbucks. If it's your lucky day, you may even find an event going on.