Dallas, TX

Pioneer Plaza Cattle Drive
DESCRIPTION: Commemorates Dallas’ beginnings by celebrating the trails that brought settlers and cattle to Dallas; features native plants and trees, a flowing stream in a natural setting and the world’s largest bronze monument - a recreation of a cattle drive in bronze with longhorn steers being driven by three cowboys on horses; situated on a 4-plus acre landscaped area, Pioneer Plaza is  the second most-visited landmark downtown

ADMISSION: Free

DAYS & HOURS: daily, sunrise-sunset

ADDRESS: Young at Griffin Streets  MAP

TRANSIT: near DART Union Station

PHONE: 214-953-1184

WEBSITE: none

Dallas World Aquarium
DESCRIPTION: The aquarium features more than 85,000 gallons of saltwater with marine life from around the world; walk through a 22,000-gallon tunnel for a panoramic view of reef life; more than an aquarium, experience Secrets of the River rainforest – a vast representation of the flora and fauna found in the South American Orinoco River basin; a South Africa outdoor, lagoon exhibit of plants and animals rounds out the experience; A gift Shop, Book Store, Cafe Maya and Jungle Cafe are on-site for your extended visit pleasure

ADMISSION: Adults $19, Ages 3-12 $11, Age 60+ $15, age 2 & under enter Free

DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-5p

ADDRESS: 1801 North Griffin Street  MAP

TRANSIT: near DART West End Station

PHONE: 214-720-2224

WEBSITE: http://www.dwazoo.com

Museum of Nature & Science
DESCRIPTION: located in Fair Park, Dallas Museum of Natural History, Dallas Children’s Museum and Science Place merged in 2006; the only collections-based, research-driven public natural history museum in the region; the museum has played a significant role in documenting, describing and showcasing Texas’ vast natural diversity, and possesses a collection of over 280,000 specimens includes the world’s largest exhibition of Texas wildlife habitats, a reconstructed Texas tenontosaurus and a giant 90 million year old sea turtle; the Science side of the house features many exhibit halls; the Children’s Museum immerses children and their families in an environment that stimulates exploration and discovery with knowledge through fun and interactive experiences; permanent exhibits include Putting DNA to Work, Your Incredible Body, Ice Age Dallas, Ocean Dallas, Texas Dinosaurs, Wildlife Dioramas, Little Urban Farm, NetWorks, Astronomy & Space, Mixed Signals Gallery, and Lagoon Nature Walk a planetarium, and an IMAX Theater—it also hosts the oldest science preschool in the southwest; over 200 hands-on exhibits, larger than life films, engaging light shows and exhilarating sound-scapes; a Planetarium onsite lets you examine the stars, participate in astronomy-related activities, see live images of the latest NASA missions; one standard ticket get access to everything except IMAX and the Planetarium; lans are also now underway to build a state-of-the-art museum in Victory Park to supplement this Fair Park location

ADMISSION: pricing matrix begins at $9 Adults, $8 age 62+, students w/ID, age 12-18; $5.50 age 11 and under; extra fees for IMAX, Planetarium, special events and combos

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-5p, Sun Noon-5p

ADDRESS: 3535 Grand Ave  MAP

TRANSIT: DART Fair Park Station

PHONE: 214-428-5555

WEBSITE: http://www.natureandscience.org

Dallas Zoo
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1888 and located on 95 developed acres, this AZA certified zoo is home to over 8,000 animals; the 20-minute monorail ride is the best introduction to zoo’s attractions, which are divided into Zoo North and the Wilds of Africa; the Childen’s Zoo is comprised of a Discovery House, Nature Exchange, Woods, and Farm with Story Time at Noon and Nature Exchange Interpreters engage audiences at 2p; the Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park has a separate admission fee

ADMISSION: Adults 8.75, Ages 3-11 $5.75, Ages 65+ $5, Ages 2 and under Free

DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-5p

ADDRESS: 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway  MAP

TRANSIT: DART Dallas Zoo Station

PARKING: $5 per car

PHONE: 214-670-6826

WEBSITE: http://www.dallas-zoo.org

American Airlines Center
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 2001, this sports arena and entertainment complex is made of brick, limestone and granite and the signature arches; it is comprised of five concourses with wide passage ways, ample restrooms, 142 luxury suites and seating for 20,400 fans of Dallas Mavericks basketball; $3 million of public art and brick used on the exterior and some interior areas is Canadian bobon and the limestone is from Indiana and the granite is Swedish mahogany; the roof is marked with a 90 by 90 foot American Airlines Center logo facing skyward and four lightning rods; the center is also a well loved large concert venue and home to the Dallas Predators of Arena football and Dallas Stars of pro hockey; it is connected to Victory Park entertaiment-dining center

ADMISSION: event dependant

DAYS & HOURS: event dependant, check website

ADDRESS: 2500 Victory Ave  MAP

TRANSIT: DART Victory Station

PARKING: $10-$25-$20 per car

PHONE: tickets 972-785-4785

WEBSITE: http://www.americanairlinescenter.com

Arlington, TX

New Cowboys Stadium
DESCRIPTION: The $1 Billion new home of the Dallas Cowboys pro football team seats 80,000-100,000 fans and thousands of corporate suites; like Texas Stadium when it debuted in the 1970s, this one is an archtectural marvel with an open roof, but also slides the grass in during game day; stadium tours visit the Pro Shop, Press Box, Limited Field Access (Not Guaranteed), Scoreboard Control Room, Silver Level Platform, Cowboys Locker Room (If Accessible), A Suite, and Player Interview Room
ADMISSION: adults $10,
 ages 5-12 and Senior Citizens age 60 and above cost $6, ages 5 and under enter Free

DAYS & HOURS: tours Mon-Sat 10a-4p on the hour, Sun 11a-3p  on the hour
ADDRESS: 1 Legends Way  MAP

PARKING: prices vary by event
PHONE: 972-785-4850
WEBSITE: http://stadium.dallascowboys.com

Six Flags Over Texas
DESCRIPTION: True to many things in Texas, this park features giant-sized roller coasters and family-friendly thrill rides that have a Texas flair; fortunately, raides are rated Max, Moderate and Mild thrills; Max Rides: Batman The Ride, Superman: Tower of Power, Mr. Freeze, Dive Bomber Alley, and Texas Giant, Titan; Moderate Rides: Runaway Mine Train, Tony Hawk’s Big Spin, The Gunslinger, Go Karts, Sidewinder, Shock Wave, Runaway Mountain, Oil Derrick, La Vibora, Judge Roy Scream, Crazy Legs, Conquistador, Caddo Lake Barge and a two dozen more Mild Rides for heights 36" and shorter
ADMISSION: $31 if you buy online or Six times for $49

DAYS & HOURS: daily from April-October; check website for other days
ADDRESS: 2201 Road to Six Flags  MAP

PARKING: $15 per day
PHONE: 817-530-6000
WEBSITE: http://www.sixflags.com/parks/overtexas

 

Rangers Ballpark

DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1994 as home of the Texas Rangers, this beautiful baseball-only facility lsits between Six Flags Over Texas and NewCowbots Stadium -- literally steps from each; Legends of the Game Baseball Museum and Learning Center presents an interactive and educational glimpse into baseball; Texas Rangers Youth Ballpark is a state-of-the-art facility designed for youth league baseball, birthday parties and family reunions

ADMISSION: adults $10,
 ages 5-12 and Senior Citizens age 60 and above cost $6, ages 5 and under enter Free

DAYS & HOURS: museum Game Days: 9a-7:30p; Non-Game Days: Mon-Sat 9a-4p, Sun 11a-4p

ADDRESS: 1000 Ballpark Way  MAP

PARKING: $12 and valet parking available

PHONE: 817-273-5222

WEBSITE: http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/tex/ballpark

International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame
DESCRIPTION: Moved from St. Louis, its fun for young and old alike; peruse computer databases or ride the bowling pin car, from world famous Mettlach steins to zany 1950's team shirts, the IBMHF tells the story of bowling from 5,000 years ago until today

ADMISSION: TBD

DAYS & HOURS: Coming 2010

ADDRESS:  TBD

PARKING: TBD

PHONE: 314-231-6340

WEBSITE: http://www.bowlingmuseum.com