Dallas Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Dallas

Dallas is the most mythical city in Texas, with a past and present rich in all the stuff of which American legends - and TV shows - are made. It stands tall as a paragon of conspicuous consumption, a city known for its business acumen, its restaurants and its shopping.

The 'Big D' is most famous for its contributions to popular culture - the Cowboys football team and its cheerleaders, the Dallas soap opera...but there's a more serious side to the city. It was in Dealey Plaza that one of the greatest tragedies in US history - JFK's assassination - unfolded.

Dallas is a modern cosmopolitan city with Old West Roots: in the midst of the downtown high-rises sits one of the city's first log cabins. The "shiny ball" in Dallas' skyline is Reunion Tower, adjacent to the Hyatt Regency Hotel. For a spectacular view of the cityscape and surrounding areas, ride the glass elevator to the Observation Deck, or to the Top of the Dome Club for food and drinks.

Neighborhoods around Dallas offer their own charm. Early wealthy residents build sprawling homes on Swiss Avenue, a great place for a picturesque stroll, especially to see holiday light displays. Historic houses are usually antique shops in chic Uptown northeast of Dallas. Greenville Avenue is one of the oldest entertainment areas in Dallas but very trendy. Near Southern Methodist University (north of downtown), Knox-Henderson is full of old-world charm.

Population: 295.734.100
Languages: English 82%, Spanish 11% (2000)
Currency: US dollar
Currency code: USD
Local Times:
U.S.A. - District of Columbia - Washington DC

U.S.A. - Florida - Orlando

U.S.A. - California - San Francisco

U.S.A. - New York - New York

U.S.A. - Nevada - Las Vegas

Country Dialling Code: +1
Voltage: 120V 60Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 parallel flat prongs

2 Parallel flat prongs with an earth connector

The USA is home to several of the world's most exciting cities, some truly mind-blowing landscapes, a strong sense of regionalism, a trenchant mythology, more history than the country gives itself credit for and, arguably, some of the most approachable natives in the world.

America was 'discovered' by Columbus in 1492 and for 500 years people have travelled here seeking a better life in the 'land of opportunity'. The land was fought over by colonial powers for centuries and finally won its independence from Britain in 1783. Despite the near annihilation of the Native American population, one of the bloodiest civil wars the world had seen, and racism (Native Americans were not granted citizenship until 1924 and racial segregation was the norm until as late as the 1950s), the American people have succeeded in forging one of the worlds most united, democratic and tolerant nations, a fascinating melting-pot of cultures, and the undisputed military and economic heavyweight of the world.

The country is made up of 48 contiguous states of the continental USA, plus the huge state of Alaska, northwest of Canada, and the volcanic islands of Hawaii, 2,000 miles (3,219km) out into the Pacific. There are also the US territories, which include Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Midway Islands and US Virgin Islands. Tourism is focused mainly in the great cities such as New York and Washington, as well as sunshine states such as Florida, California and Hawaii. However the mind-blowing landscapes, found in the wealth of magnificent National Parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Adirondacks, as well as spectacular sights like the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains, are what make the USA so unique. With all this on their doorstep, it's easy to understand why a significant proportion of Americans have never bothered getting a passport.

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