Spotlight for Dallas, TX
As the third largest city in Texas, Dallas truly embodies its slogan, "Live large. Think big." Its booming economy helped the city gain its prominence by historically acting as a central hub for both the cotton and oil industries. Today, it houses a strong financial and industrial sector and also acts as the home to several championship professional sports teams, including the Mavericks and the Cowboys.
Unfortunately, the tragic shooting of America's beloved president, John F. Kennedy, on November 22, 1963 gained Dallas a great deal of recognition. As such, one of the main draws for visitors is called Dealey Plaza, which is the location that the shooting actually took place. In 1993, it was recognized as a National Historic Landmark, and since then, there have been significant efforts to preserve the area. Within the Plaza, The Sixth Floor Museum is a venue that chronicles the assassination and legacy of John F. Kennedy and presents a cultural view of his overal presidency. There are exhibits and collections of memorabilia that allow visitors to really understand and relive that fatal day. Just a short distance from Dealey Plaza is a memorial for Kennedy that was designed by Philip Johnson; it is a square-shaped memorial that was established to mark the life and accomplishments of the late President, not the assasination. Some critisize that there's little ornamentation or description on the memorial, but Johnson defended his design by saying, "Kennedy was such a remarkable man; I didn't want to have a statue but sought rather something very humble and spartan... It was essential that there would be no sentimentalizing of Kennedy; he would have disapproved anyway!"
More cultural hot spots in Dallas include: Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas Museum of Art, and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. The Dallas Holocaust Museum, which is definitely an unexpected and unique attraction within the city limits, acts as an educational tool and helps pay homage to the victims of the most well-known holocaust recorded in history. It presents artifacts, photographs, and documentaries of holocaust survivors that currently live in the Dallas area. There is also a boxcar on-site for visitors to view that was used to transport Jews to concentration camps. The museum brings together a well-known historical event with the local Dallas community, which presents a unique perspective that makes it a great place to visit. On the other side of the spectrum, the Dallas Zoo and the Zero Gravity Thrill Amusement Park both provide fast-paced, family-friendly entertainment and are guaranteed to bring excitement to any type of traveler.
While visiting, visitors quickly realize that Dallas presents a plethora of attractions that can keep anyone pleasantly occupied. This cultural city offers: amazing museums, beautiful parks, and a memorial for one of the most well-know American Presidents. This just goes to show that deep in the heart of Texas, Dallas really does know how to "live large and think big!"
Full Guide+
City Guide
Top News
Shut Your Stupid Piehole!
2012-02-06 17:01Cyclists face many dangers every day that are irrelevant to motorists....
Parental rights vs. child safety: Should boys have been visiting Josh Powell? - Christian Science Monitor
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:57:01 GMTChristian Science MonitorJosh Powell, a person of interest in his wifes disappearance two years ago, died with his two young boys in an apparent murder-suicide. Should he have had visitation rights? By Amanda Paulson, Staff writer / February 6, 2012 The smoldering remains ...The Associated PressABC ...
- Romney Focuses Attacks on Santorum - Wall Street Journal
- New murder charges filed against homeless killings suspect - USA TODAY
- Parents Protest at LA School in Wake of Teacher Scandal - Fox News
- Book details teenage intern's White House affair with JFK - CBS News
- Critics worry Senate ad will revive Asian-bashing - Atlanta Journal Constitution