Addison - Galleria
In Dallas, the Galleria Dallas is the alpha and omega of shopping. This massive, glittering complex features highbrow names such as Rolex, Versace, and Louis Vuitton. It’s easy to work up an appetite if one blazes through the mall’s three levels. Fortunately, Addison’s Beltline Road restaurant row is nearby. The cuisine of six continents is represented in Addison’s 160-plus restaurants.
Arlington
A city that bills itself as “Fun Central” is bold, but Arlington justifies this claim with a bevy of attractions. Set between Dallas and Fort Worth, Arlington is home to the Six Flags Over Texas theme park, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor water park, and the Texas Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The Dallas Cowboys’ stadium (opening fall 2009) is the chosen host for the 2009 NFL Super Bowl.
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Of all the superlatives hoisted on Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, behemoth is most apt. The airport is America’s second largest in terms of land mass, a space big enough to fit all of Manhattan. Freeways link the airport to the rest of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, including the adjacent suburbs of Grand Prairie, Grapevine, and Irving. The airport is the main hub for American Airlines.
Downtown Dallas
Like everything in Texas, downtown Dallas is big. Fortunately, downtown’s zones make it easy to explore. The city’s art museum, symphony, and Dallas World Aquarium reside in the Arts District. West End’s Elm Street marks the spot where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. The Sixth Floor Museum chronicles this dark day. Deep Ellum, east of downtown, is Dallas’ main nightlife hub.
Frisco
With easy access to downtown Dallas, it’s no surprise that this is one of the fastest growing cities in the US. The Texas Sculpture Garden and other public art are on exhibit around town. Sports fans can cheer on the major league FC Dallas soccer team or Frisco’s own minor league baseball and hockey teams. Stonebriar Centre and Old Downtown’s Main Street are popular spots for shopping and dining.
Love Field Airport
Love Field is Dallas’ secondary airport, handling only domestic flights. Low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines is based at Love Field. Many locals prefer this airport to the international airport because of its central location and smaller size, two factors that make it easier to get in and out quickly. Downtown Dallas is an easy drive from Love Field, as is Texas Stadium and the University of Dallas.
Market Center
For many retail buyers, “going to market” means one thing: seeing the latest consumer goods at the Dallas Market Center. The world’s largest wholesale mart hosts more than 50 trade shows each year for retail professionals. The products on display here appear on store shelves in a season or two. The center’s neighbor, the UT Southwestern Medical Center, is deemed among the nation’s top hospitals.
Oak Lawn - Uptown
With its proximity to the Arts District and downtown’s white-collar firms, the creative set congregate in Oak Lawn and Uptown. This leafy area has its mix of high-rises, single-family homes, and commercial districts. The intersection of Cedar Springs and Throckmorton is the epicenter of the city’s gay community. Uptown includes the American Airlines Center, home to the Dallas Mavericks and Stars.
Park Central
A contemporary office building near Austin, Park Central is one of the fastest-growing areas in central Texas. The state-of-the-art area is home to retail and high-tech firms, as well as being close to housing, recreational facilities, restaurants, and retailers.
Park Cities - SMU
The gated estates of the Park Cities—made up of Highland Park and University Park—house some of the world’s richest people. Preston Hollow has a few billionaire residents, including Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and H. Ross Perot, a former U.S. presidential candidate. At the community’s heart is Southern Methodist University, the chosen home for George H.W. Bush’s presidential library.
Plano - Richardson
Money, power, and lust: the ingredients that made “Dallas” a runaway TV hit are on display at Southfork Ranch in Plano. This affluent suburb north of Dallas is also a shopper’s haven thanks to The Shops at Willow Bend and Collin Creek Mall. Plano and neighboring Richardson lay claim to Texas’ Telecom Corridor for its concentration of high-tech firms. Richardson has a small, but growing Chinatown.
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