Have you felt cooped up for the last few months and are now busting to discover your city again? That need to connect with culture and the arts has you wondering what to do. It’s been a while and things are opening up again in Downtown Dallas. Whatever suits your cultural taste, there is something here for you.
Let’s start with the Arts…
The Arts District is a hub of culture in the heart of Downtown Dallas. Visitors can delight their senses with one or more of the many options available to them in this mecca of the arts.
The Dallas Museum of Arts, or DMA, welcomes guests back for its beautiful exhibits and features that are guaranteed to pique your artistic side, stretch your imagination, and soothe your spirit. If you have visited the DMA before, you know what we are talking about. If you haven’t made that trip yet, the time is now to see what all the fuss is about. Check for updated hours and visitor requirements.
Like the DMA, the Nasher Sculpture Center is a feast for the eyes through art and sculpture. On the grounds of the Nasher, you will find an incredible collection of contemporary and modern sculpture throughout. Five different pavilions make up the main building to house some breathtaking art, while the garden outside is home to some beauty of its own with sculptures “planted” for all to view. Pay a visit for yourself and make it a stop while exploring Downtown Dallas.
If music is your muse, then the Winspear Opera House and the Meyerson Symphony Center may call to your soul. The Winspear Opera House, as well as Strauss Square, are included in the AT&T Performing Arts Center, and features a variety of music and dance performances for the public in the coming weeks and months. Strauss Square will offer outdoor performances and Winspear Opera House has a few events planned in the coming months with limited capacity for your entertainment. Please plan ahead for your visit to remain in accordance with current requirements for admission to events.
The Meyerson Symphony Center is featuring many virtual performances during this time of altered arrangements. However, there are some programs that will be performed with no intermission, and be composed of smaller, socially-distanced orchestral ensembles. These programs will allow an audience of only 50-75 guests. Again, make your plans according to the updated guidelines of the facility.
Let’s brush up on some history, shall we…
The Crow Collection of Asian Art is a beautiful oasis of contemporary and ancient pieces spanning the vast history and locales of a rich Asian culture. Nestled in the Trammell Crow Center, visitors will find art and history at every turn that will amaze and inform each and every guest. Admission is free, but plan ahead for your visit for current guidelines for patrons.
It’s an easily recognizable structure overlooking Woodall Rodgers Freeway. That’s right, it’s the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Again ready for visitors, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science is an interactive experience of sights and sounds for all who enter. Exhibits are ever changing to meet the interest of all of its guests, so as you make your plans, find out what exhibits are being featured. As always, check their website for updated information on guest requirements and hours of operation.
For the true history buff, the Sixth Floor Museum is the spot to be. One of the most visited spots in Dallas, this is the home to everything JFK in regard to that fateful November day in 1963. Tour, learn, and explore this informative museum and make your own decisions as to how things happened that day. Read the guidelines for the reopened Sixth Floor Museum before making your visit.
Another significant museum that is open to the public again is the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum in the West End. Discover each wing of the museum as it presents the history of events, from the Holocaust to Human Rights to the Pivot to America. An educational experience for both history enthusiasts and those who just want to learn more about the past through the scope of human rights, and the struggle to defend those affected and recognize the efforts to rise from a difficult past. Check the guidelines of the museum for hours of operation and other requirements before your visit.
On the Lighter Side of Downtown Dallas…
Now that you’ve discovered art and history, it may be time for a little fun when it comes to culture in Downtown Dallas. They say the city can be a jungle and they may be right. In the heart of Downtown lies the Dallas World Aquarium awaiting your exploration and adventure into an amazing world filled with creatures from the animal kingdom and more. Fun for the entire family, the Dallas World Aquarium offers education and amazement as you are surrounded by creatures from across the globe. It’s so much more than just an aquarium; it’s a treasure of animals from amphibians, reptiles, and mammals from places like Borneo to South Africa, and beyond. Get all the info you need as you plan your journey, to make the most of this extraordinary expedition.
Don’t forget to get a bird’s eye view of this amazing city by making your way to historic Reunion Tower and visiting the GeO-Deck. From high above the Emerald City, 470 feet to be exact, you can experience a breathtaking view of Dallas and its surrounding areas from any spot on the 360-degree observation deck. Visit day or night for a different vibe of your skyline. Ask about a romantic evening experienced at new heights with the Love is in the Air package. From field trips to family adventures, or special occasions, or just to be a tourist in your own town, discover Dallas from a new perspective. Plan your visit in advance and learn the guidelines and updated hours of operation.
Visit Dallas’ park like no other as you explore Downtown. Klyde Warren Park at the northern edge of Downtown is an oasis of fun and relaxation with a view of Downtown all its own. With something for every member of the family, including the furry ones, Klyde Warren Park is 5.2 acres of adventure and solace. Kids will love the Children’s Park and your canine fur babies can frolic in the My Best Friend’s Park. There is always something to do in the park, from yoga classes to movie nights to exercise, it’s all here. You can make a day of it too, as food trucks are lined up to offer some of the best tastes Dallas has to offer within footsteps. Plan your visit for details on safety updates, programs, parking, and other info you may need before you arrive, and then enjoy!
Now, mark your calendars and go!
As more and more places begin to reopen and allow visitors to enjoy and explore Downtown Dallas, always remember to prepare for your visit by checking the website of the facility or location you plan to attend. A quick rule of thumb is that almost every place is under some version of the current guidelines of Timed Reservations Only – Masks Required – Limited Hours of Operation. Keep those in mind, then get out there and have some fun rediscovering your city. Be a tourist again and enjoy Downtown Dallas!
For more information on arts and culture events and places to visit, check out the Dallas Arts District website.
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