Western Trips visited Dallas Texas and in particular downtown Dallas. Two of the interesting and new sites we visited were the fascinating Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the unique Klyde Warren Park. Both of these sites are geared to family outings and both offer fun and educational opportunities. If your upcoming Texas vacation includes Dallas I would recommend both sites for your Texas trip planner.
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| Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas TX |
One thing that stands out at the Perot Museum which opened it's doors in December of 2012 are the amazing number of interactive exhibits. The museum is located in Victory Park, on the north edge of the downtown area and very near to the American Airlines Center. The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a museum for all ages. It's virtually a living science lesson. There is something for everyone at this museum.
The museum covers five floors and features eleven permanent exhibit halls. The lower level of the building features a state-of-the-art, modular traveling exhibit hall; an education wing with six learning labs; a flexible space auditorium; and a children's museum including outdoor play space and along with a courtyard.
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| Exhibit Hall at Perot Museum |
The eleven halls within the Perot Museum of Nature and Science include the Moody Family Children's Museum...the Sports Hall...the Discovering Life Hall...the Being Human Hall...the Tom Hunt Energy Hall...the Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall...the Rees-Jones Foundation Dynamic Earth Hall... the Expanding Universe Hall...the Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall...the Rose Hall of Birds and the T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now Hall.
Some Fun and Educational Interactive Exhibits
Just to give you a few ideas of the fun and educational hands on exhibits at the museum, in the Sports Hall we took part in a timed race competing against professional football running backs. This is where you can test your speed against a running Tyrannosaurus rex. Test your skill against the pros in throwing a football. These are just a few of the fun interactive exhibits at the Perot Sorts Hall.
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| Running Track Interactive Exhibit at Sports Hall |
The Hoglund Foundation Theater
As part of your visit to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science you can view educational features and cutting-edge documentaries along with independent films. The Hoglund Foundation Theater accommodates 298 people in comfortable seats. When you visit the museum you can purchase tickets for both the museum and theater showing or for just a museum tour.
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| Klyde Warren Park, Dallas TX |
The Klyde Warren Park is located adjacent to the Perot Museum and on the northern edge of downtown Dallas. This 5.2 acre three city block long park was built on top of a downtown freeway. Construction began in 2009 and the park was opened in October of 2012. As of this writing, a portion of the park was still under construction.
The park is planned to include a restaurant and a performance stage. Jogging trails will also be completed along with a dog park, a playground and lots of green space. The park is meant to serve as a central gathering place for visitors and locals in downtown Dallas. Plans include daily events such as yoga classes, book signings and outdoor films and concerts. The activities offered at the Klyde Warren Park are free and open to the public. There is also free WiFi available in the park.
The restaurant at the Klyde Warren park is set to open in late summer of 2013. The Relish and Savor will function as both a restaurant and take-out cafe.
The Klyde Warren Park is managed by the private Woodall Rogers Foundation which is the name of the freeway running underneath the park.This very unique park in the downtown area of a major city is also on the edge of the Dallas arts district and as such is adjacent to several museums such as the Dallas Museum of Art, the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts and the Nasher Sculpture Center. As mentioned above, the Klyde Warren park is also next to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.
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| Playground at the Klyde Warren Park |
Interurban Electric Railway Museum..
The Victorian House at the Pioneer Homestead..
The Frisco Heritage Museum and the china of the Santa Fe Railroad dining cars.
Have Fun in Downtown Dallas Texas
There are plenty of fun and educational places to visit in Dallas. The two venues featured above are just two of the most recent and both are truly unique and worth a visit to.
We also came across an excellent walking tour of downtown Dallas Texas featured by National Geographic. This walking tour will take you pass many historic Dallas sites such as the J.F.K. Memorial, Union Station, the historic old courthouse, the original Dallas settler's home and the Sixth Floor Museum.
When your Texas travel plans include a visit to Dallas, the two featured sites above would be excellent additions to your vacation and road trip planner. These are only a few of the fun places to visit in Dallas.
(Photos from author's private collection)
