Photo: Robert Hensley [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]
5. Perot Museum of Science
We open up our Top 5 Things To Do In Downtown Dallas with the fabulous Perot Museum. The Perot Museum of science is one of the youngest museums in the city, and also one of the most intriguing. With several floors, each one focused on a specific branch of science, the museum tells the history and fun facts of popular sciences. Everything from atomic particles to zero emission travel is covered in the five floors inside the building, and even on the outside as well!
On the outside of the museum there’s a myriad of kid’s installments and instruments that leads up to the museum’s front door. The building itself is a marvel to behold. The museum’s unique architecture could be closely associated with terms like geometric and angular when visitors see it. From many sets of the escalators inside the building, one can see different parts of downtown and surrounding areas. At the bottom, the sub-level offers many programs and events for the smaller children to enjoy. The Perot Museum is one of many establishments built recently that always has a crowd, and with features like these, it’s no surprise why.
4. Klyde Warren Park
Since its construction in the early 2010’s, the Klyde Warren Park has been a mainstay for pedestrian outdoor lounging and recreation in downtown Dallas. Much like the pedestrian bridge in Trinity Groves, Klyde Warren Park has become a popular spot for landmark photography in the area, and dozens of visitors could be seen taking photos of the park at any given time. Mostly a large field, patio-style seating can be found along the two edges of the park. Right outside the seating is a street of food trucks on one end, and a luxury restaurant on the other.
Klyde Warren Park has become a thriving social spot for groups of friends, couples, small organizations, and the like who travel the area on foot. Just one of many options for a pedestrian to look into while downtown, Klyde Warren Park has become well known for its specific location, as well. On top of a local highway, the free-to-visit Klyde Warren Park is also across the street from another popular attraction that’s free of charge.
3. Dallas Museum of Art
Across the street from KWP is the Dallas Museum of Art. If you’re an art enthusiast, or if you like looking at new things, the Dallas Museum of Art cycles through new art displays. There was once an art display that focused on ancient African gold pieces, and another one had displayed the pieces of local modern artists as well. The museum also has permanent displays available for viewing, but the attention, I’ve noticed, always lies where the travelling display galleries are at. Where most museums would charge for general admission, the Dallas Museum of Art only charges for these travelling displays like the ones mentioned earlier. General admission is free, so visitors can visit the museum’s permanent installments at their own leisure.
2. House of Blues
The House of Blues, located at the edge of West End, is a world famous venue that has been home to most of the entertainment that comes to downtown Dallas. The House of Blues is a ‘jazz-n-blues’ themed establishment, and most of what they have to offer the public is very representative of that type of setting. It’s seen in both the types of artists that prefer to perform there, and in the venue’s food selection as well.
This historic venue doubles as a restaurant, both parts complete with bars. The House of Blues has a lower level that has been home to countless historic acts, and still hosts many events to this day. Up top, the restaurant offers food that matches the joint’s jazz-and-blues atmosphere: cajun food, barbeque, and tex-mex are all on the menu. The venue broadcasts its upcoming main event performances on a fence, where anyone on North Lamar street can see as they pass by.
1. Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse-West End
One thing Texans will always pride themselves for is their barbeque. Often, Texan cooks who cook well enough choose to open up shop. Restaurants like Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse is a great example of both of those claims. Found in several locations across Dallas, Sonny Bryan’s West End location is one of the best places downtown to get an all-star plate of brisket, or a hearty BBQ baked potato. Their world famous onion rings are no small side, either. Available in a full order or a half order, these onion rings can make for a full entree by themselves.
Sonny Bryan’s comes highly recognized and recommended on local newspaper The Observer, and for good reason too; almost everything on its menu personifies the phrase, “Everything’s Bigger in Texas.” If ever you find yourself in downtown and in need of a filling barbeque meal, Sonny Bryan’s should be your first stop.
Of course, these locations aren’t the only places that bring in visitors and locals alike in downtown Dallas. There are countless other options to experience on Main street alone. However, these are the five that I know has never failed to brighten up a dull day. Some notable mentions would definitely be the free commuting vehicles, the city tram and the 722 “D-Link.” These are free public transit routes offered by the city of Dallas and Dallas Area Rapid Transit. Next to these, a great place to visit while downtown is, of course, the American Airlines Center. Sports fans and music fans both find joy in seeing their favorite teams and artists perform at the AAC, and the location of the center allows for any time spent outside the center just as equally enjoyable.
