The most popular – and most compelling – exhibits in the area have to do with the 1963 assassination in Dallas of President John F Kennedy. For amateur mystery detectives, visit the Conspiracy Museum, which focuses on the strange goings-on surrounding all of America's high-profile political assassinations at 110 South Market St, tel: 214 741 3040 (adults $7) and for the nitty-gritty of the JFK murder, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza (adults $10) at 411 Elm St, tel: 214 747 6660 or www.jfk.org, is a must-see, housed in the former Texas School Book Depository, the very building from which the rifleman (but was there more than one?) allegedly fired at the presidential motorcade. Arguably for many visitors, the biggest tourist attractions in Dallas are its professional sports teams, starting off, of course, with the top local attraction, the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League team (and those icons of silicone, the undulating Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders) who play from September to December at Texas Stadium, 2401 E. Airport Freeway in nearby Irving, Texas. tel 972 785 4800 or www.dallascowboys.com.
The Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association play from October to April at the brand-new downtown American Airlines Centre, 2500 Victory Ave, tel 214 747 6287 or email: tickets@dallasmavs.com. The Texas Rangers Major League Baseball
team – that used to be owned by Tony Blair's best buddy, George W Bush – plays from April to early October at The Ballpark, 1000 Ballpark Way, in nearby Arlington, Texas; tel: 817 273 5100 or texas.rangers.mlb.com.
The Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League play from October to April at American Airlines Centre, tel: 214 467 8277 or www.dallasstars.com/tickets. Last but not least (and always your best bet for finding good seats even at the last minute) are the Dallas Burn, the city's Major League soccer team playing matches mostly on Saturdays from April to October at the city's famous Cotton Bowl stadium, tel: 214 979-0303 or www.dallasburn.com. (The team moves to a new 20,000-seat Frisco Soccer and Entertainment Centre stadium in April 2005). And if you're a soccer (we should say football) purist in search of something truly bizarre, try the Dallas Sidekicks pro indoor soccer team playing at Reunion Arena at 777 Sports St from October till April, at tel: 214 653 0239 or www.dallassidekicks.com. Swinging from blue-collar to more starched- shirt pursuits, the city is home to the acclaimed Dallas Symphony Orchestra, which performs at Morton H Myerson Symphony Centre at 2301 Flora Street in the Art District, tel: 214 670-3600 or www.dallassymphony.com; and the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 North Harwood St. (adults $6), which houses contemporary and Impressionist works, plus an ongoing display of regional southwest artists, such as Georgia O'Keefe. Tel: 214 922 1200 or www.dallasmuseumofart.org.
There's plenty of opportunity in Dallas to experience multiple rodeo events, which exist practically year-round. There's plenty to do in the city that's easy on the pocketbook. Enjoy free admission on Tuesdays to Texas Discovery Gardens (3601 Martin Luther King Blvd, tel: 214 428 7476) in Fair Park, featuring an expansive collection of native plants and a two-storey tropical conservatory. And kids of all ages love the funky, cherry- like flavour of that famous Texas invention, the Dr Pepper cola soft drink. Free tours – and better yet, fresh samples – are available at the Dr Pepper bottling company in nearby Irving (2304 Century Centre Blvd, tel: 972 721 8394).
OK, we can't forget Fort Worth here, which is about 38 miles west of downtown Dallas (18 miles from Dallas-Fort Worth International airport). While Dallas is the place for arts, culture and big-city amenities, and Fort Worth is making great strides to break free of its cowtown reputation, it's still the place to go for Old West ambience.
And the place for that spittoon-rattling experience begins and ends north of downtown and west of Interstate 35W at the Stockyards National Historic District, where you can see an abbreviated version of a cattle drive on East Exchange Avenue, or wild west shows in the Cowtown Coliseum and the covered-wagon display Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. And though it's become somewhat of a tourist trap, it's still a must-see experience for aspiring trail hands – a visit to Billy Bob's, Texas' best- known country music venue which dates back to 1910, features big-name and regional recording stars appearing year- round and where the longneck beer is served American style (ice cold). 2520 Rodeo Plaza, tel: 817 624 7117. For a comprehensive look at activities around the Metroplex, check out the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau website at www.dallascvb.com or to request brochures and information write to inform@dallascvb.com. Call toll-free 800 232 5527. For all things Fort Worth, check out www.fortworth.com or ring the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau on 817 336 8791 or toll free 800 433 5747.