Downtown Dallas includes both the skyscraper district and the historic West End.

Get in

By train

• DART serves Downtown Dallas with several light-rail and commuters lines running through downtown with lines running in all directions. The furthest commuter lines run to Denton and Fort Worth (with a stop just south of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Other lines go to Plano, Richardson, Garland, and south Dallas.
• Amtrak has a station on the west side of downtown and shares a station with DART's commuter rail lines and 2 of the light-rail lines.

By car

Several expressways meet in downtown Dallas, forming a loop around the neighborhood. I-35E (going south to north) and I-30 (going east to west cross I-45 (from Houston), US-75 (to Sherman and Tulsa), and Woodall Rodgers (connecting Deep Ellum to West Dallas.

See

• 1 The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, 411 Elm Street Suite #120, ☏ +1 214 747-6660, toll-free: +1-888-485-4854, fax: +1 214 747-6662. Open daily from 9AM - 6PM. An unfortunate part of Dallas' history is that it is the site of the assassination of President Kennedy. The Texas Book Depository is the site where shots were fired by Lee Harvey Oswald, and the museum is on the sixth floor of the same building. It is an incredibly moving experience with videos, full-wall descriptions and photographs, along with artifacts from the event. Even with repeat visits, there is always something new and interesting to see. Adults $13.50. 

• 2 Old Red Museum of Dallas County History and Culture, 100 South Houston St, ☏ +1 214 745-1100, fax: +1 469 227-8417. Open Mo-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Tells the story of the development of Dallas County from pre-historic times to the present day. This museum opened in Mayand the quality of the exhibits and explanations is unusually high. Very much worth a visit if you want to understand the historical context of Dallas. Located in the restored 1892 Courthouse Building, a few minutes' walk from the Sixth Floor museum. Adults $8. 

• 3 Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 North Harwood St, ☏ +1 214 922-1200. Open Tu-Su, 11AM-5PM, Th 11AM-9PM, Closed Mondays, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Great works of art from eastern and western cultures, from all ages. Free to most exhibits. 

• 4 Nasher Sculpture Center, 2001 Flora St, ☏ +1 214 242-5100. This collection of sculpture provides a fantastic outdoor oasis in the heart of the downtown arts district. The Renzo Piano designed facility pulls in the surrounding light and energy of the district but does not overwhelm. The indoor-outdoor collection of renowned Dallas collector Raymond Nasher is truly astounding. Ask about the combined admission ticket to see the Nasher and the Dallas Museum of Art, located directly across Harwood St. 

• 5 Dallas World Aquarium, 1801 N. Griffin St, ☏ +1 214 720-2224. More than just an aquarium, this unique zoo tour starts at the canopy level of a rain forest. Visitors wind their way down past many types of animals to find the aquarium at the bottom. Admission $15.95 Adults and $8.95 Children. 
• 6 Reunion Tower. One of the defining landmarks of the Dallas skyline, was recently renovated. There is an observation deck and restaurant at the top of the distinctive ball shaped tower. 
• Dallas Holocaust Museum, 211 North Record St. M-F 9:30-5, Sa-Su 11-5. The core exhibit covers the Jewish Holocaust during World War 2. $10 Adults, $8 Students/seniors. 

Do

• Dallas Segway Tours, ☏ +1 972 821-9054, toll-free: +1-800-880-2336. Provides the most unique and fun guided sightseeing tours of downtown Dallas imaginable. Several daily tours to choose from. Tours depart from the Historic Dallas West End. 
• Steinway Hall - Dallas, 5301 N. Central Expressway, ☏ +1 214 526-1853. 9AM-6PM. More than a piano store, view historic and one-of-a-kind Steinway pianos. With the largest collection of Steinway pianos you can see, hear and play the Steinway used during the 13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. 

Eat

There are tons of restaurants, or a couple dozen anyway, including TGI Friday's, Dick's Last Resort, The Palm, Hooters, and the original Spaghetti Warehouse. There are several popular local establishments as well. This area does not make the list of must-see places in Dallas but is a convenient place for dinner or a drink if you are already in the area.

The area around West End (North Market Street) and further east along Main Street are the best places to start looking. On Sundays check out the food vans parked long the road by Klyde Warren Park.

• Jimmy's Food Store, 4901 Bryan St, ☏ +1 214 823-6180. A little bit of Brooklyn right in the middle of Big D. Jimmy's is a great neighborhood grocery store with an Italian deli. They make great sandwiches and what many say is the best sandwich in Dallas, the Cuban pork sandwich. Ham, roast pork, pickles, and Swiss cheese grilled panini-style. You can get it with or without hot sauce. They have a great selection of imported foods from Italy, cheeses and deli meats, homemade sausage and meatballs, and a sizable wine selection. 

• RJ Mexican Cuisine, 1701 N. Market St Suite 102, ☏ +1 214 744-1420. Kind of classy Mexican food in the West End. Try the quail. 

• Spaghetti Warehouse, 1815 N. Market St, ☏ +1 214 651-8475. The original Spaghetti Warehouse and flagship location of the chain. Was the first restaurant in the area, opening in 1972, and basically started what the West End is today. 
• Bread Winner's. Amazing Cinnamon Bread, to die for. Great customer service. 
• Dallas Chop House, 1717 Main St. Excellent aged steaks. 
• Y.O. Steakhouse, 702 Ross Ave. 
• Hofbrau Steaks, 311 North Market St. 

Drink

Please note that the West End Marketplace recently closed and the crowds are going elsewhere, especially in the evening.

• Dick's Last Resort, ☏ +1 214 747-0001. 
• Draft Media Sports Bar and Lounge, ☏ +1 214 777-6524. 
• Froggy Bottoms, ☏ +1 214 969-0300. 
• Gator's, ☏ +1 214 748-0243. 
• Honky Tonk Heaven. 
• West End Pub, ☏ +1 214 748-5711. 
• Hard rock cafe. 

Sleep

Mid-range

• Sheraton Dallas Hotel, 400 North Olive St (Financial district), toll-free: +1-866-716-8134. Spacious rooms, quality furnishing. Reasonably sound proofed and quiet air conditioning (for USA). Connected to Convention Center. 
• Amerisuites - West End, 1907 North Lamar St, ☏ +1 214 999-0500. 

• Hilton Garden Inn Dallas Market Center, 2325 North Stemmons Freeway, ☏ +1 214 634-8200. Offering a free shuttle within a 5-mile radius. 

• Belmont Hotel, 302 Fort Worth Ave, toll-free: +1-877-870-8010. An historic boutique hotel designed by architect Charles Stevens Dilbeck, which was built inand recently restored. Offering views of the Dallas skyline and the Trinity River Corridor. 

• Hotel Lawrence, 302 South Houston St, toll-free: +1-877-396-0334. An historic boutique hotel in the West End, which was recently renovated. Across from the George Allen Courthouse and the closest hotel to Dealey Plaza and the Kennedy Sixth Floor Museum. 

• Dallas Marriott City Center, 650 North Pearl St, ☏ +1 214-979-9000. 

Splurge

• Hotel Crescent Court, 400 Crescent Ct, ☏ +1 214 871-3272. Offers European-style rooms, a day spa, business center, meeting space and wedding facilities, and a private club. 
• Magnolia Hotel, 1401 Commerce St, ☏ +1 214 915-6500, toll-free: +1-888-915-1110, fax: +1 214 253-0053. Re-opened in 1999 and is in the oldest high-rise building in downtown Dallas. Adorning the top of the building is a red lighted Pegasus, which is a permanent fixture in the Dallas skyline. The hotel offers great features, location and amenities, such as: complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks, breakfast and cookies and milk at bedtime. 
• The W Hotel, 2440 Victory Park Ln, ☏ +1 214 397-4100, fax: +1 214 397-4105. Recently opened, very nice and has a modern feel. Check out Ghost Bar if you stay there. 
• Hotel ZaZa Dallas, 2332 Leonard St (Uptown), ☏ +1 214 468-8399. Boutique hotel that features concept suites, day spa, meeting facility, vacation packages, and fine dining.