Dallas may be a thriving modern metropolis, but it’s also full of history. Here are some great ways to explore the historic side of Dallas, from The Dallas Morning News’ GuideLive:
1) THEATERS — “The Majestic Theatre (built in 1921 as a vaudeville house), Texas Theatre (opened in 1931, the Oak Cliff movie theater is where Lee Harvey Oswald was captured), Kessler Theater (opened in Oak Cliff in 1942 as a movie theater) and Sons of Hermann Hall (built in 1910 in Deep Ellum as a private lodge) all offer modern-day films or performing arts in vintage spaces.”
2) HIGHLAND PARK SODA FOUNTAIN — “This venerable Dallas landmark, originally known as the Highland Park Pharmacy, has been serving yummy milkshakes and malts, grilled-cheese perfection and more since 1912. Owner Sonny Williams encourages kids to twirl on the bar stools, and will actually teach twirling to youngsters (or oldsters) who haven’t quite got the knack. Fun facts: In soda-jerk slang, a Coke is a ‘shoot one,’ a Dr Pepper is a ‘Waco’ and a grilled-cheese sandwich is an ‘American.'”
3) NEIMAN MARCUS DOWNTOWN — “All the Neiman Marcus stores are fabulous in their own ways, of course, but the flagship downtown store just oozes a sort of class and sophistication that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s like stepping into a movie starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. The Renaissance Revival building opened in 1914 and was expanded in 1927. Mingle with the city’s social A-listers at the Zodiac restaurant, which itself has been open for more than half a century.”
4) FAIR PARK — “It’s known to many as simply the site of the State Fair of Texas every fall, but Fair Park has a deep historic past. It originated in 1886 as the Dallas State Fair. It was substantially renovated, with many new buildings erected, in 1936 for the Texas Centennial Exposition. Today, its 277 acres are chock-full of significant examples of art-deco architecture, with gorgeous buildings and features including the Hall of State, Parry Avenue entrance, the Esplanade, the Centennial and Automobile buildings and more. Fair Park also houses the Music Hall, home to the Dallas Summer Musicals, the African American Museum, Texas Discovery Gardens and, of course, the Cotton Bowl.”
Click here to keep reading about more historic sites in Dallas on Dallas Guide Live.
