Day 3 - Miscellaneous Sights

How much time you have and what day you’re third day falls on will greatly determine what you do on your final day in Dallas. Here are a few places you can check out.

The Dallas Arboretum and botanic garden is considered to be one of the most magnificent gardens in the nation. The gardens and lawns, on the shores of an enchanting lake that overlooks Downtown Dallas, feature intriguing sculptures, sparkling fountains and two historic mansions. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors 65+ and $5 for children ages 3-12. On-site parking is $5.

The Dallas World Aquarium features more than 85,000 gallons of saltwater with marine life from all over the world. Visitors can walk through a 22,000-gallon tunnel to experience a panoramic view of reef life. The Predators exhibit features aquatic animals found at the top of the food chain. Ten 2,000-gallon displays present marine life from Palau, Southern Australia, Lord Howe Island, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Bahamas, British Columbia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Japan. Representing the waters of four continents, three oceans and various seas, the aquarium gives a glimpse of the underwater world. The Aquarium is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission is $15.95 for adults, $8.95 for children 3 to 12 and $12.95 for seniors 60 and older.

 

If you aren’t fortunate enough to stay here, the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center on Lake Grapevine is definitely worth a visit. This nine-story hotel – which is a sister hotel of Opryland –  is six miles from DFW Airport, one mile from the Bass Pro Shops and Grapevine Mills outlet mall and 22 miles from downtown Dallas.

 

The hotel is divided into three wings, each with a different theme. Each wing features its own fountains, rivers, buildings and props to set the mood for its theme. On-site restaurants and lounges include a wine-cellar steakhouse and a Nuevo Latin café. Also within the massive hotel are a 25,000-square-foot health spa with a fitness center, an indoor lap pool, several shops and a salon.

 

The Gaylord is a great place to explore over lunch so you can try one of their restaurants as well. As mentioned above, this is also close to the Bass Pro Shops store and the Grapevine Mills outlet if you want to spend some more time in this area. The world’s oldest Dr. Pepper plant is also nearby.

 

Admission is of course free to the hotel, however you may have to pay for parking depending on daily specials and where you park.

 

http://www.dallasarboretum.org/

http://www.dwazoo.com/default.html

http://www.dallasheritagevillage.org/

http://www.fortworthstockyards.org/index.htm

http://www.jfk.org/Home.htm

http://www.bobs-steakandchop.com/index1.html

http://www.expedia.com