The city of Dallas offers a small selection of family-oriented activities although it does not compare perhaps with some of the cities in the country where big themed attractions are the primary tourist magnets. It does have the Six Flags centre however, which guarantees a good family day out and is comparable with any of the best theme parks in the US. Aside from obvious manmade attractions, parents can keep their kids entertained in the malls and at the many parks available in the city.

Dallas Aquarium
The Dallas Aquarium is an impressive facility with various tanks that are home to nearly 6,000 aquatic animals living in some 85,000 gallons of salt water. Piranhas, jellyfish, sharks and green turtles are among the more interesting creatures available for viewing in aquarium tanks that are carefully considered so as to mimic the natural environments. Talks are given by aquarium staff throughout the day and the feeding of certain animals is made a spectacle of for the delight of both children and their parents. Phone: + 1 214 720 2224, website: www.dwazoo.com/info

Dallas Zoo
The biggest zoo in the state of Texas can be found in Dallas and is a respectable facility that has been a part of the city’s entertainment scene since 1838. The zoo boasts an impressive collection of animals with species from every continent. Highlights include flamingos, meerkats, lions, antelopes, spiders and reptiles. A monorail travels the perimeter of the zoo giving visitors a unique perspective of its layout and the creatures that reside there. Phone: +1 214 428 5555, website: www.dallas-zoo.org

Science Place
Now a part of the Dallas Museum of Nature and Science, the Science Place is a fascinating centre presenting aspects of science to children in a fun interactive fashion. Children are introduced to the workings and science behind many things that they take for granted in their everyday lives. Engaging, hands on displays cover topics such as dinosaurs, the solar system and the life of honey bees while the dental gallery, medical gallery, laser laboratory and electric theatre present some aspects of modern science which have helped revolutionise the world in which we live. Phone: +1 214 428 5555,

Six Flags over Texas
Covering a whopping 200 acres, the Six Flags over Texas amusement park is an exciting family centre that can be reached from downtown Dallas in about 20 minutes. Once there, you’ll find white knuckle rides such as rollercoasters as well as a variety of tamer rides aimed at younger children. Live shows air throughout the day and evening concerts are often hosted during the summertime. Restaurants and snack bars are available on site to ensure that your entire experience is complete. Phone: +1 817 640 8900, website: www.sixflags.com

In spite of being a relatively young city, Dallas has an impressive selection of cultural attractions providing visitors with the chance of getting to know something about its past, as well as events pertinent to the entire state of Texas. A large variety of museums are available, some with historical themes, others with art or science themes. Whatever your interest, you’ll find a cultural centre to suit you in Dallas.

African American Museum
Dallas’ African American Museum is hailed as housing the finest collection of African American art and folk culture in the state of Texas and exhibits its pieces in a series of four vaulted galleries. Items available for viewing are based on artistic, cultural and historical themes and include an extensive collection of African American folk art. Phone: +1 214 565 9026, website: www.aamdallas.org

Age of Steam Railroad Museum
The Age of Steam Railroad Museum is an outdoor museum situated in Fair Park that gives visitors a chance to step back to the golden age of steam train transportation. The museum is home to a collection of more than 30 pieces of classic railroad equipment as well as a series of historic structures. Information relating to the history of the railroad in Dallas and its significance to the city’s development is provided at the museum as well as other information relating to its role in the country as a whole. Phone: + 1 214 428 0101, website: www.dallasrailwaymuseum.com

American Museum of Miniature Arts
Also situated in Fair Park, the American Museum of Miniature Arts is a popular visitor centre for families offering a variety of delightful displays of real life objects in miniature sizes. Antique toys such as model cars and doll houses list among the many fascinating objects available for viewing. Phone: +1 214 421 4500, website: www.minimuseum.org

Dallas Museum of Art
Among the longest standing and most revered of the cities museums is the Dallas Museum of Art. This boasts a collection that spans over 100 years, displayed over several floors. Works from around the world are available for viewing with pieces hailing from Africa, Asia and the Ancient Mediterranean as well as others by modern American artists. Phone: +1 214 922 1200, website: www.dm-art.org

Dallas Museum of Nature and Science
An impressive facility formerly known as the Dallas Museum of Natural History, this natural history centre has been a part of the city since 1936 and is home to an extensive collection of rare and unusual artefacts including rocks and minerals, dinosaur remains and fossils. A Lagoon Nature Walk, a wildlife diorama and a palaeontology lab are among the permanent sections available for viewing at this fascinating museum. Visiting exhibitions change throughout the year. Phone: +1 214 428 5555, website: www.natureandscience.org

Frontiers of Flight Museum
Details of the history of flight are told and celebrated through the collection of artefacts available for viewing at the Frontiers of Flight Museum. Displays cover early ideas by Leonardo Da Vinci right up to modern space travel concepts with detailed information provided. Among the most interesting objects on display is one of the first aviation licences ever to be issued in America. Phone: +1 214 350 3600, website: www.flightmuseum.com

Women’s Museum
Dallas’ famous Fair Park is again home to another attraction, this time in the shape of the Women’s Museum, a facility who primary agenda is the celebration of the contributions of women to American society. Exhibits relating to the women’s movement and in areas of achievement such as science, sport and the arts are available for viewing with attention paid to famous females such as Barbara Jordan, Margaret Mead, Georgia O'Keefe and Eleanor Roosevelt. Phone: +1 214 915 0860, website: www.thewomensmuseum.org

Dallas has some four million residents and as such, the city experiences a high demand for quality eating establishments. Demand is more than amply met with a huge selection of restaurants both spread across the city and focused in specific areas such as the Uptown district, Greenville and Deep Ellum.

The Dallas dining scene offers a plethora of different cuisines with eateries offering everything from the locally originating Tex-Mex style to traditional Mexican and Southern styles. International food is as popular here as it is anywhere in the US and includes restaurants representing every continent with Italian, Spanish, Greek, French, Indian, Chinese and Thai to name but a few.

Head uptown for either lunch or dinner and you’ll find areas such as the pedestrian friendly McKinney Avenue, where a wide variety of eateries to suits most tastes and budgets, can be found. In the Deep Ellum area meanwhile, a good selection of restaurants including some especially fine upmarket affairs can be found interspersed between the trendy bars and live music venues

Barbeque cuisine is popular in Dallas and restaurants serving it can be found across the city. These all-you-can-eat affairs are something of a vegetarian’s nightmare with beef, chicken, turkey, ribs, sausage and ham all given the flame-grilled treatment and available in seemingly endless volumes. Potato salad, beans, corn, baked potatoes and fries are also common entrees

For shopping, the city is veritable haven with large malls, designer boutiques, outlet centres and small independent shopping strips all offering ample opportunity to lighten the wallet a little or do some damage on the old credit card.

NorthPark Centre is perhaps the most famous destination as far as the city’s mall’s go and is a massive facility offering hundreds of big name high street shops among which you’ll find the likes of Burberry, Dillard’s, Foley’s Tiffany & Co., McCormick & Schmick’s, Neiman Marcus and Maggiano’s Little. Grapevine Mills meanwhile, is a similarly impressive facility with over 200 shops on site and an ideal location just 4kms away from the city’s primary airport. Other malls and shopping centres housing popular name stores include: the Shops at Willow Bend, the Stonebriar Centre and the Galleria.

For shops selling trendy clothes, accessories and home furnishings, head to the Design District where you’ll find an abundance of outlets; some independently owned and other part of chains, but all offering a sense of style and chic.

Whilst synonymous with ranches, cattle farming and cowboys, Dallas has a slightly limited outdoor activity scene and visitors may struggle to find organised activities in which local companies provide equipment and transportation. The city’s parks and greenbelt areas however lend themselves well to the pursuit of obvious outdoor sports such as walking, cycling and football, so provided you have the enthusiasm and equipment, you can still appreciate the great outdoors.

Fishing
The year-round warm weather makes Dallas a popular spot for angling and as such, is home to a good selection of venues where those with the right equipment can settle down for a relaxing day enjoying nature and the thrill of their pastime. Favourite spots in and around the Dallas area include French Lake, Fort Worth, Benbrook Lake at Long Horn Park, Lake Arlington at Richard Simpson Park and Hurst Chisholm Park Pond.

Ice skating
Ice skating at Dallas’ Galleria Mall is a popular pastime irrespective of the season. When it’s baking hot outside, where better to cool off than at the rink where you can enjoy ice skating for an hour or an entire morning or afternoon regardless of your ability.

Parks
Dallas has an impressive selection of parks and gardens just perfect for escaping the urban jungle. Opportunities are available for simply relaxing amid the greenery with a good book perhaps or for getting active and enjoying outdoor pursuits such as playing football, walking, jogging, cycling and rollerblading. Among the most popular parks in the city, you’ll find LB Houston Park, a 6km long recreation and nature area with plenty of greenery and wide open spaces. Other popular spots include White Rock Lake, Cedar Ridge Preserve and the massive 277 acre Fair Park.