Dallas

 

 

 
   

 

 
   

As an inland metropolitan area in the United States, Dallas is a city in Texas with a population of approximately 1.2 million inhabitants. Texas alone was an independent country before it became part of the USA. In the past cotton was its main commodity. Later when oil was found in the region, the economy of this city and its surrounding towns began to develop rapidly. Today Dallas is a modern and attractive city whose economy is fundamentally based on commerce, energy, telecommunication and transportation. Its downtown is clean and has many attractions for tourists. Situated in the northeast of the state, Dallas offers visitors a wide selections of restaurants, stores and sporting events.

How to get to Dallas?

Travelers can go to the city by car, train or airplane. American Airlines fly to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) which is around 40 minute by car to the city center. If you fly with Southwest Airlines, you will land on Love Field airport (DAL) which is closer to the downtown. Take a van served by SuperShuttle if you want to go to several places in the heart of the city. If you go by American passenger trains, you will have the chance to see various towns and cities, explore rivers, lakes, deserts and mountains before you finally arrive at the Trinity Railway Express in Dallas city. Go to Amtrak.com website to check the available schedule from your city to Union Station of Dallas. Even though going by train is not the fastest way to travel, it is perfect for sightseeing. Another way to reach Dallas is by car or bus. If you drive from Houston, you can take route I-45. Cars from Oklahoma city enter route I-35E. If you are now in Houston and want to drive to Dallas, the distance between these cities is 241 miles. It takes around 4 hours or more to drive from the seaport city to Dallas depending on such conditions as road works and rush hour traffic in urban areas and weather. American Airlines and Continental provide daily one hour flight from IAH to DFW. The cheapest flight is usually on Sundays.

 

Where to stay?

 

Four Seasons Resort and Club

If you love playing golf, this is the best place to stay. This resort has a number of recreational facilities that are suitable for those who like exercises.

 

Hotel Adolphus

Hotel Zaza

The Mansion on Turtle Creek

Stoneleigh Hotel

Westin Hotel Galleria Dallas

 

 

Interesting Places

The 6th Floor Museum has large number of collections of photographs, videos and newspaper articles that are related to assassination and legacy of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy

The Nasher Sculpture Center which regularly exhibits masterpieces created by American and international artists.

Deep Ellum - it is located three blocks to the east of the downtown. It is an art and entertainment district where travelers can enjoy culinary art while listening to live music performances from musicians who play jazz, Latin and blues. Deep Ellum is also a place for buying artworks such as paintings, and other handicraft products. Another city that is located near Dallas is Fort Worth.  They are often mentioned as one phrase in various travel guide book.

 

Parks

Cedar Hill State Park - This is the newest state park in Texas located in the southwest of Dallas county. Residents of Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan area like to go there on weekends. Tourists facilities have been constructed on the shore of Joe Pool Reservoir. Travelers who like to stay in outdoor environment can choose one of the several hundred campsites that have been provided to them.

Cleburne State Park is a favorite destination for city dwellers who like to retreat from their busy life in Dallas and Fort Worth. Fishing, canoeing, camping, and mountain biking are some of the activities that tourists may do in the park.

Cooper Lake State Park was primarily constructed as water reservoir for Dallas and Sulphur Springs. As a new park in northeast Texas, it has extensive facilities for everyone who likes fishing, camping, horse riding, and mountain biking and wildlife watching.

 

Health Services

Dallas County Hospital is at 610 10th St. It has a wide range of health services including radiology, chemotherapy, laboratory, surgical and etc. Doctors, nurses and staff of the hospital truly care about their patients. The hospital is supported by DCH Foundation that was created in 1954.

Word-class healthcare services are also provided by Baylor University Medical Center whose location is at 3500 Gaston Avenue.

Cycling in Dallas

One of the great ways to explore Dallas is by cycling. A number bicycle facilities have been made in neighborhood centers within the City to attract the ride their bicycles or walk. In addition, through the 2011 Dallas Bike Plan, a safe, efficient and connected bikeway system for all Dallas will be realized. Travelers will be able to explore the downtown, its surrounding districts such as Deep Ellum, Uptown, Cedars, the Design District, and to all corners of the city with their bikes. Because Dallas Bikeway System network extends to all parts of the city, citizens, as well as tourists, can use it to travel around Dallas and even to the nearby Fort Worth areas.

 

Learning English in Dallas city of Texas

Dallas is also a nice city for English learners. If you are thinking of taking an English course in the United States, you can choose one of the language institutions below:

Brookhaven College

This institution has courses on English for speakers of other languages. To enroll on an ESOL program, students need to take placement test. After that they need to meet academic advisor to discuss the score or result of the test which is important in deciding the right level and course programs for them. The campus of Brookhaven College is located at 3939 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch, Dallas, TX  75244-4997

American English and Culture Institute (AECI)

Foreign students can take English language programs that emphasize the study on oral communication, writing, reading and grammar along with American culture. This is the address of the AECI:

Richland College; 12800 Abrams RD, Dallas, TX 75243 US.

Intensive English Program at Texas Christian University (TCU). For further information about it, please visit tcu.edu.