Orientation to Dallas

“Live Large. Think Big.” Dallas’ new slogan describes the essence and vitality of a city built on big dreams, freshly blazed trails and an attitude that all things are possible. This richly diverse city offers a thriving culinary scene, leading arts district, countless luxury accommodations, professional sports, trendy entertainment districts and endless shopping opportunities.

In 1839, John Neely Bryan, a lawyer from Tennessee with a taste for adventure, wandered into the area. He was impressed with what he believed to be the perfect ingredients for a trading post and eventually a town: plenty of raw land, Indians with whom to do business, and the river. Bryan went to Tennessee to close out his affairs, and he returned to Dallas in 1841. He laid claim to 640 acres and sketched out a town, designating a courthouse square and 20 streets.

Gradually and with some adversity, the young city grew. A “can-do” spirit helped bring the railroads to the area in the 1870s, the Federal Reserve Bank in 1914, Southern Methodist University in 1915, Dallas Love Field Airport in 1927, the Texas Centennial Exposition in 1936, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in 1973 and the Republican National Convention in 1984 -- to name just a few.

In 1930, C.M. “Dad” Joiner struck oil 100 miles east of Dallas. With the discovery and development of the East Texas Oil Field — the largest petroleum deposit on earth at the time — Dallas became a center of oil-related activity. Although Dallas County has never had a working oil well, the region’s role as the financial and technical center for much of the state’s drilling industry has been as good as gold. Commerce and industry have followed suit, adding to the city’s success and progress.

By the 1960s there was turmoil in many U.S. cities, and Dallas had its share. The lowest point in Dallas history came on Nov. 22, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on a downtown street. The event shook the people of Dallas and their pride in their hometown. But there was much to be proud of starting with football’s Dallas Cowboys as they began their march to fame in the 1960s, as did entrepreneurs such as Ross Perot and Mary Kay Ash. The Dallas Market Center continued to grow, and Six Flags Over Texas opened in nearby Arlington.

But most importantly, it was in 1965 that the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth agreed to build an airport to serve the entire region. With the opening of giant DFW International Airport in 1973, John Neely Bryan’s dream of a major inland port was finally realized.

As the 1980s came to a close, Fortune Magazine named Dallas/Fort Worth — site of many major corporate relocations — the No. 1 business center in the land. Dallas also gained international attention as a dominant force in the convention, meetings and tourism industry. Dallas is one of the leading convention destinations in the U.S., due to the city’s outstanding convention and meeting facilities, world-class accommodations, numerous restaurants, and endless variety of entertainment and recreational opportunities.

Important to this effort was the rejuvenation of downtown Dallas as a major center for entertainment and other pursuits. The Dallas Arts District, the West End Historic District along with continued renovation and upgrading of downtown hotels, has been a driving force in this renaissance.

As the 21st century advances, Dallas continues to build on its strengths: friendly people, entrepreneurial spirit, flair for style and innovation, mild climate, excellent accessibility, and outstanding quality of life. Visitors and residents alike enjoy exceptional opportunities.

Guide to Dallas/Fort Worth Airports

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

From Dallas/Fort Worth every major city in the continental U.S. can be accessed within four hours. Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW International Airport is the world’s third busiest, offering nearly 1,750 flights per day and serving 57 million passengers a year. DFW has been named “ Best Airport for Customer Service in North America” by an Airports Council International survey of passengers in 2006 and 2007. DFW International Airport provides non-stop service to 128 domestic and 37 international destinations worldwide.

Dallas Love Field

Details about Greater Dallas

Ranked the third largest city in Texas and eighth largest in the nation, Dallas is bold, stylish, and cosmopolitan — a city with a well-earned reputation for fashion, luxury shopping, and enduring prosperity. This richly diverse metropolis possesses a Southern grace and that Texas style built on big dreams, freshly blazed trails, and an attitude that all things are possible.

Dallas, nicknamed “The Big D,” has an estimated population of 1.3 million spanning 385 square miles. Fairly flat topographically, it is tucked into a large prairie running through the center of the United States and is one of the world’s largest cities not located on a navigable river.

Just to the northwest of Dallas is the location of our 29th Annual Meeting, Grapevine. Founded in 1844 one year before Texas became a state, this city of just under 50,000 residents is renowned for the wild Mustang grapes that thrive in the area. In 2007, Grapevine ranked as one of the 100 best places to live in America.

Neighborhoods

Uptown. Immediately northeast of downtown Dallas, this 125-year-old neighborhood has recently experienced a surge that brought with it new clubs, shops, and restaurants. McKinney Avenue is the main street of Uptown, and the McKinney Avenue Trolleys connect the Uptown area with the downtown arts district. This is a chic but historic neighborhood that includes dozens of restaurants, boutiques, spas, art galleries, and upscale shopping. The West Village is a shopping district in the uptown neighborhood with hip stores and entertainment.

Deep Ellum. This former warehouse district immediately east of downtown is the Dallas headquarters for live music. In the early 1900s it was the hotbed of the blues and of African-American life and culture. Today, in addition to the blues, the area swings with everything from jazz to alternative beats. Among the more than 40 clubs and numerous restaurants are shops and galleries where clothing and jewelry often double as art. Described as “little New Orleans,” Deep Ellum is a trendy and vibrant area of modern Dallas.

West End Historic District. Offering visitors a window to the past with beautifully preserved and masterfully renovated historical buildings on tree-lined streets with brick paved sidewalks, the West End is the heartbeat of downtown Dallas. The West End is where visitors from across the nation and around the world come for entertainment. Take a carriage ride, see the many historical sites, stand on the grassy knoll, visit the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, or simply spend your time walking the brick streets or relaxing with a cocktail on the many outdoor patios. Dallas’ West End has come a long way since the days of the old warehouses and railroad stations. Come see for yourself why locals and visitors alike love this historical area.

Knox-Henderson. A bit north of downtown Dallas you’ll find the area known as Knox-Henderson, named after two streets that run through Central Expressway. This area is one of the oldest in Dallas. Full of antiques, upscale shopping, a variety of restaurants, and martini bars, the Knox Henderson nightlife and daytime events provide something for everyone. The area was revitalized in the mid-1990s, yet many of the original 1920s storefronts remain. Knox-Henderson nightlife includes many themed clubs which always remain busy on weekend nights. The Knox-Henderson district is only a few blocks long so you can just park your car and stroll from shop to shop.

Fair Park. Just 2 miles east of downtown, Fair Park is the largest historical landmark in Texas due to its century-long association with the State Fair of Texas and as the site of the innovative 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition. While the location of Fair Park dates back to the City of Dallas’ original 1886 fairgrounds, many of the existing buildings and public spaces were constructed for the Exposition. Over the past 30 years, this treasure trove of architecture, murals, and sculpture has experienced a groundswell of support and restoration projects. Today, Fair Park is a 277-acre venue that contains one of the largest complexes of cultural, entertainment, exhibit, and sports facilities in the southwestern United States. It is home to no less than eight museums, an IMAX Theater, a planetarium, The Dallas Aquarium, The Cotton Bowl, an outdoor amphitheater, Music Hall at Fair Park (featuring Broadway shows, ballet, and opera), and over 100 special events and cultural festivals each year.

Highland Park Village. A 2.2 square mile National Historic Landmark and residential “island city,” Highland Park Village is surrounded by Dallas on the south, east, and west and University Park on the north. Highland Park is recognized internationally for its architectural significance and a mix that includes the world’s best-known upscale retailer. Home to Chanel, Hermes, Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch, Harry Winston, Escada, and Jimmy Choo to name a few, Highland Park is known as America’s first shopping center.

Historic Downtown Grapevine. Grapevine’s historic downtown district reflects much of the architectural style and beautiful design of earlier days. Today, you’ll find a varied collection of shops — from colorful boutiques to those filled with one-of-kind gifts or fine jewelry — as well as many antique and Texas specialty stores. And don’t be surprised to find a wine-tasting room or a friendly restaurant tucked in between the Main Street stores.

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