Downtown Dallas and Fair Park

Hop a DART rail ride through the downtown core, which is undergoing a rich rejuvenation with a burgeoning arts district and real estate shift, as lofts and town houses spring up in place of abandoned office space. The West End Historic District, a former warehouse district, has become a bustling greet-and-eat venue. To the east, Deep Ellum forms the epicenter for the Dallas music scene, and Fair Park plays host to an enormous state fair each fall.

Eat

On a clear day, you can see halfway to Fort Worth from the rotating restaurant atop the 50-story Reunion Tower. Kids love it, and the New American cuisine with a southwestern kick surprises.
300 Reunion Blvd., (214) 712-7145; Currently closed for renovations until late fall 2008.

Wonderfully diverse fare, from chili-pumpkin ravioli to mexican lasagna, prepared with a fresh and low-fat approach. Monica's "La Nueva Cocina" borrows from Asian, southwestern and even Mediterranean ingredients.
2914 Main St., (214) 748-7140

In a town where barbecue bragging rights are a serious business, Sonny Bryan's savory BBQ brand can trace its roots back to 1910.
302 N. Market St., (214) 744-1610

Shop

This space is a cross between an old-fashioned department store and a top-shelf art gallery; the goods vary from high-end Dale Chihuly glass to works by local artists.
1717 N. Harwood St., (214) 922-1256; closed Mondays

This famous luxury department store was born in Dallas, and the legendary service reputation of the original location is well deserved.
1618 Main St., (214) 741-6911; closed Sundays

Browse the high-end apparel while the kids take a breather in the "living room" in the middle of the store.
1514 Commerce St., (214) 655-2811; closed Sundays

Do

Kids can play hide-and-seek amid the masterpieces at this sculpture garden, which contains one of the world's largest arrays of significant 20th-century outdoor sculpture (more than 300 pieces). Ask about NasherKids events.
2001 Flora St., (214) 242-5100; closed Mondays

With 85,000 gallons of salt water, marine life from around the globe, and a replicated South American rainforest, this water world is a nice respite among the skyscrapers.
1801 N. Griffin St., (214) 720-2224

This convenient consortium of nine distinct museums and wondrous 1930s art-deco halls houses the Museum of Nature and Science, which offers a playfully interactive exploration of the sciences. The African American Museum has one of the country's largest African-American folk-art collections.
1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd., (214) 670-8400

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra's resident organist, Mary Preston, gives a free demonstration of the center's 4,535-pipe concert organ one day each month at 12:30 p.m. (Check out Preston's schedule online.)
2301 Flora St., (214) 670-3600

Next Page: Dallas Guide: Uptown and Knox-Henderson