Everyone dreams of going off and seeing the sights of some new and exotic place, but make sure you have seen the sights in your own backyard first. There are so many things to see and do in Dallas and Plano, but most people never experience them. So, before you buy a plane ticket, make sure you visit these local wonders.
The Dallas World Aquarium is not simply an aquarium, it is multi-leveled and filled with all types of animals; it has an array of birds, reptiles and mammals, most of which are on the endangered species list. You can take a guided tour and see some of the animals during feeding time, after which you can feed yourself at one of three on-site restaurants. This is a great way to spend the day with friends or family.
“I would love to go to the aquarium,” senior Jayd Mendoza said. “I always used to go with my mother to see the fish.”
The Dallas Farmer’s Market is one of the largest public markets in the country. It is an open air market that showcases local farmers from all around the metroplex where you can buy an assortment of meat, produce, specialty foods and flowers. One big attraction is the “restaurant” booths where you can order food to snack on as you walk around the rest of the market. The Farmer’s Market is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is located at 1010 S. Pearl Expressway Dallas, TX 75201.
“I think it would be so fun to be able to look around and see things that you wouldn’t see in a normal mall or market,” senior Leah Cherner.
Victory Park is the heart of Dallas entertainment and nightlife. With countless restaurants and stores to shop in, you can easily waste away the day exploring this beautiful neighborhood. Without a doubt, however, the biggest attraction is the 11 Super Screens that line the AT&T Plaza buildings. They are the largest outdoor media screens in the world, creating the atmosphere of a mini Times Square. With all of this technology, it is a good thing that Victory Park is one of the “greenest” communities in the country, having over 1,000 trees and electricity generated from 100 percent renewable energy.
“It is a very easygoing place just to walk around and shop,” senior Taylor Kreidler said.
The Dallas Zoo was the first zoo in the southwest, established in 1888, and started with just two deer and two mountain lions. It has since grown to over 800 acres and houses over 2,000 animals. With a multitude of different habitats supporting a variety of animals, this is a place where everyone has a chance to discover the animal lover within. The zoo offers a 20 minute monorail tour through six African themed habitats. The zoo also features the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo, where toddlers and young children can take part in interactive exhibits such as the aviary and the petting zoo.
“Seeing all of the animals would be fascinating and something that should be experienced by all,” junior DeAngelo Garner said.
The newly constructed Perot Museum of Nature and Science is not only a visual wonder but a wonder of the mind. It has five floors containing 11 permanent, interactive exhibits ranging anywhere from fossils to birds to weather or sports. There is definitely something for everyone. Even the building itself is a scientific wonder with a 54-foot continuous escalator that runs along the outside of the museum. In keeping with its “green” design, the building also has a stream that runs around part of the museum and empties into a pond. There is an urban garden on the roof consisting of drought resistant plants, all of which are native to Texas. This is a place where learning truly comes alive.
“I want to go to the Perot Museum because I have heard such amazing things about it, and it sounds like a place to have a lot of fun with friends,” senior Kimberly Ramirez said.
