Dallas wows you with its larger-than-life icons—the Cowboys, the downtown skyline, the State Fair of Texas, the eponymous TV series of the '80s—and then surprises you with its cultural revelations. The Dallas Museum of Art, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth ("The Modern"), and Nasher Sculpture Center showcase some of the city's world-class art and sculpture collections. The Dallas Arboretum is a serene green haven among the skyscrapers. Preservation Dallas is extremely active in saving and restoring city landmarks. It's focused many efforts recently within Fair Park and in the Tenth Street Historic District.

Not all of Dallas' cultural offerings are so specialized, though. Fun all-ages attractions include the Dallas World Aquarium, Southfork Ranch (where the TV show Dallas was filmed), and Age of Steam Railroad Museum. If you want cowboys, hit the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, which has the world's biggest honky-tonk, a daily cattle drive, and a rodeo every Friday and Saturday night. For pure excitement, check out a Mavericks home game at American Airlines Center.