Living in the heart of the Dallas Arts District near City Center has its perks, namely that there is a host of cultural experiences ranging from art museums to aquariums to music venues close at hand. Whether you’re looking for an absolutely glam night out or a chance to broaden your own horizons, there is more than enough available within walking distance of our Dallas Arts District apartments near Fountain Place.
Cultural experiences near the Dallas Arts District
Dallas Museum of Art
Living in art has never been easier. As one of the largest art museums in the country, the Dallas Museum of Art contains a wealth of exhibitions and experiences that draw visitors from all corners of the nation.
The museum’s collections range in both region and time period, with pieces dating as far back as 3,000 B.C.
Those with an appreciation of ancient cultures can view ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic reliefs and Nigerian terracotta busts from ages past alongside elaborate bronze sculptures from the foothills of the ancient Himalayas.
European masterpieces ranging from Van Gogh’s hypnotic post-impressionism to Brâncuși’s bold abstract sculptures cover nearly every era of western art. And, of course, there is an extensive collection of modern and contemporary pieces as well, featuring minimalist exhibitions, abstract expressionist pieces and outdoor installations.
No matter what you fancy, there's something for everyone at the Dallas Museum of Art.
The Dallas World Aquarium
This expansive zoo and aquarium immerses visitors in a miniature reproduction of the South American Orinoco Rainforest, complete with native foliage, free-flying birds and some of the only rainforest creatures on display in the United States, including three-toed sloths, vampire bats, Antillean manatees, Orinoco crocodiles and poison dart frogs.
The zoo level is located above a large aquarium display featuring sea life from all over the world in area-specific displays. Glimpse the tropical ocean life of the Bahamas, Sri Lanka or Fiji, or maybe the colder waters around British Columbia or Japan. Plus, there’s an underwater tunnel through a massive exhibit full of bright, colorful sea life.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
From its humble beginnings with a single concert in 1900, The Dallas Symphony Orchestra has grown and evolved into one of the largest and most impressive performing arts organization in the Southwestern United States. The orchestra has been led by world-renowned conductors over the course of its growth, the group travelling the world and performing for audiences all over Europe and South America.
In addition to being an extremely notable name on the world music stage, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra has strong ties to the community and city it calls home. The musicians offer lessons and instruments to children all over the city in an effort to bring musical education to the next generation of young performers.
Nasher Sculpture Center
If you're looking for modern and contemporary art, then the Nasher Sculpture Center is the place to go. Focusing exclusively on sculpture from the modern era onwards (1860s to present), the center includes over 300 works by globally renowned sculptors such as Brâncuși, Gauguin, Picasso, Rodin, Miró and Matisse, just to name a few.
What makes this collection so special? In addition to the manicured garden exhibitions, glass pavilions, vaulted ceilings and architecturally brilliant design, the museum’s exhibitions rotate between touring pieces and loans from other renowned art museums and collections, offering visitors an unparalleled art experience in the midst of one of the most aesthetically pleasing museums in the region.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
This state-of-the-art museum features eleven permanent exhibition halls over five floors, housed in one of the most architecturally distinct structures in Dallas. Modern and innovative exhibitions covering everything from sports to oil drilling to the Big Bang and beyond attract visitors from all over the region and the nation, and a wide variety of temporary exhibits guarantee new experiences each and every time.
The museum’s building is an exhibition in itself. Not only is it designed to inspire scientific and architectural awe, but the careful construction and design of the building is intended to be a prime example of how engineering and technology support sustainability.
American Airlines Center
An extraordinary setting makes for an extraordinary experience, and that’s exactly what you get at the American Airlines Center.
Bask in the energy of a high-stakes Dallas Mavericks or Dallas Stars game hosted on their home turf. Be sure to snap up your tickets early though, while the American Airlines Center can house 19,000, many of these contests routinely sell out. The airlines center also has its share of concerts, with the likes of the Eagles, Justin Bieber, Harry Styles and Disney on Ice having performed here on center stage.
Klyde Warren Park
Public parks and art museums are not mutually exclusive, and Klyde Warren Park is the perfect example. In fact, it’s considered to be one of the Top 10 best city parks in America!
The park, which was constructed on an overpass of the Woodall Rodgers Freeway in Downtown Dallas, connects the Arts District with Victory Park and International Center, allowing pedestrians to travel between the areas’ various museums, restaurants and music venues.
Klyde Warren Park’s functionality is enhanced by its modern design and gorgeous features. The 5.2-acre park features relaxation areas, children’s playgrounds, dog parks, fountains and art installations. Local art markets showcase handmade work, outdoor movies on the lawn delight kids all summer long, yoga and meditation on the lush lawns provide a moment of respite among the busy city life and a variety of food trucks send wafts of delicious smells through the trees and flowers of the three-block park.
Whether you’re looking for an evening at the art museum, a high-stakes basketball game or an afternoon soaking up the sun on a park lawn, the area around Fountain Place has everything you need for a lifetime of cultural experiences and learning opportunities.
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Featured photo courtesy Pixabay/MikeGoad
Colleen Ford is a South African who now lives on Oahu in Hawai'i. She loves to travel, camp, spearfish and hike. She's also part of a super cool canoe club and is pretty decent at it. Colleen enjoys Star Wars and also not being cold ever.
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