Dallas

Dallas is the second largest city in Texas, the second largest state in the union. As the location of the country's major airport hub and business-savvy accommodation for thousands, it is also the second busiest convention destination in the nation.

Downtown is spacious and modern, with upper scale office space and pricey department stores (head office of Neiman Marcus, here ); its historic district is located in the west end. The early 1900's buildings, now house dozens of restaurants, pubs and artsy shops. During the high-tourist season, West End is sizzling with the spicy aroma of jalapeno peppers and bustling with horse-drawn buggies, talented street entertainers and plenty of cheery pedestrians.

Flat and green, with more than 400 parks, the city's summers are hot and dry and the winters are crisp and cool. The most visited city in the state (more than 2 million last year), Dallas became internationally known as the place where President John F. Kennedy was shot. A memorial stands to immortalize this most unforgettable event of November 22, 1963.

Major attractions include the nine museums and 1930 architecture at Fair Park, just two miles east of downtown, and Dallas Arts District, the largest in the country, where several art venues flourish: including the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.

Getting around the city is as simple as stepping on board one of the busses, light rail or trolleys managed by the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (Dart).