About Dallas
Covering 385 square miles, Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest city in the U.S. Over 1.2 million people call Dallas home. Dallas' landscape is defined by rolling prairie, native pecan, cottonwood, and oak trees, and an abundance of creeks and rivers. Modern glass buildings rise out of a sea of green trees to create the city's downtown skyline. Several of the city's downtown skyscrapers reach over 700 feet in height. Some of the most notable buildings in Dallas are the Renaissance Tower, JPMorgan Chase Tower, Kirby Building and M. Pei's Fountain Place. Swiss Avenue also serves as a site of famous Dallas architecture, containing a colorful tribute to buildings from the Victorian period to the Neo-classical period.
Whether visitors are out to play hard or simply kick back and relax, Dallas is ready to meet the challenge. Starplex Amphitheater offers a place where the young and the old can meet to enjoy their favorite live bands. Take a trip to Fair Park and walk through history with awe-inspiring architecture and magnificent art; top off your visit with a ride on the largest Ferris wheel in North America. Visit with more than 8,000 animals at the 97-acre Dallas Zoo or catch a football game at the Dallas Cowboy's Stadium. After shopping all afternoon in a city that claims more shopping per capita than any other city in the U.S., enjoy being pampered at the Mansion on Turtle Creek, ranked one of the top 200 hotels in 2004 by CondeNast Traveler.
Dallas functions as the economic nucleus of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro Area. Numerous industries thrive in Dallas including petroleum, telecommunications, computer technology, banking and transportation. The Dallas Metro Area is the hub for many notable companies, including 7-Eleven, Brinker International, Blockbuster, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Southwest Airlines, CompUSA, Frito Lay, Dr Pepper and JCPenney. It is also the headquarters of ExxonMobil, which generates more revenue than any other company in the world.
Why Dallas?
Dallas is widely known as the top visitor destination in all of Texas. As one of the leading economic centers in the Southwest, it is also one of the foremost convention cities in the nation. Offering a taste of historic charm dappled with modern elegance and state-of-the-art amenities, this city is the epitome of Southern hospitality.
Over 65,000 hotel rooms ranging from economical and modest to luxurious and exquisite are available with a large concentration of hotels located in the Downtown area. There are also a countless number of hotels located near Market Center, LBJ Freeway, Las Colinas and the city's two airports, Love Field and DFW International.
As a multicultural melting pot, Dallas offers an endless number of dining options. Try everything from Mario & Alberto's original Tex-Mex to chic and upscale Aurora Maison de Cuisine or Market Center's Nana. There are more than 10,000 restaurants to choose from in this diverse city.
Recognized as "The Best-Run Convention Center in America," the Dallas Convention Center totals over 1,000,000 square feet making it one of the largest convention facilities in the nation. Its central downtown location provides easy access to businesses, shopping and entertainment. Not only is the building itself a work of art, but its halls and lobbies also serve as galleries displaying terrazzo images that tell the story of Dallas and its diverse cultural roots.
Looking for ways to entertain meeting and convention attendees in between sessions? Dallas is home to the largest urban arts district in the United States. This 60-acre development includes engaging museums like the Dallas Museum of Art and Crow Collections of Asian Art, as well as performing arts facilities like the well-known Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center and the Majestic Theatre. Other area attractions include the Dallas World Aquarium's 22,000 square foot tunnel that offers panoramic views of marine life and the Sixth Floor Museum which focuses on John F. Kennedy's significant role in American History.
Key Dallas Metro Area Facts
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST)
Convention Center: Dallas Convention Center and Dallas Market Center
Airports:
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL)
| Population | 1,232,940 | Destination Type Listings |
| Hotels | 320 | • Golf destination |
| Hotel Rooms | 65,000 | • Smoke free restaurants |
| Restaurants | 10,000 |
Dallas Climate Information
Located approximately 250 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico, Dallas enjoys a humid subtropical climate. The warm season lasts approximately 294 days out of the year. Annual rainfall ranges from less than 20 inches to more than 50 inches.
Winters are mild with temperatures remaining in the mid 60s. Occasional cold fronts may also pass through causing temperatures to drop below freezing. However, cold fronts are typically short-lived.
Summers are very hot with daytime temperatures often reaching more than 100°F. Evening temperatures are in the 80s. Extreme heat spells usually only last 3-5 days with thunderstorms blowing in to cool things down.
Spring and Fall are wonderful times to visit as temperatures are pleasantly warm. However, visitors should also note that thunderstorms are the most frequent in the Spring due to the collision of the warm, humid air of the Gulf Coast and the cooler air from Canada. While these storms can be strong, they come and go quickly with beautiful sunshine and delightful breezes prevailing most of the time.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec High -°F | 88 | 88 | 96 | 98 | 103 | 113 | 110 | 108 | 107 | 106 | 89 | 90 |
| Avg High -°F | 54 | 60 | 68 | 76 | 83 | 92 | 96 | 96 | 88 | 79 | 66 | 58 |
| Avg Low -°F | 34 | 38 | 45 | 55 | 63 | 71 | 75 | 74 | 67 | 56 | 45 | 37 |
| Rec Low -°F | 4 | 6 | 11 | 29 | 41 | 51 | 59 | 56 | 43 | 29 | 19 | -1 |
| Rainfall - in. | 1.9 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 3.8 | 5 | 2.9 | 2.2 | 2 | 3 | 3.5 | 2.2 | 1.9 |
