 |
| View from the Book Depository |
Dallas-Fort Worth, or the “Metroplex”, is
primarily comprised of two very interesting yet completely different large cities
separated by about 50kms of suburbs and smaller cities that now bridge the
two. Dallas is clearly the commercial
and financial hub whereas Fort Worth exudes history. While Dallas has its fair share of history,
my sense was that its history is more closely linked to the contemporary
world. It’s a thriving place with modern
architecture and interesting public art.
I didn’t get to explore much, as jet lag was pursuing me rather
aggressively, but I did have the opportunity to do the absolute must…..take a
walk on the grassy knoll! I also took
the time to visit the 6th Floor Book Depository Museum which was
incredibly interesting and a real compliment to the city of Dallas in the way
it presents the life, death and legacy of President John F Kennedy. Dallas is renowned for its museums and art
galleries so I will make the effort to return and explore those. But my brief first visit was rewarding and
certainly provided a taste of what Dallas has to offer.
Fort Worth has wonderful old buildings and its
downtown feels a little more culturally sophisticated but that might be a bit
rough and unfair on old Dallas. FW has its roots in
the Chisholm Trail having been a stop on the long cattle herding trails of the
‘wild west’. In fact, FW is today known
as the home of the cowboy and it certainly does have that feel about it. I was a little underdressed without my cowboy
boots! The marketing slogan at present
for the city is “cowboys and culture” and that aptly describes FW. I really
enjoyed this city, its ‘honky tonks’, the cowboy feel, and the relaxed laid
back friendly welcome.
I definitely will
make this a ‘weekend away’ stop again.
Dallas-Fort Worth, or the “Metroplex”, is
primarily comprised of two very interesting yet completely different large cities
separated by about 50kms of suburbs and smaller cities that now bridge the
two. Dallas is clearly the commercial
and financial hub whereas Fort Worth exudes history. While Dallas has its fair share of history,
my sense was that its history is more closely linked to the contemporary
world. It’s a thriving place with modern
architecture and interesting public art.
I didn’t get to explore much, as jet lag was pursuing me rather
aggressively, but I did have the opportunity to do the absolute must…..take a
walk on the grassy knoll! I also took
the time to visit the 6th Floor Book Depository Museum which was
incredibly interesting and a real compliment to the city of Dallas in the way
it presents the life, death and legacy of President John F Kennedy. Dallas is renowned for its museums and art
galleries so I will make the effort to return and explore those. But my brief first visit was rewarding and
certainly provided a taste of what Dallas has to offer.
Fort Worth has wonderful old buildings and its
downtown feels a little more culturally sophisticated but that might be a bit
rough and unfair on old Dallas. FW has its roots in
the Chisholm Trail having been a stop on the long cattle herding trails of the
‘wild west’. In fact, FW is today known
as the home of the cowboy and it certainly does have that feel about it. I was a little underdressed without my cowboy
boots! The marketing slogan at present
for the city is “cowboys and culture” and that aptly describes FW. I really
enjoyed this city, its ‘honky tonks’, the cowboy feel, and the relaxed laid
back friendly welcome. 
