SAS Global Forum is great for seeing how others use SAS, both in a formal presentation environment as well as during informal conversations at mixers and meals. However, I always allow a little extra time when traveling to and from SAS Global Forum to see a little of the city where the conference is being held.
I have a long list of things to do in Dallas – certainly longer than I have time to devote to sightseeing – but here are my personal top picks and they’re all within easy reach of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza – US history was altered on November 22, 1963 when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated during a motorcade through Dallas. A “must stop” during my visit to Dallas is the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Less than a mile from the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, the building formerly known as the Texas School Book Depository, documents the events that occurred on that fateful day – at the site where they occurred.
Outside of – and independent from – the museum, visitors can wander Dealey Plaza and see the infamous “grassy knoll”. Be prepared to discuss conspiracy theories with individuals who want to discuss their hypotheses as to what really happened that day – and typically, to sell their books on the topic.
Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza (10-6 daily except 12-6 Mondays, $16.00, 411 Elm Street, 9/10th mile from Convention Center)
Dallas World Aquarium – Downtown Dallas is also home to a world-class aquarium, which I toured during my last trip to the city and hope to return to this time around. The Dallas World Aquarium prides itself on an incredible Orinoco Rain Forest recreated within its walls. Stretching the traditional definition of “aquarium”, the facility’s Rain Forest exhibit displays Giant Otters, Antillean Manatees, Arapaima, Green Anacondas and Red-Bellied piranha, among many other species
Dallas World Aquarium (10-5 daily, $20.95, 1801 N. Griffin St., 8/10th mile from Convention Center)
Perot Museum of Nature and Science – Science fans who prefer a more traditional museum setting may rather visit the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, with 11 exhibit halls focusing on various themes. From the web site, it appears that each has a bit of a Texas theme to it, and most also have corporate sponsorship from a major Texas company.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science (10-5 daily, except 12-5 on Sunday $17.00, 2201 N. Field Street, 1 1/10th miles from the Convention Center.)
Dallas Mavericks – Sports fans will know that the NHL and NBA playoffs will be underway. Unfortunately, especially for this hockey fan, it appears that the Dallas Stars will be starting their summer at the end of the regular season – they’re currently in 10th place while only the top 8 move on. The Dallas Mavericks, on the other hand, appear likely to be playing in the post-season. Basketball fans may want to check the schedule to see if there’ll be a home game during the conference, and make the 1 ½ mile trip to the American Airlines Center to take in a game.
Dallas Mavericks Schedules and pricing have not been announced as of this writing.
Texas Rangers – Baseball (well, THIS baseball fan, anyway) have already noted that the Texas Rangers are at home during the conference, playing an evening series against the Seattle Mariners. Their home stadium, Globe Life Park, is in Arlington, near the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
Texas Rangers Game times on April 27th – 29th are at 7:00pm nightly, prices vary by seat location. Globe Life Park, 1000 Ballpark Way, Arlington, TX 76011
I hope to see many old friends and professional contacts at the SAS Global Forum, and I hope to meet several new ones too. I am curious just how many of you I might also bump into off-premises when the conference is not in session at some of the sights that the city of Dallas has to offer.
7 Comments
FOLLOW-UP:
For space reasons, I dropped the reference to the Dallas Zoo - it is NOT walking distance (unless your definition of such is incredibly generous), but there is public transportation from downtown - a train, with a station at the zoo entrance. Award winning facility; I'll forgive them for simply assuming I was eligible for the Senior Discount without asking.
The Dallas Mavericks have clinched a spot in the NBA playoffs, although their opponent and schedule are not yet set. The NBA's web site says that the playoffs will start on April 18th.
I am still researching just how to get to Arlington for the Rangers game. It is DEFINITELY not within walking distance!
Andy,
You forgot touring the Dallas Cowboys stadiums and locker rooms. Also a native Texas favorite is going to Six Flags Over Texas, a must for every Texas kid. If one is going to go t oa Rangers game lok into getting the All-You can eat seats, its well worth price and the seats are covered, so if you are hitting a afternoon game you won't roqst in the sun. Dallas, Arlinton, and Ft. Worth are ussually all lump together but the travel time can take a while especially with rush hour traffic so plan ahead and leave early. O yeah dont forget the Ft. Worth Stock yards. Plus, there is some world class resteraunts in and around the Dallas - Ft. Worth Area.
Hi Toby - hope you'll be able to make the drive over this year.
I tried to limit the items in this blog post to places that could be reached by walking or short ride (espec. if public transport is available), so I didn't go into options outside of downtown Dallas. Except for the Rangers - and they are playing all night during the conference.
You're right, though - if you expand the geography even slightly, there are all sorts of additional things to do with ones spare time!
Andrew - in an effort to maximise what I do while I'm in Dallas, how long would you suggest it would take to tour Dealey Plaza, the grassy knoll, etc?
Everything is based on individual tastes, whether you read the signage, spend time looking at each/some/very few of the exhibits, hit the gift shop or cafeteria, etc. - I've seen guests at the Florida Aquarium spend half a day there, and I've seen others depart after 30 minutes.
MapQuest says the Sixth Floor Museum is 0.8 miles to the northwest of the Convention Center, so allow time for the walk (round-trip). And when I peeked in (didn't actually go on the last trip), there was a line - not too long but at least 20 people - ahead of me at the ticket counter.
Other suggestions http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/dallas-is-the-most-affordable-destination-for-2015/2015/02/05/3b140dce-a733-11e4-a2b2-776095f393b2_story.html
Cool article. Thanks for posting! (My thoughts were gathered during an on-site visit a couple of years back - just before the SCSUG conference which was held in Fort Worth that year.)