DALLAS KEY MAGAZINE - ATTRACTIONS

The Crow Collection of Asian Art - Nestled in the Dallas arts district, the Crow Collection features works of art from Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. Many of the pieces were created as religious objects representing deities from Eastern religions including Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism and Jainism. The exhibition is made up of more than 300 paintings, sculpture and architectural pieces and includes exquisite jade ornaments from China, delicate Japanese scrolls and a 28-foot by 12-foot sandstone facade from an 18th century Indian house. Hrs. Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs. until 9 p.m. Free. An audio tour is available. 2010 Flora St. For more information, call 214-979-6430 or go to www.crowcollection.org.

THE DALLAS AQUARIUM AT FAIR PARK - Approximately 6,000 aquatic animals, including marine and freshwater fish, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates are housed in The Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park. Its location is the original Art Deco structure that opened for the Texas Centennial celebration in 1936. The Aquarium is a leader in breeding critically endangered Texas species, such as the Texas blind salamander and several desert fishes that are already extinct in nature. With the exception of Christmas and Thanksgiving Days, the Aquarium is open daily from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For 12 and older admission is $3, children 3-11, $1.50. Children under 3, no charge. 1462 First Avenue & MLK Blvd. For more information, call 214-670-8443 or go to www.dallaszoo.com.

THE DALLAS ARBORETUM - Sixty-six acres of year-round floral display makes the Dallas Arboretum one of the nation’s top botanic gardens and home of the Southwest’s largest outdoor floral festival. Located on the southeast shore of White Rock Lake, visitors of all ages enjoy flower gardens, sculpture, fountains, two historic mansions, and scenic lake views. Gen. Ad. $8; Seniors 65+ $7; children 3-12 $5; 2 and under and members of the Arboretum, free. $5 parking. For information on tours and admission for groups of 20 or more, call 214-515-6512. DeGolyer Garden Cafe and Lula Mae Slaughter Dining Terrace are open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The Dallas Arboretum is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day when it is closes. 8525 Garland Rd., 214-515-6500, www.dallasarboretum.org.

DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART - With its comprehensive collection, stimulating special exhibitions, and full schedule of family programs, lectures, films, and concerts, the Dallas Museum of Art is an important part of the cultural life of the downtown Dallas Arts District. The DMA’s permanent collection is distinguished by major holdings in African, Asian, contemporary, South Asian, and Indonesian art along with a wide representation of classical antiquities, later European art, and fine holdings in American paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts. The Museum’s collection is complemented by a diverse schedule of touring exhibitions, many of which are organized by the DMA’s curatorial staff. The Museum’s special exhibitions and comprehensive collections, combined with a full range of concerts, tours, lectures, and programs, provide a wealth of experiences to engage visitors of every age in the world of art. From June 5 to Sept. 4, the DMA proudly presents the photographic exhibition titled “Gordon Parks, Half Past Autumn: Selections from the Collection of the Corcoran Gallery of Art.” This exhibit presents about 130 photographs taken by Parks between 1940 and 1997. Hrs: Tues.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., with the exception of Thurs. when late hours are from 5 p.m. until 9. The Thurs. late hours are free, as is the first Tues. of each month. Closed Mondays, and major holidays. Gen. Adm. $10; Senior citizens $7, students with a current school I.D. $5. DMA members & children under 12 are admitted free, school tour groups are free with reservations. 1717 N. Harwood St., 214-922-1200 or www.dallasmuseumofart.org.

THE DALLAS WORLD AQUARIUM - Featured at the Dallas World Aquarium are an aquarium, a Venezuelan rainforest, plants and animals from South Africa and therecently opened Mundo Maya exhibit. The aquariums hold marine life representing the waters of four continents, three oceans and various seas around the world. The replica of the South American Orinoco River basin features its tropical rainforest and savannas which are home to unparalleled concentrations of flora and fauna. The outdoor model of South Africa’s southern tip biomes displays a lagoon-like exhibit presenting both plants and animals from the area. Mundo Maya highlights the contributions of the ancient Mayan culture. Open seven days a week from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. General admission $15.95; Seniors 60+ $12.95, children 3-12, $8.95, and children under 2, no charge. Prices do not include tax. All major credit cards accepted. 1801 N. Griffin St. 214-720-2242, www.dwazoo.com.

THE DALLAS ZOO - On 95 developed acres, the Dallas Zoo is the largest zoo in Texas and was the first zoo in the state. It is divided into the Wilds of Africa and ZooNorth. The 25-acre Wilds of Africa features six major African habitats. Take a 20-minute Monorail Safari (in season) to see animals in bush, desert, forest, woodland, river and mountain environments. The Kimberly-Clark Chimpanzee Forest along the Nature Trail is especially popular. ZooNorth is home to the newest exhibits: the Betty Moroney Norsworthy Otter Outpost, Tamarin Treetops and Bug U!. The ExxonMobil Endangered Tiger Habitat features a natural setting with rocks, trees, grasses, and pools of water where the tigers may swim. In Primate Place, the Zoo’s monkeys and lesser apes live in a lush park setting. The Snout Route is home to animals with distinctive noses. Nearby, visitors will find the elephants and giraffes and the Pierre A. Fontaine Bird & Reptile Building. Pass the kangaroos and hike up to the Hill where you’ll find a camel, rhinos, antelope, warthogs, and other hoofed animals. Have lunch at the Prime Meridian by the Flamingo Pond then visit the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo. There are pony rides, a petting zoo, a koi pond and a bubbling stream to get feet wet. The Underzone has naked mole rats, mongooses and other underground creatures and the Nature Exchange offers a special kind of swap shop for natural artifacts. Find an extensive collection of birds in Bird Valley and throughout the park. The Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Christmas Day. Tickets for those 12-64 are $8; 65+ $4; children 3-11 $5, under 3, no charge. Parking is $5. The Monorail runs Sept. 2 through Nov. 30. 650 S. R. L. Thornton Frwy. (I-35E at Marsalis). For more info, call (214) 670-5656 or go to www.dallaszoo.com.

FAIR PARK - Fair Park is located 2 miles east of Downtown Dallas off I-30. This 277-acre national historic landmark was the site of the 1936 Texas Centennial Exhibition, celebrating Texas' independence from Mexico. The grounds are home to nine museums, sporting events, corporate events, national exhibitions and festivals. Special features include the Texas Vietnam Memorial, the lushly landscaped Leonhardt Lagoon, the Smith Fountain and the Old Mill Inn Restaurant. Other unique historic features include six mammoth statues representing the six governments that have ruled Texas which line the Esplanade flanked by two buildings both of which have 1936 Art Deco murals and bas reliefs adorning their facades. More than 6.5 million people attend musicals, concerts, and more than 100 festivals and exhibits there annually. Each year, from the last Friday in September through the third Sunday in October, Fair Park is the site of the State Fair of Texas with more than 3.5 million people attending each fall. The museums have varying hours and admission prices and take most major credit cards. For more information, call 214-670-8400 or go to www.fairparkdallas.com.

LOUIS TUSSAUD'S PALACE OF WAX & RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT! - Grand Prairie's Palace of Wax is the place to view wax figures of the best and worst of humanity from Hollywood stars to characters who lived in the old west: the heroes and villains of our history. Wax figures include Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump, the menacing Captain Hook, the saintly Mother Teresa (1910-1997), and the present President Bush along with his 42 predecessors. Entering Ripley's Believe It Or Not! visitors find themed galleries with videos, artifacts, and activities. You can experience an earth quake, a Texas tornado with 200 mph winds, walk on the ocean floor, or a bed of live coals. Visitors will also see "The Lord's Prayer" written on a grain of rice and the ruins of a mystic temple. Through Labor Day hrs. are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Gen. Ad. for one attraction is $14.95 (combo ticket – $17.95); children 4-12, $8.95 or combo $9.95. 601 E. Safari Pkwy., 972-263-2391 or go to www.placeofwax.com.

THE MAJESTIC THEATRE - The Majestic Theatre opened April 11, 1921 during the Vaudeville era. Over the years it hosted various acts such as Houdini and Bob Hope. As movies pushed aside vaudeville, the Majestic became a center for premieres bringing such stars as Jimmy Stewart, Gregory Peck and John Wayne to Dallas. Live entertainment continued by Big Bands featuring such musicians as Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington. But July 16, 1973, the Majestic Theatre went dark. The Hobilitzelle Foundation, who owned the Majestic Theatre, presented it to the City of Dallas January 31, 1976. Restoration and renovations were carried out including restoring the Renaissance Baroque exterior and the reapplication of the 23K gold leaf to interior accents and molding. The Majestic was named to the National Register of Historic Places and re-opened as a center for the performing arts on January 28, 1983. Besides the main stage is the Experimental Theatre that opened in April 1999. It is designed for smaller-scale plays, dance and theatrical productions, and seats up to 100 patrons. 1925 Elm St. www.liveatthemajestic.com or call 214-880-0137.

THE MORTON H. MEYERSON SYMPHONY CENTER - The Meyerson Symphony Center is home to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Turtle Creek Chorale, the Dallas Wind Symphony and the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra. It also hosts concerts, band and choral festivals, and religious services. In its construction, 30,000 square feet of Italian travertine marble and 22,000 pieces of Indiana limestone were used. Also included in the Meyerson Symphony Center is 918 panels of African cherrywood and 216 panels of America cherrywood. Architect of the acoustically superb structure was I. M. Pei. Music Director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Litton, says "Performing here is one of the greatest privileges of my position." 2301 Flora Street, 214-670-3600 or www.meyersonsymphonycenter.com.

THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK - This theater, that premiered with Sigmund Romberg's The Student Prince in the fall of 1925, is home stage for the Dallas Summer Musicals, Dallas Opera, Texas Ballet Theatre (along with other ballet dance troupes), and Broadway Musical touring companies. The summer musicals run from May to October and the Dallas Opera season is from November to February. The Spanish Baroque-style structure, with touches of Moorish influences, is located at Fair Park where a world renowned collection of Art Deco architecture stands, much of it built for the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition. 909 First Avenue. For information go to www dallassummermusicals.org. Tickets 214-373-8000.

THE NASHER SCULPTURE CENTER - Few institutions in the world are devoted to the exhibition, study, and preservation of modern sculpture. The Nasher Sculpture Center, which opened October 20, 2003, is one of those few. Conceived as an urban retreat for the enjoyment of modern art, the Sculpture Center is the home of the renowned Raymond and Patsy Nasher Collection of modern and contemporary sculpture. More than three hundred sculptures make up the collection along with twentieth-century paintings and drawings which will be rotated in thematic installations throughout the Center's integrated indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces. The 55,000 ft. building, surrounded by a spacious garden created by Peter Walker, was designed by Renzo Piano. Special collections of works, drawn from other sources, will also be exhibited as part of the Center's mission of examining the forces shaping sculpture since the late nineteenth century. A gift shop and cafe are on site. Hours are Tues. & Wed. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs. 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. & Fri., Sat. & Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Gen. admission $10, Seniors (65+) $7, Students $5. Free for Children under 13. Docent-guided or self-guided tours are available at regular admission prices. Closed Mondays & New Year's Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. 2001 Flora St. in the Dallas Arts District, between Olive and Harwood Sts. 214-242-5100 or www.NasherSculptureCenter.org.

OLD CITY PARK: the Historical Village of Dallas - Old City Park's mission is to bring history to life so that visitors may relive some of the experiences of the years from 1840-1910 in Dallas and North Central Texas. Old City Park's thirteen acres hosts 38 historic structures, a working farm, a traditional Jewish household, elegant Victorian homes, a school, a church and commercial buildings. Visitors may interact with lively characters, do historic crafts, or help with chores around the historical village. Monthly programs explore different aspects of Dallas history with crafts, music, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. Summer hours until Sept. 15 are Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sun. noon-4 p.m. After that hours will be Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with Sun. hrs. remaining the same. Open daily except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Gen. Adm. $7, 65+ $5, and children 3-12 $4. Self-paced tours or guided tours are available. A multi-lingual audio tour is $3 extra. 1717 Gano St., 214-421-5141, www.oldcitypark.org.

THE SCIENCE PLACE - The Science Place hosts three distinct areas for learning and entertainment. Exhibit halls hold both permanent and traveling exhibitions. Some of the permanent displays are Electric, Imagination, a farm, the Kids Place, Dental, Laser and Medical areas, many of them hands-on displays. In the planetarium, visitors can experience “The Great Constellation Hunt” and visit Saturn and examine its rings and largest moon, Titan. In the TI Founders IMAX® theater, movie goers can experience an auditorium that seats 329 persons, with each seat designed to let the viewer “have the best seat in the house” under the 79-foot domed screen overhead. IMAX® feature films are usually 40 minutes long. The IMAX® facility is available for private parties and seats 550 in the atrium or 1,000 in a buffet setting. The Science Place exhibit hall area may also be rented. Architecturally appealing, the theater entrance is flanked by two floating staircases rising above a black terrazzo rendering of the solar system including eleven constellations with a movable marker indicating the constellations visible in the night sky. For more information on renting this facility, call 214-428-5555 ext, 303. The Science Place is open Tues.-Fri. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sat. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. & Sun. 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Open on Mondays during the State Fair, Winter Break & Spring Break. 1318 Second Ave., 214-428-5555.

SIXTH FLOOR MUSEUM AT DEALEY PLAZA - "Dallas’ Most Visited Historic Site" uses walls of photographs and videos to examine the life and death of John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the USA. The place at the 6th floor window from which the assassin fired upon the motorcade, is marked off by wooden crates, and Walter Cronkite still announces to the nation that its president is dead. Visitors are encouraged to write their own thoughts about that day after viewing the exhibition. Daily except Christmas. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Gen. Adm. $10, Seniors, students and children over 7, $9. Children under 6, no charge. Audio guides in several languages are $3 or less. 411 Elm St., (the former School Book Depository). For more information call 214-747-6660 or go to www.jfk.org.