Moving to a new city can be both exhilarating and hard, especially one as active and diverse as Dallas, Texas. Dallas, renowned for its rich history, thriving economy, and cultural attractions, has something for everyone.
Whether you’re lured to the city because of its employment market, strong arts scene, or reputation as a sports hub, you should get to know it before you leave. From its different neighborhoods and unpredictable weather to the notorious traffic and southern friendliness, there’s a lot to learn about life in Dallas.
In this post, we’ll look at 15 crucial facts you should know about Dallas to assist you make an easy adjustment and enjoy everything this vibrant city has to offer.
1. We Have The Best Cheerleaders in the World.
The Dallas Cowboys are renowned as America’s team, in part because they were the first to deploy sideline cheerleaders. The girls have their reality TV program and have entertained more US troops overseas than any other entertainment act in the last 25 years. Move over, Bob Hope!
2. Dallas is your Smorgasbord.
Dallas has more restaurants per capita than New York City, and the cuisine has an international flair. Head to Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek for some of the best French-Continental cuisine you’ll ever have. Dallas, Texas has it all: seafood, BBQ, Italian, Japanese, and Tex-Mex cuisine.
3. Without Dallas, There Would Be No Super Bowl
Dallas oilman Lamar Hunt, who owned the Kansas City Chiefs, jokingly referred to the NFL championship as the “Super Bowl.” Spoiler: The name stayed.
4. Dallas Is A Billionaire Magnet
Dallas is home to 18 Fortune 500 firms as well as 18 of the wealthiest billionaires according to Forbes Magazine. If that doesn’t convince you that we’re making a lot of money, consider this: Dallas has the second-highest concentration of billionaires behind New York.
5. Dallas Has More Stores Than You Can Shake a Stick at
The city’s West End MarketPlace is a popular destination for both tourists and locals, while the Shops at Legacy, located just north of the city in Plano, attracts shoppers like flies to a barbecue. Neiman Marcus, headquartered in Dallas, is a beloved local institution. The city is teeming with retail malls and shopping complexes, like North Dallas’ Galleria, so you’ll never run out of places to buy Western clothing.
6. The Windy City Has Nothing on Dallas
Let’s look at the numbers. Dallas’ annual average wind speed is 10.7 mph. In Chicago, the speed is 10.3 mph.
7. You’ll Wish You Attended High School Here
Dallas’ Woodrow Wilson High School is the only secondary school in the nation to have produced two Heisman Trophy winners: Davey O’Brien in 1938 and Tim Brown in 1987. The school also graduated musical legends Steve Miller of The Steve Miller Band and ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill, as well as Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Lawrence Wright.
8. You Can Thank Dallas for Elevator Music
The Statler Hilton, established in 1956, offered elevator music to its guests and installed 21″ Westinghouse TVs in each room, which had never been done before. There was also a heliport on top of the skyscraper to take people to and from the airport.
9. And for the Glory of the ATM
Seriously, why engage with a real person when you can have a machine spit money at you? Dallas is also where the integrated circuit computer chip, commonly known as the microchip, was conceived. Dallas has also been home to numerous outstanding technological companies, notably Texas Instruments.
10. Dallas Loves Its Farmers
Where is the largest Farmers’ Market in the United States? Right in the heart of Dallas, Texas. The market started in the late nineteenth century, allowing farmers to sell straight from their carts. Millions of visitors visit throughout the year.
11. It Has a Thing for Tall Buildings
The first skyscraper built west of the Mississippi is near the farmers’ market. The Praetorian Building was built in 1909 and stood 15 floors tall. Although it was demolished in 2013, the city still has 262 high-rise structures. Twenty-eight of them are above 400 feet tall, with the Bank of America Plaza being the tallest at 921 feet.
12. Dallas is a Melting Pot
With 45,000 Jewish citizens, Dallas is Texas’ largest Jewish community. The city is 25% African-American, has a strong Mexican-American population, and 42.4% are of Hispanic or Latino descent. There is also a sizable and active LGBT community, and the city is home to a variety of religious beliefs.
13. Remember Barney? Yes, You Are Welcome For Your Childhood
Dallas is where the enormous purple dinosaur and “Wishbone” the book-loving pooch were developed. Both series were popular during the 1990s.
14. It Hosts the Largest Battle of the Year
Red River Rivalry is one of Texas’ longest-running traditions. The Texas-OU college football game is one of the most anticipated events in sports, with fans from both teams looking forward to it each year. The teams have been competing in the State Fair of Texas since 1900 when Oklahoma was still a US territory.
15. It’s A Jazz And Blues Pioneer
Deep Ellum is well-known for its diversified arts and entertainment scene, which is likely since it boasts the most pubs and nightclubs of any district in the city. In the 1920s, however, it became a shelter for jazz and blues performers like Blind Lemon Jefferson, Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter, and Bessie Smith. The name is derived from what locals used to call “deep Elm Street.”
Summary
To summarize, coming to Dallas provides a unique combination of historical history, cultural diversity, and economic opportunity. From its robust food scene and booming job market to its dynamic artistic community, the city offers a limitless variety of activities. Embracing these 15 important facts will help you manage and enjoy your time in this hectic metropolis.