When it comes to finding things to do off-campus, many SMU students find themselves clueless in Dallas. Most students don’t realize there is much more to do in the Dallas Metroplex beyond Hillcrest, Lovers and Mockingbird.
SMU offers various activities along with a other mix of ideas suggested below.
In an informal poll conducted of SMU undergraduates, students ranked their top 10 places to go off campus aside from the typical restaurant, bar or movie.
According to students, the No. 1 attraction in Dallas is Six Flags Over Texas. The amusement park has something for everyone, from the Titan roller coaster to the old-fashioned carousel.
“I’m very scared of roller coasters, but I love the train and log flume,” said Robby Holley, a sophomore business major.
The park is home to over 100 rides, shows and other attractions. The Titan is the park’s current highlight which reaches a height of 225 feet and speeds up to 85 mph. A 120-foot tunnel, spiral curves and camelback hills are among the thrills of the rollercoaster. Batman the Ride, is another popular rollercaster. This ride plummets nine feet at speeds up to 50 mph leaving riders with their feet dangling in bottomless cars.
For those with less stable stomachs, check out the Dallas World Aquarium and Zoological Garden for a different kind of excitement.
The Aquarium brings visitors deep into the feeling of the Amazon.
A two-story escalator ride, The Cape of Good Hope, provides a view of the multilevel rainforest which features an outdoor black-footed penguin and an exhibit of the South African plains.
An emerald tree boa, poison dart frogs, squirrel monkeys and toucans are a few of the tropical creatures which give life to the aquarium. There are also 12 saltwater tanks filled with coral reef ecosystems and marine life.
Next on the list of places to go is Medieval Times, a jousting show complete with knights, princesses and an authentic Medieval meal.
Throughout the show, diners watch hand-to-hand combat, horse tricks and the choosing of a queen from the audience.
“Being a regular at Medieval Times, as well as an avid joust fan, I can say that the performances are as realistic as it gets,” said Scott Hankey, a sophomore business major.
To experience another type of show, Bronco Bowl is the place to go.
Bronco Bowl is a 140,000 square-foot facility which houses a 3,000-seat concert hall, bowling lanes, a bar, pool tables and restaurant.
The concert hall is constantly presenting big-name performers ranging from Sarah McLachlan to 311 and the Backstreet Boys. It is not too big, allowing for an intimate show which provides the excitement of a large concert.
“The first concert I ever went to was Garbage at Bronco Bowl,” said Fidan Kasra, sophomore business and political science major. “What was so cool about it was how you could bowl and eat before the show.”
For a little more interaction and hands-on fun, students opt for the Palace of Wax/ Ripley’s Believe It or Not. From the outside, one is attracted by the Egyptian-like palace design and from the inside there are life-like wax figures and unbelievable exhibits.
A few of the exhibits include pictures and models of a double-eyed man from China and a single-headed, double-bodied calf. “Tornado Alley” allows visitors to experience the fierce winds of a tornado.
Just around the corner, in the same building, lies an odd form of entertainment from previous generations and other realms, the Palace of Wax. The first display, “Hooray for Hollywood,” features stars such as Demi Moore, John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.
“The Museum of Fear” is a haunted-house set with smoke, music and a wax Frankenstein. At the end of the wax museum, visitors can dip a hand in wax to create an original piece of wax art.
When it comes to art in Dallas, students have recognized the Dallas Museum of Art as the place to go.
“I get inspiration for my own artwork from going to the DMA and enjoying all the great exhibits that they have as well as the permanent collection,” said Whitney Jenkins, sophomore business and studio art double major. “And the café#233; there has the best chicken salad croissant sandwich I have ever had!”
The DMA features a permanent collection with special exhibits and highlights. Unique characteristics of the museum include a full-service art research library, a computerized collection database, an auditorium, two restaurants and many other educational programs, tours and special events.
Recent special exhibits include artists Jasper Johns, Claude Monet, Robert Rauschenberg and some of the recovered Egyptian tomb artifacts.
The DMA has also loaned a few of its sculptures to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, another top choice for SMU students.
“The arboretum is tranquil and scenic,” said Laura Sparkman, a sophomore Psychology and CCPA major. “I went with the YMCA of Dallas as a camp counselor. The kids found it entertaining while the counselors found it relaxing. I definitely recommend a visit.”
The arboretum is located on White Rock Lake and is home to the DeGoyler House, a mansion fashioned with a 1940s Spanish colonial style and breathtaking landscape. In addition to the sculpture garden, there is an ornamental garden complete with waterfalls.
Currently, the arboretum is holding its annual “Dallas Blooms Autumn.” This five-week event displays tens of thousands of fall flowers in a 66-acre garden. Additionally, there is a pumpkin patch and garden highlighting vegetables from around the world.
Live multi-cultural entertainment is performed on weekends with gardeners on hand to answer specific questions.
Outside the gate of the arboretum, lies White Rock Lake, another favorite of SMU students.
At the lake, there are activities for everyone. Swimming, bicycling, running, sailing, fishing, playgrounds, picnics and skateboarding are just the beginning of the wide range of things to do.
“You can see the lights from downtown Dallas from the water on a clear night,” Ryan Lamb, sophomore business major, said. “When the sun rises, it is the most gorgeous thing ever. The path around the lake is also really great for biking.”
One of the downtown buildings visible from White Rock Lake is Reunion Tower, the place to go for an excellent view of Dallas.
Reunion Tower has an observation deck with 50 stories, providing a 360-degree view of the city. Uptown and downtown neighborhoods, Trinity River and Texas Stadium are just a few of the sights visible from the top. Atop the observation deck is Antares, a rotating restaurant.
“You get a great view from way up there,” sophomore Lindsey White said. “The dessert is to die for.”
When it comes to food, the Dallas Farmers Market is the place to go for fresh produce.
However, it has plenty of competition from Central Market on Lovers and Greenville.
The Farmers Market is the largest market in the area and it is open year-round. Farmers and vendors sell their fresh fruits and vegetables at low prices. To prove how delicious their products are, all of the vendors offer samples.
Outside of Dallas, a little farther west is Fort Worth, another city full of exciting places to go.
At the Fort Worth Zoo, visitors will find a variety of exotic animals from around the world. A unique feature of the zoo is that it is divided into different sections which represents different regions of Texas including “Hill Country,” “Texas Town,” “High Plains & Prairies” and “Gulf Coast.”
Outside the Texas exhibits, there are many other animals brought in from around the world. Some of these animals are koalas, Komodo dragons, flamingos and Malaysian sun bears.
Billy Bob’s Texas is another Fort Worth favorite.
Billy Bob’s includes weekly live country performers, live bull-riding, country line dancing and barbecue. Other activities include pool tables and slot machines.
“We went and saw Diamond Rio and we learned some incredible two-step moves from some great dancers,” said Ryan Trimble, sophomore CCPA and Spanish double major. “We danced all night!”
According to students, the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth is also worth the drive.
World-renowned shows are not uncommon at this museum, with endowments ranking it among the top 10 museums in the nation in buying power. Currently featured at Kimbell is “The Path to Abstraction,” an exhibit on Mondrian from 1892 to 1914.
The permanent collection offers a wide range of art from prehistoric to early 20th century pieces. Pre-Renaissance European art, European Impressionist paintings the and Italian Renaissance work are a few of the strong collections present. The museum is also working on expanding its African and Asian collections.
Whether taking advantage of the vast opportunities at White Rock Lake or viewing a new collection at the Dallas Museum of Art, the opportunities in Dallas reach far beyond restaurants, movies and bars.
