We visited Dallas in April of 2022 mainly to meet up with my college buddies. We spent one of the days site seeing around Dallas.
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza – The Museum, located within the former Texas School Book Depository building, chronicles the assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy in Nov of 1963.
The museum’s exhibits include items related to the political climate of the early 1960s, assassination of the President John F. Kennedy, the tense hours following the shooting, recollections of the state of shock that enveloped the nation and the world, the investigations that followed, and JFK’s legacy.
John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza – Located a few blocks from the Museum at Dealey Plaza stands a plaza with a monument to President Kennedy, that was completed in 1970. Resembling a cenotaph, the open tomb concept was designed by renowned architect Philip Johnson to represent what he saw as Kennedy’s free spirit. Standing some 30 feet tall and 50 feet wide and made from large marble slabs, it is certainly an impressive site.
Dallas city Courthouse – Across from the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza is the impressive city courthouse.
Giant Eyeball sculpture along the main street – This odd (cool or creepy) sculpture has been there on the main street of Dallas since 2013. A work of Chicago-based artist Tony Tasset who created it in 2007 out of fiberglass, this piece is modeled after his own eyeball. The plot of land where the Eye sits was where the Praetorian Building, which was briefly Dallas’ tallest building, once stood.
Pioneer Log Cabin – One block east of Dealey Plaza stands a log cabin that recalls the city’s pioneer settlers. The cabin is one of the earliest dwellings in the city. The cabin originally belonged to Dallas County pioneer Gideon Pemberton and had changed hands many times. In 1936 the cabin was given to the City of Dallas. It was restored and moved to its current location in 1970.
Reunion Tower – One of the tallest and most recognizable building in downtown Dallas, the Reunion tower affectionately known as ‘The Ball’ offers a 360-degree view of Dallas from the GeO-Deck observation platform at the top of the tower which is at 470 feet above street level. Completed in 1978 it is spectacularly lit up at night.
Dallas Cattle Drive Sculptures at Pioneer Plaza – Located in Downtown Dallas, this park is, maintained by the adjacent Dallas Convention Center, and is designed to resemble a section of the Shawnee Trail, a major Texas cattle drive route in the 19th century.
It is fun to walk around this beautiful area which has 49 larger-than-life bronze sculptures of Texas Longhorn cattle that are being herded through the park and across the creek by three mounted cowboys. Designed by artist Robert Summers, the park is landscaped to reproduce the scene of the iconic industry that defined early Texas.
Hindu Temple hopping in Dallas and surrounding area
Hanuman Temple – The Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple is located in Frisco which is about 28 miles north of Dallas. The temple was inaugurated in 2015 by its founder, Ganapathi Sachchidananda. The temple’s tower, or “rajagopuram” was constructed in 2019. The main deity of the temple is Hanuman.
Radha Krishna Temple (RKT) is located in Allen which is about 26 miles north of Dallas. The opening ceremonies and consecration (Pratiṣṭhavidhi) were held over eight days, 4–11 July 2017. Life-sized statues of Radha and Krishna were unveiled on 9 July 2017. Statues of Ram, Sita, Hanuman, and Ganesh were later added.
Ekta Mandir – Located in Irving, 12 miles northwest of Dallas, the DFW temple, also known as the Ekta Mandir was devised by a group of devotees in 1981. The temple aims at providing a place of worship and a space for spiritual wellness for the Hindu community of Dallas and the surrounding area. The temple features many deities – Lord Ganesha, Sri Mahalakshmi, Lord Hanuman, Shri Durga Mata, Shri Rada Krishna, to name some.
Guruvayurappan Temple – Located in Carrolton which is 16 miles north of Dallas, this Temple is modeled on the famous Sri Krishna Temple in Guruvayur (Kerala, India) and is maintained by Keralites. The daily rituals are done as per Kerala traditions.
