As cliche as it may seem, your first must-see stop should be the 6th Floor Museum. From there, continue on a mini JFK tour.
Sixth Floor Museum — Located at the former Book Depository where Lee Harvey Oswald worked (and the window seen below on the sixth floor) and allegedly shot President John F Kennedy. 411 Elm St, Dallas, Texas.
Grassy Knoll Dealey Plaza — Many things to see outside here. The spot on the street, usually marked by 2 X’s, where the shots that hit and killed Kennedy happened. The picket fence atop the grassy knoll. This area is eerily similar looking to every video and photograph you have ever seen. Not a lot has changed in this area.
Texas Theatre — The site where Oswald was arrested. Still open, and authentic, and you can catch a movie there. Sit where Oswald sat.
Oswald Rooming House in Oak Cliff — Loved my tour there. Met Patricia Hall (owner, and knew Oswald when she was a child) 1026 N Beckley Ave
Ruth Paine House 2515 W Fifth St, the house has been restored to how it looked in 1963 and it was fantastic to see. Oswald spent his last night before the assassination here with his wife. See the garage where he grabbed a long tube-shaped package (curtain rods or the murder weapon, you decide). Co-worker Buell Frazier who drove him to work that day lived down the street.
Neely Street Boarding House — This is where the famous photographs of Oswald holding communist propaganda articles in one hand and the alleged murder weapon (rifle) in the other. (Located at 214 W Neely St, very close to Oswald rooming house in Oak Cliff, go here next)
Other Interesting Memorials or Tributes:
JFK Memorial Site — One block from Dealey Plaza, 50 ft high square memorial with inscriptions.
JFK Tribute — Outside of the Ft Worth Hilton Hotel (Formerly Hotel Texas) this is where Kennedy spent his last night and gave his final speech. Sculpture, photographs, and inscriptions regarding his final moments there.
Dallas Municipal Building — Where Jack Ruby shot and killed alleged Kennedy assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, as he came into the garage.
Parkland Hospital — The hospital where both JFK and Oswald were taken after being shot. Jack Ruby, who shot and killed Oswald, also died here.
Lee Harvey Oswald’s burial remains are located at Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Chapel and Cemetery in Ft Worth, Texas.
Campisi’s Restaurant — You need to eat while doing all of these tours, might as well be here. The owner in 1963, Joe Campisi, and his wife visited Ruby in jail on November 30th, 1963. Would love to know the details of that conversation. Ruby frequented this restaurant back in the early 60s and it had ties to the Marcello mob family. The pizza was great.
J.D. Tippit Memorial. The spot where Officer J.D. Tippit was shot and killed. Located at E 10th St and N Patton Ave.
Jack Ruby’s former Carousel Club, located 1312–1/2 Commerce
Former Home of Major General Edwin A. Walker. Oswald allegedly attempted to assassinate him on April 10th, 1963 firing a single shot that barely missed the General after passing through his front window frame. 4011 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas
Non-JFK-related sites:
If the historical sites regarding the JFK assassination aren’t your thing, there are many other points of interest that you will want to do while in the area.
The burial locations of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde are both in Dallas.
Clyde Barrow is buried at Western Heights Cemetery (1617 Fort Worth Ave) and Bonnie Parker’s remains are at Crown Hill Memorial Park(9178 Webb Chapel Rd). Was moved from her original burial site, West Dallas’ Fish Trap Cemetery, due to reoccurring vandalism. Bonnies’ mother insisted her daughter and Clyde not be buried together.
Billy Bob’s Texas “World’s Largest Honky Tonk” 2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth Texas
Ft Worth Stockyards
Gilley’s Dallas (Gilley’s Place from Urban Cowboy) 1135 Botham Jean Blvd, Dallas, Texas
George Bush Presidential Library
Reunion Tower
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Dallas Zoo
Deep Ellum — Live music, arts, and cultural events.
Dallas Mavericks American Airlines Center, NBA
Dallas Stars American Airlines Center, NHL
Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium, NFL
Texas Rangers Globe Life Field, MLB
Dallas County Courthouse — A block away from Dealey Plaza.
Giant Eyeball — Main St near Dallas Arts District.
Dining:
Cattleack Barbeque
Resident Taqueria
Keller’s Drive-In
Tommy Tamale Market & Cafe
Recipe Oak Cliff (Vegan and vegetarian)
Sweet Georgia Brown
Cheesesteak House
Conclusion:
Let me know in the comments how your trip went, and any other “hot spots” I have missed. Dallas has so much to offer for travelers and residents alike. If you found this useful and interesting, please clap (up to 50 times) and comment. May all of your journeys be safe, exciting, and shared with the people you love.
As always, Thank You for reading!
David
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