Top Destinations : Dallas, TX

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Of the greatest magnitude to some and merely crucial to others, the Dallas shopping scene is a focal point of Dallas life. High-end boutiques meld with trendy pedestrian areas, and mammoth malls mesh with the most recognizable names in fashion worldwide.

Housed under a giant glass dome, the Dallas Galleria makes shopping a sport. Destination spots such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci mingle with spacious department stores like Nordstrom and Macy's. Various dining options surround a premier skating rink that is most popular during the holiday season, when a giant Christmas tree takes center court. Plan to spend an entire day, as seasoned shoppers won't want to rush. For more information, call 972-702-7100. 13350 Dallas Parkway (I-635 at the Dallas North Tollway), Dallas.

Renowned for stores including Neiman Marcus and Tiffany & Co., NorthPark Center offers a wide selection of fine boutiques, popular favorites and fine dining venues. Arguably one of Dallas's top attractions, NorthPark Center is home to hard-to-find stores such as Anthropologie, Juicy Couture and dELiA*s. For more information, the NorthPark Center concierge can be reached at 214-361-6345. 8687 N. Central Expressway, Dallas.

Located in the northern tip of popular Uptown, the West Village is one of the city's trendiest spots for shopping, dining and entertainment. A giant Borders bookstore sits on a major corner in this fashionable pedestrian zone. The West Village is home to the Magnolia Theater, which regularly hosts independent film festivals. The area offers complimentary valet parking during the day. For more information, call 469-547-9666. McKinney Avenue and Routh Street, Dallas.

One of the largest malls in Texas, Grapevine Mills, is located northwest of Dallas in the suburb of Grapevine. This retail and entertainment mega-mall features more than 200 stores, 30 dining venues and a massive movie theater. Desirable destinations include Last Call from Neiman Marcus Clearance Center and the OFF 5th-Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet. For more information, call 972-724-4900. 3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine.

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If baseball, basketball or Ferris wheels are on the agenda, Dallas offers a variety of entertainment complexes sure to please the discerning fan. Scattered around the city are plenty of spots to provide excitement and thrills.

Located in Irving, Texas Stadium is home to "America's Team", the Dallas Cowboys. Famous or infamous (depending on who you ask,) the Cowboys are a major draw every fall. Texas Stadium also plays host to a variety of events year-round including concerts, festivals, carnivals, college football and high school football. Contact the stadium at tsc@dallascowboys.net.

Fans of roller coasters can find adrenaline bliss at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington. The enormous theme park is home to such heart-stopping rides as the Superman Tower of Power, a 325-foot skyrocket that catapults brave riders up before dropping them at 45 miles per hour. Other thrills include the monstrous wooden Texas Giant coaster and the famous Oil Derrick. For ticket information, call 817-607-6150. 2201 Road to Six Flags, Arlington.

Also located in Arlington, Ameriquest Field is where baseball fans can find the Texas Rangers. The baseball-only complex includes a youth baseball park, a 12-acre lake and a four-story office building. The open-air complex seats up to 50,000 people, and invites fans to enjoy delicious hot dogs under the Texas sun. For more information, call 817-273-5222. 1000 Ballpark Way, Arlington.

The Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Stars play home games at American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas. The 20,000-seat arena also hosts a variety of popular concerts. For ticket information, call 214-373-8000. 2500 Victory Ave., Dallas.

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Not surprisingly, steak plays a huge role in the Dallas dining scene. Other dining traditions include Tex-Mex, a blend of grilled favorites combined with Latin spices.

Open since 1993, Bob's Steak and Chop House has consistently landed at the top of critics' lists as the best spot to enjoy a steak in Dallas. The dark, clubby atmosphere complements the famous sugar-glazed carrots and corn-fed steaks. For more information, call 214-528-9446. 4300 Lemmon Ave., Dallas.

Established in 1935, Joe T. Garcia's brings visitors to Fort Worth for Tex-Mex favorites including traditional cheese enchiladas and famous fajitas. Outdoor seating allows locals and tourists to mingle over robust margaritas. The restaurant is still run by the Garcia-LanCarte family, and keeps tradition by only accepting cash. For more information, call 817-626-4356. 2201 N. Commerce Street, Fort Worth.

Locals flock time and time again to Al Biernat's in Oak Lawn for tasty offerings such as warm goat cheese salads and Cowboy-Cut ribeyes. Mr. Biernat is often at the door to greet patrons as they enter through the outdoor garden. The interior spotlights a painted dome ceiling. For more information, call 214-219-2201. 4217 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas.

A 24-karat dome sits atop III Forks in Addison, lending elegant atmosphere to a notably pristine restaurant. Featuring 12 private dining areas and an impressive wine cellar, III Forks is in a dining league of its own. "Texas French" cuisine includes Tenderloin Tips with Red Wine Sauce and Trout Pecan. Boasting its own humidor, the restaurant offers a selection of featured cigars such as Ashton, Macanudo and Cohiba. For more information, call 972-267-1776. 17776 Dallas Parkway, Dallas.

Devotees order the brisket tacos at Mia's Tex-Mex on Lemmon Avenue, a real "ma and pa" business founded in 1981. Once popular with the cast of the television show Dallas, Mia's satisfies cravings for Tex-Mex with prices that won't break the bank. For more information, call 214-526-1020. 4322 Lemmon Ave., Dallas.