Dallas Historic West End

What do you know about JFK?

Tony — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 19:59:43 +0000

Did you know that Dallas is where the assassination of President John F. Kennedy Occurred? Do you know the history and facts behind the story?

Well, This adventure is one to be remembered, as it is part of the West End’s and Dallas’ History. Growing up I’ve heard many stories surrounding JFK and what happened and in visiting the Sixth Floor Museum, my thoughts were that I knew all I needed to know about JFK and this would just be a museum where I can just view artifacts and read on him….. That was anything but, what I expected. The West End is full of surprises!

Sixth Floor Museum

When you enter the Sixth Floor Museum, you receive an audio headset tour as you enter an elevator up to the 6th floor. Everything about our past president has been meticulously displayed and documented in one museum, you learn about who he was and everything he was about. You get a first hand look into his family, what they ate, how they enjoyed life, all they way to the people and communities he helped and visited. His presidential campaign trail and the things that were going on at that time, like music and books, were also presented and displayed. It is a very awesome sight to see.

Then, you get an up close and personal look at the day of the tragedy, from beginning to end. But it is not your ordinary, Look and See museum, No, it places you literally where it all happened. You get to view snapshots taken that day and read transcripts from the media and police at that exact time. You get to look and stand close enough to where Lee Harvey Oswald stood and took those 3 infamous shots, and view the exact visual he had and the spots where each bullet landed. Did you know that on the main streets of Dallas, the road is marked off at each exact point where the shots hit? People drive over it every day not knowing that is a very historic spot!

What’s Your Theory?

At one point, you get to play CSI and create your own theory and conclusion of what really happened that day, just by reviewing the evidence that is on sight. I, myself have my own clues and theories about it but ill leave you to see what you think! Coming towards the end of the tour you get to see where the gun was hidden and what events happened afterwards. Then, the most intimate and touching experience was getting to read and add my own thoughts and well wishes in the books created for the History of JFK. Reading some of the small signatures and short words of inspiration made tears form, as nothing is more pure and true than the words you create and give to another on paper. So, as I added to the many pages of thoughts, my own well wishes to the Kennedy family, I left feeling refreshed and ready to go on with my day. But before I got to leave, I learned one additional fact about that incident that will have you guessing again. The display and story of Jack Ruby “The Man in the Hat”. I won’t go into detail on that story but I strongly suggest you go out and experience the Sixth Floor Museum on your own. Once again, the West End has proven to be full of hidden treasures and amazing discoveries, and I must say this museum is definitely on of them! Enjoy!

Family Fun Time in the West End!

Tony — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:00:58 +0000

Families Can Have Fun!

Well this Monday evening has been one of the best since I’ve been on my journey here in the Dallas West End! The National Forensic League had a huge Kick-off street party for everyone to attend, there was food, games, karaoke, Live Wii challenges, snow cones, inflatable activities, and so much more and All of the businesses in the West End participated, so you got to taste food from many restaurants down here like Y.O. Ranch Steakhouse, RJ’s Mexican Cuisine, Hoffbrau Steaks, Dick’s Last Resort, and many more. The crowd was massive and even the Haunted House was a sight to see! It was a great way to show how the West End parties for friends and families of all ages! There was even a little shopping as well, with Wild Bill’s Western Store on site and a 50% Off sports store in the mix as well, not to mention street art and a few other nick-knacks to pick up along the way. The Accidental Mummies exhibit was even apart of the festivities which fit in right with the crowds near Munger Street.

Keeping Cool

Despite the hot weather here in Dallas, there was enough out there to keep you cool and calm, with cooling tents and plenty of beverages. It was like stepping back in time, when I saw the spray paint artist and street performers all out and about showing off their extraordinary talents. For those who thought and still think that the West End is dead, you are sadly mistaking. It is definitely making a come back and if they keep up summer events like these there’s no telling what will be in store for Dallasites!

More to Come

If you missed this week’s adventure, don’t fret I’m sure there is more to come and more to see here in the West End! In the meantime, I’ll continue my travels showing and telling you all that’s here to see, do and what there is to come in this Historic place of downtown Dallas. So, until next time……Viva la Dallas West End!

What’s Better than Walking and Driving?

Tony — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:47:30 +0000

Segway Hits Dallas

A few years back the world was built up to the anticipation of something great! Something that was going to change the way we lived and operated as a human race, when it was finally revealed back in 2002 the world’s response was not as riled up as it was expected to be. The product that was revealed was the “Segway”. Although, it did not catch on as quickly and as huge as the maker wanted it to, this mode of transportation did not fade out. In fact, the more wealthier population who where gadget savvy bought into this product. As time went by, people little by little started becoming more curious about the Segways and their operation, thus the start of Segway tour companies.

Dallas Segway Tours

You can find Segway tours in many major cities today and Dallas is absolutely one of them. I discovered one right here in the Dallas West End! Whodathunkit! So I took the Dallas Familiarity Tour to learn more about the history of Dallas, when I started, the tour guide, who rides with you, gave me the do’s and don’ts of the segway and made sure I was protected with the appropriate head and foot safety gear. I must say being slightly young,lol,I felt a little uncomfortable with my helmet, only because I can be fashionably conscious at times:) But that went away fairly quickly when training time began. Training takes place just walking distance from the front office in a open spot in the West End, plenty of space to make mistakes and embarrass yourself:) You get about 5-10 mins to learn, more time if you need it, it’s like learning how to drive a car for the first time. But once you get the hang of it, it’s all over, you will never want to get off!

Segway Your Way Thru Dallas West End

So, off we went to tour Downtown Dallas! In a Segway you can go up to 12 MPH but that’s fast when you compare it to walking, during this totally awesome mobile driving session you get to learn about things like JFK and where he was assassinated, the first house built in Dallas, Cowboys and Buffalos, new things being built in Dallas and so much more. You begin to look so cool when riding on your segway that people you pass by want to know how can they ride and where can they get one! It’s like “riding” on the red carpet, Seriously, you become famous instantly! Along with the tour, riding and breaks with pictures you even get a courtesy bottle of water with your segway to quench your thirst on your journey:)

After all that’s said and done, You get a slew of pictures of yourself or group all during the tour for Free! Can’t get better than that. The folks over at Dallas Segway Tours really put the ‘H’ in Hospitality, but that’s what you should expect when visiting the West End. Well, in summary thats my experience on a segway in the Dallas West End, but don’t take my word for it…..Go out and enjoy one for yourself, you won’t regret it! Another experience checked off in my adventures of the Dallas West End, Enjoy!

An Exhibit Worth Seeing!

Tony — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 23:12:06 +0000

Accidental Mummies

One of my many adventures down here in the West End has been a recent opening of a traveling exhibit called: “Accidental Mummies“. At first thought I wondered what in the world?! How can you be an accidental mummy? I instantly thought of something out of a horror film or relative to it. But I decided to go check it out anyway, I mean, how bad could it be?

Mummy Exhibit Originated in Detroit

So, as I entered this exhibit which is located in the West End Marketplace, which use to be a mall many years ago, I had no idea what to expect. But what I came upon was truly amazing and nothing of my first thoughts. This exhibit originated from Detroit and is now in Dallas for the next few weeks, the history behind this is unbelievable. I took both a guided tour and audio tour of what this story was all about and learned so much from it.

Guanajuato, Mexico

I visited a replica of a realistic graveyard located in Guanajuato, Mexico. I was told that it is so realistic that natives from that part of Mexico wept when they visited this exhibit, and I can believe it! I looked at photos I googled online about it and the details, the feel, and everything about this exhibit was like Guanajuato was right here in the West End! Truly amazing work they have there. Then came the mummies, without sharing all of the details about the exhibit (don’t want to spoil it for ya;), I got to see the work that went into preserving them to have them here in Dallas to view, I got a 1st hand take on how they became mummies, which totally explained the title of “Accidental Mummies“ because it was truly an accident believe it or not. Then, I got to meet a few of them myself, which ive posted pictures below as well. Me and Pepe’ laid out and had a photo shoot and then I met the others which weren’t too funny to look at but very amazing to see.

The details and preservation of these mummies are absolutely astounding! Did you know some clothes can last a lifetime?! Kinda makes me think I should shop in Mexico for my clothes now,lol. But in all seriousness this is really an exhibit to see, it’s not scary or gruesome but very educational and fun for those of curious or scientific minds. For about $15 it was well worth the viewing and leaves you with something to talk about. So, while you enjoy checking out the pics from my adventure here, go on out and have a unique one of your own! It’s well worth the visit.

Pepe’ isn’t quite a mummy but he’s my new friend! Next is the MRI of a real mummy and the last is a grave site shot, hope you enjoy!

Welcome to a Growing West End

Tony — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:35:16 +0000

Dallas West End is Growing

From a bloggers perspective visiting new places and seeing new things comes with the territory. Being a non-native myself I have come upon an old part of Dallas that has been once the highlight of the city, to a ghost town, and a now re-birthed, up and coming community….The Historic West End.

In this journey I will share all that there is to experience about the West End, give you insights and the heads up on things to expect down here. Now, you may ask well, who are you? But I will leave that up to you to find out someday;) Meanwhile, if you are looking for things to do in Dallas and see what the real deal is behind the Historic West End, this will be the place to look, discover and learn more about an existing place that has been right here for quite sometime. From both a travelers point of view and those of a native as well. I would like to welcome you to the West! Where Only in The West End can you live, discover, work and learn! All while having fun right in your own front yard…….Dallas.