20 Fun Facts About Dallas Texas

Dallas, Texas is a vibrant metropolis with a rich history and culture. Here are 20 fun facts about the “Big D”:

1. Dallas was founded in 1841 and named after George Mifflin Dallas, the 11th Vice President of the United States.
2. Dallas is nicknamed the “Big D” which originated from a popular radio show in the 1940s.
3. Dallas is known as the “Fashion Capital of the Southwest” – it has one of the largest retail markets in the country, anchored by shopping meccas like the Dallas Galleria, NorthPark Center and Highland Park Village.
4. The Dallas Arts District is the largest urban arts district in the U.S. Spanning 68 acres, it contains museums, performing arts venues and more.
5. Dallas’ skyline is punctuated by Reunion Tower, a 561 foot observation tower featuring a geodesic dome outlined with LED lights. It’s one of the most recognizable buildings in Dallas.
6. Dallas was the setting for the 1980s primetime soap opera Dallas which filmed for over 300 episodes.
7. The State Fair of Texas has taken place annually at Fair Park in Dallas since 1886. It’s known for serving creative fried foods like fried Coke and fried butter.
8. Dallas is sometimes called the “City of Hate” because of President Kennedy’s assassination there in 1963.
9. The Dallas Zoo opened in 1888, making it the oldest zoo in Texas. It spans 106 acres and is home to over 2,000 animals.
10. Dallas has the largest urban arts district in the United States spanning 19 blocks.
11. Dallas has more restaurants per capita than New York City.
12. The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are iconic, having appeared in their famous star-spangled uniforms since 1972.
13. At 270 acres, Fair Park is the largest contiguous urban cultural park in the world.
14. Dallas has the sixth longest contiguous urban trail network in the U.S. at 150 miles.
15. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving over 70 million passengers annually.
16. Big Tex is a 55-foot tall cowboy statue that presides over the State Fair of Texas, wearing size 70 boots and a 75-gallon hat.
17. The TV series Dallas was filmed at the Cloyce Box Ranch in Frisco, just north of Dallas.
18. Dallas has more shopping centers per capita than any other U.S. city.
19. The frozen margarita machine was invented in Dallas in 1971.
20. Dallas was named an All-America City in 2021 by the National Civic League.