One More List of Things to Do In Dallas Reminds: There Are Much Better Things to Do

The librarians have landed, as today's the first day of the estimable American Library Association Midwinter Meeting at the Dallas Convention Center, so you know what that means. Good timing, then, for Reuters' freshly minted "48 hours in Dallas/Fort Worth" itinerary, which is a little better than The Official List provided by our own DCVB, which appears to have been written by an out-of-towner. (Oh, right.) Ah, yes, the Dream Cafe. It's been ages, old friend. But what's that you say? "Examine the life and legacy of JFK at the museum and spot where the presidential motorcade passed when the shooting occurred at Dealey Plaza." OK, fair enough.

All of which reminds me: Last week, after poring over the DCVB's lackluster list (Spaghetti Warehouse, really?), I received an email from one Jason L., who asked: "Would you ever consider a follow up article about what locals would recommend to see in Dallas if you were from out of town?" I seem to recall we did this once before, and if our search engine were at all functional (seriously, nothing for "jimmy's half price books baby back shak"?) I could just cut-and-paste from there.

As I mentioned then, the list changes as places come and go, but the classics always remain: The Mecca for breakfast, followed by a walk around the Arboretum or Fair Park or the Trinity River Audubon Center, lunch at the Baby Back Shak, drinks at Holland's Beer Lounge (or Ships, take your pick), and if Powell's is the West Coast mecca for used books, then, by all means, visit the Half Price Books on Northwest Highway mothership. And hello, librarians. And Saturdays usually include stops at one or more of the following: Jimmy's Food Store and next-door Spiceman's FM 1410, Titan Comics, Bishop Arts (usually for the chocolate), Dallas Farmer's Market and a walk 'round downtown. And now Spec's. Way too much Spec's. I could go on. And on. Ah, but Jason asked you to do this. Tick, tock. The librarians need something to do.