The Sixth Floor Museum is a popular DFW destination for tourists. It's a shame to refer to it as an "attraction", but in a city that can appear so void of unique things to see and do, this museum is an important part of the city, one of the few tourist draws. Plan to devote a full day if you visit the area, since you may wish to also visit the JFK Memorial, just 200 yards from the assassination site.

The Sixth Floor Museum is in the old Texas School Book Depository, the building's sixth floor houses the sniper's perch from which Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated the president in 1963. The museum is very well done, with exhibits of many issues of the day, including motives and backgrounds, Kennedy campaign memorabilia, fashions and lifestyles of the day, and insights of the lives of those involved in this part of our history.

The ground floor houses temporary exhibits. When we were there in 2004, there was a very interesting exhibit of photographs of Jackie Kennedy.

It is an interesting place. History buffs and conspiracy theorists can be found in Dealey Plaza at all hours of the day and night. While in Dallas for our wedding in February 2001, my brother found himself unable to sleep in his hotel room. He wandered down to Dealey Plaza, where even in the middle of the night, people were milling about the assassination site, gathering on the Grassy Knoll.

For those of us old enough to remember the styles of the day, or the aftermath of the day (I was born in December of the following year), the area is fascinating. It is like looking in my parents' photo album, a snapshot of their lives. It was the day that changed their world, like September 11, 2001 most recently changed our world.

It is an important place. This was where my husband took me for my 40th birthday, since it was a place that I had long wanted to see, one of great importance in the history of our country.

Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas, Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday, 12 p.m.–6 p.m.
Phone: 214-747-6660, Fax: 214-747-6662, E-mail: jfk@jfk.org

Adult—$13.50 U.S., Senior (Ages 65+)—$12.50 U.S., Youth (Ages 6-18)—$12.50 U.S., Children (Ages 0-5)—Free or $3.50 U.S. with audio guide. Admission price includes audio guide.

Third Monday Trade Days is a long standing event in McKinney that takes place the weekend before the third Monday of the month.

Basically, it is what we used to refer to in California as a "swap meet". Sellers from near and far rent a space from which they hawk their wares. People from near and far come to shop at the stalls that sell new and craft-type merchandise, or secondhand inexpensive goods. All this with a smattering of carnival food vendors thrown in the mix.

I've been one time, and it was interesting, although we didn't buy anything. Or perhaps David bought some shot glasses. It was nice to get out for an afternoon, one that didn't cost anything, other than the $3 to park the car.

Notable vendors featured antiques, salsas and other condiments (with samples), fruit, lawn equipment, gifty cruft of the unicorn variety.

Be careful driving along Highway 380 on Trade Days weekend, as Hwy 380 traffic can suddenly stop when vehicles turn into the grounds from the 60 MPH roadway. Ouch. This is a prime example of being slow to manage growth as the Third Monday Trade Days has been there "forever", hasn't changed, but the changing area has made it into a hazard. The city has grown up around it.

Anyway, this would be a fine way to spend a Friday afternoon, when the crowds are low and the merchandise is fresh.

This is one of my favorite places in the world. A real 1950s drive in theater, which has been operating continually. It has just one screen, but no remaining speakers, unfortunately, so you have to either listen on your car radio or bring a boom box. We do the latter.

The Brazos is in Granbury, TX, which can be a two hour drive from McKinney, but I am including it as it is absolutely worth the drive.

There isn't an actual playground (with a swing set, etc.) under the screen, like what we had growing up in California, but the kids all still congregate under the screen to kick balls, play Frisbee, etc. both before the movie and when the lights are turned on in between features. Also, unlike California drive-in theaters, people in Texas tend to sit in chairs outside their vehicles when watching a movie at the drive-in. So, take those comfy folding chairs and enjoy the evening's cooler weather.

We've always been lucky enough to get a spot in the front row.

There is a porch area with 1950s metal clam shell chairs, adjacent to the snack bar,  where the soundtrack is broadcast. Some people prefer to watch the movie from that vantage point, and it is nice to be able to see the movie during runs to the snack bar.

The Brazos is a family operated business, and the clientele is very family oriented. What a pleasant evening, and something most people cannot do near home these days. Check it out.

Cafe Malaga is one of my favorite places to eat around DFW. It is just off the square in downtown McKinney, at 111 W. Virginia Street.

Cafe Malaga is one of those places where you plan to just go have a little something, yet you end up having a lot of little somethings. That's because it is a tapas restaurant, where typically one orders several small plates to share. And then, of course, there's that wine list.

It is a small restaurant, and reservations are suggested for Friday and Saturday evenings. It is so small, that we frequently find ourselves chatting with the people at the next table. It is just that type of place, and so often we have the good fortune to sit next to, or between (!) parties who have never been to Cafe Malaga before. Last time, we were between two parties who inquired about what we had ordered, and they followed suit.

My personal favorite is the wood grilled hanger steak over fried potatoes in paprika bleu cheese vinaigrette, but how can I not have the mojete, or the delicious potatoes with garlic aioli? And then how can we not have some wine, perhaps an Argentinian Malbec, and a San Pellegrino to go with that?

The menu has so much variety, there is truly something for everyone. And I love the tapas style. I would much rather select a few quality small dishes than have one overwhelmingly large bulk food entree.

I hate to say it, but the service has been spotty at times. Our last visit was for my birthday dinner, and the waiter had to be reminded to bring several things, including my San Pellegrino, our cheese plate, and a few other items. Of course the dinner was still delicious, and the evening wonderful. And, I was glad that the two adjoining tables of new patrons were chatting with us so that I could mention that the service was usually much better.

It is worth scheduling dinner when they have live music. It's great when they clear some room in this already small restaurant to add a few guitar players, or the second Saturday of the month when they feature the E-Flat Porch Band.

The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
3200 Darnell Street (in Fort Worth’s Cultural District). Parking is available on premises.
Tues - Sat 10A–5P, Sun 11A–5P. Closed Mondays and holidays, including New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas.

We really enjoy The Modern. This is a good thing, since we have been members for several years. The building itself is impressive, a simple concrete edifice with a beautiful reflecting pond visible through soaring windows.

We usually find the exhibits to be quite interesting, sometimes shocking. We don't claim to know a huge amount about art, and to be honest, some of the "art" escapes me. But, there is always enough to enjoy to keep us going back, or at least wanting to go back.

The Magnolia at The Modern is an ongoing series of critically acclaimed films. The theater is small, without all the cushy accoutrements of the other independent film theaters (such as the Angelika), and I don't believe food or drink is allowed. In fact, the theater's use as a film venue seems to be almost an afterthought. It is comfortable, though, and I would not hesitate to see another film there.

Last weekend we decided to have a date at the Modern, and we timed it so we could see The Pool, an Indian movie with English subtitles. I really enjoyed it. A boy working in a hotel becomes obsessed with a swimming pool in the opulent hills of Panjim, Goa in India. His life gets turned upside down when he attempts to meet the mysterious family that arrives at the house.

Also, check out Cafe Modern, named one of America's best restaurants by Gourmet Magazine. David took me to Cafe Modern for a special Valentine's dinner last year, and we have also had light brunch. It is very good food indeed.

Check out First Fridays at the Modern. The first Friday evening of each month, enjoy live music and cocktails from 5P - 8P, and dine in the cafe by night.

It is a frequently asked question in our area. What can we do when the relatives come to visit? And it's a good question, as Dallas doesn't have too many interesting natural sights to see. We've no beach, no mountains, and not much that really stands out from the rest of the country. In fact, we seem to have a large percentage of chain retail and restaurants, and a short list of unique or interesting attractions.

So, I'm assembling this catalog of good things to do in the north Texas area, especially those things to do near McKinney.

I'm not ruling out shopping altogether, but I am leaving out most malls and chain stores. Who really wants to travel across several states to go to a generic mall with the same stores and merchandise as one can find at home?

If you have any suggestions of additions to my list, feel free to comment!