On November 22, 1963, the building now called the Dallas County Administration Building was known as the Texas School Book Depository. And on that day, three shots rang out that would take a President’s life. On the sixth floor of this building, a rifle and three shell cases were found and, conspiracy theories aside, it is widely believed that Lee Harvey Oswald fired those three shots from a corner window on this floor. Today, the Sixth Floor Museum examines the life, times, death, and legacy of President Kennedy and provides a look into the history of the events surrounding this site. Among the artifacts in the museum are Lee Harvey Oswald’s wedding ring, Jack Ruby’s fedora, the suit detective Jim Leavelle was wearing when cuffed to Lee Oswald as he was shot, numerous cameras and the pictures they took that day, and a first generation copy of the Abraham Zapruder film of the assassination. The window from which the shots were fired has been recreated to exactly the way it was found by police on that fateful day and a rifle similar to the one used is also on display near where the original weapon was found. It’s a very interesting look back at an infamous day in United States history. Note: The museum currently does not allow pictures inside, but you can take them looking out, one floor up over the snipers window.

SAS Score: 3

A fairly new addition to downtown Dallas, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science boasts a very unique and eco-friendly design. With its roots as far back as 1936, this museum is a combination of several Children’s, Health, Natural History, and Science Museums previously situated across town in Fair Park.

In four stories, the museum packs in dinosaurs, wildlife, minerals, a section on birds, robotics, the science of sports, weather, energy, the universe, and being human. Most areas have hands-on exhibits, there are a few simulators (tornados, earthquakes), a ‘ride’ into a natural gas well to demonstrate fracking, a 1.5 ton geode, robots that can be programmed by the public, a race track that will allow you to size your speed up to a T-Rex or several world class athletes, cross sections of human bodies, and a 298 seat theatre. There is also a Children’s section for the young ones, which most likely won’t be of much use to those travelling on business unless you were lucky enough to bring the family along.

The building itself features LED and natural lighting, off-grid energy generations, solar powered water heating, and a 1 acre green roof consisting of drought resistant grasses and water collection that provides 100% of its irrigation requirements.

Because it is several museums in one, it’s almost too much to pack into one museum and feels like it just lightly touches on each area, However, you shouldn’t be disappointed if you have a couple hours to spend in Dallas and are looking for something interesting to do.

SAS Score: 3 (with your family – SAS Score 4)