Guide To The Dallas Museum Of Art
Dallas Museum of Art
1717 North Harwood Dallas, Texas
Hours: T, W, F, S, Su-11:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.; Th- 11:00 a.m. -9:00 p.m.
General Admission: $10 or less every day
http://directory.dfw.cbslocal.com/directory/listing/100/75828-Dallas-Museum-of-Art
I always thought cabin fever was a myth, until I had a baby. Cabin fever, that feeling of feeling imprisoned in my own house, closes in on me sometimes after changing yet another diaper and washing another load of laundry all while inane children's music is blaring in my house. In those moments, I just need to get out! But, the brutal Texas summer limits me to indoor spaces like the mall and you can only go there so many times before your bank account gets drained and you tire of window shopping.
My husband and I discovered an amazing alternative last week that might become my go to antidote for cabin fever. I submit to you my new go-to-place: the Dallas Museum of Art in downtown Dallas. It's a beautiful and creative space (and it is delightfully air-conditioned.) This museum is huge and it has something for parents and kiddos. Let's get the price discussion out of the way and I will give you a couple of insider hints. Here is the rundown: parking is $10, adults (not including an additional $5 for special exhibits) are $10 and kids under 12 are free. Here are my two insider tips: 1) The first Tuesday of every month is free. So you can check it out and see if you like it. 2) If you decide the DMA could be your antidote to cabin fever, buy a year long pass for the family at the price of $75 dollars (this includes two admissions anytime including access to special exhibitions and free parking) and watch your investment pay for itself after two visits.
Now to the delightful details of the DMA's multiple offerings. First for the kiddos, there is an impressive space called the Center for Creative Connections (C3). I am going back to hang out in this section longer. They have touchable art, a technology lab, an art studio and Arturo's Nest for kids 4 and under. All of these areas are for "doing" not just "looking." There are so many events and programs and summer camps and exhibitions that I couldn't begin to list them here. Find all the fun in the C3 here.
Now once your kiddos have worn out from playing in the C3 and maybe fallen asleep in the stroller, it's time for mom to have some fun. The DMA's collection of art is massive and it covers everything from pottery and artifacts to modern works to beautiful landscapes from all different eras and countries. The amazing part is the layout allows you to meander from one area to the next, which allows you to peruse ancient ceremonial chinese masks in one instant only to stumble upon a beautiful hand-carved Victorian bed in the next. You won't be disappointed.
If you feel like your not really an "art person", don't be intimidated. The staff of the DMA is very friendly and helpful and the DMA will loan you an iPod touch that you can carry with you in order to access droves of information about important pieces in the galleries. How amazing is that! You will be an art aficionado in no time. So, if cabin fever starts to take over in your house this week, give the DMA a try. You will be stunned by the beauty of the exhibits, your kiddo might discover a love of art in the C3 zone and best of all, it's air-conditioned!
Casey Gilliam is a Co-Founder of Dallas Moms Blog (www.dallasmomsblog.org). She loves her baby girl and her husband of almost 8 years. You can contact her at casey@dallasmomsblog.org
