Today's post is from Brent Bloechle at Parr Library in Plano:

Fair Park, located just 2 miles from downtown Dallas, is a beautiful collection of restored 1930’s Art Deco buildings. This is the largest collection of 1930’s-era buildings, murals, statutes, and bas-relief sculptures in the United States. The buildings were originally constructed for the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition and are now a National Historic Landmark. The buildings alone are a great reason to wander the 277 acres of Fair Park. But there is more…

The African American Museum, the Museum of the American Railroad, the Museum of Nature & Science and the Women’s Museum are set among the buildings used annually for the Texas State Fair. These world class museums have permanent displays and exhibits for everyone’s taste and interest. My personal favorite is the 20,000 year old Trinity River Mammoth at the Museum of Nature & Science. During TLA, you can also take in Roving Mars, showing at 3:40 in the afternoon at the IMAX Theater. If this isn’t enough, there is more…

The Fair Park area is a great place to spend a few hours taking a nice walk and enjoying the well landscaped grounds of the Texas Discovery Garden. You can enjoy the flowers, butterflies and beautiful fountain in this urban oasis. If the out of doors isn’t quit your cup of tea, you can visit the Dallas Aquarium and enjoy observing some of the 6000 aquatic animals on display. If you would prefer that cup of tea or coffee, the Old Mill Inn is open for lunch between 11:00 am and 2:30 pm each day.

If you have only visited Fair Park during the Texas State Fair, I urge you to plan a visit when the beauty and architecture isn’t hidden behind the people and trappings of that annual event.