City: Dallas, TX

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (214) 670-5656

Address: 621 East Clarendon Dr.

Description: Other than some charming older residential neighborhoods and one cool retail/dining area called Bishop Arts District, there hasn’t been a wealth of appeal in Oak Cliff, just south of downtown. The big exception is the Dallas Zoo, a 95-acre preserve noted on I-35 South by a towering bronze of a giraffe. It’s the largest zoo in Texas, home to a new family of cheetahs and the domain of Jenny, the 33-year-old elephant and beloved zoo icon. (Note: There is a passionate movement underway to have Jenny moved to a larger sanctuary where she will socialize more with other elephants.) A new elephant habitat is in the works now, and large mammal areas already operating include those for an endangered tiger species. There’s a family zoo with pony rides and a bird-feeding area, as well as a Wilds of Africa exhibit with a gorilla conservation research center.