Media Relations Contact:
Morgan Lyons

November 24, 2004

Enjoy the ride

DART to holiday shopping, fun and food

Use DART this season to fly past the holiday hustle and bustle. Our network of trains and buses helps you breeze through shopping traffic, zip to holiday festivities, and zoom to the Metroplex's favorite destinations of the season.

Whether you're finding fun ways to entertain out-of-town guests, or you're pursuing the perfect gift, DART makes it easy to get where you want to go.

Take the DART sleigh to holiday sites and shopping
Dallas-Fort Worth bustles during the holidays, and you can share it all with family and friends when you leave the car behind and hop aboard. Here are just a few of the sites and events just a quick ride away on DART and the Trinity Railway Express (TRE):

Reunion Tower - The lights of Dallas become a sea of twinkling stars from atop the world-famous 50-story landmark. Ride DART Rail to Union Station. Information: 214-712-7145.

Dallas Zoo - The oldest zoo in Texas, the renowned Dallas Zoo welcomes visitors year round except Christmas Day. Take DART Rail to Dallas Zoo Station. Information: 214-670-8443 or www.dallas-zoo.org.

Victory Station and the American Airlines Center - DART's newest rail station is your direct connection to the Dallas Mavericks, and Christmas concerts featuring Amy Grant and Vince Gill and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Visit www.AmericanAirlinesCenter.com for details.

Nutcracker at the Eisemann - Richardson's Eisemann Center hosts four dazzling Nutcracker productions: Chamberlain Ballet with guest artists Wendy Whelan and Philip Neal of New York City Ballet, Nov. 26-28; Collin County Ballet Theatre with the Plano Symphony Orchestra, Dec. 5; Dallas Repertoire Ballet, Dec. 10-12; and the Tuzer Ballet with guest artist Pollyanna Ribiero from the Boston Ballet, Dec. 17-19.

Got younger kids and squirmy dads? The New World Ballet presents a one-hour version of the Nutcraker, "The Nutcracker in a Nutshell," with guest artists Karen Hirst Kennedy and Christian La Verde Konig, Dec. 4 - 5. Hope aboard DART Rail to Galatyn Park Station. Information: 972-744-4650 or www.eisemanncenter.com.

Big D and Cowtown Holiday Celebrations - Pick your town and pick your fun on Saturday, Dec. 4: In Dallas, enjoy the annual Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children's Parade featuring colorful floats, giant balloons, bands and a visit by Santa. The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Commerce Street. Ride DART Rail to Convention Center Station, St. Paul Station, Union Station or West End Station. Information: 214-456-8360 or www.childrensparade.com.

In Fort Worth, Christmas in the Stockyards features carriage rides, carolers, cowboys and more. Take the TRE to ITC Station, then T bus Route 1 to the Historic Stockyards. Information: 817-624-4741 or www.fortworthstockyards.org.

Dickens in Historic Downtown Plano - There's something for the entire family at this year's City of Plano Christmas celebration Dec. 3. Take a carriage ride, do some shopping, enjoy tasty treats and listen to live entertainment by area bands and choirs. Don't miss the tree lighting at 7 p.m. Ride DART Rail to Downtown Plano Station. Call 972-941-7275 for more information.

Christmas on the Square - You'll be awed by the City of Garland's Parade of Lights Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. on Main Street. Fireworks will highlight the tree-lighting celebration. Don't forget to take a picture with Santa and receive a holiday photo button at no cost. And top off the evening with hand-dipped corn dogs and caramel apples. Take DART Rail to Downtown Garland Station. Visit www.ci.garland.tx.us for more information.

Kwanzaa Fest at Fair Park's Automobile Building -- Celebrate the holiday season at this African American Festival celebrating Kwanzaa. This free event features a health fair, children's activities, African artifacts exhibit, a car show and live entertainment. Dec. 11-12 from 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Ride DART Rail to Union Station, then Bus Route 60.


Holiday shopping is hot and haute
Mall parking lots mean major traffic jams when seasonal shopping starts the day after Thanksgiving. But you'll sail past the snarls as DART and the TRE take you to gift-buying destinations both famous and flourishing:

Neiman Marcus in downtown Dallas - DART delivers you to the granddaddy of Dallas retailers, the flagship Neiman's store in the heart of Dallas' resurgent central business district. Be sure to check out the memorable window displays. Ride DART Rail to St. Paul Station and walk two blocks south to the Main Street entrance.

West Village - Uptown's trendy new shopping address offers furniture, fashion, decor and more. Ride DART Rail to Cityplace Station, then stroll or take the free M-Line Streetcar to West Village's treasure chest of gift ideas.

NorthPark Center - The shopping standard of excellence in the Southwest, NorthPark offers more than 120 stores and restaurants. Don't miss The Trains at NorthPark, a model-railroad delight for children of all ages. Ride DART Rail to Park Lane Station, and then catch the NorthPark Center Shuttle (Route 702) to the mall.

Sundance Square - An eclectic mix of gifts, home furnishings, jewelry and accessories awaits in the heart of downtown Fort Worth. Monday through Saturday, ride the TRE from Dallas Union Station to Fort Worth ITC Station, then walk or ride Fort Worth T bus Route 1 to Sundance.

When shopping at West Village or Sundance Square, you can take advantage of destination deals, discounts and other money-saving offers for anyone showing a valid DART or T ticket or pass. Participating merchants display a destination deals decal on their window or countertop.

To find your way throughout the holidays, use the online DART Trip Planner at www.DART.org or call DART Customer Information at 214-979-1111. Trinity Railway Express information is available at www.trinityrailwayexpress.org.

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