Dallas GeoDeck

Many people are familiar with the Dallas skyline from the Dallas television series that aired in the 1990s. Reunion Tower, the tower with the ball on top in the photo below, is a notable component of the Dallas scene.

The city of Dallas recently reopened the observation deck located within the sphere at the top of Reunion Tower. I didn't know this before, but apparently the observation deck had been open until the mid 2000's when the city shut it down for remodeling. I gather the remodeling took longer than anticipated as the observation deck reopened just this past October. The newly constructed "Dallas GeoDeck" was the setting for our fun family outing on Monday.

Mom, dad, the kids, and I rode the DART train (Dallas area light rail train) downtown and then walked through the West End to Reunion Tower. We walked past Dealey Plaza and other notable historical sites on this beautiful, sunny afternoon. After purchasing tickets downstairs at the tower, we were whisked up 470 feet to the GeoDeck observation deck level. One side of the elevator was made of glass panels so we enjoyed views of the downtown skyline while traveling upwards to the upper GeoDeck.

The views from the deck were awesome, and we enjoyed both the interior and exterior observation areas. Inside were a dozen interactive smartboards that guests could use to learn more about the Dallas landmarks below, as well as watch a short video commemorating the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President Kennedy. Outside there were a half dozen telescopes (free!) that guests could use to get a close look at the area landscape. You would walk the entire 360 degree perimeter of the sphere on the exterior deck. It was fun to share images with mom and dad, and also to point out buildings and areas of town that we have visited with Amelia and John, and then to witness their reaction to understanding the relation between these spaces from above.

Looking down on Dealey Plaza, the site of the Kennedy assassination, below.

The ferris wheel at the Texas State Fair!

Down at the bottom of the tower before we boarded the elevator, the employees asked us to pose for a photo (free!) in front of a green screen. Then once we got to the observation deck up above we could view our photo on a kiosk and select a background for the photo. Amelia and John selected this background for our group photo.

I loved our family outing to the Dallas GeoDeck and am so glad that we were able to share this with my mom and dad. This is an easy and fun Dallas attraction for those visiting from out of town, as well as for locals that have never been to the GeoDeck.