Dallas/Fort Worth Area Sights to See: Gardens & Zoos

The Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Rd., Dallas; (214) 515-6500. Sixty-six acres of colorful flowers, gardens, majestic trees and two historic homes. www.dallasarboretum.org.

Dallas World Aquarium, 1801 North Griffin Street, Dallas; (214) 720-2224. Exotic plants and creatures from around the world where you can explore a South American rainforest or take a walk through a water tunnel surrounded by reef life from the Continental Shelf. Observe monkeys, stingrays, piranhas and penguins. www.dwazoo.com.

Dallas Zoo, 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway (I-35E), Dallas, (214) 670-5656. 85-acre park featuring the "Wilds of Africa," Monorail Safari, Exxon Endangered tiger Habitat and more. www.dallas-zoo.org.

East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society, 1601 Patterson Rd., Athens; (903) 675-5630.

Fair Park, 1300 Robert B. Cullum at Grand Ave., Dallas, (214) 670-8400. This a 277 acre National Historic Landmark open year-round is home to 8 museums, the Cotton Bowl Stadium, IMAX theater, State Fair of Texas and much more. www.fairparkdallas.com.

Fairview Farms, 3312 N. Central Expy., Plano; (972) 422-2500. Historical features and farmers market.

Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Dr., Fort Worth; (817) 871-7689.

Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth; (817) 871-7050. Nationally ranked. Home to more than 5,000 exotic animals. On-site aquarium and insect exhibit. www.fortworthzoo.com.

Garden of Peace Sculpture Garden, Forest Park Cemetery, 508 Bus. 895, Greenville; (903) 455-1510.

Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur, Irving; (972) 252-7558. Three state-of-the-art theatres, three galleries and a multi-million dollar sculpture garden.

Japanese Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Dr., Fort Worth; (817) 871-7689.

Las Colinas Flower Clock. Located at Highway 114 and O'Connor Road in Irving. Latino Cultural Center, 2600 Live Oak, Dallas; (214) 670-3320.

Texas Sculpture Garden, Frisco. Significant and unique collection celebrating the work of 38 prominent Texas artists - recognized as the largest private collection of contemporary Texas sculpture ever assembled and made available to the public.