To get a true sense of the intriguing differences between Dallas and Fort Worth, plan to spend at least three or four days in the Metroplex; toss in an other couple of days for side trips to nearby communities.

Dallas is a good place to start, and its downtown is a perfect jumping-off point. Spend the morning in the busy historic commercial district—check out the art deco skyscrapers and the original Neiman Marcus store—and use the afternoon to soak up local history in the West End district, including the essential Sixth Floor Museum. Afterward, drop by the Deep Ellum entertainment district for dinner, clubbing, or live music.

Spend the following day absorbing Dallas culture at Fair Park and the Dallas Arts District. Fair Park, just a few minutes east of downtown, is home to eight worthy museums and the enormous State Fair of Texas each October. The Arts District, meanwhile, features the must-see Dallas Museum of Art and several other notable cultural attractions.

If you have kids or are just playful by nature, plan to spend a day between Dallas and Fort Worth in Arlington, home to several amusement parks (the legendary Six Flags Over Texas, and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor), Cowboys Stadium, and the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District is an essential stop for any Texas tourist. Spend half a day absorbing the sights, sounds, and even the smells of the Livestock Exchange, Cowtown Coliseum, and Stockyards Museum. Plan to spend an entire day in the Fort Worth Cultural District, which includes the world-class Kimbell Art Museum as well as other essential attractions such as the Amon Carter Museum, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. If you still have time, visit the impressive Fort Worth Zoo.