The two biggest cities in North Texas, Dallas and Fort Worth, are 30 miles (48km) apart but have been drawn together into one urban concentration known as the 'DFW Metroplex' with a combined population of more than four million.

The two cities are, however, very different halves of a whole. Dallas, its soaring glass-sided skyscrapers seemingly growing like mushrooms out of the prairie, is full of glitz and glamour. Its urban landscape is vigorous and classy, its citizens enjoying the good things in life from fashionable clothing to flashy cars. This thriving city is the ninth largest city in the United States, having grown from a frontier outpost with 20 streets in 1841 to a centre for big business and big banking, helped along a little by 'black gold', the oil that was discovered 100 miles (161km) east of the city in 1930.

Fort Worth, the western half of the Metroplex, is the gateway to the Wild West. Having started out as 'Cowtown', a base for cattle drives, Fort Worth still reflects a laid-back and slightly 'cowpoke' attitude, although surprisingly it has also developed into a cultural centre with world-class museums and a thriving performing arts sector.

Dallas is certainly the place for visitors to enjoy a rich shopping experience and upmarket wining and dining, but Fort Worth is the venue for exciting and interesting attractions and a taste of western culture.

Dallas Heritage Village

Address: 1515 South Harwood Street, Dallas Dallas-Fort Worth

Admission: $7 (adults), $5 (seniors aged 65 and older); $4 (children aged 4-12) Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 12pm to 4pm; closed in January and August, and on major holidays

Telephone: (214) 421 5141

Sixth Floor Museum

Address: 411 Elm Street, Dealey Plaza, Dallas Dallas-Fort Worth

Admission: $13.50 (adults), $12.50 (children 6-18 and seniors aged 65+). Free for children under 6 years of age. Audio tours are available for an additional $3.50 Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm; Monday 12pm to 6pm. Closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Telephone: (214) 747 6660

Fort Worth Stockyards

Address: Intersection of Main Street and East Exchange Avenue, Fort Worth Dallas-Fort Worth

Admission: Daily cattle drives at 11am and 4.30pm. Various other events at different times

Telephone: (817) 624 4741

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

Address: 3200 Darnell Street, Fort Worth Dallas-Fort Worth

Admission: $10 (ages 13 and over); $4 (students with ID cards and seniors aged 65+); free for children under 12. Free admission on the first Sunday of every month, and half price on Wednesdays. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm (8pm Fridays, and 7pm on Tuesdays between September and November). Closed on Mondays and major holidays.

Telephone: (817) 738 9215

Cattle Raisers Museum

Address: Located within the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, 1600 Gendy Street, Fort Worth Dallas-Fort Worth

Admission: $14 (adults), $10 (children and seniors) Daily from 10am to 5pm.

Telephone: (817) 255 9300

Fort Worth Zoo

Address: 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth Dallas-Fort Worth

Admission: $13 (adults); $9 (children 3-12 and seniors 65+); free admission for toddlers (under 2 years of age). Half price admission on Wednesdays 10am to 5pm daily (February 19 to March 25); 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 6pm on weekends (March 26 to September 18); 10am to 5pm daily (September 19 to October 28); 10am to 4pm daily (October 29 to February 17, 2012). Special holiday hours also apply.

Telephone: (817) 759 7500

Dallas Holocaust Museum

Address: 211 N. Record Street, Suite 100, Dallas Dallas-Fort Worth

Admission: $8 (adults); $6 (seniors and students between 10-18); $4 (military personnel); other group concessions also available. Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm. Closed on major US and Jewish holidays.

Telephone: (214) 741 7500

Six Flags Over Texas

Address: 2201 Road To Six Flags, Arlington, TX Dallas-Fort Worth

Admission: $54.99 (adults); $34.99 (children under 48 inches); free for children under two years of age. If you book online, everyone pays $34.99 Opening times vary, but are mainly from 10am to 10pm. Consult the website for up-to-date information

Telephone: (817) 640 8900

North Texas Irish Festival

Where: Fair Park,Dallas-Fort Worth

When: 2 - 4 March 2012

National Championship Indian Pow Wow

Where: Traders Village, 2602 Mayfield Road, Grand Prairie,Dallas-Fort Worth

When: 9 - 11 September 2011

Texas State Fair

Where: Fair Park,Dallas-Fort Worth

When: 30 September to 23 October 2011

Deep Ellum Arts Festival

Where: Deep Ellum Entertainment District on Main Street, between Good Latimer and Hall Streets,Dallas-Fort Worth

When: 1 - 3 April 2011

Taste of Dallas

Where: Fair Park, 1200 South Second Avenue, Dallas,Dallas-Fort Worth

When: 8-10 July, 2011