Reunion Tower is the most majestic point in the Dallas skyline and has captivated visitors of this city since it opened in 1978. The tower is known to locals as “God’s golf ball” because of its shape, and you can see it from anywhere in the city. Note, however, that it is at its best at night. There are 260 LED lights, arranged in a dome around the top of the building, which burn bright above the downtown area every night. The lights change colour, occasionally glowing blue in support of the Dallas Cowboys football team or green on St. Patrick's Day.
Despite the changes in the Dallas skyline over the past few decades, and loss of some of its more historic buildings, Reunion Tower has remained a constant. It watches over the city from 560 feet (171 metres) above the ground. The core cylinder is made up of 837 steps (61 landings) and the diameter of the dome is 118 feet (36 metres). There are three levels at the top the lowest of these is the observation deck and the middle level is used for private functions. Check ahead of your visit to see if the observation deck is open as it has been closed for renovations for some time.
Perched at the top of the tower, you will find the acclaimed fine-dining restaurant Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck. This level rotates, taking 55 minutes for a full revolution. Run by the Austrian-born celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, the restaurant showcases a modern combination of Japanese and American cuisine. Though not an option for budget travellers (entrees prices are quite high and there’s a fairly strict dress code), it is an excellent place for a beautiful evening, if not just for the food then for the stunning view across Dallas at night.
For more reasonably priced meals, take a short walk from the tower to the historic district and the main downtown thoroughfare of Elm Street. Grab a drink at one of the area’s many bars and raise your glass to what could be described as the Empire State Building of the South.
