A series of half-day city tours to Dallas historic homes, hotels, neighborhood and cemeteries will be offered this spring by the Dallas Historical Society.

“Our city tours will give new residents of Dallas a sense of history of how and why Dallas grew to be the city it is today,” explained Executive Director Jack Bunning. “Even longtime residents are amazed to find there is a lot they don’t know about interesting places in the city. We are also happy to offer these tours as private bookings for groups and organizations.”

Bus tours are led by local historians who offer fascinating glimpses of life in early Dallas. Most are half-day excursions, come including lunch, and range from $20 to $50 with a discount for members of the Dallas Historical Society. Most tours start at the Hall of State in Fair Park.

Tour offerings include:

Historic Neighborhoods – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, March 24 – This visit will take you through many historic neighborhoods and preservation districts both in Dallas and Oak Cliff. Guides will explain how these neighborhoods came into existence, who planned them and when. Some are residential jewels in lesser known neighborhoods. Tour includes lunch

From East and South Dallas to Oak Cliff – Saturday, April 21 1-5 p.m. Did you know that East Dallas and Oak Cliff were once separate cities? Some of the most spectacular scenery in the City is located south and east of the Trinity River and IH 30.

Historic Dallas Hotels – Saturday April 28 –1 - 4 p.m. Because Dallas was a rail crossroads, hotels were important to early day visitors. Downtown hotels – both past and present – are the focus of this trip with two stops to visit inside present-day hotels.

White Rock Lake – Saturday, May 5 – 10 a.m. – 12 noon – Created as the city’s water source 100 years ago, 10 miles from downtown, today White Rock Lake is an urban oasis attracting 2 million visitors a year. Tour leaves from Ridgewood Belcher Recreation Center, 6818 Fisher Road, Dallas, 75214.

Cemetery Tour – Saturday, May 19 – 10 a.m. – 12 noon – Join Frances James for a walking tour of one of Dallas/ most fascinating cemeteries. A gifted storyteller, “The Cemetery Lady” shares her knowledge of the area’s famous and infamous residents and early pioneers. Participants will meet at the designated cemetery.

Running with Bonnie and Clyde – Memorial Day, Monday, May 28 – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Outlaw lovers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow made Dallas their headquarters. Author John Neal Phillips guides you to through their haunts and burial sites. Tour includes lunch.

For more information, visit dallashistory.org or e-mail tours@dallas history.org. Register on line or by calling 214-421-4500 ext. 101. All tours subject to cancellation.