Dallas Farmers Market

The largest market in the area is Dallas Farmers Market, open year-round. Here, farmers sell their Texas-grown fruits and vegetables and vendors sell produce from all over - strawberries, bananas and so on. It's like the produce sold at the supermarket, only fresher and in most cases, much cheaper. Bring cash - and an appetite. Most sellers are more than willing to tempt you with free samples of hot-house tomatoes, juicy watermelon and the like.

Farm-fresh fruits and vegetables are sold daily at the open-air stands, and many of the sellers have begun to branch out; buyers can now take home nuts, organic honey and fresh herb plants in addition to apples and corn on the cob. Also, the Market's demonstration kitchen plays host to a series of American Institute of Wine and Food-sponsored cooking classes, featuring the handiwork of Dallas-Fort Worth's top chefs.

The farmers market offers two new attractions: The Busker Program will bring musicians, artists, mimes, minstrels, clowns, actors and other entertainers to the market. The Handcrafter Market will feature merchants with handmade and creative items for sale. Busker Program and Handcrafter Market will run each Saturday through Dec. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.