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by MADELYN MILLER

As a travel writer, for me a big part of any trip is the preparation -- finding out as much as I can about a destination and then deciding what highlights to hit while I'm there. I get guidebooks, call the Chamber or Convention Bureau and ask anyone and everyone I know who's been there.

So when asked to write about what I'd show a weekend visitor to Dallas, the job should have been easy since this is my hometown. But having personal favorites that I wanted to share competed with some of the traditional sightseeing recommendations.

To be fair, let me state my biases -- eating, shopping and art. But my special interests are also a reflection of Dallas. We have more restaurants per capita than New York City. And more shops per shopper than any other city in the USA.

After years of reviewing restaurants for the Dallas Times Herald and SR Texas, food is very important to me and always a big splurge in my personal and professional life. Meals are always one of the first things I plan.

So when the guests arrived on Friday, I'd take them to Laurels Restaurant at the top of the Sheraton Park Central (851-2021) and reserve a window table for what is one of the prettiest views of Dallas in the city.

If you can't get into Laurel's, try the Nana Grill at the top of the Loew's Anatole. Another great combination of view, cuisine and superior service.

Then if they are not totally exhausted, I'd take them to Deep Ellum, the former industrial neighborhood east of downtown that houses much of Dallas' avant garde, creative and artistic talent. We might check out the music at Club Dada, listen to jazz over a drink at Sambucca, or just walk around people-watching, enjoying the street culture and eclectic collection of art galleries and funky stores.

Saturday morning we'd begin with a big breakfast at Cafe Brazil, 6340 Gaston Avenue, 826-9522. It's the perfect start for the day with a big jolt of caffeine, since you help yourself to a bottom-less cup ($2.00) of steaming coffee from a buffet coffee bar. Trying several different flavors is fun and there are lots of decaf choices as well.

Batteries recharged, I'd take them down to the Dallas Art Museum, 1717 North Harwood, 922-1200, in the Arts District. After browsing through the gallery, we'd stop for a leisurely lunch at the Dallas World Aquarium, (1801 North Griffin, 720-1801, admission is $5.00 for adults) whose fabulously colorful selection of salt-water fish tanks are a wonderful setting for the creative food. Everyone I've ever told about this restaurant has raved about it.

At this point, I'd offer them a chance to see the nearby Kennedy Memorial and "The Sixth Floor" ( 411 Elm Street, 653-6666) exhibit on the life, death and legacy of John F. Kennedy

For the rest of Saturday afternoon, I'd suggest a choice of 1) Shopping: North Park at Central Expressway and Northwest Highway and the Galleria at LBJ Freeway and Dallas Parkway

2) Discount shopping: Hillsboro Outlet Mall, only an hour south of Dallas on I-35 and usually worth every minute of the trip if they are a serious shopper

3) If they are not a shopper, I'd take them to Fair Park, 1300 Robert B. Cullum at Grand Avenue, 670-8400. This 277 acre National Historic landmark is home to 8 museums as well as the Cotton Bowl Stadium, State Fair of Texas and over 100 annual special events and cultural events. I'm here at least once a month for the flea market -- but I'd check the weekend guide to find out what special things are happening. If we only had time for one museum here - I'd pick the Science Place (428-7200) and enjoy the hands-on science exhibits.

Perhaps you've planned ahead with tickets to the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center (2301 Flora, 692-0203) or the Dallas Theatre Center (3636 Turtle Creek Boulevard, 526-8857).

If your guest still has energy to party, Dallas Alley (2019 Lamar, 988-9378) has nine nightclubs and five live bands for one low cover charge.

Sunday morning we'll have a truly Southwest experience. Brunch at Blue Mesa Grill (5100 Belt Line Road, 934-0165) is one of our family favorites and something our guests always ask to repeat. The buffet offers wonderful fajitas, tacos, tamales, salads plus all the breakfast basics. The only problem is saving room for the killer desserts. Frequently voted Best Brunch in Dallas, I don't know anyone who'd dispute that title.

When the weather is nice, it would be fun to visit the The Dallas Zoo (650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway, 214-670-5656) which covers 95 acres and is marked by the tallest statue in Texas, a 67.5-foot-tall giraffe that greets visitors at the entrance. Key exhibits include the Lacerte Family Children's Zoo with educational, interactive exhibits for toddlers to pre-teens; the ExxonMobil Endangered Tiger Habitat with Sumatran and Indochinese tigers; and the 25-acre Wilds of Africa featuring the Jake L. Hamon Gorilla Conservation Research Center and Kimberly-Clark Chimpanzee Forest. A Monorail Safari allows visitors to view six natural habitats: forest, mountain, woodland, river, desert and brush. The Zoo is located three miles from downtown and is open every day except Christmas from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If they want a little more Southwest flair, take them to Cowboys (7331 Gaston, 321-0115) who has free country and western dancing lessons on Sunday afternoons.

Slightly stuffed, extremely exhausted and perhaps a little poorer, they'll leave Dallas with marvelous memories.

1-800-C-Dallas

The best deals on getting there are  usually on Southwest Airlines 800-I-FLY-SWA http://www/southwest.com

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