The sound of boot-clad children stomping on leaves and the smell of roasting turkey in the air can mean only one thing: Thanksgiving time has arrived.

No matter where one ventures this Thanksgiving break, whether on campus or throughout the city, it is clear that the favorite holiday of many students, parents, and faculty is here. Some have even begun the countdown to Thanksgiving break, which kicks off with a half-day, Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Morning, on Nov. 25, and lasts through Nov. 29.

But for many students, break means something different this year; rather than jetting off across the globe, more students than ever are staying home.

For that 64% of the Upper School and the rest of the Greenhill community staying in Dallas for the break, here are some fun and eco­nomical ways to enjoy this Thanks­giving break.

The Dallas Museum of Art

With its five running exhibi­tions and its expansive permanent galleries chock-full of paintings, sculptures, and more, this popular attraction is a must-see for art-lov­ers on a budget.

Those who hurry will be able to catch Private Universities: Media Works, a contemporary exhibition featuring the relationships between artists, their work, and the audience through single-channel projections.

Private Universities: Media Works runs through Nov. 8. Those who want to wait until break starts have the option of visiting exhibits such as Performance/Art, All the World’s a Stage: Celebrating Per­formance in the Visual Arts, and A Dream Come True: The Dallas Arts District, all of which will run into the new year.

The Dallas Museum of Art is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Museum will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for those over 65 and $5 for students and military person­nel. Children under 12 and members get in free.

Nasher Sculpture Center

The Nasher Sculpture Center, named for its founder, Ray Nasher, is another haven for lovers of con­temporary art.

Spread over an expansive 55,000 square-foot building and one-and a-half-acre sculpture garden, the Nasher boasts multiple works by such artists as Henri Matisse, Al­exander Calder, Andy Warhol, and Pablo Picasso.

Families with young children should especially take note, as the sculpture gardens provide plenty of space for eager legs to run around. Another collection of this magni­tude would be near-impossible to find elsewhere in the country, much less in Dallas, and with its prime lo­cation in the Arts District (within walking distance of the Dallas Mu­seum of Art), the Nasher is a great choice for anyone interested in contemporary art or just with a few hours to spare.

The Nasher Sculpture Center is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Nasher will be closed Thanksgiving Day. Admission is free for children under 12 and for mem­bers, $10 for adults, $7 for seniors 65 and older, and $5 for students and military personnel.

All admissions include a free audio tour.

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Located on the shores of White Rock Lake, this botanist’s dream is a beautiful place to have a picnic, stretch your legs, and see the more than 65 types of flowers bloom­ing on the expansive grounds. With 66 acres of land, children and adults alike can spend hours strolling the various gardens.

The garden is open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., making it the clear choice on days when the weather is too good to stay inside. Particularly memorable for children are the Texas Pioneer Adventure houses, a series of miniature, his­torically accurate, and interactive dwellings from the early days of America. Another exciting attrac­tion available is the “Toad Corners,” a quartet of frog statues that spout water and provide for a wet and wild afternoon of fun.

Artists of all ages will enjoy the wide variety of photographic muses available, while athletes can take advantage of the running path bor­dering the garden. Truly, no mat­ter what your interests, this nature sanctuary is too good to pass up.

The Dallas Arboretum and Bo­tanical Garden is closed on Thanks­giving Day.

Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for senior citizens at least 65 years of age, $7 for children three to 12 years old, and free for toddlers. The onsite self-parking fee is $7.