Forget the Texas School Book Depository and Southfork Ranch. Turns out the hottest tourist destination in Dallas is the Mary Kay Museum. The exhibition at the cosmetic direct seller’s corporate headquarters has been voted the No. 1 sightseeing destination in Dallas according to a recent poll conducted by Transition Optical and the Town of Addison. The poll ranked the Mary Kay Museum first among the JFK Memorial, Cowboys Stadium and other popular Dallas-area attractions including the Fort Worth Stockyards.

From Mary Kay Ash’s childhood pictures to the original “silver wings” sculpture by renowned artist Norman Boyles, visitors can journey through nearly 50 years of Mary Kay history, free of charge without leaving North Texas.

Jennifer Cook, Mary Kay Museum director and former member of Mary Kay Ash’s personal staff, says, “The company’s rich history is what drives people to the museum. The company started as a small store-front business and grew into an international company in more than 35 countries, symbolizing what small business owners can do.”

“The Mary Kay Museum is not just a place to see, it’s a place to be inspired. Visitors can see firsthand what one woman, one person, can accomplish,” Cook said. “Countless thousands have been touched by the legacy of Mary Kay Ash and her company – including the 2.4 million entrepreneurs who are currently Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants.”

Museum visitors can appreciate original makeup cases from the early days of the company, Mary Kay Ash’s handwritten checkbook entry marking the company’s first earnings; as well as the iconic diamond bumblebee, a symbol of high achievement and performance within the Mary Kay independent sales force. The famous bumblebee is also part of the collection items at the world-renowned Smithsonian Institution located in Washington, D.C. The Mary Kay museum showcases the most comprehensive historical pieces illustrating the company history since its inception. Recently, Dallas Hotel Magazine (current edition) also featured the Mary Kay Museum as one of the “Fantastic Foursome” places to visit in Dallas. The museum opened in 1993 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Mary Kay Inc.

Located at the company’s headquarters at 16251 North Dallas Parkway in Addison, the museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (excluding major holidays). Admission is free. For more information, visit the museum website for details, www.MaryKayMuseum.com.