Things to do in Dallas?

[msamyfarrahfowler]

My husband will be attending a multi-day conference in Dallas, and I'll be tagging along.  For the most part, I'll be sightseeing by myself.  What are some activities and restaurants that shouldn't be missed? 

[orangello]

Dallas has wonderful museums, if you're in to that sort of thing. I really love the Nasher Sculpture Center and the JFK museum at the book depository.

Will you have a car? It's not a very pedestrian-friendly city, but there is some train service.

[egishere]

You should go and tour Cowboys Stadium-it is worth seeing if you like football. Clyde Warren park is a new park that is supposed to be pretty neat.

Restaurants: Babe's Chicken house, Nick & Sams for a fancy steak dinner, Hard 8 BBQ or Sonny Bryan's BBQ, lots of good Mexican places. Do you know where you are staying?

[Deleted]

We went to 6 flags in Arlington, the aquarium, JFK museum/book depository, & ate at Sonny Bryans. Went to a rodeo and had the BEST time. Hysterical!!!! I highly recommend going to one.

[msamyfarrahfowler]

We're staying at the Hilton in Grapevine. We're renting a car, but  I don't look forward to driving around in an unfamiliar city by myself...

[mrssandro]

Perot Museum is the newest one that just opened.

I heard from several people it's amazing.

www.perotmuseum.org/

[mrssandro]

Aug 16, 2013 13:29:02 GMT -5 msamyfarrahfowler said:

We're staying at the Hilton in Grapevine. We're renting a car, but  I don't look forward to driving around in an unfamiliar city by myself...

If you can afford it I suggest taking a taxi. People hate Dallas traffic. It's not really the easiest to navigate. 

In Grapevine you have a decent outlet mall at Grapevine Mills Mall. 

For even better shopping the best big Mall is Galleria which is North Dallas.

[expatpumpkin]

Aug 16, 2013 14:45:42 GMT -5 mrssandro said:

Aug 16, 2013 13:29:02 GMT -5 msamyfarrahfowler said:

We're staying at the Hilton in Grapevine. We're renting a car, but  I don't look forward to driving around in an unfamiliar city by myself...

If you can afford it I suggest taking a taxi. People hate Dallas traffic. It's not really the easiest to navigate. 

In Grapevine you have a decent outlet mall at Grapevine Mills Mall. 

For even better shopping the best big Mall is Galleria which is North Dallas.

Taxis can cost hundreds a day, especially as far out as Grapevine is from Dallas...  If you have a license, I'd recommend driving.  Just rent/bring a GPS; it's not that hard.

[mrssandro]

I did say if she can afford it. I HATE driving in Dallas. Been here almost 20 years. It's a big clusterfuck. Especially with construction in Grapevine. If I had the money I would for sure take a taxi.

[egishere]

You will be fine driving. Main St in Grapevine has lots of restaurants and cute shops. There is also a few wineries there too. The Hard 8 BBQ place I mentioned isn't too far away in Coppell. Uncle Julio's or Esparazas are good for Mexican in Grapevine. You could also check out the Ft Worth Stockyards. GV is kind of in between Dallas and FW.

[tcu2003]

The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth is fantastic: www.kimbellart.org/

If you go to the Kimbell, you'll be in the Fort Worth museum district, so there are several other options as well. I really like the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth: www.themodern.org/

Riscky's or Railhead in Fort Worth are a couple of my favorite barbecue places:

www.risckys.com/
www.railheadsmokehouse.com/

For the Dallas side, I'd definitely recommend the JFK assassination 6th floor museum: m.jfk.org

I haven't been yet, but I've heard rally good things about the new Perot Museum of Nature and Science: www.perotmuseum.org/

If you're into presidential libraries, the George W Bush Presidential Library recently opened: www.georgewbushlibrary.smu.edu/

Truluck's is great for a nice dinner out (they have locations in Dallas and Southlake): m.trulucks.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftrulucks.com%2F#2633

III Forks is another good option for a nice dinner (and just realized this and Truluck's are small chains, so that may not be what you're looking for): www.iiiforks.com/

[tcu2003]

Forgot to mention that if you like zoos, I'd highly recommend the Fort Worth Zoo.

[msamyfarrahfowler]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm glad that Grapevine has its own attractions.

Is this area known more for BBQ? I was really looking forward to some good Tex-Mex.

[egishere]

I would say they are known for both! Biggest thing I miss about living in TX is that type of food.

[Deleted]

I would go to Fort Worth, check out the stockyards, and one of Tim Love's restaurants. There are also some fun bars there. I love Chuy's for Tex-Mex. Blue Mesa has a nice brunch and happy hour. Tex Mex restaurants are the BEST for happy hour, by the ways. Gloria's is another good place. It might be worth stopping into the Gaylord Hotel too. There is an indoor riverwalk and gardens. I think there is also a water park type thing but I think you might have to stay there to enjoy that. There is a ton of construction going on so be careful driving.

[babsbunny]

If you are there during a weekday, I HIGHLY recommend the Federal Bureau of Engraving and Printing. It would be a little drive to north Forth Worth. It's only the 2nd place in the country that prints money and they have free tours (no electronics!). You might also consider spending a day at one of the two casinos just over the OK border (Chocktaw or Winstar). I second the Fort Worth Zoo (better than Dallas Zoo) and I've heard nice things about the Dallas Aquarium. Maybe check the Rangers schedule (can get great same-day ticket prices from stubhub) and note the Dallas Cowboys tour does have a cost, but is cool for football fans. I believe they still have the historic train from Grapevine to the Fort Worth Stockyards so you wouldn't have to drive to Fort Worth. If you do drive to FW, avoid 121/114/820 north loop around rush hour - we have some construction going on. I-30 is straight and and lovely alternative (at least the Arlington to FW part, which I'm more familiar with). Have fun and stay cool.

[lauren170]

My favorite thing was visiting White Rock lake. It's a huge lake - 9 miles around, with walking/biking trails. It was really a nice place to walk/run and relax.