Our flight into DFW lands at 10:40 AM, and our connecting flight leaves DFW at 6:40 PM. Given the 8 hour layover, I would like to leave the airport and explore Dallas or Fort Worth for a little bit. At the very least, I'd like to try some good barbeque for lunch. Any suggestions on what to do, where to go, how to get there and back, etc. would be much appreciated! In case it's relevant for traffic considerations, our visit to DFW will occur on a Monday.

Well, if you have time and taxi funds, Angelo's in Fort Worth is excellent BBQ and a 1960 vibe. Here's a link to an article about local bbq that might be helpful. http://www.dmagazine.com/publication...ecue-in-dallas

You could take the DART train from DFW to the Deep Ellum station in Dallas and walk to Pecan Lodge for some good BBQ. I believe that would be the DART orange line with a switch to the green line. DART would get to various stops around downtown for a quick look around. You might even have time to the the Sixth Floor Museum (JFK assassination) if that is of interest.

dart.org
www.pecanlodge.com

There are lots of choices but most depend on the mode of transportation you decided to use. Go here for a list of transportation options: https://www.dfwairport.com/transport/index.php

Taxis can take you anywhere, so too car services. Public transportation is a bit more limited but still put you near interesting places.

You could take the Trinity Rail Express from DFW to downtown Fort Worth- lots of interesting shops and restaurants, all within a few minutes walk of the train station.

If you get a rental car or taxi your choice of things to do/see and places to eat are limitless. If you choose this transportation option google "things to do in Fort Worth (or Dallas)" then select what most interests you.

You might enjoy the Fort Worth Stock Yards or one of the many world class museums in Fort Worth or perhaps spend your time in downtown Grapevine (less than 15 minute derive from airport) quaint shops and a variety of small cafes and restaurants to while away the hours.

Here's another vote for Pecan Lodge (Dallas) or Angelo's or the Railhead in Fort Worth for BBQ.

I would NOT take the TRE to Fort Worth - service is far too infrequent each way, and there is no station at the airport, you have to take a shuttle to the train.

Note that the Railhead BBQ has an outpost IN DFW AIRPORT - just stay airside and use the Skylink service to go to Terminal D if that's not the terminal you arrive at. Do not go outside security. I'd consider that for the BBQ fix and then go to downtown Dallas for whatever macabre indulgence you need to sate with the JFK sites.

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That's an hour-long train slog EACH WAY and at least 30-45 minutes waiting on line at Pecan Lodge. It's about 40 minutes to the West End from DFW and another 12-15 to Deep Ellum station (or Baylor Medical, which may be a bit closer) and that doesn't include waiting for the other train (the DART trains don't roll through one after the other in rapid succession like the London Tube). That restaurant is NOT a hidden gem, every DFW area person who has even the slightest affinity for BBQ knows it. Its reputation precedes it.

This link is more up-to-date than the 5-year old article Paris posted above, note that Pecan Lodge has an actual storefront now on Main Street, not a rectangular set-aside area in Shed 2 at the Farmer's Market: http://www.dallasobserver.com/restau...joints-7031478

The DART train might be kind of slow, but it is clean, cool, and comfortable without the hassles of parking and traffic. Day passes are $5 each for the Dallas lines.

Ach, Dart is worse than I thought. It's 50 minutes from DFW to the West End (or about 45 to Victory station), then wait for a Green Line and then another 12-15 to Deep Ellum.

Thanks, Big Russ. Sorry about the ancient article; I did a quick search and scanned it but neglected to look at the dates. I think Pecan Lodge has a longer wait than 45 minutes...when we have driven by, the line snakes around the block!