ChristieP and indie:

First, thanks for taking the time to help me plan our trip to Dallas with all the great info you've provided. The same goes to the rest of the posters.

I was also wondering about Old City Park. Do you have any info on it ChristieP?

As for other attractions, we don't plan on doing much shopping. We'll probably check out some of the stores in the Grapevine area but other than that since our stay is short we'd like to see the attractions.

Hopefully these are some questions you could answer.

l.The Dallas Aquarium sound like a good stop. How much time would we need and is it near any other attraction that we could do in the same day?

2.We were wondering if we'll have enough time to check out the Sixth Floor Museum the day we arrive. Since they are open until 6PM is 4 hours enough?

3.I've noticed Fair Park has several smaller museums but that it isn't a good area. Is it safe and worth checking these out during the day?

4. I've also read that Southfork and the movie set at Las Colinas aren't really worth visiting, is this true?

As for Ft. Worth we'll be spending a day there so we'll check out the Stockyards and Sundance Square. Would we also have enough time to look into the Imex and Science museum? Since we only have one day there is there anything we shouldn't miss?

Yes, Southfork and the Movie Studios at Las Colinas are NOT worth the visit. However, the FW Stockyards are a definite must see. If you visit on Fri/Sat night the rodeo is fun (8:00 p.m.) Many of the stores close around 6:00 p.m. There is a cattle maze that is fun (or entertaining for those who watch) and the mechanical bull (if its operating). IMAX runs movies all day. Most definitely visit the Kimbell, Modern Art (across the street from each other) and Amon Carter Museum. Roads/traffic are easy to negotiate between these points of interest.

I think there may be an aquarium in Fair Park, but most likely you have heard about the Dallas World Aquarium. It is in the west end of downtown, in walking distance from the Sixth Floor Museum.

One more thing: If you are going to be in Dallas at the end of September to mid-October, you should really visit the state fair! It's lots of fun, even if you don't ride rides.

If you go to the State Fair of Texas, try a new Texas treat, a deep fried oreo. I'm not kidding.

Old City Park is run by the City of Dallas, and is just south of downtown. I haven't been there since I was a kid, but if you like old buildings and that kind of stuff, you'll enjoy it.

DEFINITELY do the State Fair if you are in town during its run! The Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park is supposed to be closing very soon. The Science Place and Natural History museums are still there, and they are open during the Fair for an additional charge.

The Sixth Floor Museum is in downtown Dallas in the West End area. The World Aquarium is within walking distance from it, so doing both in a day is easy. There are also a bunch of restaurants in the area, so it makes a nice evening outing. Don't try to head to Grapevine from this area until after 6:30 PM, or you'll just sit in traffic on the 114 freeway. ;-)

SKIP SOUTHFORK! It is a long way from Grapevine, and IMHO, is not worth the $15 price of admission.

If you only have one day in FW, do the Stockyards, Sundance Square (meal) and Kimbell Art Museum.

Just make sure you go to the Dallas World Aquarium in the WestEnd. It is really impressive especially now they had expanded it. It is owned by an individual, not a company or the city and is unique and in good shape. If you want something else in this day, stop by the Conspiracy Museum.

6th Floor Museum is another great stop - 4 hours should be enough time to really read and see everything in depth.

Restaurants in the WestEnd are chain types. I'd have lunch at the aquarium in the sit-down restaurant, not the snack bar.

Fair Park is an unknown treasure in our city-I believe it has the 2nd largest amount of Art Deco buildings after South Beach. Although it is next to a terrible neighborhood (south Dallas), I have never felt unsafe walking around because there is a lot of activity with museum goers and people riding bikes or roller-blading. And definately rocking during the Fair.

I have finally warmed-up to going to the State Fair. I used to think it was a big rip-off, but now appreciate it for what it is and enjoy it. There are cheap days to get in: Tues w/ a Dr Pepper can is $2 and Wed w/ 3 canned goods is free. The museums usually offer discounted admission during this time. The Science Place is good and they have an IMAX. Natural History is good, but small. Aquarium is small and in bad shape. Planetarium - aren't they all the same?

I have to add the Nasher Sculpture Center as a destination - just amazing that this is a collection of an individual.

Regarding Ft Worth - there is a great zoo - one of the best in the country. And the Japanese Garden in the Botanical Garden is wonderful. Sorry guys...but I've always been disappointed with the Stockyards (just a bunch of touristy shops) and Sundance Sqaure is great for Ft Worth (certainly better than downtown Dallas), but unimpressive as a city destination.

Skip the movie studios and SouthFork. I always think of Old City Park as a place your kid goes to only as a school field trip. It's in a not so great neighborhood.

Thanks again. It looks like my whole trip is mostly planned with everyone's help. No unfortunately we won't be in town for the State Fair.

We decided to do the Sixth Floor and the World Aquarium and then grab a bite just like you said. What time should we leave in the morning to go to the West End so we don't sit in traffic? We want to have enough time to check out both attractions so how's 9am sound?

We're going to try and visit Ft. Worth on a Friday in order to check out the rodeo. So many people have commented on the Kimbell Art Museum so we're planning on visiting there. Of course the Stockyards are a must. As for the IMAX I don't know if we'll have enough time but if not no problem as we can do that at home. Sundance Square is on the list too but we'll just have to squeeze that in, maybe we'll grab a bite at a restaurant there. Any good suggestions? Sounds like I'll need a vacation from my vacation!!!

pepper131:

Appreciate all the great information.
What is the Conspiracy Museum? The only thing left to plan is what to do when we arrive since we'll be at the hotel around 1PM with a whole afternoon to sightsee. We don't want to go to the West End as we're doing that the next day. Figured we'd be better off getting an early start and checking out both Six Floor and the Aquarium together the following day.

Fort Worth restaurant recs:
In Sundance Square, I liked Reata. http://www.reata.net/
Closer to the Stockyards, I liked Lonesome Dove. http://www.lonesomedovebistro.com/
Closer to the Cultural District, I liked Michaels. http://www.michaelscuisine.com/

SGF

You could go shopping at the Grapevine mills, and then maybe go to downtown Grapevine,later grab have dinner at someplace near the Grapevine town square.
If the weather permits you can go down to Grapevine lake for a hike - one of my favs.

Yes, you could spend the day you arrive in Grapevine. But go to downtown Grapevine 1st, because the stores close at 5 or so, then head to Grapevine Mills.

SGF - If you want to totally avoid traffic, try to leave around 3:30, no later than 4pm. You'll probably take 114 into Grapevine and you should be fine.
If I read everything correctly, you're staying near Outdoor World in Grapevine. On the day you arrive, I'd head to Grapevine Mills Mall and check out the major markdowns at Neiman's Last Call and the Sak's Outlet. This mall is similar to Sawgrass Mills near Miami if you are familiar with it.
The Conspiracy Museum provides you with doubt about certain events such as the info at the 6th Floor. I haven't been, but it's on my list.
In or around Sundance Sq is a Mi Cocina restaurant - a local chain of Tex-Mex. If anything, stop in and have a Mambo Taxi Marguerita-as the name suggests-don't drive soon after drinking it.

I think there's also a Chuy's around Sundance square - Chuy's is an Austin based chain - tex-Mexish food.

Kids would probably enjoy the Rainforest cafe in Grapevine mills - real noisy with trumpeting elephants and screeching monkeys thunder - fun for the kids.

8.0 in Sundance Square is really good.

For your first day here, I agree that hitting the downtown Grapevine area is a good bet. Walk Main Street and enjoy! There is a wonderfuil gelato store north of 26 called Flavors of Florence. Mmmm! If you still have time inthe afternoon, head to Grapevine Mills. There are lots of restaurants near the mall, too. If you don't have kids with you, SKIP the Rainforest Cafe.

If you leave for the West End around 9 and head home no later than 4, you should be fine with traffic. The DWA, Conspiracy Museum, and The Sixth Floor will all be within an easy walk. I've never been to the Conspiracy Museum, but I would like to go.

Wow, so many great suggestions I think I need to extend our days in Dallas. I checked out the restaurant links and their menus look real good. We're definitely going to visit one of them while in Ft. Worth. Any good suggestions for after our day at the museums in Dallas? Probably going to stay later than 4PM so in order to miss the traffic going back to Grapevine we're thinking about grabbing a bite for dinner somewhere on the way to the hotel.

Yes, I'm familiar with the outlet malls and Sawgrass Mills. As a matter of fact I live nearby so shopping at the outlets aren't really impt. We can get the same deals here or in the many outlets in Orlando. As for Rainforest we've been there many times (I agree, it's noisy) so we'll probably skip it in Dallas. We'd like to try something particular to that area.

What's there to see and do in downtown Grapevine besides shopping?

How far from Grapevine is the Nasher Sculpture Center? Is it something we can do the afternoon we arrive if the weather doesn't warrant being outside? I checked out the website and it looks interesting...wondering how long it takes to tour it?

Our son is a huge baseball fan and I noticed the stadium in Arlington has a museum is it worth checking that out?

You guys have been so helpful and have made planning this trip fun. We've had many stop overs in Dallas on our way to Vegas for business conventions and have never stayed over but now we're looking forward to it.

The Nasher Sculpture Garden is in downtown Dallas, not far from the West End. It would be a good stop to add on your visit! I agree that staying downtown for dinner will be a good idea. There are LOTS of good restaurants in the area! Try the Guide at the Dallas Morning News, www.guidelive.com.

There's not a whole lot to do in Grapevine besides shopping downtown and the Mills Mall. You could go take a walk around the new Gaylord Texan resort, which is supposed to be really fabulous. (If you eat at one of the restaurants inside, they will validate your parking.) Two good restaurants downtown are Esparza's Mexican and the Tap Inn (pub grub).

According to Mapquest the Nasher Sculpture Center is 20.39 miles away from your hotel.
Have fun.

The Nasher should take a couple of hours - it isn't huge, but is impressive. Indoor and outdoor exhibits. Their restaurant is done by the Mansion on Turtle Creek, so it has got to be really good.

I agree that you should stay in Big D for dinner. We love Cafe Express (they have something for everyone) on McKinney. Guidelive.com has restaurants categorized nicely by area and cuisine.