Arlington in August-getting back & forth to Dallas?
 

I have 2 questions - how to get back & forth to Dallas on the cheap - watching ballgames at night - visit JFK Book Depository next day. <BR>2-getting to Arlington from DFW - want to stay somewhere quiet, geared more towards single older traveller (young 50)- not families (no offense). Again, everything on the cheap but clean & safe. Or a hotel that caters to groups attending ballgames. <BR>Just 2 days, no car, love to walk, don't mind public transit. A Canadian. <BR>Thank you ahead of time for your response. <BR>Carol

Carol, <BR>Last summer while there, all the Arlington hotels provided shuttles to the ballpark. While we had our van, we chose to use the shuttle and it was quick and efficient. <BR> <BR>And while we used our own vehicle to tour Dallas / JFK, I believe the hotels also had shuttles downtown. Arlington is a lovely suburb and the park is too. Have fun!

I will try to check on some of the hotels for you. If you stay on I-30, then ask the hotel if the "T" (Fort Worth transit) has a stop in Arlington for the FW to Dallas bus route. If you stay nearer the airport, then ask the hotel if they have a shuttle to the DART/"T" commuter rail line. It stops at Union Station in Dallas and you can either walk up Houston street for about 3-4 blocks to the Sixth Floor (JFK exhibit) or transfer to the north light rail line (Mockingbird or ParkLane) for one stop to the West End station. Walk west on Elm Street for about 2 blocks. Otherwise, you need to ask the hotel if they have a shuttle. Unfortunately, we have always depended on our cars and rail mass transit is new and, with 2 counties, you have 2 different agencies.

Carol: <BR> <BR>If you love to walk, you're coming to the wrong part of the country. Arlington & just about all the cities in Dallas area are more oriented to drivers, not walkers. However as you're coming down for a short stay, you can probably manage by choosing your hotel in strategic location. Perhaps if you stay in Arlington close to ballpark, then you might look into a tour bus trip to Dallas --- I don't know if there are such things, but seems like there should be. <BR> <BR>I do hope you're prepared for what's in store for you weatherwise ??? Right now it's 11:37 pm at night & I THINK it may have finally gotten below 90 degrees. On one hand, it does make it easy to pack --- I can virtually guarantee what weather will be like in August. Hot-Hot-Hot. Every day highs will be at least 95 degrees. Of course, we do love our A/C & if you're not used to being in an air-conditioned environment, it can take a bit of getting used to.

Question I would ask, why stay in Arlington? I would stay in Dallas (downtown area), then you could walk or use DART to get around to a lot of good sites and locations. Then go out to the Ballpark from there. But if you stay in Arlington, you only have waterparks, six flags and ballpark. You might try the ranger website for other help. If you stay in Downtown Dallas, within walking distance you could see JFK Museum, west end, the new american airlines arena, and the arts district. There are a lot of hotels in market area. You could also check out the DART website about new connections from d/fw to other areas with the train track. Just an idea!

If you do want to explore staying in downtown Dallas, here's a couple hotels that are at the end which is closer to the JFK Memorial/Book Depository and/or Union Station. Haven't ever stayed at any of the hotels (I live in area). <BR> <BR> -- Fairmont Hotel <BR>1717 N. Akard, Dallas, 214-720-2020 <BR>At first glance the Fairmont is anything but cheap. However I'd strongly recommend you investigate as they may offer deals during August that would put them in your price range. NICE hotel & well located within walking distance to JFK sites & also, the "West End" -- section of downtown with restaurants/bars/nightlife. <BR> -- Hampton Inn <BR>1015 Elm St, Dallas, 214-742-5678 <BR>A good decent businessman's chain hotel -- Hampton more likely would fall into reasonable price range. <BR> <BR>Finally, and I hesitate to mention it, there's the "Adolphus Hotel" -- one of those lovely 4-star old world charm places. Again, not cheap, but who knows? May be offering a special? <BR> -- 1321 Commerce St, 214-742-8200

I'm a native Dallasite, and I'll second the opinions that the Dallas and Arlington areas are not condusive to walking or public transportation. You really should rent a car while you are here, and especially if you are coming before September and are not used to being outside in high 90's temperatures.