travelgirls

Is the Market Center area of Dallas a safe and convenient location for women travelers? We are seeking less expensive accommodations than the pricey ones downtown.

BigRuss

First, don't stay in a motel.

Second, stay in Uptown, not downtown or Market Center.

Third, what is your price point?

"Safe and convenient" has many meanings. If you're in Dallas, you need a car and if you're not walking around the non-existent night-time offerings in Market Center, you should be safe. "Convenient" is a question related to what you want to see. Dallas and Fort Worth are EACH almost as large, physically, as New York City, the Metroplex is more than twice the size of NYC.

travelgirls

You sound a little condecending in your comment about avoiding motels. Our price point is a little over $100, preferably less. We are aware that Dallas is a very large city and that we must rent a car to traverse the many expressways. That's why we need help in finding a good location. We want to visit a large number of Dallas' attractions. Our Frommer guide to Texas describes numerous Dallas neighborhoods, but does not describe Market Center. That made me suspicious that it might be "crummy" (full of industrial buildings, numerous bars, strip malls, and with a high crime rate.) Market Center looks quite a distance from everything. Is this true? Thanks for replying. We will follow your advice to try to find accomodations which we can afford in Uptown. Do you have any more advice?

RoamsAround

We need to know what you mean by "everything" - as you've found out Dallas is pretty spread out so there's no one place that's close to "everything". There's are points of interest all over the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex so where you stay is not all that critical, especially if you have a rental car. Dallas is a "driving cultural" and Texans love their big SUV's and Pick-up Trucks - no one walks anywhere!!!! They go from their air conditioned homes, to their air conditioned cars, to their air conditioned offices and/or air conditioned stores. Sorry if you might find this hash or "condescending" but it's true - other than downtown officer workers going across the street for a bite of lunch, the only time you'll see people walking is at the shopping malls.

I don't understand why you found BigRuss' comment about motels to be condescending - all he said was don't stay in a motel. Many "motels" in the Dallas/Fort Worth area are located in less than desirable areas and those in the lower price range ($100/night) tend to be a bit seedy and cater to very transient clientele. Hence, the warning.

You might be better off increasing your budget a bit and look for something in the $150 to $200/night category.

As to what area is best, I'd look at places on the north side of town just off of I-635 around the Galleria, Preston Road, Midway Road or Alpha road. There are plenty of decent chain hotels that are safe, close to shopping and restaurants and you'll have easy access to the various freeways and main roads so you can drive to whatever interests you.

Remember, you are pretty much going to have to drive to see "everything" in Dallas.

BigRuss

Motel = dump. No respectable per night lodging facility calls itself a "motel" anymore unless its brand is identified with the term (Motel 6). The term is now for cheap pits or by-the-hour fleabags.

$100 will get you little in Dallas, especially because every metropolitan area taxes hotel rooms at high rates. Check Expedia or orbitz or travelocity for your multi-night stay because they will spell out each night's charge and come up with the total (e.g., nights 1+2 = 150 each, nights 3-5 = 79 each to reach a total around $540 for five nights). If you have points somewhere, consider unloading them.

Market Center is not residential so it's not a "neighborhood" - it has hotels near the eponymous market center and is set up for the convenience of market center exhibitors. It is close to an industrial area. It is not walking distance to any tourist attractions. The notion of "quite a distance from everything" is meaningless - (1) in Texas, a long "distance" is a multi-hour drive, (2) Market Center is within short drives (10 min.) of the West End (Book Depository, Aquarium), Victory Plaza and the nearby Perot Museum, and the Arts District.

Dallas is spread out, you have not indicated what you want to see therefore suggesting a more convenient location is not possible.

jayne1973

Yes, Dallas is very spread out and the traffic can really be excruciating. Staying by 635 could be a pain as far as traffic. Lots of construction everywhere right now.

Do you know what areas or sights and activities you are most interested in while in town? That could dictate your choice of lodging.

In the Market Center area, Embassy Suites Market Center is nice. Not sure what kind of rate you can get.
Also you can sometimes score a good rate via Priceline bidding and get the Hyatt Regency downtown, which is on the DART rail line. You can get around a lot of the Dallas area on DART while saving gas money and sanity.

jill_h

Absolutely stay away from I-635. Major construction!!!

How long do you plan on staying?

What are you interested in seeing?

Why don't you post several options that you like and let us tell you whether it's good or not.

BellaD

We are from Omaha,NE and go to the Giftshow in Dallas every January. I would not recommend staying in the market area either. We just go on www.hotels.com and get a hotel on there. We are usually about 10 minutes away in any direction and have had no problems. We can generally find a chain hotel for about $100. You can read the reviews on there so you make sure you get a good hotel. There are plenty to choose from, You will need a rental car but it is pretty easy to get around and parking at the mart is not great but you can park at nearby hotel lots for about $10.