japw82

Planning a girls weekend in Dallas and we want to do some major shopping. Looking at the Premium Outlet in Allen and Northpark Mall in Dallas. We want to be centrally located so that we don't spend a lot of time driving. In what area should we book our hotel rooms? Any other malls/shopping areas that are not to be missed? Also, the group likes Italian, Mexican, a good burger, and steak. Dining and hotel recommendations are appreciated. We don't want options that will break the bank and don't necessarily want chain restaurants unless they are chains unique to Texas or the Southwest. Thanks for your help!!!

japw82

Any Dallas area folks out there that can help??

qwovadis

Go to Dallas a lot on business I prefer Galleria area for shopping and dining my 2 most recent hotels were
the Crowne Plaza $59 www.otel.com ihg.com very nice for price. The Sheraton Galleria bidding priceline.com for $45/nt
before that. Free parking at both hotels about a walkable block from the Galleria. I usually rent a car carrentals.
If my clients are paying I like Hyatt Reunion downtown super
nice but $150/nt or so usually.It is a wonderful town with plenty to do.

Good luck!

travelerfromtx

You've picked two of the best places for shopping already. In addition to the Premium Outlets in Allen, there is the Village at Fairview and the Village at Allen on the other side of Central Expressway. There you will find more shopping and many restaurants. http://www.villageatallen.com/index.html There is a new Courtyard Marriott located in the Village of Allen right next to the Allen Event Center. It is a nice, new hotel that is more along the lines of a regular Marriott than a typical Courtyard. It would obviously be very convenient. http://www.villageatallen.com/hotel.html In the Village at Fairview I like Gloria's Restaurant.

There are other very good areas also, and it would take more than one weekend to hit them all. I also like Stonebriar Centre and the surrounding area in Frisco. http://www.shopstonebriar.com/
In Frisco there is a Sam Moon and an IKEA that are both very popular.
http://sammoon.com/main_detail.asp
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/
There are so many restaurants in Frisco. I recommend La Hacienda, but get there early or be prepared to wait. http://laharanch.com/lahaciendaranch/home_laha.htm

Southlake Town Square in Southlake is a also good shopping destination. http://southlaketownsquare.com/ There is a nice Hilton located here. In Southlake I like Campania Pizza for Italian. http://www.campaniapizza.com/ There is also a Mi Cocina here. I haven't been to that particular location, but every Mi Cocina I have been to has been excellent.

In Northpark I've enjoyed a great meal at Luna De Noche. I'm sure others who frequent the area more often can give other good nearby suggestions.

Although not as big of an area as some places, another popular shopping area is the West Village. http://www.westvil.com/ If you were to stay in downtown Dallas, you could reach this area by the McKinney Ave. Trolley. http://www.mata.org/ In the West Village, I enjoyed the pizza the Grimaldi's Pizzeria. http://www.grimaldispizzeria.com/ There is also a Mi Cocina in this area.

OO

Northpark and an outlet mall would be polar opposites, I guess you realize (and want both extremes). I also like Highland Park Village, even more extreme than NorthPark! I used to like the Galleria, then they lost several of the stores that made them special, like Gumps, and Marshall Fields, so it's sort of an 'eh' shopping mall now, IMHO.

My favorite Mexican is Uncle Julio's, the Lemmon Ave restaurant,but that one isn't easy to get to. There's also o e in Plano, but I don't think it's quite as good. Liked Cantina Laredo too, but they are spreading and the ones I've been to elsewhere aren't very good. Don't know if the original in Addison is what it used to be, so buyer beware.

Sorry, can't help with specific hotels. We used to live there and my husband worked at the Hyatt quovadis mentions, in fact opened that hotel when it was brand new. It's still nice but one heck of a drive from Allen. You might concentrate your search for hotels located on or near Central Expressway in Plano or Richardson, only for the ease of getting to your various malls.

Have a ball. Dallas shopping spoiled me for every place we have lived since! I still get back as our son has made it his home after growing up there, and I start to salivate as soon as I hit the Dallas North Tollway. .

japw82

I absolutely love Fodor's!! Thanks everyone for all the awesome information!! I know we are going from one extreme to the other with shopping but it will meet the needs of everyone in the group. Is Grimaldi's linked to the one in Brooklyn? Does anyone know anything about Snuffers and Fernandos? Are they anywhere near where we will be and are they good dining options?

travelerfromtx

Yes, according to their website Grimaldi's is linked to the one in Brooklyn. They call it a "sister location". I noticed there is also one at Watter's Creek in Allen. It's another shopping area located in Allen off Central Expressway just south of the Premium Outlets. I've driven by it many times, although I've never actually shopped here myself. http://www.watterscreek.com/

sarge56

I love Northpark Mall. And Uncle Julio's on Lemmon. And Gloria's (Carribean fare).

Southlake Town Center also great, and there is also a new Sam Moon's not too far, over on 35W. The Southlake Hilton is absolutely perfect for a girls' weekend! Tons of places to eat at STC and you just walk out the front door of the hotel and you are in the outdoor mall. Highly recommend!

Maggiano's Little Italy is pretty good Italian. That is at Northpark Mall. Oh, and Luna de Noche. Oustanding Mexican food. (The tortilla soup is perfect.)

Have fun!

Odin

Southlake is really nice for shopping but Mi Cocina was not great, was there last December. Much prefer Fuzzys Tacos. Southlake also has a big shoe store by Central Market & Nordstrom (outlet store) but I cannot remember the name of it.

japw82

This is a tentative itinerary for our big weekend. We will arrive Dallas via I-30 and travel to the Allen Premium Outlet. Our next destination will be Stonebriar Mall in Plano. Depending on time, we will more than likely spend our first night up in that area. Hotel recs. appreciated. Day 2 we plan to go to the Galleria and will stay at the Intercontinental on the Beltway near Addison. That evening our plans include dinner and Pete's Dueling Piano Bar. Are there any other not to miss dining options in these areas? We enjoy Italian, burgers, BBQ, and Mexican. Odin, how far out of the way is Southlake? Do we need to hit Northpark? Thanks for your help!!!

OO

I'd do NorthPark way before doing the Galleria. The Galleria is nothing special anymore, just another mall. NorthPark is by far the better mall!

williamscb13

No northpark? Seriously? I'm with OO go to Northpark before you go to the Galleria or any other mall.

japw82

Thanks. We will skip the Galleria and go to Northpark.

missypie

Northpark has better shopping than the Galleria. Try La Duni for lunch...or at least for dessert!!! It's in the mall, sort of hidden. I wouldn't bother driving all the way out to Southlake from where you are. Road construction to get there will make it difficult going, and while I like it, you can find the same stores in more convenient locations.

If you go to NorthPark, across the highway (75/Central) is a shopping center that has Off Fifth and Nordstrom Rack, if you haven't gotten your fill of outlet-y shopping.

travelerfromtx

For hotel recommendations near Frisco, I'd recommend the Westin Stonebriar or the Marriott in the Legacy Town Center of Plano. The Shops at Legacy has several boutique shops to stroll around, restaurants, and outdoor jazz music on Saturday evenings.

http://www.westinstonebriar.com/index.html

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...y-town-center/

http://shopsatlegacy.com/

MomDDTravel

I would stay at the Marriott in Legacy - the shops at Legacy are wonderful - over priced in general but some great little gems -and there is an Urban Outfitter (my 15 year old loves it!) it is one of my favorite areas in Dallas area - you can shop at the Stonebriar Mall - (in Frisco) head 5 minutes away to the shops at legacy - check into the hotel - and have dinner at one of the MANY wonderful places - if you want nice - go to Jaspers - the food is exceptional. Ask for Mike to be your server. Taco dinner is a fun place you can sit outside. In the morning walk over and have breakfast at the main street bakery.

You have a billion choices and it is very pretty to walk around at night- beats most of the concrete heaven in DFW area.

People like North Park Mall better in general.I like Galleria but it is easier to get to from my house - North Park is in a prettier area - traffic is a bear in the am on the 75 - I lived in Plano and had an office right next to the NP mall for a while - so sleep in, get your breakfast and head out But DO stay at the shops of Legacy you won't be sorry!

japw82

Thanks for all the wonderful responses!! We leave Friday morning.