Dallas in 3 & 1/2 Days - Outdoor Activity?
Dec 15th, 2005, 03:44 PM
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Dallas in 3 & 1/2 Days - Outdoor Activity?
Hi, I will be traveling to Dallas next month & stay there for about 4 days. Are there any day trips I can take where I can see some of the western scenaries, high mountain vistas (especially), open praries, cowboy taverns...etc. I prefer National Parks but the nearest one from Dallas is 10hrs away.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Lucian
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Lucian
Dec 15th, 2005, 03:57 PM
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You'll find no high mountains anywhere near Dallas. I hate to tell you this, but Texas doesn't look like it did in the old Western movies. That's because those movies were not filmed in Texas.
However if you want that "western" feel, go to downtown Ft. Worth. There's an area somewhere in downtown Ft. Worth that's supposed to look like a cowtown. I'm sorry I can't give you more details on that. I've driven past it a few times, but I've never vistited that part of town. While you are in Ft. Worth you can enjoy the botannical gardens and the museum district, if you are so inclined.
However if you want that "western" feel, go to downtown Ft. Worth. There's an area somewhere in downtown Ft. Worth that's supposed to look like a cowtown. I'm sorry I can't give you more details on that. I've driven past it a few times, but I've never vistited that part of town. While you are in Ft. Worth you can enjoy the botannical gardens and the museum district, if you are so inclined.
Dec 15th, 2005, 04:02 PM
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If you drive on I-20 heading west, after around Exit 460, there's a long down slope. That's probably the highest point in the Metroplex, and you can get a good view of the town below, named Grand Prairie.
So, I answered two of your inquiries.
So, I answered two of your inquiries.
Dec 15th, 2005, 04:03 PM
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OK, I did a bit of googling and here's some info that might be of interest. The area I was speaking of earlier is called the Ft. Worth Stockyards.
http://www.fortworthstockyards.org/
lucian, can you feel your leg being pulled by rkkwan?
http://www.fortworthstockyards.org/
lucian, can you feel your leg being pulled by rkkwan?
Dec 15th, 2005, 04:42 PM
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I didn't want to answer this question because I didn't want to be the one to burst lucian's bubble!
Lucian - maybe if you just take a long drive out in the countryside around Fort Worth you'll get a little feel for "prairies." I can't specify a route, as I am always lost driving around here! But just pick a "FM" (like FM 220) road - that's a "Farm to Market" road of olden times. Maybe that will lead you somewhere interesting because God knows I think I've seen all of North Texas unintentionally!
At least to me, a transplanted bicoastal gal, the farms and cows and goats always look so peaceful and "western."
I hope you enjoy your visit and aren't too disappointed.
mom
Lucian - maybe if you just take a long drive out in the countryside around Fort Worth you'll get a little feel for "prairies." I can't specify a route, as I am always lost driving around here! But just pick a "FM" (like FM 220) road - that's a "Farm to Market" road of olden times. Maybe that will lead you somewhere interesting because God knows I think I've seen all of North Texas unintentionally!
At least to me, a transplanted bicoastal gal, the farms and cows and goats always look so peaceful and "western."
I hope you enjoy your visit and aren't too disappointed.
mom
Dec 15th, 2005, 05:36 PM
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Sorry, but I can't help it. In lucian's other thread, he/she's asking about Amish "attractions" in Ohio.
I am starting to think that the US may be just a large theme park for some.
I apologize for being harsh.
I am starting to think that the US may be just a large theme park for some.
I apologize for being harsh.
Dec 15th, 2005, 05:40 PM
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Glen Rose is kinda scenic. You can stand at the edge of the Paluxy River in Dinosuar Valley St Park and look up to tall cliffs.
Lookout point at Fossil Rim (also Glen Rose) is nice too. In fact, You can visit the cafe w/o doing the African safari drive.
Lookout point at Fossil Rim (also Glen Rose) is nice too. In fact, You can visit the cafe w/o doing the African safari drive.
Dec 15th, 2005, 06:55 PM
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I'll definitely agree with the recommendation to go to the Fort Worth Stockyards. That is about as close to the old west as you'll get! The White Elephant is sort of a "cowboy tavern" in the Stockyards. So is Billy Bob's.
The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo will be going on in Jan-Feb at the Will Rogers Memorial Center. There will DEFINITELY be cowboys there! See if you can get rodeo tickets... www.ticketmaster.com
The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo will be going on in Jan-Feb at the Will Rogers Memorial Center. There will DEFINITELY be cowboys there! See if you can get rodeo tickets... www.ticketmaster.com
Dec 16th, 2005, 02:10 AM
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Check www.guidelive.com for current local activities.
M
M
Dec 16th, 2005, 07:06 AM
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Thanks all for the info, I also checked out www.gorp.com & found many 2-3 hr trips away from Dallas - no mountains but the open country should be nice to see...
Dec 16th, 2005, 12:47 PM
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lucian - I think you're right. You will find some pretty country 2-3 hours from the Dallas area. I love seeing those huge Longhorn cattle - they really say "Texas" to me.
Maybe you'll see some llamas, too. I was so surprised to find many places around here with llamas! And just down the street from us was a house that had a ze-donk (combination zebra and donkey). He was pretty cool.
I hope you stumble on some interesting stuff!
mom
Maybe you'll see some llamas, too. I was so surprised to find many places around here with llamas! And just down the street from us was a house that had a ze-donk (combination zebra and donkey). He was pretty cool.
I hope you stumble on some interesting stuff!
mom
Dec 19th, 2005, 04:19 PM
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Southwest Dallas has some pretty sizable hills, between 200 and 300 feet high. The Cedar Hills State Park is a pretty place to have a picnic, rent a boat, camp out, whatever you want. The park has an historic farmstead you can walk around, with a good self-guided tour. The park is actually on route 1382, between the hills and Joe Pool Lake, on the border between Dallas city and a suburb called Cedar Hills.
From downtown Dallas, go southwest on a freeway called 35E. US 67 will branch to the right... take it to I20. Go west on I20 (to the right) and get off on exit 457, where it intersects route 1382. Go south on route 1382(to the left), and you will drive by a very handsome range of wooded hills.
If you want to see a stunning scenic vista, from hundreds of feet in elevation, return on I20 to the intersection of spur 408. When you go notrh on 408, you'll swear you're in mountain country.
From
From downtown Dallas, go southwest on a freeway called 35E. US 67 will branch to the right... take it to I20. Go west on I20 (to the right) and get off on exit 457, where it intersects route 1382. Go south on route 1382(to the left), and you will drive by a very handsome range of wooded hills.
If you want to see a stunning scenic vista, from hundreds of feet in elevation, return on I20 to the intersection of spur 408. When you go notrh on 408, you'll swear you're in mountain country.
From
