Trip to Dallas
Jan 31st, 2007, 04:06 AM
#103
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Hi Dabber and fellow posters! I've enjoyed reading these posts so much. It amazes me that there are over 100 posts for a 5 day trip to Dallas! I told you that folks were passionate about this city (one way or the other)! Who's forming the Greeting Committe for Dabber and his wife?
Jan 31st, 2007, 05:50 AM
#104
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I've worked in downtown Dallas for 21+ years. It has been a lot of fun to me to try to see the city through the eyes of someone who has never been here before. What might be interesting? What might be unique?
Dabber, I mentioned before that my building (the tall one lit up in green at night) has a bank and multiple ATMs. I should also tell you that it has a CVS, which is a drug store/pharmacy that sells over the counter drugs, cosmetics, snacks, magazines, etc. It is open from 7 am to 6 pm on weekdays. Also, we have a Starbucks, in case you're an addict. Our building is 3-4 blocks from the Adolphus, on the way to the Kennedy sites.
Dabber, I mentioned before that my building (the tall one lit up in green at night) has a bank and multiple ATMs. I should also tell you that it has a CVS, which is a drug store/pharmacy that sells over the counter drugs, cosmetics, snacks, magazines, etc. It is open from 7 am to 6 pm on weekdays. Also, we have a Starbucks, in case you're an addict. Our building is 3-4 blocks from the Adolphus, on the way to the Kennedy sites.
Jan 31st, 2007, 12:05 PM
#105
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I saw a programme the other day called "the fattest city in the world",it was Houston!!!It followed several people around,including one guy who spent most of his time eating fast food in his car or finding places like the one where if he managed to eat a 32 ounce steak with salad and fries he got it for free,which he managed!!
Is Houston really that bad ?it had loads of footage of wobbling rear ends and bellies and fast food places are everywhere and compared to the UK the portions seem very large,I like an occasional McDonalds or KFC but prefer something healthier most of the time,can we expect to see this sort of thing in the DFW area/
I would be glad to see any of you once we are out there,surely there cant be too many English couples on a 5 day break at the Adolphus,call in any night and we can have a beer in the Honky Tonk bar.
Is Houston really that bad ?it had loads of footage of wobbling rear ends and bellies and fast food places are everywhere and compared to the UK the portions seem very large,I like an occasional McDonalds or KFC but prefer something healthier most of the time,can we expect to see this sort of thing in the DFW area/
I would be glad to see any of you once we are out there,surely there cant be too many English couples on a 5 day break at the Adolphus,call in any night and we can have a beer in the Honky Tonk bar.
Jan 31st, 2007, 06:08 PM
#107
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Lee Harvey Oswald is buried in Rose Hill cemetary on the east side of Fort Worth (my grandparents are buried nearby)...probably not practical given you won't have a car. BTW, while in FW, the Oswald's lived in the same neighborhood. After the Kennedy assassination, his mother, Marguerite, frequently hung out in front of the local grocery store declaring her son's innocence. It was a sad sight, really.
Jan 31st, 2007, 07:12 PM
#108
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Regarding the fattest city award, Dallas is a decided step better than Houston (although several of us feel that many American cities are a decided step better than Dallas).
I don't think you'll notice any disproportionate "fatness" there. In fact, I think people in Dallas are very concerned about looks. I call it the LA of the southern states, where image is everything.
When I lived there, I was amazed how many apartment dwellers were driving new BMW's and Volvo's, and getting their hair redone weekly.
I don't think you'll notice any disproportionate "fatness" there. In fact, I think people in Dallas are very concerned about looks. I call it the LA of the southern states, where image is everything.
When I lived there, I was amazed how many apartment dwellers were driving new BMW's and Volvo's, and getting their hair redone weekly.
Jan 31st, 2007, 07:30 PM
#109
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Hi Dabber! My husband and I would love to have you out for drinks. However, as one of the other posters mentioned, much of Dallas has Spring Break over the week you are here. We're leaving for San Diego on the morning of the 11th. Don't be surprised if you hear from us one way or another when you arrive. I think you've earned a little welcome gift for having to bear the brunt of all the banter on this post.
I think you'll be surprised at all the "beautiful people" who live in Dallas. It is right up there with LA, believe it or not. You just have to go to the right places.
You MUST write a trip report, [almost] every American is counting on you. Also, let us know of any new conspiracy theories you uncover. I personaly don't think LHW comitted the assasination on his own.
I think you'll be surprised at all the "beautiful people" who live in Dallas. It is right up there with LA, believe it or not. You just have to go to the right places.
You MUST write a trip report, [almost] every American is counting on you. Also, let us know of any new conspiracy theories you uncover. I personaly don't think LHW comitted the assasination on his own.
Feb 2nd, 2007, 10:58 AM
#111
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Not at all. The people who leave town are a portion of us who (a) have school aged kids, (b) can afford to travel, and (c) have jobs that let us get away that time of year (e.g. tax accountants usually can't leave because that is their busy season). That leaves hundreds of thousands of other people.
Feb 2nd, 2007, 11:10 AM
#112
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Quite the opposite, Dabber. I think you'll find even more life in Dallas due to spring break. Lots of families and kids will take the time off and go to museums and restaurants.
For every family who can afford to travel somewhere during spring break, there are probably 20 who stay in town and are looking for things to do.
For every family who can afford to travel somewhere during spring break, there are probably 20 who stay in town and are looking for things to do.
Feb 2nd, 2007, 11:18 AM
#113
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WOW!! Dabber - you have walked into a landmine! You have probably figured out by now that people have strong opinions on Dallas. I can think of several threads that went something like this:
1. Someone like you was innocently looking on some travel advice for the Dallas area
2. A few locals with good hearts begin to provide some basic, well-intentioned travel advice
3. People from Dallas or from other places who, for whatever reason, aren't very impressed with Dallas and wouldn't think of travelling there for pleasure, begin to point out all that is wrong with the Dallas and Fort Worth area, and why you really should visit any number of 100 other cities first.
4. Aceplace / xbt and a couple other loyal homers attempt to explain why Dallas is a phenominal, world-class city, usually trying to use US Census Bureau stats to prove their case.
5. Repeat 3&4 several times
6. The locals with good hearts continue to try their best to provide some legimate travel advice
I, for one, hope you have a great time in America.
1. Someone like you was innocently looking on some travel advice for the Dallas area
2. A few locals with good hearts begin to provide some basic, well-intentioned travel advice
3. People from Dallas or from other places who, for whatever reason, aren't very impressed with Dallas and wouldn't think of travelling there for pleasure, begin to point out all that is wrong with the Dallas and Fort Worth area, and why you really should visit any number of 100 other cities first.
4. Aceplace / xbt and a couple other loyal homers attempt to explain why Dallas is a phenominal, world-class city, usually trying to use US Census Bureau stats to prove their case.
5. Repeat 3&4 several times
6. The locals with good hearts continue to try their best to provide some legimate travel advice
I, for one, hope you have a great time in America.
Feb 2nd, 2007, 11:33 AM
#114
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Hazelmn
as this is the first time that I have been on Fodors I didnt really know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised by everyone who gave me advice, being so willing to make my stay as memorable as possible.As you have probably seen my main purpose of visiting Dallas is JFK.
I know that some people have tried to put me off visiting but I have always wanted to see Dealey Plaza etc.Perhaps Dallas is not the prettiest city in the US but I would prefer to visit there than somewhere like Orlando or Miami as I think it will be more representative of everyday life.I dont suppose you get a lot of British visitors??
Thanks to all who took the time to reply to me ,especially missypie , HonestAbe,aceplace,dgg and TTP.
as this is the first time that I have been on Fodors I didnt really know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised by everyone who gave me advice, being so willing to make my stay as memorable as possible.As you have probably seen my main purpose of visiting Dallas is JFK.
I know that some people have tried to put me off visiting but I have always wanted to see Dealey Plaza etc.Perhaps Dallas is not the prettiest city in the US but I would prefer to visit there than somewhere like Orlando or Miami as I think it will be more representative of everyday life.I dont suppose you get a lot of British visitors??
Thanks to all who took the time to reply to me ,especially missypie , HonestAbe,aceplace,dgg and TTP.
Feb 2nd, 2007, 01:20 PM
#115
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I really do hope you can find time to spend a few hours at the Dallas Arboretum if you have nice weather. Downtown Dallas IS a lot of concrete, but if you go out to the Arboretum, you can see the kind of lovely plants that are grown in many fine yards that you won't have time to see.
Feb 4th, 2007, 03:50 AM
#116
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My bank has just offered to send me an American Express card that is like travellers cheques in that you can "load" it with say $1000 dollars and then use it to pay for shopping,cabs etc.
Is this a good idea in that it means that I wont have to bring a load of cash,I was going to bring about $1000 to $1500 in cash as well as a credit card,I didnt really want to use my credit card too much and have a big bill when I got home,would prefer to use cash for everything.
Can I use my card in an ATM to get cash,it is one with a 4 number pin code and is the procedure the same as in the UK in that you put the card in the ATM,it asks for your pin,then how much you want ,it then gives you the cash and returns your card,this is how it works in Europe as well,my card is a platinum Mastercard,do they have symbols on the ATMs to say which cards it will take??
Is this a good idea in that it means that I wont have to bring a load of cash,I was going to bring about $1000 to $1500 in cash as well as a credit card,I didnt really want to use my credit card too much and have a big bill when I got home,would prefer to use cash for everything.
Can I use my card in an ATM to get cash,it is one with a 4 number pin code and is the procedure the same as in the UK in that you put the card in the ATM,it asks for your pin,then how much you want ,it then gives you the cash and returns your card,this is how it works in Europe as well,my card is a platinum Mastercard,do they have symbols on the ATMs to say which cards it will take??
Feb 4th, 2007, 04:53 AM
#117
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The offer you got from your credit card might be OK, but I would choose not to do it. They often charge you a higher interest rate on those special services (such as "pre-loading" a card).
To me, $1,000 of cash sounds like too much and very dangerous. Virtually every decent restaurant, all hotels, any rental car company, and every retail establishment will take your credit card. I would just bite the bullet and put most charges on your credit card, and pay it off as soon as you get home with the portion of the $1,500 cash that you didn't have to bring along. Plus, credit cards often give you among the most favorable exchange rates that you'll find.
Credit cards are so much safer, too. If you lose it, just one call and it is cancelled. Another day or two and a new one would be fed-ex'ed to your hotel.
Regarding PIN numbers, I believe your UK PIN numbers will work here, but call your bank to doublecheck.
To me, $1,000 of cash sounds like too much and very dangerous. Virtually every decent restaurant, all hotels, any rental car company, and every retail establishment will take your credit card. I would just bite the bullet and put most charges on your credit card, and pay it off as soon as you get home with the portion of the $1,500 cash that you didn't have to bring along. Plus, credit cards often give you among the most favorable exchange rates that you'll find.
Credit cards are so much safer, too. If you lose it, just one call and it is cancelled. Another day or two and a new one would be fed-ex'ed to your hotel.
Regarding PIN numbers, I believe your UK PIN numbers will work here, but call your bank to doublecheck.
Feb 4th, 2007, 08:51 PM
#118
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I would not bring that much cash. Check with your credit card company regarding cash advances in the US.
I would DEFINITELY charge things (instead of paying with cash) and pay off the bill when you get home.
Check into a debit card. Then you'd have two "credit cards" - use the credit card for hotel and rental cars and similar and the debit cards for cash at ATMs and to pay for restaurants, etc. "Same as cash" - but you don't run the risk of losing a lot of paper money that can't be replaced.
I would DEFINITELY charge things (instead of paying with cash) and pay off the bill when you get home.
Check into a debit card. Then you'd have two "credit cards" - use the credit card for hotel and rental cars and similar and the debit cards for cash at ATMs and to pay for restaurants, etc. "Same as cash" - but you don't run the risk of losing a lot of paper money that can't be replaced.
Feb 5th, 2007, 09:57 AM
#119
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Starrsville... just a note of caution using a debit at a restaurant.
I had my visa debit number, along with the security number, taken at a restaurant.
The thief then proceeded to buy tons of stuff on the internet.
Of course I was only liable for the first 50.00 (or whatever it was back then) but it took quite a few days to get my money credited back to my account.
Now I only use my visa debit card where I can do the payment myself. It NEVER leaves my hand.
I had my visa debit number, along with the security number, taken at a restaurant.
The thief then proceeded to buy tons of stuff on the internet.
Of course I was only liable for the first 50.00 (or whatever it was back then) but it took quite a few days to get my money credited back to my account.
Now I only use my visa debit card where I can do the payment myself. It NEVER leaves my hand.
Feb 7th, 2007, 08:07 AM
#120
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Debit cards and credit cards give you the best exchange rate. I would bring both and use my ATM card for cash and purchases. US cabs usually do not take credit cards, but airport limo/car services usually do. I too have had someone steal my debit card number and make purchases, but my bank quickly caught it and made good on it. While it was an inconvenience to wait for a replacement card, I don't think the risk outweighs the benefits and ease of use. My travel policy is to carry enough cash to get me back to the hotel if I have a problem, but not more than I can afford to lose without ruining my trip and my mood, usually $200- $300.. If you have your debit card, you can get cash at banks, gas stations, mini markets, grocery stores, just about anywhere you go. If it has a Visa or Mastercard insignia, you can use it like your credit card and pay for admission fees and meals at most everywhere. The four digit numeric pin you describe sounds like it will work.
