Where to stay in Dallas
 

Is there an area in Dallas where you can stay, shop, and dine? We like to stay in an area where we can walk to shopping (major dept. stores, malls, lifestyle centers), have dining options in various price ranges and cuisines, and maybe some nightlife options (dueling piano bars, sports or overall fun bars that aren't too trendy). Thanks in advance!!!

What you described doesn't exist in Dallas. BTW, what are "lifestyle centers"?

You can try for hotels in Uptown area, such as the Crescent Court, or Hotel ZaZa, which has all the above EXCEPT major dept stores or malls.

Or you can stay at hotels right at the Galleria, where you are attached to a huge mall with all the stores and restaurants you want, but not many nightspots.

I second YK. Crescent sounds more like your style. Nearby many of Dallas finest restaurants. Dallas Uptown does not have mall shopping. From Crescent, you are 15 minute drive from Highland Park Village or NorthPark Mall.

Yeah, I concur with YK and stump. Dallas is NOT pedestrian friendly, though developers have tried to create what you describe in some areas, mostly suburban. That said, Uptown would be your best bet. Good luck and I hope you enjoy your visit.

BTW, if you stay in Uptown, you can take the McKinney Ave Trolley which goes through the entire Uptown neighborhood in N-S direction. http://www.mata.org/

Hotel Crescent Court and Hotel ZaZa are towards the Southern end of the trolley line, while at the Northern end is West Village, sort of an open-air mall with boutiques, shops, restaurants and bars.
http://www.mata.org/map.shtml
http://www.westvil.com/

So, that's an additional bonus if you don't want a car.

Uptown is probably what you're looking for, which I'll leave to others to advise you about. We've had an enjoyable stay downtown at the Fairmont, but that was a different kind of trip.

But if you're not visiting for sight-seeing and your primary focus is shopping, you might consider staying in Plano at the Marriott in Legacy Park or the Westin. They are both within easy walking distance to the Shops at Legacy with upscale shopping and dining. The Marriott has a shuttle that will take you anywhere within a five mile radius, including the Stonebriar Mall in Frisco. It's a very nice and large mall. There is plenty of shopping and dining to be had all in that area.

We've also stayed at the Renaissance Marriott in Richardson on Central Expressway. You can walk right out of the hotel and get on the DART railway. You can visit NorthPark Center or go downtown. They also have a shuttle that will take you anywhere within a five mile radius. The Collin Creek Mall is close by, but I haven't been to that mall in years so I don't what it's like anymore.

Hope you have a great trip, let us know what you decide!