SGF

We will be in Dallas and plan on visiting Six Flags, Old City Park, the Stockyards, and the World Aquarium Museum. We aren't sure which hotel and which area would be best. We will have a car and we'd like a suite if possible. We were thinking about the Embassey Suites near the Galleria. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

juinmi

Unless you are set on staying in Dallas, Arlington or Grand Prairie would be a more central location for the sites you are seeing.

missy2000

Embassy Suites is good if you want to stay in the Dallas area. My parents stayed there and it's in a good location. If you are going to spend your time in both Dallas and Fort Worth you can consider staying somewhere in between like at the Omni in Las Colinas.

ChristieP

For the things you are wanting to see, staying at the Galleria will be a LONG way out of your way for all of them, and you'll spend even more time sitting in traffic because the Galleria area can get pretty congested, especially during weekday rush hours.

I'll agree that staying in the middle of Dallas and Fort Worth (Arlington, Graind Prairie, Irving) would make a lot more sense for you logistically speaking. I know there is an Embassy Suites on 183 in Irving, and several similar hotels near DFW airport.

Or, stay in the Stockyards Hotel while you're in Fort Worth, and then stay closer to Dallas for Six Flags and the Aquarium (which is EXCELLENT).

SGF

Thanks for replying to my question. We'd like to stay in only one hotel since we'll be there only a few days and don't want to spend time checking in/out of different hotels. Which area would you choose to stay (somewhere nice with a choice of restaurants) and which hotel if you were travelling to the various attractions I mentioned?

We have to return to the airport so we thought we'd stay somewhere in Dallas since we'll only be touring in Ft.Worth for one day.

Is there a must see attraction that I didn't mention? Any suggestions are welcomed.

Also, is the Tarantula train that goes to the Stockyards worth it and if so where do you pick it up?

It's our first time in Dallas and I have so many questions....appreciate all your help.

mona

If you have time, get a Dallas/Fort Worth Visitor's guide. It will have lots of good info on restaurants, hotels, etc. I believe it's Arlington that has a "Restaurant Row" w/ lots of dining choices and many hotels around too.

ChristieP

There are several areas in the DFW metroplex that have a cluster of restaurants and hotels. In Irving, on 183 right by DFW's south entrance, there is one such group, including an Emabssy Suites. Another one is in Las Colinas, and there is an Amerisuites there. Also, there is an Amerisuites in the West End (LOTS to do here), but you will have to pay to park. There is a large clump at I-35E and NW Highway, but not as many hotels here, and the immediate surrounding area is, well, dodgy at best. And, as you know, there is a clump at the Galleria, too.

You can meet the Tarantula Train to Fort Worth in beautiful, historic, downtown Grapevine, Texas. I happen to live within walking distance from the depot! It is a nice day trip, particularly when the weather is not so hot. Grapevine has some really cute shops and places for lunch along Main Street. If you're here in September, GrapeFest is a MUST!

The only other "must-sees" in the DFW area (IMHO) are the JFK/Sixth Floor museum and the Kimbell art museum in Fort Worth. Optional, depending on your personal preferences, are the Modern Art Museum and the Cowgirl Hall of Fame, both in Fort Worth's cultural district.

flowergirl

You may want to consider staying in or near "downtown" Dallas. There is the Hyatt, Fairmont, Wyndham, Marriott Suites, etc. You also have tons of restaurants in the West End District w/fun things for family...also the 6th Floor Museum,World Aquarium, Museum and easy access to I30 to Arlington.

SGF

First off, thanks to all for your help.

Now wondering if the Embassey Suites or the Dallas Marriott Suites in the Market Center area are ok? Also considering the Omni Mandalay at Las Colinas. Are these hotels in a nice area? The Omni looks good but we'd really prefer a suite if possible. We were considering the Embassey near the airport but don't want to be that close. Figure it may be noisy and busy with traffic.

I have some more questions if you don't mind.....

Is Old City Park worth seeing and if so can you do that and the World Aquarium in one day? We figure Six Flags will take one day in itself and since we only have a few days we're trying to cram as much as possible into one day.

Thanks again for helping.

ellen_griswold

I can't empahasize enough what an absolute MUST-SEE the JFK/6th floor is!

Make the time. If you see nothing else, go there.

Lots of aquariums and Six Flags in America; only one 6th Floor. You will never forget it.

We stayed in Arlington because we also saw The Texas Rangers play in their beautiful ballpark. At the time (July 99) they had a trolley from the hotel (Courtyard by Marriott). Great ballpark - great city. Hope to return some day.

OliveOyl

Another voice for 6th Floor. We went the first time when our kids were teens and even they were fascinated. It is SO well done!!

Did you say how many days you had? It may just have been me, but I was non-plused by Old City Park and if you had time to spare with all you have planned,(and the 6th Floor addition ) instead I might add one of the Ft Worth museums or the Arboretum in Dallas.

I absolutely love the Omni Mandalay, their flagship hotel--gorgeous hotel, lovely pool! (This coming from a Hyatt person/family no less.. )

Restaurant Row=Addison, the Beltline Rd area, but talk about busy and congested!! Yikes. All that and more.

juinmi

Just some thoughts on your itinerary: The Stockyards can easily be an all day affair with the tour, train, Billy Bobs etc. Six Flags is usually an all day jaunt, especially with kids. I agree with the opinions to see the 6th Floor Musuem, gives ya the chills. You could easily do the 6th Floor and the Aquarium in one day. You are talking about the aquarium in the West End and not the one at Fair Park correct? I have never been to Old City Park, so I can't help you there.
As for locations to stay, I am again suggesting the Arlington area. There is a large hotel just off I-30, right before 360(going westbound) I think in Grand Prairie right before Arlington. I cannot think of the name (I don't live down there anymore, sorry. Maybe someone can help me out here) but from what I remember, I think opposing pro football teams used to stay there, so I am assuming it is pretty nice. But the commute to either Dallas or Ft Worth would only be 30min tops from that area. Going into downtown Dallas during the day or weekend would be easy, just try to avoid the rush hours during the week.

SGF

Thank you all for so many great suggestions and all your information. Looks like we'll be adding the 6th floor to our itinerary. We really only have 3 days so we'll be busy little bees. I know the kids will definitely want to do Six Flags so that's one day by itself. We may have to choose between doing the Stockyards and the train or visiting Old City Park. If that's the case which would you choose?

What about Park Fair? Should we check out some of the museums there and then do the 6th floor? I read that the World Aquarium is expensive, crowded and only takes about 2 hrs. Is it worth our time or should we just visit the Aquarium by Park Fair even though it's not as big?

Thanks again. Your help is making the planning of this trip easier.

ChristieP

Old City Park is neat, but unless you hit it on the weekends when there are the living history demonstrations, it can be really boring. It's just a bunch of old buildings! (They DO have a great July 4th festival, though.) If it was me, I would pick the Stockyards in a heartbeat over Old City Park. They are SO much more fun, and the Tarantula Train is really neat.

Honestly, the museums at Fair Park are just OK. Your kids might like the Science Place, but the Aquarium there is nothing special at all. Unless you were able to visit when the State Fair is going on, I would not bother with going down there. It is also in one of, if not the, worst neighborhoods in Dallas, so you'd definitely want to park inside the fence and not leave any valuables in your car.

Even though the Dallas World Aquarium can be expensive and sometimes crowded, I really like it. I have been there 3 times now, and I always enjoy it. The West End area is fun to walk, too.

Traveler_A

If you choose to do Six Flags, the Fort Worth Stockyards, and/or the Tarantula Train, definitely stay in the Arlington, Grand Prairie, or Irving areas - they're much more central to visiting those sites. Even if you include the 6th Floor Museum in downtown Dallas, the majority of the aforementioned activities are in the Arlington or Fort Worth area, so that would be the majority of your time. Plus those areas are convenient to Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (it's located between Dallas and Ft. Worth).

I, too, recommend that you skip Old City Park (at least for this visit) in favor of some of your other activities. Ditto on staying near the Galleria - too much traffic around there and it isn't near anything you mentioned.

If you spend some time in Fort Worth, get some fabulous mexican food at the famous Joe T. Garcia's!

Have fun!

bridgetS

I would also suggest you nix the Fair park attractions, not up to par and it's in a bad area of Dallas. Would suggest adding the Water Gardens to your day in Ft Worth, it's like nothing else and the kids will have fun, especially in the heat. Only takes a short time to see (free) but worth it on your way to the Stockyards. The Omni in Las Colinas is nice and a good location for your points of interest. Also the area has some good restaurants. I also highly recommend the sixth floor museum. Also a stop at the "cows" in downtown as well as the "mustages" in Las Colinas.