How to spend a couple days in Dallas with my wife?

October 20, 2009 1:44 PM

We decided to make the 3 hour drive to Dallas to spend a couple days for my wife's b-day. I've never been there so I could use some help finding a place to stay and some stuff to do.

We'd like to find as nice a hotel as possible in the downtown area for around $100-150/night (if possible). Any suggestions? We'll probably do one dinner at an upscale-type place and the other at a nice-but-moderate-type place. Suggestions would be great for that as well.

I'm also looking for any and all suggestions on what to do during the day. We're on a bit of a budget, but it doesn't have to be free. I understand they have a cool aquarium there, so that's on my list. Any other cool places to sit and people watch while getting bite to eat would be appreciated.

If it helps, she's turning 30.

Thanks!

posted by jluce50 to travel & transportation (14 comments total)

When are y'all planning to go? If it's this upcoming weekend, the historic Adolphus has rates as low as $103, if you pay in advance. On the other hand, if it were after Thanksgiving I would recommend going to the downtown Neiman Marcus to see their Christmas display.
posted by katemonster at 1:52 PM on October 20

For nice food, I'd recommend Nana. Stunning views of the entire city, amazing tasty menu, also it's not as expensive as say, a big sushi dinner. Impeccable service.

If can stay at the Belmont, you'll get local flavor, some of the nicest rooms in the city (within your budget) and they have a really hopping bar/free movies on Wednesdays/gallery/restaurant scene. It's very near to downtown, in Oak Cliff.

Moderate-but-nice to me would be Tei Tei Robata Bar or Teppo, both lovely, small sushi/seafood restaurants. Tei Tei also has a nice bar that's separated from the actual restaurant itself. The aquarium is VERY cool, but a bit pricey (close to $20 per person). In that same area you'll find the Dallas Museum of Art, the Crow Collection of Asian Art, the Nasher Sculpture Garden and the Myerson Symphony Center. If you do the Aquarium, consider spending a day looking at all the art downtown. Some of it's phenomenal.

If you do stay at the Belmont, visit the Bishop Arts District. It feels like a little Soho here has cropped up in the past few years; loads of small galleries, jewelry makers, clothing and design boutiques, high and lowbrow restaurants, plus excellent people-watching.

Downtown Dallas is kind of... gross. By that, I mean it's not super-pedestrian friendly, there's not nearly as much cool stuff to do (shop, browse, drink on the patio, people-watch, or find entertainment options, like movies or other activities) as is available slightly away from the center of the city.

If you prefer dining above all else, try the Knox-Henderson area. Bar-hopping is easiest off Lower Greenville. Sports? You have to rent a car (you'll probably have to do that anyway) and drive out to Arlington to do Six Flags, baseball, football or other similar things. If you want museums, downtown and the gallery area near McKinney Avenue (specifically, check out the Goss Gallery and Fourth Wall, they are great!) can be accessed easily via the McKinney Avenue Trolley, which you can pick up near the DMA. If you prefer shopping above all else, I'd go to NorthPark at Park and Central Expressway.

Unfortunately our public transportation kinda sucks for nightlife; nothing really runs past midnight and plotting routes is difficult. It's almost impossible to truly "get" the city without one. I'm happy to offer more suggestions!
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 2:00 PM on October 20

The Sixth Floor Museum is really interesting and well designed.
posted by mudpuppie at 2:01 PM on October 20 [1 favorite]

Sorry, my last comment was vague. "without one" = without a car. I just realized y'all are driving, so no big deal on that one. But if you bar-hop, valet park. It's IMPOSSIBLE to find parking in any of the entertainment districts, and if you do find parking, you might get towed so plan accordingly.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 2:03 PM on October 20

If you have time to go over to Fort Worth, there are some surprisingly good museums. I have seen some really good exhibitions at the Kimbell, in particular.
posted by TedW at 2:06 PM on October 20

Oh, also for eating and people-watching, you might enjoy West Village. It has an artsy theater with a fab bar inside (the Magnolia), lots of hopping restaurants and shops, and you can get to the West Village via the McKinney Avenue Trolley from the arts district as well. I don't much care for the shopping there, but you will be able to get good food and people-watching there. If you go, visit Paciugo and get the best gelato in town.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 2:07 PM on October 20

As TedW recommends, Fort Worth is amazing. There's a Japanese Botanical Garden there, the Modern, plus the Stockyards. Downtown Fort Worth is gorgeous now thanks to all the recent renovations and would be good for people-watching or dining al fresco, too.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 2:08 PM on October 20

We went to "Priceline" and got a nice *** Hotel downtown for $48. The hotel is the Aloft just a couple of blocks south of Main.
posted by leafwoman at 2:24 PM on October 20

I'd make the trip to Fort Worth if I were you. Seconding everything everyone has said, and don't forget that The FW Zoo is really world-class. Also, a Susan Rothenberg exhibition that just went up at The Modern that should be good if you're into that.

Downtown is pretty awesome too, especially now. There are bars and such, but it's just as likely as not that there will be some kind of art and/or jazz festival happening.
posted by cmoj at 2:30 PM on October 20

Are you coming this weekend? WorldFest is happening in Addison, about 15 minutes away from Dallas.

Also, check out Art & Seek. They post cultural events around the area and there's always something going on, even on weekdays.

Knox/Henderson is full of great places to eat. I suggest Chuy's, every day, for all meals. It is diviiiine.
posted by caveat at 3:27 PM on October 20

Nthing Fort Worth, but I might be a little biased. The museums are great, downtown is really nice, and the Near Southside has a lot of great culture and food too.

Recommended restaurants:
Chadra has great Lebanese and Italian food.

Spiral Diner is one of the best vegan places you'll ever find. This carnivore loves going there.

I haven't been to Ellerbe Fine Foods yet but I've heard rave reviews. Be aware it's a higher priced restaurant.
posted by kmz at 7:46 PM on October 20

mudpuppie is right, the Sixth Floor Museum is really well done. I don't know about hotels downtown, but if you do wind up in Oak Cliff based on the suggestions above, the Spiral Diner that kmz recommended in Ft. Worth has an Oak Cliff location as well, and it's true, carnivores love it.
posted by bwanabetty at 8:29 PM on October 20

The Dallas World Aquarium is probably the aquarium you are hearing about and it is awesome.

We also love going to the Fort Worth Zoo about once a year. There were some lion cubs and tiger cubs born in the last year or so and they are adorable.

For breakfast in the downtown Dallas area I recommend Cafe Brazil (in Deep Ellum) - great food and great service!

As far as nightlife and just hanging out downtown you should definitely check out Sundance Square in Fort Worth.
posted by getawaysticks at 8:28 AM on October 21

Good stuff. Thanks guys!

FWIW, we'll be there during the first week of November so I'm not sure how much of the people-watching and outdoor activities we'll be able to do. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.
posted by jluce50 at 9:12 AM on October 21