Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

[Triton II]

G'day fellow iboaters. I'm travelling to the USA on business in February, landing for the first time ever at DFW International. A bit of advice about where to stay for an overnight stop would be appreciated - looking for something to do for an afternoon, so somewhere with some historical sites/a good museum, a choice of decent hotels and a good restaurant strip for dinner. Dallas or Fort Worth or somewhere in the area. Looking forward to your advice and thanks in advance.

TII

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

I'm a Houston boy (about 250 miles south of the DFW area). I've been to both places numerous times even though the oilfield companies I visit usually bring me to Fort Worth more often. Dallas is bright lights and big city, whereas Fort Worth is much more subdued. Forth Worth's nickname is "cow town", which I guess is due to its heritage and the old stockyards - which I think might be on the list of things to do in Fort Worth.

I really suggest that you check out tripadvisor . com. I travel all over the plant every now and then and have found it to be a good reference. I'm also one of these people that buys a travel guidebook and read it prior to setting foot in a new place. I don't want to miss any of the good stuff by just leaving things to chance.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

From the "for what it's worth" department: On my only trip to Dallas, I did go check out the JFK stuff at Dealy Plaza. I found it all very interesting ... since you mentioned history.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

Thanks guys, sounds like Dallas with its grassy knoll is the place to stay... I'll check out the tripadvisor site.

TII

 

[gunsup007]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

Triton, I have lived in the North eastern part of Ft. Worth for 11 years and I love Ft. Worth! Dallas is cool if you like the big city, big lights. Ft. Worth is more laid back and real. I would stay in the downtown area and there are tons of places to eat and a lot to do. There is some really cool history down there and a really good museum. We could get some crazy weather that time of year. It has been known to snow a little and the streets will ice over, like during the super bowl last year. Be prepared...

 

[smclear]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

How long is that flight? I have no idea about the Dallas/Ft Worth area. But if it were me, after a flight that long, I probably wouldn't be able to function for a day. I traveled about half that distance (Indianapolis, Indiana to Hawaii) a couple of years ago and that first day was tough. I'd think if you really wanted to experience the area, you should try and stay a little longer.

 

[erwinner]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

Ft. Worth is a lot more "Texan" than Dallas. Dallas tries to be all hip and metropolitan. Hotels in downtown Dallas are very cool, but very expensive. If you want wine bars and Porsches stay in Dallas. If you want pickups and cowboy boots and country bars stay in Ft Worth.
I like both personally.
Where are you headed after DFW?

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

Fort worth has several museums all within walking distance of each other. Lots of nice bars and Restaurants right in downtown. Fort worth is much more laid back. Down town is very safe at night. Check out Bass Hall as well if you visit.

 

[drrpm]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

If you're interested in cowboy stuff the Mesquite rodeo is not far from there.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

Thanks for all your replies. I checked out tripadvisor and it looks like either option would be fine but I do like areas that are safe at night, so I'll take the FW recommendation and do Dallas next time.
Regarding flight time it's a 16 hour overnighter! However I don't seem to suffer too much from jetlag and the day/evening in DFW area is to recuperate a bit before going on to Indianapolis for three days to attend the Motorcycle Dealer Expo. The I'm off to Salt Lake City then Chino for two more days visiting some of our suppliers.
Then another 16+ hour flight home. Then sleep for two days!

TII

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

Enjoy our Fort Worth. I spent time and had fun at both Dallas and Fort Worth, but Fort Worth is the only one that I would visit voluntarily.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

I 2nd Ft. Worth, for what its worth!
The Stockyard area is a cool funky fun area with a few bars & restaraunts..May find yourself a really nice cut of beef there T2 buddy.
Dallas is OK, but I curse the traffic everytime I am there

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

Triton- I live in Grapevine,TX- on the North edge of DFW Airport-check us out on the web-The Gaylord Texan is a good Billion dollar resort on the lake- 3 miles from DFW--But I can speak from living here that downtown FORT WORTH is much better in everyway. Go to Cattleman's for a good steak- around the corner is the White Elephant Saloon-good times , its a friendly Cowboy Bar with good live music. Check out Sundance Square and the Stockyards. For Mexican food try Mi Cocina. If you want the real Cowboy experiance go to Billy Bob's--- for Upscale try the Reata-it is $$ but very cool.
Dallas has its pluses too but I do not feel safe in downtown or Deep Ellum after dark. too many thuggs and $30,000.millionaires-LOL-
If the weather is good when your here-hit or miss- I'll take ya on a tour of the Grapevine Lake!

send me a PM if you want!-Joe

 

[Triton II]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

Hi Joe. Thanks, PM sent!

TII

 

[smclear]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

Where are you staying in Indianapolis? Don't know what your schedule is, but if you are a fan of motor sports, and you have the time, then a trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway museum is a must. Looks like you're going to miss all the Superbowl hoopla by a week. Even if you're not an (American) football fan, there should be a ton of things going on. And.... if you want a good steak while here, go to St. Elmo's. Pricey, but worth it.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

OK guys, thanks for the input, as a result of the consensus about Fort Worth, we're staying at the Hilton Fort Worth, 815 Main St on Wednesday 15th Feb, then onto Indianapolis the next day, staying at the Embassy Suites Downtown on the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th, then onto Salt Lake City on the 20th. smclear, we'll give St Elmos a go. Thanks again for the help... I'm bringing my thick jacket and sweaters!

TII

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

Wow to bad! You are going to just miss the annual Stock Show Rodeo, ends on the 4th. Lots of other stuff. What kinda food do you like?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

Too bad you aren't staying in Austin...way nicer than Dallas area.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

Too bad you aren't staying in Austin...way nicer than Dallas area.

Love Austin..In fact I am there for business Feb 8th..yeah

But only DFW area has In n Out..lol

 

[Triton II]

Re: Where to stay? Dallas or Fort Worth?

But only DFW area has In n Out..lol

All the more reason for a cheapskate like me to stay there!

TII