Dallas hotels/site-seeing
- Thread starter dawgstate
- Start date
If you're taking kids, there's always Six Flags.
I'm in Dallas frequently and my favorite area to stay is in Plano, north of the George Bush turnpike. It would be a bit of a drive out to Jerrydome from there, but it's a straight shot down Bush. The area is nice and there are lots of great restaurants. If you stay in the Legacy Plano area, there's a Top Golf there that's fun. If you are taking a significant other that likes to shop, a short jaunt down highway 75 will get you to the Dallas Galleria mall, which is pretty amazing.
If you've already done Topgolf, there is an iFly up that way as well. Indoor skydiving. Kids love it, and the instructors put on a show, so it's not super boring waiting their turn to fly. (edit: make sure you call ahead for an appointment and don't just show up expecting to get in. They are booked solid a lot.)
Also, if it's not too far of a drive for you, take them to Marty B's to eat. They will love that.
Oh, and there's a Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine. That's a pretty good time if you've never done it before.
Also, if it's not too far of a drive for you, take them to Marty B's to eat. They will love that.
Oh, and there's a Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine. That's a pretty good time if you've never done it before.
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Correctamundo. Which made it a perfect place to let the kids have fun on the waterslides while I sat in my lounge chair and sipped on cocktails.
Drebin is correct. You want to stay up near the Dallas North Tollway and Sam Rayburn Tollway interchange... You will get a bill for the tolls, but it will be worth it. It's much newer and nicer than Arlington. Arlington is great for catching the game or hitting 6 Flags, but then you should leave. Fort Worth is better if it were just adults and you wanted to hit some bars. Not as much for kids. And no matter what anyone else says, skip Joe T. Garcia's in Ft Worth. Overrated.
Legacy West is the area I would recommend. Here are some of the attractions/things to do nearby...
The Colony-Top Golf, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Sheel's Sporting Goods, Andretti Karting (Awesome Go Carts), Hard 8 BBQ
https://youtu.be/lQcnh7iUiKs
Frisco- Tour The Star, Soccer Hall of Fame, Kidzania, National Video Game Museum, iFly Indoor Skydiving, Ikea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecV4NLgUS4w
Plano-Legacy West (Legacy Hall Food Hall), Crayola Experience, Go Ape Ropes Course and Ziplines, Red Door Escape Room, Pinstak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0i1dxTHssI
Dallas - Dealey Plaza, Perot Museum, Dallas Arboretum and Children's Adventure Garden, Dallas Farmers Market, Texas State Fair (9-24 through 10-17), Addison Oktoberfest (Mid-Late September)
https://youtu.be/vlv3IH45hmE
Best Food
BBQ
Pecan Lodge at Dallas Farmers Market
Lockhart in Downtown Plano
Hutchins in Frisco or McKinney
Hard 8 in The Colony (Awesome Experience, good Q)
Mexican
Mariano's Hacienda Ranch in Dallas or La Hacienda Ranch in Frisco (Same place)
Matt's Rancho Martinez in Dallas
Torchy's Tacos (Fast casual chain around town, but good)
Breakfast
Norma's Cafe in Frisco
Biscuit in Frisco
American/Comfort Food
Tupelo Honey at the Star in Frisco
Haywire at Legacy West
Babes Chicken in Frisco (Family Style, good and fun for the family)
Harvest in Downtown McKinney (Top notch seasonal menu)
Plenty of other stuff as well, but I am trying to limit it to places you can take the whole family. Not sure when your there, but if its during the State Fair its a must do. Not sure what all of the kids are into, but that Frisco/Plano/The Colony area has plenty of stuff. iFly and Andretti would be awesome. For more culture and history stuff, you can go down to Dallas for a day and hit Dealey/Sixth Floor, the Perot Museum, and the Arboretum and not be disappointed in the least (Especially the arboretum, don't let the name of the "Children's Garden" fool you, that place is awesome for all ages, including adults.) Legacy Food Hall is a great experience a cool place where you can catch live music and have libations yet still family friendly and tons of foot options so everyone can have what they crave.
Have fun and go Cowboys.
Legacy West is the area I would recommend. Here are some of the attractions/things to do nearby...
The Colony-Top Golf, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Sheel's Sporting Goods, Andretti Karting (Awesome Go Carts), Hard 8 BBQ
https://youtu.be/lQcnh7iUiKs
Frisco- Tour The Star, Soccer Hall of Fame, Kidzania, National Video Game Museum, iFly Indoor Skydiving, Ikea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecV4NLgUS4w
Plano-Legacy West (Legacy Hall Food Hall), Crayola Experience, Go Ape Ropes Course and Ziplines, Red Door Escape Room, Pinstak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0i1dxTHssI
Dallas - Dealey Plaza, Perot Museum, Dallas Arboretum and Children's Adventure Garden, Dallas Farmers Market, Texas State Fair (9-24 through 10-17), Addison Oktoberfest (Mid-Late September)
https://youtu.be/vlv3IH45hmE
Best Food
BBQ
Pecan Lodge at Dallas Farmers Market
Lockhart in Downtown Plano
Hutchins in Frisco or McKinney
Hard 8 in The Colony (Awesome Experience, good Q)
Mexican
Mariano's Hacienda Ranch in Dallas or La Hacienda Ranch in Frisco (Same place)
Matt's Rancho Martinez in Dallas
Torchy's Tacos (Fast casual chain around town, but good)
Breakfast
Norma's Cafe in Frisco
Biscuit in Frisco
American/Comfort Food
Tupelo Honey at the Star in Frisco
Haywire at Legacy West
Babes Chicken in Frisco (Family Style, good and fun for the family)
Harvest in Downtown McKinney (Top notch seasonal menu)
Plenty of other stuff as well, but I am trying to limit it to places you can take the whole family. Not sure when your there, but if its during the State Fair its a must do. Not sure what all of the kids are into, but that Frisco/Plano/The Colony area has plenty of stuff. iFly and Andretti would be awesome. For more culture and history stuff, you can go down to Dallas for a day and hit Dealey/Sixth Floor, the Perot Museum, and the Arboretum and not be disappointed in the least (Especially the arboretum, don't let the name of the "Children's Garden" fool you, that place is awesome for all ages, including adults.) Legacy Food Hall is a great experience a cool place where you can catch live music and have libations yet still family friendly and tons of foot options so everyone can have what they crave.
Have fun and go Cowboys.
Frisco is a long haul from ATT Stadium, but it's a great place for a long weekend for a family.
Frisco/Plano/The Colony area around Hwy 121 and Dallas North Tollway has:
The Star (Cowboys hq plus shopping and dining)
Ifly indoor skydiving
Topgolf
National Videogame Museum
Legacy West (shopping and dining)
Shops at Legacy (shopping and dining)
Grandscape (shopping and dining)
Frisco Square (shopping and dining)
Lived in Frisco for several years until recently. Feel free to pm me if you want more specific info.
Frisco/Plano/The Colony area around Hwy 121 and Dallas North Tollway has:
The Star (Cowboys hq plus shopping and dining)
Ifly indoor skydiving
Topgolf
National Videogame Museum
Legacy West (shopping and dining)
Shops at Legacy (shopping and dining)
Grandscape (shopping and dining)
Frisco Square (shopping and dining)
Lived in Frisco for several years until recently. Feel free to pm me if you want more specific info.
We did this very thing a few months ago. Zoo and Botanical Gardens are also cool. When I pulled up to Joe T Garcias and saw that line, I was like screw this, but then figured out you could buy margaritas (which were the best I've ever had) while you wait in line, the mood changed instantaneously and was awesome. The food was very average, though, but you need to do it at least once for the atmosphere.
I still can't believe I made it out of the Stockyards without contracting COVID.
Hutchins is in my top 10 BBQ joints in America. If you ever go back Dorn... I have 2 words for you Texas Twinkies. That brisket you love and cream cheese stuffed in a bacon wrapped jalapeno and drizzled with BBQ sauce. 2 of them will fill you up. Only available on the weekends though.
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Already on them and agree with everything you say. My sources on the ground tell me they're available daily now.
Thank you for admitting that Joe T's food was subpar. Most people that go are tourists and don't get to experience Tex Mex so they don't know any better. There are a dozen other places to get a good experience and better Tex Mex food in DFW.
Nice. I haven't been since pre-covid and we moved out of state last year. Looking to travel back for work in the fall. Glad to know they are available during the week so I don't have to miss out. I am telling you, I am craving good brisket and sausage like a crack fiend right now. I have been debating buying a care package from Franklin (Brisket and Sausage) online that you apparently can heat up in the oven and it comes out great according to a guy I follow on YouTube (Mad Scientest BBQ) But at $289 it is awful damn expensive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA2wkiDI8bg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA2wkiDI8bg
Great writeup....as far as food....you left out Patriot Burger....probably my favorite burger joint on the planet. On PGBT between Plano Rd. and Jupiter.
The whole Legacy area is awesome. It's a great place to hang out, everything is clean/new, and there's plenty to do.
Damnit man.. I was about to pull the trigger... But check out the shipping charge. That's rough...
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I think you mean Liberty burger. My warehouse for my old business was about a half mile away from there at Jupiter and 14th in Plano.
Everyone loved Liberty, but I could walk over to Country Burger on 14th and it was better in my opinion.
Everyone loved Liberty, but I could walk over to Country Burger on 14th and it was better in my opinion.
You're exactly right - Liberty burger. Brain fart there. I love that place. When the weather isn't oppressively hot, it's nice to sit out on the patio with a burger and a brew there.
We took kids (7,3) this year for spring break and stayed in Grapevine which has a nice downtown area and is great for families. Toll roads $10 or so a day is worth it. We got a City Pass which saved a few bucks. Have fun at the game and stuff then haul a$$ outta Arlington.
Perot Museum (busy but pretty awesome for kids)
Dallas Zoo
Reunion Tower
Dallas Arboretum is really cool for all ages; bring a few snacks and byob for the lawn sitting that overlooks the lake
Epic waters indoor water park was fun for the little ones; really busy after 1pm
TexPlex south of Dallas if you're into ATV's at all
TopGolf in downtown Dallas is older but has putt-putt golf
Havent seen Katy Trail Icehouse mentioned; good outdoor experience cold beer decent food.
Perot Museum (busy but pretty awesome for kids)
Dallas Zoo
Reunion Tower
Dallas Arboretum is really cool for all ages; bring a few snacks and byob for the lawn sitting that overlooks the lake
Epic waters indoor water park was fun for the little ones; really busy after 1pm
TexPlex south of Dallas if you're into ATV's at all
TopGolf in downtown Dallas is older but has putt-putt golf
Havent seen Katy Trail Icehouse mentioned; good outdoor experience cold beer decent food.
For kids, the Perot is awesome, as is the Dallas World Aquarium downtown. It's 20-30 minutes from the AT&T Stadium depending on traffic on any given day.
Also:
Not far from AT&T Stadium is Epic Waters, an indoor water park in Grand Prairie.
Right around the corner from Epic Waters is PlayGrand, a HUGE free outdoor park.
Of course, you'll also be right beside Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor.
There's a Legoland Discovery Center inside the Grapevine Mills mall. It's relatively cheap and pretty low maintenance.
I don't know which weekend you're coming, but Dallas Comic-Con is September 17-19.
The Stockyards in Fort Worth are usually worth going to if you're looking for something extremely stereotypically Texan. Be sure to check their cattle drive schedule so you can see them march the cattle through the middle of town.
Really depends on what type of stuff you're looking for...
Also:
Not far from AT&T Stadium is Epic Waters, an indoor water park in Grand Prairie.
Right around the corner from Epic Waters is PlayGrand, a HUGE free outdoor park.
Of course, you'll also be right beside Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor.
There's a Legoland Discovery Center inside the Grapevine Mills mall. It's relatively cheap and pretty low maintenance.
I don't know which weekend you're coming, but Dallas Comic-Con is September 17-19.
The Stockyards in Fort Worth are usually worth going to if you're looking for something extremely stereotypically Texan. Be sure to check their cattle drive schedule so you can see them march the cattle through the middle of town.
Really depends on what type of stuff you're looking for...
One more for the kids: Magic Time Machine
It’s a restaurant (there’s one in Dallas and one in San Antonio) where the servers are all dressed as superheroes, cartoons, movie characters, singers, historical figures, etc. and most of the booths are unique. The food isn’t anything special, but kids usually like the characters and decor. They also use dry ice in certain drinks so they bubble and smoke when they’re served.
It’s a restaurant (there’s one in Dallas and one in San Antonio) where the servers are all dressed as superheroes, cartoons, movie characters, singers, historical figures, etc. and most of the booths are unique. The food isn’t anything special, but kids usually like the characters and decor. They also use dry ice in certain drinks so they bubble and smoke when they’re served.
It's an easy mistake to make. I hope I don't ever have the opportunity to confuse Socialist Burger with Pinko Commie Burger*
What kind of kids place has at the top of the menu a meal called "The Roman Orgy"?
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