Dallas or Fort Worth as a base?

Hi folks

We are looking at a four night stay in either Dallas or Fort Worth as part of a longer US trip in Sept/Oct this year. Can I get some thoughts about which of these two places would be the best bet to make a base? (We%26#39;d plan to take the train (Trinity Railway Express?) from one to the other as a day trip depending on where we stay).

We won%26#39;t have car until the day we leave, and on our ';must do'; list is 6th Floor Museum and related stuff, Cowgirl Hall of Fame, and Stockyards area. Not really interested in rodeos or cattle drives (have em here!)

Would also welcome some suggestions as to accommodation. As we will have been away for a while we%26#39;d also ideally like to find somewhere where you can cook an evening meal, but realise that these types of self catering places are scarce in the US. Alternatively, somewhere where you can walk out to a good choice of casual (not fast food) restaurants or bars would be great.

I guess I should repeat this post on the Dallas Forum!

Many thanks.

Dallas or Fort Worth as a base?

I suggest staying in Fort Worth since the Sundance Square area does have more easily accessed food/bar options. As you mention, you can take the TRE over and explore Sixth Floor, downtown, etc- but NOT on Sunday.

www.sundancesquare.com

Look at Embassy Suites for more of a ';kitchenette'; option- only microwave and refrigerator, no stove, but a nice place, includes breakfast and managers reception.

In Dallas, Springhill Suites in the West End also has more of a kitchenette type set up but again, no stove.

Dallas or Fort Worth as a base?

I also rec Ft Worth as your base as opposed to Dallas. If you stay in Sundance Sq, you%26#39;d be very near the TRE-walking distance since it%26#39;s downtown. Sundance has cool shops and several dining options including Mi Cocina which is quite good Mexican food and the Reatta which is Texas cuisine in a slightly upscale way-but not too fancy to enjoy. Uno%26#39;s has very good pizza, The Fox and the Hound Pub has good bar food and lots of TV%26#39;s for sports viewing, Billy Miners has good burgers and cold beer, The Flying Saucer has tons of beers to choose from as well as good bar snacks and a great patio.

You can easily cab to the Stockyards where you should check out Billy Bob%26#39;s as well as the shops. My fav place in the Stockyards is the Bull Ring, it%26#39;s the best Texas art collection and has cheap cold beer as well as great ice cream-A.C. and his daughter Charlene run it and they%26#39;re very interesting folks. Riscky%26#39;s barbeque isn%26#39;t the best but the food is good and they have a great patio and cold beer in the Stockyards with a relaxing atmosphere. The Love Shack has good burgers and is a great place for a beer, some people watching and some live music on a pretty Saturday afternoon.

Just SW of downtown Ft Worth is the museum district with the Modern as well as the Kimball and the Amon Carter (mostly Texas and Western art); just a short cab ride away. On the way back to downtown from there is Montgomery Plaza with Gloria%26#39;s central American food and Boomerjack%26#39;s sports grill with great steak fingers (a Texas tradition).

Ft Worth also has a great zoo, lovely botanical gardens, and Trinity Park very near downtown. There%26#39;s a kiddie train (that will hold adults, too) that goes from the bottom of the hill by the zoo into Trinity park where you can walk across University to the botanical gardens and then walk back to the park and ride it back to the zoo if you%26#39;re into an outdoors day.

Have a great trip!

Fort Worth is my suggestion too. However I would avoid the Omni. Just stayed there this past weekend %26amp; I was not impressed. If you decide to stay somewhere in between I highly recommend the Gaylord in Grapevine.

Considering what you%26#39;re looking for I%26#39;d say Fort Worth/Sundance Square as well. I%26#39;m a ';Dallas first'; guy when it comes to my entertainment options. I just think it%26#39;s more sophisticated. Like I tell people '; I live in Denton, office in Fort Worth, and party in Dallas';.

That being said, Saturday night my wife and I had dinner ad Cafe Italia in Grapevine, had wine and dessert at Into the Glass also in Grapevine, looked at our entertainment options and went to Scat%26#39;s jazz club in Sundance Square and had a great time. Just walking around Sundance on a Saturday night is a heck of a lot of fun. Good steet scene. Well patrolled. Lots of options for dining, drinks, even entertainment. Dallas simply has nothing quite like it.

Sundance Square is WAY underappreciated by the Dallas set.

Well said, dentonjohn. I like to encourage folks to visit both Dallas and Fort Worth. I believe Dallas downtown has come a long way and don%26#39;t think Deep Ellum is dead- just revamping. However, Fort Worth and Sundance Square offers so much for such a small area- it%26#39;s what most visitors hope to experience when asking about bars/restaurants/entertainment in an easily accessible, walkable area. When I lived in Tarrant county, I was amazed at folks from Fort Worth who NEVER visited Dallas and people in Dallas who would NEVER drive all the way to Cowtown- what missed opportunities!

Thanks to everyone who answered...sounds like Fort Worth close to Sundance Square (always liked Butch Cassidy and the Kid!) is the best bet.

Now that that%26#39;s sorted, any suggestions for accommodation...since the Aussie dollar went south, i guess we%26#39;d be looking for something under $200 US. A place with a kitchenette would be a bonus.

Many thanks!..

Rates will mostly depend on when you travel but there are several places in downtown FW that are under $200. Sounds like your main decision will revolve around convenience, transporation and desire for a kitchenette.

A choice in the museum district, not far from downtown, in Trinity Park, is Residence Inn. They provide dishwasher,microwave oven, pots, pans, serving dishes, refrigerator with icemaker, silverware, stove, table and chairs, toaster and toaster oven.

marriott.com/hotels/travel/dfwrw-residence-i…

The kitchenette concept in downtown hotels has evolved more toward a microwave and a coffee maker- (maybe a small refrigerator- for a charge). Most motels with real kitchenettes are older, located on a highway and rent by the week/month.

In Fort Worth (and Dallas), your choices for downtown hotels will not involve a full kitchenettes. As previously mentioned, the Embassy Suites is nice. Check out Etta%26#39;s Place, a B%26amp;B, with several large rooms that have full sized refrigerators, sink area and microwave.

…hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/FTWESES/index.do

www.ettas-place.com

Paying a little more to stay downtown would be worth it in my opinion, because there is so much to do and lots of good places to eat. Our public transportation leaves a lot to be desired, and cabs can get expensive. The Embassy Suites is pretty nice. The Marriott Courtyard next to it is overpriced in my opinion, for what you get.

Cabo Grande, Riscky%26#39;s, Corner Bakery, Billy Miner%26#39;s are all good places to eat close to there. 8.0 and Flying Saucer for bars.

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