Dallas Travel Answers

This is a bit of a difficult question to answer, in part, because we residents "just know" the good and bad areas...which is of no help to you whatsoever. And there is also the question of what you consider to be "good" and "bad". Young people often enjoy more marginal areas than old fogeys, because many marginal areas are not really a problem unless you're half drunk and out after 3 a.m. - but they may be a lot noiser. And even in a single town, there is variation of what's good and not. For example, here in my part of Richardson, the square mile that I live in (just southwest of UTD) often has zero reported crimes in a month (ssshhhhhh! I hope the bad guys aren't reading this!). However, just 2.5 miles to the south are some iffy apartments with 9 and 10 people per apartment - right next to nice middle class neighborhoods. So give me a hint of what you'll be doing - visiting a work place or partying all night or going to church camp ;-) Bill

The easy option is to stay near the Galleria mall since there are many lodging options and lots to do.

Will be visiting whatever Dallas has to offer for tourists(Still researching) Good/bad means somewhere safe where i can park the car walk to my room without being attacked by the local scumbags.

Near the mall is probably smart. I would consider the area north of Downtown on Central Expressway ( I75 ) south of Northwest Highway also. As this predominantly runs through "the bubble" (and can generally be thought of as safe but is also more centrally located so you can do more touristy stuff with less effort and less driving through marginal areas where you might get lost and find yourself in difficulties. As a general rule of thumb, for a tourist I would recommend avoiding any areas south of downtown but still in the city of Dallas, South Ft Worth, most far outlying subburbs, including but not limited to ANYTHING down I175. The area immediately west of Downtown near the jail. And I would employ the buddy system in any of the entertainment districts after dark. When in doubt, ask the staff where you are. Most Dallasites are pretty happy to try to help you out. Oh, and the Wagon Wheel, you want to avoid that place after dark. That's a circular area in the North, North East of Dallas (South of LBJ/635, east of Central/75 and north of Northwest Highway) that was quite nice until the developers came in and built a million condos which are now low rent, run down apartments housing mostly low rent run down people and their drug dealers. Although, the Mexican parts have some of the best food in the city if you know what you are doing, and travel by day. I highly recommend you find yourself a nice big bowl of guiso de res, or pescado (beef soup or fish soup - personally I like the fish, but it might be a little real for you, it just depends on your tastes). Or if you are really a culinary voyeur, you may even try some menudo. Carefully to find a nice clean place where lots of people are eating for that though.

Personally, if you are coming from out of town, I would recommend staying in Fort Worth, downtown if possible. This is alot more accommodating for tourists, close to alot of things to do, and you can always make a day trip to Dallas. There is also a Ft. Worth to Dallas train, in case you did not want to use your car for the day trip.

Please disregard Mighty's racist comment about "low rent, run down apartments housing mostly low rent run down people and their drug dealers. Although, the Mexican parts have some of the best food in the city.." I'm sure he didn't mean to equate Mexicans with the comments immediately before that. I'm absolutely positive it was an oversight and an honest mistake. Mexicans, wherever they reside, are the among the greatest people on the planet. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

I am not sure I agree with your statement that Mexicans are "among the greatest people on the planet." I am sure there are positives and negatives of every nationality, but I do wonder what your criteria for "greatest people" is... As for Mighty's statements, I do agree with Isabel that it is not appropriate. Every major city has bad parts of town, but it is not one race or Nationality that makes it that way.

I'm sure we'll get in trouble with these postings but they are travel related. My criteria for being a "great people" is generosity, humor, hospitality, fun, and an open heart. Mexicans have it in spades. Just because someone happens to live in a blighted area doesn't mean THEY are low rent. Economics are not accurate indicators of one's soul.