Dallas Travel Forum

Myself and a group of 5 of my friends will be coming down to the Dallas area for 5 days in October for the Pats/ cowboys game. We are all 30 years old and are looking to have some fun away from our "normal" lives at home. This trip is an annual event and has been going on for almost 10 years. I wasnt sure if we are better off staying in Ft Worth or Dallas? Will there be enough to do in Ft Worth? Hotel recommendations? Costs? What would you recommend? Any help would be great.

Great question. Dallas and Fort Worth, although separated by about 30 miles, contain different cultures. I have to admit that I'm not as familiar with Fort Worth as I am with Dallas, but if you are there, check out Billy Bob's (http://www.billybobstexas.com/) and Sundance Square (http://www.sundancesquare.com/). One place I haven't been to, but am hoping to try is the Ginger Man (http://ftworth.gingermanpub.com/) in Ft. Worth (the one in Dallas is one of my favorites.

As for Dallas, I would stay in the Uptown area of Dallas in the 75204 zip code. Places in that area to try include the Ginger Man (http://dallas.gingermanpub.com/), Idle Rich Pub (http://www.idlerichpub.com/), Thomas Avenue Beverage Company, Sunset Lounge, Quarter, Corner Bar & Grill, and the Victory Park area (http://www.victorypark.com/). Also, near the M Streets, there's Old Monk (http://www.oldmonkdallas.com/), Vickery Park, and more.

As far as hotels go, I'd stay close to Uptown and take cabs. Fancier places to stay that are nearby include the W Dallas (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1521). Other nearby places include the Stoneleigh Hotel, which occasionally has great rates. There's also the La Quinta Inn Cityplace which is within walking distance to the M Street bars and about 10-15 minutes away from Uptown.

If you let me know what places you like to go, how much you are willing to spend on accomodations, etc., I can help further.

Thanks for the info. We are planning on hitting a stars game while in town, tour the rangers park and drive to Irving on non game day and tour the stadium. Like I said, a true guys weekend. We would love to get the name of a good place to get steak, a good strip club or two and of course, a good area to serve as our home base during the weekend for drinking, hanging out, happy hours etc. As for hotels, if possible, id be looking in the $150 a night area. We basically only sleep there, so as long as it is decent and in a decent (fun and safe) area, we are in! Would you recommend a one night trip over to Ft Worth to the stockyard area? Keep the info coming! Since im in charge of planning, I have to have all the angles covered. Some guys like low key type hangouts and others in our group like music clubs with dancing. Thanks again

Hey, you need to check out Humperdink's (my favorite) and Fox and the Hound Pub. Both are good sports bars and it's a nice looking crowd :) There is a big bar scene in Addison (around I35 and 635). They have a lot of nice hotels too (any cost range). If you stay near Irving and the stadium I would recommend Red River good bar scene there as well.

Sounds like you need to stay in Dallas, though, with all the games you'll be going to. Fort Worth is not only a waste of gas but the traffic is unbearable at times. Although, if you do go you should really check out Billy Bob's!

You're on your own with strip clubs though ;)

for steaks go to Kirby's on lower greenville, for hotel I recomend the Raddison (http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-372515-radisson_central_dallas-i) because they are decent and also within walking distance from Mockingbird Station, so for a lot of your stuff you can take the train (assuming that on a guys trip no designated driver is a huge plus).

For great steak? Nick & Sams (http://www.nick-sams.com/). For steak with atmosphere? N9NE Steakhouse (http://n9ne-dallas.n9negroup.com/).

For a place of ill repute? Jaguars Gold Club (http://www.jaguarsgold.net/) on Thursday nights when it's not crowded. If you want to go more high-toned with much less action, then try the Lodge (http://www.the-lodge.com/). At least that's what they tell me. :)

On a Tuesday, try Primo's for Tex-Mex food and scenery. Before and afterwards try the Quarter and/or the Loon (really, really, really stiff drinks). On Wednesday nights around 11 pm party with the SMU crowd at Corner Bar & Grill.

As before, on Friday and Saturday nights, check out Idle Rich Pub, Sunset Lounge (after 11 pm but before the line starts), Ginger Man, or Old Monk.

Another alternate, but expensive lodging situation is Hotel ZaZa (http://www.hotelzaza.com/dallas/) in Uptown. The bar, Dragonfly, gets pretty busy on Friday and Saturday nights as well. Hotel ZaZa is about two blocks away from Idle Rich Pub and four blocks away from Ginger Man. Also, in the same vicinity are three sports bars, the MAT (McKinney Avenue Tavern), Christie's, and Frankie's. Christie's was a favorite hangout of Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki when they played and hung out together.

For Sunday brunch, check out Bread Winners Cafe (http://www.breadwinnerscafe.com/) or State & Allen Lounge in Uptown or Ozona (http://www.ozonagrill.com/) near Old Town for do-it-yourself bloody marys.

Thanks for all the feedback. You guys gave some great info. One more question regarding hotels. We are interested in a two/three bedroom suite, are there any you know of besides La Quinta that are in a good location?

We've rented a pretty good sized suite at the Raddison before.. I don't remember if it was a 3 or not, but plenty big.

twentysix.two, bravo on providing really good info. I've lived in Dallas/Uptown for 5 years and those are the same places I know and love (and would've recommended)! As far as a 2/3 bedroom suite, there aren't many places in 75204 zip code (which is where I'd recommend you stay) that are cheap and large. You can look into staying downtown, which is less expensive. Its about a $10-12 cab ride to from downtown to uptown and also has some good bars/clubs of its own (Fuse, O-Bar, Clear Lounge, to name a few). Hotels downtown you could stay in without spending to much $ include The Fairmont (top recommendation of these), The Adolphus, Hyatt Regency, and The Magnolia. That said, if you want to be where the action is, somewhere in Uptown itself (The W, Hotel Zaza) is the way to go. PS - I would recommend taking taxis as opposed to walking (except in uptown, where you can easily walk) and definitely not driving.