Four days in Dallas: where to stay, what to do?
Jun 1, 2016, 2:56 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: DFW
Posts: 675
For example, if you fly into DFW then you can stay in Grapevine or Irving since there are plenty of hotels that have shuttle service. Then you can find a rental car company close to your hotel since airport rentals are killers with their taxes. Most hotels outside of the Dallas core have free parking. Of course there's also AirBnB.
If it was me, I would probably book in Las Colinas (a nicer part of Irving, stay away from south Irving) since it's not too far from the airport, but it's far enough. It's actually a nice suburb, the Bryon Nelson is played there if you follow golf. See if one of the hotels have a shuttle, but if not then you can actually take the DART from DFW to downtown Las Colinas and see if the hotel will pick you up or use Uber or Lyft. Las Colinas is situated off of 114 which is a major highway. Take 114 to 183 to 35 and that will lead you straight to the downtown core. Or take the DART from downtown Las Colinas to downtown Dallas.
Jun 1, 2016, 3:28 pm
#17
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
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I think the Market Center area fails your walkability request.
The Hyatt House Uptown seems like a points bargain, as a category 1. The street it's on is heavy traffic, but you're just a few block walk from the pleasant/interesting parts of Uptown and the Katy Trail. Parking is paid, but relatively reasonable at $14.
By the way, in case you aren't already using it, try awardmapper.com; it's ideal for a situation like yours, where you have a variety of hotel points and want to see what's available in a certain area.
The Hyatt House Uptown seems like a points bargain, as a category 1. The street it's on is heavy traffic, but you're just a few block walk from the pleasant/interesting parts of Uptown and the Katy Trail. Parking is paid, but relatively reasonable at $14.
By the way, in case you aren't already using it, try awardmapper.com; it's ideal for a situation like yours, where you have a variety of hotel points and want to see what's available in a certain area.
Jun 1, 2016, 4:07 pm
#18
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
Agree on being close to interesting area, probably 10-15 minute walk. Katy Trail even closer.
Jun 1, 2016, 8:43 pm
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,214
If it was me, I would probably book in Las Colinas (a nicer part of Irving, stay away from south Irving) since it's not too far from the airport, but it's far enough. It's actually a nice suburb, the Bryon Nelson is played there if you follow golf. See if one of the hotels have a shuttle, but if not then you can actually take the DART from DFW to downtown Las Colinas and see if the hotel will pick you up or use Uber or Lyft. Las Colinas is situated off of 114 which is a major highway. Take 114 to 183 to 35 and that will lead you straight to the downtown core. Or take the DART from downtown Las Colinas to downtown Dallas.
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Jun 1, 2016, 8:45 pm
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,214
I think the Market Center area fails your walkability request.
The Hyatt House Uptown seems like a points bargain, as a category 1. The street it's on is heavy traffic, but you're just a few block walk from the pleasant/interesting parts of Uptown and the Katy Trail. Parking is paid, but relatively reasonable at $14.
By the way, in case you aren't already using it, try awardmapper.com; it's ideal for a situation like yours, where you have a variety of hotel points and want to see what's available in a certain area.
The Hyatt House Uptown seems like a points bargain, as a category 1. The street it's on is heavy traffic, but you're just a few block walk from the pleasant/interesting parts of Uptown and the Katy Trail. Parking is paid, but relatively reasonable at $14.
By the way, in case you aren't already using it, try awardmapper.com; it's ideal for a situation like yours, where you have a variety of hotel points and want to see what's available in a certain area.
Jun 1, 2016, 8:55 pm
#21
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
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Posts: 14,429
For decent lakes you're out of luck without a car, but Dallas Zoo is very accessible via Light Rail.
And while there's a high airport surcharge for DFW (and DAL), I have taken advantage of some really cheap rates out of DFW, DAL not as often.
And since that airport surcharge is a percentage of rental, if rental is cheap that surcharge isn't bad.
And while there's a high airport surcharge for DFW (and DAL), I have taken advantage of some really cheap rates out of DFW, DAL not as often.
And since that airport surcharge is a percentage of rental, if rental is cheap that surcharge isn't bad.
Jun 2, 2016, 6:59 am
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,214
I did end up booking at the Hyatt House (transferred 18K UR points to accompany the 2K I already had from a Vegas stay - I don't do Hyatt much). Might actually try to see if there's a car rental place nearby, because I do suspect it will stand idle for a couple of days while we hang out in Up/Downtown. Or I can also try Turo.
Jun 2, 2016, 8:51 am
#24
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: DFW
Posts: 675
Yes, you will need a car to get around Dallas since everything is too spread-out and the light rail (DART) is too limited. One trick that has worked for me is rent outside the airport and return at the airport without paying extra. This has worked for Sixt. By the way, try to avoid rush hour from 3-6 PM on the weekdays.
Other things to do is Lower Greenville Avenue for bars and restaurants. It has that hipster/college feel to it. Drive around Highland Park to see some of the beautiful homes where a lot of the 1% live. Have a sunset dinner on top of Reunion Tower at the rotating restaurant Five-Sixty. It may be a little bit of a drive, but the Stockyards in Fort Worth gives you that western feel.
Other things to do is Lower Greenville Avenue for bars and restaurants. It has that hipster/college feel to it. Drive around Highland Park to see some of the beautiful homes where a lot of the 1% live. Have a sunset dinner on top of Reunion Tower at the rotating restaurant Five-Sixty. It may be a little bit of a drive, but the Stockyards in Fort Worth gives you that western feel.
Jun 2, 2016, 9:47 am
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,214
A train runs pretty much to where the hotel is, so that's a definite plus not to have to rent at the airport and waste at least a night's worth of rental. Unfortunately, it looks like renting in the city and returning to the airport isn't having much of an effect (on Sixt's website) on pricing.