# What to do in Dallas **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 2, 2017, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805 "2017-10-02T13:56:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/1 "2017-10-02T13:56:23Z")
As the title says. I’m in Dallas TX for the day, flying out at way to early o’clock in the morning. What can I do to while away a few evening hours tonight thats relatively inexpensive? ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/2 "2017-10-02T14:43:17Z")
If you’re in a Dallas Hotel room, you could always call for Sonny and Merle, just to say that you’ll be home soon. _Tips hat to Steve James_ ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/3 "2017-10-02T15:54:39Z")
> [@guestchaz](#): > > As the title says. I’m in Dallas TX for the day, flying out at way to early o’clock in the morning. What can I do to while away a few evening hours tonight thats relatively inexpensive? Where are you flying into/out of, DFW or Love Field? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/4 "2017-10-02T15:59:01Z")
It sounds macabre but the Texas Book Depository Museum is a really interesting place to visit. ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/5 "2017-10-02T16:08:25Z")
A lot of it depends on where you are staying? Downtown? Uptown? Mid-cities? ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/6 "2017-10-02T16:09:43Z")
Never been there but if I did, I’d like to see Dealey Plaza and tour the Cowboys’ stadium. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/7 "2017-10-02T16:12:39Z")
The problem with the Dallas/Fort worth metroplex is that is absolutely gigantic and the epitome of sprawl. It can easily be a 2 hour car ride from one side to the other. We need to know exactly where you are to give good advice. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/8 "2017-10-02T16:26:41Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > It sounds macabre but the Texas Book Depository Museum is a really interesting place to visit. I haven’t been to Dallas, but that’s most certainly one place I would go. I just looked it up. Did you know there’s a [webcam](https://www.earthcam.com/usa/texas/dallas/dealeyplaza/?cam=dealeyplaza) from the infamous window? ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/9 "2017-10-02T16:26:46Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > The problem with the Dallas/Fort worth metroplex is that is absolutely gigantic and the epitome of sprawl. It can easily be a 2 hour car ride from one side to the other. We need to know exactly where you are to give good advice. Reminds me of the time a friend told me he’d be in Dallas for the night, and asked if I wanted to get dinner with him. I said yeah, and for him to message me when he got in town. He messages me the day of, telling me he was staying in west Fort Worth. I live in Uptown Dallas. And heading out of Dallas during rush hour is an arduous process. Once you factored in traffic, and two wrecks, it took me about 90 minutes to get to him. From now on, when someone says they’ll be “in Dallas,” I have them tell me where, specifically. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/10 "2017-10-02T16:52:22Z")
I live in the Dallas area, and I always tell people that Dallas is a great place to live but I wouldn’t want to visit here. If you have easy access to the area just North of downtown, that area has lots of cool restaurants and bars, and you can take the McKinney Ave streetcar around. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/11 "2017-10-02T16:59:42Z")
I had a free day in Dallas last year and what I did was to go up in the Reunion Tower, which was nice, then go see the Fair Park which has the largest collection of Art Deco buildings in one place. It was great though the visitor’s center was closed on Monday. I also went to Spring Creek BBQ which was amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/12 "2017-10-02T17:04:58Z")
Also, if you love fried foods and hate your arteries, you could visit the [Texas State Fair in Fair Park](https://bigtex.com/food/newfoods/). You could try Deep Fried Chicken Noodle Soup on a Stick, or Deep Fried Fruit Loops. Or there’s always the Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger. I highly recommend against the Deep Fried Beer, if they still serve it. I thought it sounded interesting, so I got it a few years ago. “Hot beer” + “dough” = “Calatin curled up in agony on the couch all night, praying for the sweet release of death.” ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/13 "2017-10-02T17:39:40Z")
More accurately i am in Allen. Flying out of Love Field. Staying at the Courtyard in The Village at Allen and yes i did notice that. The greater metro area for Dallas is HUGE ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/14 "2017-10-02T17:45:55Z")
> [@guestchaz](#): > > More accurately i am in Allen. Flying out of Love Field. Staying at the Courtyard in The Village at Allen and yes i did notice that. The greater metro area for Dallas is HUGE You’ll be across the street from a fairly large outlet mall, if you like to go shopping. Culture-wise, there’s not much that far north. Also, depending on if you’ll have a rental car, or if you are willing to Uber / get a taxi, you could be seriously limited with options… If you were closer to Uptown, I could list off a great number of things. If I understood your OP, it looks like you’ll only have the evening free, which negates the possibility of doing some of the Dallas “tourist” things - Dealey Plaza and the sort. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/15 "2017-10-02T17:52:24Z")
Eat Tex-Mex food. Some suggestions based on me living there almost ten years ago. > **[Locations - Ojeda's Tex-Mex Restaurants](https://ojedasrestaurant.com/locations/)** > > \[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column width=”1/1″\]\[/vc\_column\]\[/vc\_row\]\[vc\_row\]\[vc\_column... > **[Uncle Julio's on Stacy Rd | Mexican Food Near Me in Allen, TX](https://locations.unclejulios.com/texas/allen/190-east-stacy-road-bldg-3400/)** > > Experience the best Mexican food in Allen, TX: Uncle Julio's on Stacy Rd. Bring your family and friends and enjoy our authentic menu offerings. > **[El Fenix Locations - Best Tex-Mex - Join us For Lunch or Dinner](http://www.elfenix.com/locations/?zip=75002)** > > Check out the nearest restaurant where you can have the ultimate Tex Mex dining experience in our locations page. Our locations page allows you to quickly find all of our Mexican Restaurants. ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/16 "2017-10-02T18:01:47Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Eat Tex-Mex food. Some suggestions based on me living there almost ten years ago. > > [http://www.ojedasrestaurant.com/locations/](http://www.ojedasrestaurant.com/locations/) > > [Authentic Mexican Food Near Me in Allen, TX | Uncle Julio's](https://www.unclejulios.com/locations/allen/) > > [http://www.elfenix.com/locations?zip=75002](http://www.elfenix.com/locations?zip=75002) I’m second-ing the Ojeda’s suggestion. If you like sour cream sauce, their enchiladas are incredible. Another good place would be [Chuy’s](https://www.chuys.com/locations/dallas-fort-worth/plano-hwy75). ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/17 "2017-10-02T18:23:13Z")
> [@guestchaz](#): > > More accurately i am in Allen. Flying out of Love Field. Staying at the Courtyard in The Village at Allen and yes i did notice that. The greater metro area for Dallas is HUGE Downtown Mckinney, TX (not very far away from you) is really pretty and has lots of things to do including live music most nights. It has a classic town square with lots of restaurants, shops and bars. ---
**Author:** ![Frazzled](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frazzled/32/3368_2.png) [@Frazzled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frazzled)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/18 "2017-10-02T18:33:07Z")
Being in Allen, you could take the DART train to Fair Park so the State Fair is still an option. If you stay in Allen, I really enjoy Top Golf, especially this time of year when it’s so nice outside [Golf, Party Venue, Sports Bar & Restaurant | Topgolf DFW - Allen](https://topgolf.com/us/allen/). Shagnasty mentioned Downtown McKinney which has a nice square, and a few patios to drink wine. Frisco isn’t far from you where there are some sports stadiums (and the Cowboy’s new world headquarters), and an indoor skydiving facility. Are you alone? Or do you have some friends that will be going out with you? ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/19 "2017-10-02T19:04:34Z")
I second (or third) the suggestion for downtown McKinney, it’s a nicely rejuvenated area. If you’re looking for Texas culture, you’ll be within walking distance of a $60 million high school football stadium. I didn’t say _good_ culture. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2017, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805/20 "2017-10-03T06:07:05Z")
> [@guestchaz](#): > > More accurately i am in Allen. Flying out of Love Field. Staying at the Courtyard in The Village at Allen and yes i did notice that. The greater metro area for Dallas is HUGE I’m involved with a conference in Fort Worth. It’s a nice place, but probably not worth a visit. There is an enormous country music club (with its own bull riding arena and three stages) and you can see the longhorns run twice a day. The most interesting thing to me was a statue of JFK which basically says “he stayed here the night of November 21, had a good time, and left here alive, unlike what happened in that other place.” I haven’t been to Dallas itself for ages, and so can’t help you there. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-dallas/797805.md?page=2)