Visiting Dallas in April

[Midwesterner]

Hi guys. I'm going to be heading down to Dallas in early April (I think the first through the sixth, I'm not 100% sure yet), and I was wondering if you guys wouldn't mind answering some questions I have. There are a few things I know I'll be doing in Dallas (seeing a Rangers game, going to Reunion Tower, exploring to Deep Elum, visiting Midtown and Cityplace). Here's my questions:

What neighborhoods should I explore (besides Deep Elum and Uptown)?
What are some of your favorite restaurants, specifically Tex-Mex?
What are some places to get great views of the skyline (sans Reunion Tower and JP Morgan Chase Tower)?
Is Pearl the closest LTR stop to Deep Elum?
What are some of your favorite restaurants in Fort Worth? (I'm probably taking the Trinity to Ft. Worth.)
Does DART have any service in Arlington?
What does a typical Dallas neighborhood look like (in terms of housing stock)?
Stupid Question: Does anyone know if you need a library card to get internet access at Dallas libraries?


If I think of any others, I'll post them. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Geaux Tigers]

Sounds like you've done your homework and welcome to the board! Since I live closer to Ft. Worth and spend more time there, I'll answer the Ft. Worth restaurant question with an easy answer: you HAVE TO go to Joe T. Garcia's (http://www.joets.com). It's not really the food, but the atmosphere and the margaritas. Get there early, sit on the patio, order a pitcher of margaritas, and people watch.

You would also do well to check out Ft. Worth's Sundance Square downtown. It's very happening and there's a TON of restaurants, bars, cafes, and free parking.

[hamiltonpl]

What neighborhoods should I explore (besides Deep Elum and Uptown)?

Kessler Park, Highland Park, Turtle Creek.



What are some of your favorite restaurants, specifically Tex-Mex?


Manny's in Uptown on Oak Grove & Lemmon



What are good views of the skyline?


There's a hill at White Rock Lake park. It's a great view. As a matter of fact, I'd suggest seeing White Rock lake no matter what.



Does DART have any service in Arlington?

No.


What does a typical Dallas neighborhood look like (in terms of housing stock)?

I'm not sure what you mean by this. Most neighborhoods are single family residences. Uptown and downtown are the exception.



Stupid Question: Does anyone know if you need a library card to get internet access at Dallas libraries?

No. You do not need a library card to get Internet access. You do however, have to wait in line.

[Boredkid]

If the weather is nice, iron cactus in downtown dallas. Food is okay, but tha patio on the roof is great. Great place for drinks.

[dfwcre8tive]

you HAVE TO go to Joe T. Garcia's (http://www.joets.com). It's not really the food, but the atmosphere and the margaritas. Get there early, sit on the patio, order a pitcher of margaritas, and people watch.

I agree... it's my favorite Tex-Mex place and I always take visiting guests there. Hopefully the weather will be nice so you can enjoy the gardens!

While you are in Fort Worth (http://www.fortworth.com/) you should also check out the Stockyards (close to Joe T.'s) for all of the Western and cowboy tourist things in the historic area. If you like trains you can take the Grapevine Vintage Railway (http://www.grapevinesteamrailroad.com) Tarantula steam train to downtown Grapevine and all of the little shops and art galleries there. The Cultural District (http://www.fwculture.com/) in Fort Worth has EXCELLENT art museums not to be missed.

I also take people to the original Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse on Inwood Road... a very different atmosphere http://www.sonnybryansbbq.com/. If you sign up for their mailing list you get free food offers too!

When I'm down shopping in Cityplace/West Village I also enjoy eating at Taco Diner... good for Mexico City type of food and you can sit out on the sidewalk and people watch. Ride the free McKinney Avenue Trolley (http://www.mata.org/) from West Village to the downtown Arts District.

Another area you should visit: Fair Park (http://www.fairpark.org/).

Those are my suggestions and where I take visiting friends. Now I'm hungry from all this food-talk!

[VectorWega]

Mia's on Lemmon has great brisket tacos (highly recommended)...not great for people watching or atmosphere though..and generally packed. Mi Cocina in Highland Park Village has a similiar menu...but better atmosphere and people watching.

Veracruz Cafe serves Aztec/Mayan food (think Mexican, with a twist). It's one of my favorite restaurants in the metroplex (haven't been to the one in the Bishop Art's district yet, but it's the same menu as the one I've been to in Cedar Hill).

Not sure if u would want to come to TX for Turkish food, but Cafe Istanbul in Inwood Village is very good.

You can find all these restaurants, their locations, and more by searching for them at www.guidelive.com

[Midwesterner]

Okay, I'll go ahead and check back in.

Thanks for comments so far.

What's the closest stop to Fair Park?



I'm not sure what you mean by this. Most neighborhoods are single family residences. Uptown and downtown are the exception.
I mean housing stock (ie: the majority of the houses in Indianapolis are bungalows).

Anyways, this is what I have planned so far:

- Visit Downtown, along with the Chase and Reunion Towers
- Visit Deep Elum
- Visit the area around Mockingbird Station
- Visit Uptown and the Cityplace area
- Visit White Rock area (how far away is the hill from the LTR station)?
- Visit Fair Park and the Sixth Floor Museum

I also plan on spending a day in Fort Worth, and then driving to Arlington for the Rangers/Red Sox games.

Can anyone tell me if there's anything else I should do?

I just want to make sure I have this clear: There is a shuttle service from DFW to the DFW Trinity Rail Station.

[Haretip]

Yes, there is a bus that will get you from the airport to the commuter rail station. You might want to check the schedule Trinity Railway Express (http://www.trinityrailwayexpress.org/) to see how much time you will have after your plane lands.

I'd recommend checking out the Fort Worth Forum (http://www.fortwortharchitecture.com/forum/index.php) for advice on Fort Worth.

The housing types vary with respect to the age of the neighborhood. We have Victorian in the oldest neighborhoods, bungalows in the M Streets areas, a lot of typical 50s 60s Ranch houses in North Dallas, modern (80s 90s) Ranch in Richardson and further, etc. etc. Oak Lawn and Uptown have high-rise condos and apartments.