I Love Dallas, Texas!

To say that Texans love their football is an understatement.  Dallas is no exception to that.  Whether it is the NFL, collegiate or high school, it is popular.  The Dallas Cowboys are so popular that they are treated like royalty around town.  Even the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are so popular that they have pictorial calendars and even Halloween costumes for the children.  There are many colleges in Texas, but the main ones in the Dallas area are Southern Methodist University (SMU Mustangs) and Texas Christian University (TCU Horned Frogs).  At TCU, their stadium holds 50,000 fans.  Come rain or shine, the fans are there.  The Gerald J. Ford Stadium at SMU holds about 32,000.  Both schools have an impressive line-up of players and many have gone on to play for the National Football League.  Josh Boyce and Marcus Cannon, TCU alumni, were drafted by the New England Patriots.  Currently on the top of the scout’s list is Ben Gottschalk of SMU.  A true senior, he has had an impressive college career and will no doubt light things up in the NFL. 

Not far from Dallas is a town called Arlington, which is home to AT&T Stadium where the Dallas Cowboys play.  In 1994, the Texas Rangers opened their Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.  The state-of-the-art building offers the utmost in customer convenience.  The unique complex also includes a four-story office building within the ballpark, a 12-acre lake, and parks and recreation space on the perimeter.  Not far from all this action, is the American Airlines Center, a multi-purpose arena, located in the Victory Park area of Dallas and is home to the Dallas Mavericks.  This is a true haven for sports fans.  With its close proximity to DFW International airport, it is easily accessible for fans to get to.  The area has many choices for dining and is also home to Six Flags Over Texas amusement park. 

If it's golf you enjoy, try Brookhaven Country Club, Tenison Park, Dallas Country Club, Sleepy Hollow Golf & Country Club,  and Brook Hollow Golf Club.

Feel like a little shopping expedition?  You have come to the right place.  My personal favorite is NorthPark Mall, just down the street from SMU and has been recently named as one of the “7 Retail Wonders of the Modern World” by Shopping Centers Today.  It is packed with wonderful designer stores such as Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Louis Vuitton, just to name a few.  They have shops galore for kids and plenty of yummy snack foods for the little ones.  In addition to world-class shopping, NorthPark center features a magnificent backdrop of art, architecture and landscaping for the enjoyment of its discerning customers.  There is a large movie theater and some nice sit down restaurants.  My favorite, of course, is the Café at Neiman Marcus.  I enjoy sitting at the counter, mostly because I can look at all the delicious cakes displayed so nicely.  This way, I’m ready to make my choice when the waitress asks what is for dessert today.  Another great spot for shopping in downtown Dallas is the original Neiman Marcus.  It is in a beautiful historical building with shops surrounding it. 

Uptown Dallas is a fun spot for dining, club hopping and people watching.  If you have not visited before, make sure you take a trolley ride down McKinney to get a real feel for the area.  It’s got a great vibe and people love to hang out here.  The area is booming and they are building high rise buildings all over the place. 

A visit to Dealey Plaza is a must.  Dealey Plaza houses several buildings including the former Texas School Book Depository, which is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired a rifle shot that killed President John F. Kennedy.  There is a grassy knoll on the northwest side of the plaza, from which the House Select Committee on Assassinations determined that there was a high probability that a second assassin also fired at the President, but missed. 

Another not to be missed activity is a visit to the George W. Bush Presidential Library.  Located on the campus of Southern Methodist University, the complex opened on April 25, 2013 and includes the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.

You are going to eat big in Dallas.  Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, one of the largest family-owned and operated restaurant companies in the United States, has the most amazing dishes and you will find it difficult to decide which to order.  Try the fried alligator as an appetizer and follow it up with the shrimp creole over grits.  It’s simply a mouthwatering meal.  You won’t be able to save room for dessert, but you will have to force down the traditional southern sweet potato pecan pie and a few bites of the turtle brownie with ice cream and hot caramel drizzled on top.    If you’re feeling like a steak, there are many places to choose from, but two of my favorites are Al Biernats and Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse. 

A stay at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek is always a hit.  Located near Uptown, it’s only about 20 minutes from Love Field Airport and 45 minutes from DFW International Airport.  Both airports service many major airlines with nonstop flights daily.  The Mansion is considered a Dallas icon by both locals and visitors alike.  As one of the most celebrated hotels in America, warm Southern hospitality prevails.  When you book with one of our Experts, we offer you complimentary breakfast daily and lunch or dinner in the Main Dining Room, once during your stay.

If you are looking for something a little edgier, the W Dallas is perfect.  When in Texas, go big – as in bigger, brasher and bolder.  W Dallas is the hottest gathering spot in Victory Plaza, Dallas’ entertainment mecca.  W Dallas is the primary choice of business travelers all over the world.  Our guests receive complimentary full breakfast at Cook Hall, a $75 food and beverage credit in Cook Hall, a welcome drink kit with sweet treats and complimentary high speed internet access.

There you have it.  If reading this has left you feeling like you need to get there, call our Expert Sheri today.  

http://www.luxurycruiseexperts.com/hotels/

Back to Travel Log...