Hotels in Dallas

Best time to visit Dallas

The best time to visit Dallas is September – November, when the temperatures aren’t overwhelmingly hot, the tourist traffic has ebbed away, and the Texas State Fair is in full swing. You can also experience pleasant weather from March – May, and fresh spring blooms add a beautiful background to the Dallas landscape. However, this is also football season, and that tends to drive up room rates. Be prepared to spend a few extra dollars if you visit during this time. Despite temperatures of 90 – 95 degrees Fahrenheit and high humidity levels, the summer months from June – August are the peak tourist season in Dallas, so you can expect hotel costs to soar higher during this time. For the best deals and bargains on hotels, try to visit between December – February. Make sure you dress in layers since the average temperatures range from 55 – 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Getting around Dallas

Tourist-centric Downtown Dallas is an extremely walkable area, and most of the sites and attractions are easily explored on foot. To get around parts of the city, you can rely on the bus and light rail network operated by DART. A 2-hour pass (valid for unlimited rides within 2 hours of purchase) costs $2.50 USD for local services, while a Midday Pass for $1.75 USD allows unlimited travel between 9.30 a.m. – 2.30 p.m. from Monday – Friday. You can also consider a Day Pass for $5.00 USD. For an authentic local experience around central Dallas, hop aboard the M-Line Trolley, an old-fashioned electric streetcar that runs from downtown to uptown’s bustling McKinney Avenue, and makes stops at several popular attractions. The M-Line Trolley service is free. While parking is always scarce, and rush hour traffic can be quite heavy, driving in Dallas is not difficult since the streets run in a grid pattern which is easy to navigate. Hiring a car will also give you the flexibility to explore the surrounding areas such as Fort Worth. Look up deals and discounts for rental cars with momondo.

Best places to stay in Dallas

Dallas is a mega city where you’ll experience everything quintessentially Texan. Huge pick-up trucks, big hats, sumptuous Tex-Mex breakfast and the Dallas Cowboys playing football are just a few typical sights. But the city is also a hotbed of history, art, sports and family-oriented adventures. With large and diverse neighborhoods, where to stay in Dallas depends on what you wish to explore and enjoy here. For first time visitors, it’s best to stay in Central Dallas to be close to the popular tourist attractions.

Downtown Dallas

Downtown Dallas is rich with cultural and historical attractions, and jam-packed with gleaming skyscrapers, restaurants, nightlife, and shopping. Recognized for more than a century as an iconic address, you have The Adolphus, Autograph Collection Hotel that offers its guests vibrant accommodation with a touch of locally celebrated amenities. In the heart of downtown, consider the Omni Dallas Hotel that connects via a sky bridge to the Dallas Convention Center, and is close to all the restaurants, shops and entertainment in this area.

Uptown / Oak Lawn

Uptown Dallas is known for its lively sports bars, posh international bistros, trendy cocktail lounges, and luxury living. The area’s action centers on McKinney Avenue, where a free vintage trolley trundles past high-end fashion boutiques. Uptown is also home to Katy Trail that runs along Turtle Creek, passing parks and beer gardens, attracting cyclists, joggers, and nature lovers. Oak Lawn is the center of Dallas’ gay community with plenty of bars and clubs. You will also find streets filled with charming old duplexes and luxury mansions along Turtle Creek. Overlooking Turtle Creek, you have the iconic Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, a legendary Texan luxury hotel, with heritage interiors and posh rooms featuring patios and balconies. On the bustling McKinney Avenue, enjoy the opulent, luxurious rooms and service of The Ritz-Carlton Dallas hotel.

Design District / Market Center

Just northwest of downtown, Design District is a vibrant live-work-play neighborhood that features upscale shops, restaurants, and galleries. Situated on 45 acres in a resort-type setting adjacent to the Design District, you have The Hilton Anatole Hotel that offers an amazing pool complex with multiple pools, luxury cabanas, and several water rides and activities. For a mid-range budget option, check out the Best Western Market Center, just a block away from the Dallas Market Hall.

Deep Ellum

The lively Deep Ellum neighborhood is the entertainment center of Dallas. Vibrant street murals, quirky art galleries, several indie and blues concert venues, brew pubs, bars, and Tex-Mex eateries draw a boisterous crowd, especially on weekends. Check out the modern rooms and thoughtful amenities offered by Sheraton Dallas Hotel at the outskirts of Deep Ellum, just a 7-minute walk from the funky shops in the landmark Neiman Marcus Building. Consider the vintage-chic rooms in The Statler, Curio Collection by Hilton, a 1956-dated hotel that has been a leader in innovative guest services and hospitality, and has many firsts to its credit.

Cheap hotels in Dallas

In Dallas, cheap accommodation does not mean sacrificing luxury or comfort. There are plenty of hotels in the downtown areas as well as near the airport and in the suburbs. Many of the hotel chains such as Fairfield Inn & Suites, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Crowne Plaza, and Howard Johnson offer several reasonably priced properties all over the city. You can also look at hostel accommodation, such as the centrally located Wild Wild West Backpackers Hostel.

Dallas is an exciting city that is home to beautiful parks, historic sites, excellent sports centers, and interactive museums. The city also boasts a vibrant arts and culinary scene, and has an artistic as well as commercial edge. Everything about Dallas is simply big. Big thinking, big ideas, and perhaps a big itinerary depending on the length of your stay. Here are a few things that should not be missed when you visit Dallas.

• Go museum-hopping in Dallas. Learn about the life and legacy of late President John F. Kennedy at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Admire the finest collection of contemporary sculptures at the Nasher Sculpture Center. Check out a large permanent collection of artworks dating back to the 3rd century at the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) in the eclectic Arts District. Get inspired by the futuristic exhibits at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.
• Enjoy all the parks and gardens in the city. Go for a leisurely stroll in Klyde Warren Park, 5 acres of beautifully manicured green space in the heart of downtown. Don’t miss a visit to the 66-acre Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden in East Dallas. In the Fair Park area, visit the Texas Discovery Gardens, a 7.5-acre botanical garden that is home to a wonderful array of native and naturally-adapted plants.
• Browse through stalls selling fresh farm produce, ranging from fruit and vegetables to flowers and farm-to-table fare at the vibrant Dallas Farmers’ Market.
• Get insights into early Texan life when you visit the Dallas Heritage Village in Old City Park.
• Spend a few hours to get up close with exotic birds and marine life at The Dallas World Aquarium.
• Ride up to the observation deck of the landmark Reunion Tower, and enjoy spectacular 360 degree city views.
• Check out interesting historical insights at The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
• Enjoy live music and other cultural events at the House of Blues Dallas.
• Book a bus or walking tour to experience the best culinary treats that Dallas has to offer. Typical tours last 3 – 4 hours. Notable gourmet adventures include Dallas by Chocolate, and Dallas Bites Taste Tours and Adventures.