Traveling to Dallas, TX in September - need some advice

[marrelam]

Going for a wedding.

Plane tickets are booked - got an awesome RT NS deal for $227 pp via notification from Kayak.

Looking for advice on where to stay near Rockwall, Texas. Have some info on Hilton Bella Harbor but haven't looked anywhere else. Traveling with a 5 year - needs to be kid friendly. Also need advice on what to do in/around this area.

Thanks!!

[marrelam]

:wavehi:

[marrelam]

:dontknow1: anyone?

[cheapdate29]

I'm not in the Rockwall area but I do have one piece of advice: It will still be summer here and plenty hot so shorts and flip-flops are still in season :)

[cybilx10]

Sorry, lost internet here at home for a few days..


Try this link (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g56567-Rockwall_Texas-Vacations.html) for some good info on the town and local hotels. On the side if you go to travel forums then you can ask questions and locals will answer your questions.

Most of the time I take the hotels from that site and then do other searches on them since you mostly will find them cheaper elsewhere.

Good Luck and I agree with the other poster...take plenty of shorts and light clothing.

[sns4063]

Yes, it will still be super hot here in Sept! I don't really know the area, so I won't be too much of a help. I do know that we're contemplating going on vacation around Christmas, to stay at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine-it has an indoor waterpark! It's about 30 miles from where you'll be though.

Good luck!

[marrelam]

Thanks Cybilx10 - this looks helpful!

[crawford6698]

Great Wolf Lodge is super great fun! We'll be back in school, so may be able to find good deals for being "off-peak". Also, the Gaylord Texan is a good choice with lots of things to do/see in the hotel - has a new lazy river and a few water slides - not sure if they stay open through Sept.
the Ft Worth zoo is terrific, too! Good Luck!

[healingMD]

Well, I reside in Fort Worth, but am from Dallas. Rockwall is a nice town/city. You could go to Lake Ray Hubbard one day, it's very close, if I'm not mistaken in Rockwall. I would suggest staying in the city of Dallas, close to I30 to get you to the wedding. Only because you would be kind of in the center of the city if you stay in Dallas versus in the outskirt of the city staying Rockwall. You could take a train ride from Dallas to Fort Worth and visit the Fort Worth Zoo, one of the top rated in the Nation...just make sure you find out, if they have a pickup shuttle from the Train Station. You can also, go to Six Flags which is about 30 - 45 minutes from Rockwall in a city called Arlington. Another great thing is you can take your kids to the Sixth Floor Museum (if they're into history). I believe the Dallas Science Place is free, along with Dallas Museum of Art, which has a kid's section. Good luck, hope this helps

[abond0017]

I lived in Dallas all my childhood and visit family there every year now. We usually stay at THIS (https://www.marriott.com/reservation/availability.mi?propertyCode=DALCM) hotel. It's not the cheapest (but I think cheaper than the one you were looking at), the staff are very very nice, it is clean, has free parking, and they have usually have free coffee/water/muffins in the lobby in the morning (not a full on continental breakfast though). Also, as healingMD suggested it is on I-30 so just a straight shot across the lake from Rockwall and only probably 10 min or less from the hotel you were looking at. Also, it is very close to a bunch of restaurants, etc (an exit away from the mall/stores/restaurants/movie theater, and next door to a children's play place called Celebration Station where you can do bumper boats, video games, batting cages, etc.).

I think you will find most of the fun stuff to do other than going to the lake, will be found in Dallas or like healingMD said Six Flags in Arlington or the Ft. Worth Zoo. That hotel is very convenient to many parts of Dallas and easy access to the surrounding cities. In that location you will also have a straight shot to Downtown Dallas which has a lot of things to do (just beware of the rush hour traffic when traveling to or through Downtown).

If you do go to the lake, I can suggest a very nice quaint small park that isn't too far off the beaten path but far enough not to have a ton of people usually. It is where I got married and is called TERRY PARK (http://www.heathtx.com/Heath_News.php?id=29). It has been fully renovated in recent years (looked like crap when I got married there lol) and has a nice pavillion/picnic tables, restrooms, a walking trail and a small playground. But be aware...swimming in the lake is technically illegal...Terry park is not for swimming...if you really want to swim anyway (cause many still do until they are asked to get out)...I believe a park called Robinson Park is better for that (but usually also crowded and you have to still be careful for boats, etc since there is no designated swimming areas). Anyway if you need directions to Terry Park just PM me.

If I think of anything else I'll come back and post. Have fun...and like others suggested...definitely bring shorts/sandals. Its still gonna be hot in Sept...probably high 80's low 90's.

[marrelam]

Great advice! We're leaning towards Hilton Bella Harbor @ $118/night. It looks really beautiful (right on Lake Ray Hubbard) and seems like there's plenty of attractions we can walk to there.

I'm still all ears for more info!

[marrelam]

Will be there soon! REAL soon!!

[LinderVee]

Will you have your own transportation? The DFW area is vast, so it does help to have your own transportation, especially if you're staying so far outside of downtown. Otherwise, the mass transit here is pretty good. I agree that staying off Lake Hubbard sounds nice. The advice given by users so far is great.

If you've never been to Dallas, you've got to check out Dealy Plaza, where JFK was assassinated. It's also where the Sixth Floor Museum (that someone already suggested) is located. The museum is well worth the price of admission. The JFK Memorial is only about a block away.
Home | The Sixth Floor Museum (http://www.jfk.org/go/home)

There is also a Holocaust museum within a couple of blocks from there, though I've yet to visit that one. The Dallas World Aquarium is nearby, though a bit further to walk. http://www.dwazoo.com/

There are plenty of places to eat if you spend an afternoon there, along Market Street or Houston Street.

I think someone may have suggested the Museum of Nature & Science
Museum of Nature & Science | Dallas, Texas (http://www.natureandscience.org/)
It's located at Fair Park. If you're lucky enough to visit during the State Fair, you'll want to devote an entire day to the event. I've actually spent from morning until closing time at the fair. The location is home to many great places to learn: Railroad museum, Women's museum, African American museum, Aquarium, Planetarium, Texas Discovery Gardens, and the already mentioned Nature & Science. These are all on the fair grounds. Like I said, all day. However, if you do go during the State Fair, find out about parking ahead of time. I prefer public transportation for this event.
I just checked and the State Fair runs from Sept 30-Oct 23 this year, so you won't have a problem with parking if you go before then.

Great Wolf Lodge sounds like a great idea if your kids love water parks. It's pricey though, and a good 45 minute drive from where you're staying.
Grapevine Water Park - Great Wolf Resorts - Grapevine Family Resort (http://www.greatwolf.com/grapevine/waterpark)

I found this link of free things to do Free Things to Do in Dallas | Attractions, Entertainment & More (http://www.visitdallas.com/visitors/online_toolkit/free_things_to_do/)
some of what I've mentioned is on the list. The Arts District is also a great place to check out, though it's a work-in-progress. The Dallas Museum of Art and the Nasher Sculpture Center are across from each other. If you're doing the downtown/Dealy Plaza attraction, you might as well stop by the Old Red Courthouse which is diagonally across from the Sixth Floor museum and home to the Dallas Tourist Info Center.
Hope that helps and feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I've lived in Dallas my entire life.