Going to DFW and DC, what not to miss?

[SandraVB79]

Hey all,

From August 23 until September 12, I'll be in the US with my mom. First, we'l go to Disneyland, then to DFW-area, then to the middle of nowhere in Texas (visiting friends) and then to Washington DC.

What are not-to-miss things to do/ see/ eat while at DFW and DC?

Thanks in advance!

 

[SandraVB79]

Bump!

 

[Christine]

rascalmom-something or other had a nice DC trip report that she put up the other day. You might want to search for it and read it. It could give you some ideas.

 

[Michie]

How long are you going to be in the DFW area? There are a lot of neat and free things to do there and tons of places to eat.

 

[welovedisneyx4]

Sandra,

We just got back from DC last week. There is a TON of stuff to do and see there. It it almost harder to tour than DW! I would get a tour book like Foders or something if possible, I wish we would have had one. Plan what you really want to see and use the Metro. The Metro is your friend!!! They have a good web site you should check out before you go. All the Smithsonians are good, you probably want to see the White House, Capitol, and monuments. Also, the National Zoo is nice as well.

We had trouble finding a lot of restaurants to chose from b/c we just didn't know where to go. We found several near the Woodley Park/Zoo Metro station and had a good meal in Chinatown. (Sorry, can't remember the name, I'll post if I think of it.)

If you are wanting to go up in the Washington Monument, you will need to get tickets that morning and the day we went at 10:00, they were sold out. Check their web-site for info on that as well.

Try to find a good city map, we got one from our hotel.

This is just a brief summary, I'll post more if I think of stuff. I am still half asleep.

As far as DFW, I don't have a clue. I would like to visit there someday.

Have a good trip!!!

 

[missypie]

DFW area: the con - IT WILL BE HOT!!!

the pro: School will have started here, so there should be no crowds during the day anywhere. However, I think that the water parks, etc. will be open only during the weekends.

In Dallas, we basically eat out and shop. Sightseeing in late August during the say can be hellish (unless you like 110 degrees.)

Here are a few options:

Morning downtown:

1. Start at the Sixth Floor Museum, view the Grassy Knoll, etc. for your JFK experience.

2. Walk over to the Dallas World Aquarium - it's cool inside, and more than just fish. It's about 5 blocks from the Sixth Floor museum.

[3. If you want more art, go to the Nasher Sculpture Garden or the Dallas Museum of Art. ]

4. For lunch;

If you want ribs, walk from the Dallas World Aquarium over to Sonny Bryans - it's about 3 blocks away.

If you want Mexican, get in your car and drive a short distance to Chuys, on McKinney Avenue. It's "FUN" Mexican.

5. In the heat of the afternoon, you might want to hit the Dallas Musuem of Art if you haven't been already. A shopping alternative nearby would be Northpark Center - newly remodeled, huge, and air conditioned.

Another option for lunch and shopping, for the adventurous:

Have lunch at Mama's Daughter's Diner on Harry Hines ("home cookin'" - chicken fried steak, pie, etc.) Then venture to some of the very inexpensive Asian-owned accessory stores in the area like Sam Mi. More costume jewelry than you've ever seen in your life, at rock bottom prices. (PM me if you want directions.)

Fort Worth:

Fort Worth is really more fun than Dallas. The stockyards area has an old west feel; go to the Cow Girls Hall of Fame. Also, the museums are fantastic.

I'll check back in if I have time for more suggestions.

 

[SandraVB79]

Some more details on my trip:

We leave on August 23 to LA, where we'll be going 5 days to Disneyland, and 1 or 2 days to LA. On August 30 or 31, we would go to DFW until September 3. Then we fly to Amarillo, and visit friends living up there. On September 8, we would go to DC and on September 12 back home.

I have been a couple of times to DFW and Texas during the summer, but I used to spend my days at DFW with friends living in Grapevine. Unfortunately, at some point, my friends didn't answer email, phone calls, ... anymore, so...
Is it better to look for a hotel at FW instead of Dallas?

 

[ktulu]

Is it better to look for a hotel at FW instead of Dallas?

You might try something more central to Dallas and Fort Worth, Arlington is a good place, or the mid-cities (Hurst, Euless, Bedford), or even further north in the Grapevine area. This will give you easy access to both cities, so you can visit both and see the real differences between the two.