Hi I have a 7 hour layover in Dallas, travelling from Toronto to Sydney (QF in J), does anyone have any suggestions for a quick tour or outing. 7 hours in the lounge is a bit too long.
Assuming you don't want to get a car for just 4-5 hours, I'd suggest two locations; Downtown Dallas or Grapevine.
In Downtown, the Sixth Floor Museum as suggested above is very well done and definitely worth the visit if you have interest in that era. The DART Yellow line now runs directly from Terminal A to West End Station, which is a block away from the museum. It's a long 1 hour light-rail ride though, and the trains only come every 15 minutes or so, so definitely check the schedules. That said, the West End historic district is kind of fun to walk around, and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science within walking distance from there in Victory Park is great as well.
Walking down Main Street in Downtown Dallas is also unique, with some beautiful art deco buildings from the oil tycoons of the 20's, and will be blissfully empty compared to other large cities (unless during the lunch rush). Uptown, which you can take the rickety old heritage streetcars to from Akard Station, will have more people out and about with some neat bars and authentic Tex Mex restaurants and shopping.
Grapevine just north of the airport is a cute little kitschy Texan town with a Main Street, old school bars/restaurants, and souvenir shops for about a 5 block stretch that's easy to navigate. You could definitely spend 3 hours there if you include a meal, and shouldn't be more than a $10 Uber ride.
IF you don't mind getting a car for 5 hours (and some rental deals can be really cheap) definitely suggest driving out to Fort Worth. Downtown Fort Worth is pure Texas, like Dallas in some ways but so much more authentic in others, and Sundance Square always has people. And if you REALLY want to immerse yourself into Texan culture (almost to the point where it feels fake!) go to the Fort Worth Stockyards just north of downtown, which used to be one of the largest cattle grounds in the country. The food, music, and just the feel right out of a western is always something my friends visiting enjoyed.
Chinabound
Chinabound
QF
Member since 05 Jul 2012
Total posts 16
Hi I have a 7 hour layover in Dallas, travelling from Toronto to Sydney (QF in J), does anyone have any suggestions for a quick tour or outing. 7 hours in the lounge is a bit too long.
GregXL
GregXL
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 26 May 2014
Total posts 320
The JFK museum, called The Sixth Floor Museum.
Newbie7
Newbie7
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 04 Dec 2012
Total posts 1
Assuming you don't want to get a car for just 4-5 hours, I'd suggest two locations; Downtown Dallas or Grapevine.
Chinabound
Chinabound
QF
Member since 05 Jul 2012
Total posts 16
Great very helpful thanks