Welcome to Dallas-Ft. Worth

The Dallas/Fort Worth area is a great family vacation spot. Serviced by two major airports, and within easy driving distance from several states, DFW will undoubtedly be a hit with families looking for fun. The Metroplex area of these cities is full of major attractions, museums, shopping and world class restaurants offering options sure to satisfy all ages and pocketbooks.

The hardest decision you have to make is deciding where to stay. Whether you choose Arlington and the Mid Cities home to Six Flags Over Texas, Hurricane Harbor, and the Texas Rangers; or Fort Worth and its Historic Stockyards and renowned Museum District; or Dallas with its excellent night life, West End Marketplace, and Dealey Plaza, your family is in for nonstop action. But never fear - because Dallas and Fort Worth are less than thirty miles apart with Arlington and the Mid Cities sandwiched between, it actually is possible to do and see it all.

Arlington/Mid-Cities - Where to Stay

There are literally hundreds of low-cost hotels and motels in Arlington/Mid Cities and the further away you get from the airport and the entertainment district, the cheaper the rooms are. I like the Ranger Inn and Suites because it is right across the street from Six Flags Over Texas and in the heart of Arlington. Check out hotel options here.

Arlington/Mid-Cities: Where to Go

One of the obvious entertainment choices when visiting Arlington/Mid Cities is Six Flags Over Texas, a Texas-sized theme park incorporating the six flags which have flown over the state into different rides, food, and shops at the park. To cool off from the Texas heat, let me suggest Hurricane Harbor, the Metroplex's biggest water park with rides and slides that will appeal to everyone, from toddlers on up. If the season is right, you can catch a Rangers baseball game at their impressive stadium, and while you're there, make sure to check out the Legends of the Game Baseball Museum.

There's also the Palace of Wax and Ripley's Believe It Or Not, two exciting attractions under one roof! The Palace of Wax has life-sized wax models of all your favorite celebrities and heroes and Ripley's has all kinds of weird and cool stuff for your family to explore--including a room that simulates being inside a tornado! Or take a trip back in time to the Fielder House and tour one of the first houses in Arlington, perfectly preserved in its old-fashioned glory. Another possibility is the Antique Sewing Machine Museum, home of the world's largest sewing machine!

For information about amusements parks, museums, theaters and other local attractions, check out Dallas Family Fun.

Arlington/Mid-Cities: Shop 'Til You Drop

If shopping is your thing, let me give you the lowdown on the best bets for your buck in Arlington/Mid Cities. Grapevine Mills Mall is just 2 miles north of DFW airport (why go to the hotel and unpack when shopping awaits?) and bills itself as the first value-oriented megamall in Texas. And at 1.5 million square feet, they mean MEGA. The mall has off-price and outlet stores as well as retail stores and plenty of restaurants. Another good bet is Historic Downtown Grapevine, where you can take a stroll through dozens of quaint shops. My favorite place of all though, and this is coming from Queen Bargain Hunter herself, is the Dillard's outlet at Festival Marketplace Mall. They have all the wonderful name brands that the regular Dillard's sells, but at discounts from 50-90% off. You could spend days at this two level outlet store and still not tire of the unbelievable deals. (Hint: The reason it is so cheap is because you're shopping for opposite seasons, so if you're vacationing in DFW this summer, come ready to buy your winter wardrobe.) Need some directions and other information - the Dallas/Ft. Worth BabyZone Shopping Page is for you!

Arlington/Mid-Cities: The Call of the Open Road

Not the shopping type? Or just want to treat adventure-loving Dad to a "manly" treat (Mom, this is cool for you too!), rent a Harley at Texas Harley-Davidson and send him out to explore the vast Texas highways. Obviously, this isn't a kid-friendly activity, but adventurous adults will have a blast!

Arlington/Mid-Cities: Where to Eat

Arlington/Mid Cities abound with unique dining options and great tasting food. If you're in Grapevine for lunch, stop by local favorite Cero's Heros for some sandwiches. Cero's closes at two, so timing is a must. Take those delicious sandwiches down the street to Rockledge Park and eat under one of their covered picnic tables with a view of beautiful Lake Grapevine. Or stop by A&E Deli, my favorite Italian deli in the whole Metroplex. They have glass cases full of imported meats and cheeses (don't miss the fresh mozzarella) and fresh cooked sides (like enormous meatballs or green beans almondine). Make sure you leave with one of their individual servings of rice pudding, and tell Pete, the proprietor, that Jessica says hi. You can either eat at one of their patio tables, or head around the corner to Parr Park and enjoy their playgrounds and picnic area.

Dinnertime is a good time in Arlington/Mid Cities. They offer plenty of fun places to eat with your kids. Inexpensive and delicious, the chefs at Hibachi 97 will keep your kids entertained with their show. Sometimes they will heat butter inside a mound of white rice till it erupts like a volcano. Once, our chef threw egg shells in the air and caught them on top of his hat! Another fun restaurant is Simply Fondue, just down the strip from Hibachi 97. Simply Fondue lets your family cook their own meal in a bubbling pot of oil on your table, or, if you like, you can stick with dipping bread in cheese or strawberries in chocolate. They have a very clean, modern atmosphere, so Simply Fondue is a safe bet with or without the kids. California Pizza Kitchen is an interesting choice for new twists on an old favorite -- try their barbecue chicken pizza. If, by chance, you get a night away from the kids, definitely try Mezza. While they don't mind children, it's a great choice for Mom and Dad to get off the beaten path in Arlington, and enjoy Mezza's rich, romantic atmosphere and wonderful Greek/Italian food. I tried their veal picatta and I swear, it was better than the one I make! See all my recommendations at Fun Family Dining and Parents' Night Out.

Ft. Worth: Where to Stay

Will Rogers called Fort Worth "where the West begins." He was right, you know, because where else can you see two cattle drives a day?

Fort Worth boasts the same plethora of bargain hotels and motels, but for those families who want to try something different, I recommend the Renaissance Worthington Hotel. This luxurious, enormous hotel straddles 2 city blocks of downtown Fort Worth. Inside, there are several restaurants, including a tapas bar (yum) and a classy, refined atmosphere. My stepdad likes Etta's Place, but with only ten rooms, I suggest you book in advance. Etta's is great for those wanting a quiet atmosphere and lots of personal attention. Check out my recommendations here.

Ft. Worth: Where to Go

Fort Worth has a world-class museum district, from the Modern, housed in its brand-new stunning building by acclaimed architect Tadao Ando, to the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame with it's cowgirl pictures and the occasional storyteller, to the Museum of Science and History with an Imax theater and plenty of kid-friendly exhibits. If all that walking makes you sweaty, retreat to Burger's Lake , my FAVORITE little-known Metroplex swimming hole! Burger's Lake has it all, a huge man-made lake for swimming, a trapeze, water slide, zip cord, and diving boards, inner tubes to rent, a sandy beach area, a snack shack, picnic tables, and barbecue grills. We used to go there every summer when I was a kid.

You can take a tour through the Stockyards, for the aforementioned cattle drive as well as plenty of western shops, restaurants, and clubs. Billy Bob's is home to an indoor rodeo arena, two huge dance floors, 25 bars, restaurants, arcade games, a wall of fame with celebrity hand prints and a general store. If you can make it on a Thursday night, enjoy their free dance lessons! Or try Stockyards Station with galleries, restaurants, gift shops, Western clothing stores, and an amusement park for kids. Go for a ride on the vintage 1896 Tarantula Train from the Stockyards to Downtown Grapevine. You can also check out the Fort Worth Zoo, which is rated one of the top five zoos in the country. They have close to 4,000 species on exhibit, a petting zoo, and an air conditioned barn with play ground equipment in case you (or your kids) need a break. If you couldn't find the perfect gift at the Stockyards stores, try the Fort Worth City Store. They offer real City of Fort Worth retired fire hydrants, street signs, as well as a great selection of Fort Worth clothing, coffee mugs, etc. Have them make your own personalized street sign. Need to lose Dad for a few hours to squeeze some shopping in? Drop him off at Carswell Golf Course. A public, 18-hole golf course, Carswell is open daily and even offers lessons. For information about these amusements parks, museums, and other local attractions, check out Ft. Worth Family Fun. Check out the great Ft. Worth Shopping Scene.

Ft. Worth: Where to Eat

Hungry? Well, you're in luck. When people think about Texas they think about two kinds of food: Barbecue and Tex Mex. Fort Worth has shining examples of both. Take Railhead Smokehouse Bar-B-Q for example. Their smoky meats, friendly atmosphere, and inexpensive prices have made it a Fort Worth tradition for years. Also be sure to try Angelo's. Most of the city is bitterly embattled over which restaurant truly is best. For a quick lunch, La Familia is a great bet. Their Tex Mex is fresh, delicious, and inexpensive and their service is super friendly and fast. The owner warmly shakes everyone's hand as they enter. Its no wonder the place is usually crowded. It would be a crime for me to not include my own favorite restaurant here: Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Foods has the best beef fajitas, guacamole, and fresh flour tortillas I've ever tasted. Your kids will like watching the tortilla machine churn out tortilla after perfectly tender tortilla.See all my recommendations at Fun Family Dining and Parents' Night Out.

Dallas: Where to Stay

If you're staying over in Dallas and want to try something different, try Maple Manor for a romantic journey back to the elegant Victorian style of 1898. Or try the Fairmont Hotel, a beautiful hotel and local favorite. There's the Magnolia Hotel in the historic Magnolia building: they offer lavish breakfast buffets and complimentary evening cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Check out my recommendations here.

Dallas: Where to Go

An important Dallas attraction is the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, the infamous place where President Kennedy was assassinated.  Tour the inside of the museum to see award winning films, photographs, and exhibits from that fateful day in 1963. Walk around outside along the infamous grassy knoll that looks much the same as it did 40 years ago. It is an educational, touching, and somber experience. After that, head over to West End Historic District. West End has it all: shops, happening night life, restaurants...and the whole bottom floor of the West End Marketplace is a game room! How fun is that?

Another of my favorite Dallas attractions is the Dallas World Aquarium . Showcasing marine life representative of four continents, three oceans, and various seas, viewing their 22,000 gallon panoramic tunnel aquarium is like catching a glimpse of the whole world underwater. Currently, the DWA is running an Orinoco River rain forest exhibit. The tropical rain forest and savannas in this area are home to unparalleled concentrations of flora and fauna. For information about amusements parks, museums, theaters and other local attractions, check out Dallas Family Fun.

Dallas: Shop 'Til You Drop

A great place to shop is Deep Ellum. Their eclectic mix of clothing stores like Moda and Casa Loco and home furnishing stores like Mark and Larry's Stuff ensure you'll find the perfect gift. Try Lula B's Antique Mall, which is stuffed to the brim with lots of great finds (I even got my prom dress there.)  Need to keep Dad busy for a few hours while you browse? Contact Dallas Wave Rentals to rent him a boat or jetski. They deliver to all local Dallas lakes, so you can drop him off on your way to shop! Need some directions and other information - the Dallas/Ft. Worth BabyZone Shopping Page is for you!

Dallas: Where to Eat

Ready to eat? Let me suggest one of my favorite unique dining experiences: Abyssinia Restaurant and Bar. If you've never tried Ethiopian food, now is your chance. You get to eat with your hands (this will appeal to your kids) by tearing off big strips of their flat bread (kinda like tortillas or crepes) called injera and wrapping it around whatever delicious meats and veggies you decide to try. One of my favorites is doro wot, which is reminiscent of chili. Another good restaurant for keeping the kiddos entertained is Magic Time Machine. Be waited on by costumed servers! Serve yourself from a salad bar that's really a car! Have the Roman Orgy for dinner! (You know you always wanted to.) Its a fun, if somewhat hectic, time. Another fun choice is Medieval Times. Dine like the medieval people did, sans silverware and in a large castle (OK, rich, medieval people), and enjoy a night of dramatic jousting. Another one of my favorites is Trail Dust Steakhouse. Enjoy chatting up total strangers while sitting at one of their long picnic tables and while you wait for your food, your kids can whiz down their two story slide. They even have a dance floor if you feel like a little two-step. Just don't wear a tie, because the friendly folks at Trail Dust will snip it right off of you and display it on the wall. See all my recommendations at Fun Family Dining and Parents' Night Out.

Welcome to Fun - Texas Style!

The Dallas/Ft. Worth area should be a major contender on everyone's vacation list. It's affordable, accommodating, and nowhere else in the country can you see everything from cattle drives to historical sites, world-class sports teams to major theme parks. Top it all off with the best food I've ever had and a heaping helping of that friendliness and hospitality that Texans are famous for, and you've got yourself a sure bet for a super vacation.