How safe is downtown Dallas? Especilaly late at night (Live Oak: crimes, hotels)

[unseengundam]

I will be going to downtown Dallas actually this weekend. I am sure I will be only done late at night after 1 am or even 3 am. I going to try to park at cheap $5 dollar lot couple of blocks away. I wondering how safe is to be walking around down town Dallas. Especially in the middle of night, like between 1 am - 5 am?

[TurtleCreek80]

It honestly depends on where you're going. If you're truly going downtown (south of Woodall Rogers), you're probably fine walking a block or two in the arts district or near the Main Street entertainment strip (the Joule, Neiman's, Iron Cactus, etc). If it's in the southern section of downtown (south of Commerce or Jackson), I would valet or pay more to park closer. It does get sketchy and more desolate in the southen part of downtown. And also on the west side near the greyhound station / El Centro.

If you're using "downtown" as a broad term and actually mean uptown, Deep Ellum, Victory Park, etc- you're fine waking a few blocks late night. Just try not to be so drunk you can't be alert as something bad *can* always happen, especially crimes of opportunity.

[unseengundam]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

It honestly depends on where you're going. If you're truly going downtown (south of Woodall Rogers), you're probably fine walking a block or two in the arts district or near the Main Street entertainment strip (the Joule, Neiman's, Iron Cactus, etc). If it's in the southern section of downtown (south of Commerce or Jackson), I would valet or pay more to park closer. It does get sketchy and more desolate in the southen part of downtown. And also on the west side near the greyhound station / El Centro.

If you're using "downtown" as a broad term and actually mean uptown, Deep Ellum, Victory Park, etc- you're fine waking a few blocks late night. Just try not to be so drunk you can't be alert as something bad *can* always happen, especially crimes of opportunity.

I am specifically wanting to know about the City Center District in Downtown Dallas. I am going to a big event at the Sheraton at Live Oak and Olive.

I can't valet since I am sure they will run out of parking spaces, just like last year. In fact, their parking Garage also get filled up since the hotels are fully booked from what I have heard. So I have to park elsewhere off site.

Yes, last year I did have to walk back to my car at 1 am or 2 am. It seemed quite empty except a few other people walking back to other parking lots. Sort felt like you could easily get robbed or something since there weren't any police or many people around. It always seemed pretty creepy late night in downtown Dallas.

[jennifw]

Originally Posted by unseengundam

I am specifically wanting to know about the City Center District in Downtown Dallas. I am going to a big event at the Sheraton at Live Oak and Olive.

I can't valet since I am sure they will run out of parking spaces, just like last year. In fact, their parking Garage also get filled up since the hotels are fully booked from what I have heard. So I have to park elsewhere off site.

Yes, last year I did have to walk back to my car at 1 am or 2 am. It seemed quite empty except a few other people walking back to other parking lots. Sort felt like you could easily get robbed or something since there weren't any police or many people around. It always seemed pretty creepy late night in downtown Dallas.

If you know it gets full, why don't you just get there earlier to ensure a closer space or a valet space? I would rather hang out and read a book for a while than feel unsecure walking to my car late at night. Any chance to take a friend? Two is usually safer than one.

[pepper131]

Since you are probably going to A-Kon - park in the lot behind the Sheraton off Pearl. There are also lots straight up Olive on the other side of the Dart tracks from the Sheraton (these lots would be preferable).

I've had to walk around late at night picking up my son from A-Kon. I prefer to park and walk in...although it seems desolate, I've never had an issue with anyone...and that's with me pushing my younger son in a baby stroller.

Aren't you going to be carrying a giant oversized sword anyway?

[TurtleCreek80]

I would either get there earlier to garage park or make sure you walk back to a remote lot with other people.

The chance of something happening (mugging or worse) is small, but a posibility from 1-5am. Are you so cheap/lazy as to not get there earlier or pay $5-10 more to not have to roll the dice with your safety?

[hamiltonpl]

I'm not sure any place is completely safe to walk around in from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. So it is not as much of the area as it is the time of day. That is a dangerous time to be walking about. As far as place is concerned, I think you'll be relatively safe over there -- certainly better than around the homeless center in the southern part of downtown. Leave with a group of people if you're concerned about safety.

If you go alone, just bring Thor's hammer with you and you'll be fine. I saw "people" with all sorts of "weapons" going into the Sheraton this morning.

[pepper131]

Originally Posted by hamiltonpl

If you go alone, just bring Thor's hammer with you and you'll be fine. I saw "people" with all sorts of "weapons" going into the Sheraton this morning.

I go down there and just walk around. The costumes are AMAZING!!! It's free to enter and cruise through the lobbies.

[fabulous_nobody]

I've been to the Sheraton many times, but I've never left after 11 pm. Also I don't think any public car park is safe that late at night. If you really can't valet, I would suggest to avoid any area east of Pearl st, south of Live Oak, west of Akard st.

[the-writer-guy]

It's texas, get a gun!