What activities do you do in Dallas? (Houston, Fort Worth: to rent, hotel)

[rdfw]

Don't get me wrong here, I very much like Dallas as a place to live - there are many great reasons to convince someone that this area is a good place to work and live.

The lists of activities given here basically support what I said, they're all things you can do in any other generic medium/large city in the US. Exceptions are: the stockyards, the 6th floor museum (how many people really want to go there, and how much time does that really take?) and Southfork Ranch (pretty weak). All the other things: museums, zoos, bars, shops, pubs, deco buildings, are found in at least comparable state in any number of other cities that would also offer more unique and interesting activities that DFW lacks.

The point about how the number and diversity of activities increases with population is a good one. However, aside from man-made lakes, this area cannot manufacture any natural scenery or real outdoorsy destinations. You have to go elsewhere to see even a hill (unless you're driving west on I-30 from downtown, hooray for that hilltop).

And again, if I have friends who are deciding between coming here to visit or going to Chicago/NY/FL/CA/DC/CO/WA/OR or even San Antonio, I have a hard time convincing them that they'll do anything of interest here besides visit friends and maybe get some good authentic Mexican food.

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by rdfw

The lists of activities given here basically support what I said, they're all things you can do in any other generic medium/large city in the US.

the other things: museums, zoos, bars, shops, pubs, deco buildings, are found in at least comparable state in any number of other cities that would also offer more unique and interesting activities that DFW lacks.

.

The point is that the things I listed are the things listed by a poster that she does in OTHER cities that are ALSO here. She just hasn't found them. They are out there though.

[TrueDat]

Originally Posted by rdfw

Don't get me wrong here, I very much like Dallas as a place to live - there are many great reasons to convince someone that this area is a good place to work and live.

The lists of activities given here basically support what I said, they're all things you can do in any other generic medium/large city in the US. Exceptions are: the stockyards, the 6th floor museum (how many people really want to go there, and how much time does that really take?) and Southfork Ranch (pretty weak). All the other things: museums, zoos, bars, shops, pubs, deco buildings, are found in at least comparable state in any number of other cities that would also offer more unique and interesting activities that DFW lacks.

The point about how the number and diversity of activities increases with population is a good one. However, aside from man-made lakes, this area cannot manufacture any natural scenery or real outdoorsy destinations. You have to go elsewhere to see even a hill (unless you're driving west on I-30 from downtown, hooray for that hilltop).

And again, if I have friends who are deciding between coming here to visit or going to Chicago/NY/FL/CA/DC/CO/WA/OR or even San Antonio, I have a hard time convincing them that they'll do anything of interest here besides visit friends and maybe get some good authentic Mexican food.

Fair point, but what was listed as things to be done in Chicago/DC -- pubs, shopping, restaurants, museums -- are also things that exist in every city in America as well, including Dallas/Fort Worth. What makes DC distinct is its history and global importance as our capital. One of the many things that makes Chicago great is its phenomenal architecture. But those seemed to be side issues in most of the criteria brought up here.

As for the Sixth Floor Museum/Dealey Plaza, apparently lots of people want to go there as it's one of the most visited sites in the state. And, yes, Chicago has the lake but I'm not sure how many people go to The Windy City for natural beauty. It's pretty flat around that part of Illinois too.

[grindin]

As one of the larger metro areas in the country, sure there will be more to do in D/FW than in say Little Rock or Shreveport, but to me, it's not about quantity, it's about quality. What are the interests of the people in an area?

On paper, Phoenix is a larger city and metro area than Tampa, FL, but I found Tampa, more interesting and with more things to do...Great mueseums and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, great historical sites,, great theme parks (Busch Gardens > any Six Flags park). Charming little towns, etc., etc. There were some great places that were nearby that were good to get away from the daily grind. I thought Phoenix was a giant, dusty suburb. There were things to do there, but it was just, blah.

I don't know if comparing DC to D/FW is a fair comparison because of the fact that DC is the US capital, and the historical nature of attractions in the city and the surrounding region make it unique compared to other cities. Atlanta would be a better comparison - regional destination, but it's smaller city/metro than D/FW, but it packs a wallop equal to D/FW in many aspects, (but weaker in others). Because of it's history with the Civil War and the Civil Rights movement, there are going to be attractions and events that are unique to Atlanta for visitors and locals alike. However, Atl has its shortcomings like any other city when it comes to things to do for locals.


Also, what about proximity to surrounding destinations that locals can do? What about nearby nature attractions? From a geographical point of view, I can easily name several cities that outshine Dallas in that aspect. Does it make Dallas any less of a city compared to them? Of course not, but there are people out there who feel that proximity to nature and other areas to get away from the daily grind is important. If I lived in a city by the ocean, you have the beach. If I live in a city close to the mountains, they would be close enough for me to utilize their attractions. For example, DC is close enough to the mountains and the ocean, and the cities of the NE corridor for a quick getaway. Not to mention the historical attractions in Charlottesville, Richmond, Williamsburg, etc. Atlanta is farther from the beaches, but the mountains are practically in their backyard, and you have unique cities such as Savannah or Charleston that are great for weekend getaways.

Dallas, OTOH is in the middle of a prairie with few significant features. The beaches and mountains are relatively farther away compared to other cities. I am a beach bum when I'm not working, so the artificial lakes are no substitute for an ocean for me, and God forbid if there is a drought (*cough* Lake Lanier near ATL*cough*), those lakes won't be looking as fun! As for daytrips, I have no need to go to OKC or Waco or even Austin for that matter. Houston is close enough city for a daytrip, but I don't picture myself going there too often (I know many Dallasites seem to hate the place, but they aren't that different to me, YMMV).


I think that it all boils down to personal preference in what you're looking for in a city. That being said, if you're in a city of 6.5 million people and can't find anything to do, then I don't know what to say. In a metro area of that size, there has got to be something that fits your niche. In the city that I live in, I learned really quickly that you have to look out for activities, they just aren't going to fall in your lap. And as an air hub, you can fly to practically anywhere you feel is a more interesting destination.

[zatires]

What is funny is one person gives examples of much more stuff to do in DC, NY and Chicago compared to Dallas, and those who defend Dallas went out and said you can do this in Fort Worth, or see the ranch in whatever city, or go to Addison, Richardson etc.

Knock knock!

When somebody says there is a lot more to do in DC, Chicago, they mean the city of DC, the city of Chicago. Last time I checked the Chinatown, Georgetown, Dupont Circle, Michigan Avenue etc are all in the city (Chicago, DC). Let's not compare NYC to Dallas at all.

Meanwhile the Dallas defenders keep giving examples of museums in Fort Worth, places in Addison etc. FW is like 30 miles away from Dallas, Addison is like 10-15 miles away. The example of the famous ranch is literally in the middle of nowhere.

That is the main issue with Dallas. As a city it does not have so much uniqueness to offer. It has lots of shopping, lots of malls (boring), lots of texmex restaurants, etc, but other than that, it just is a regular US city, that does not offer extra value in the fun factor.

If you want to go boat riding, you will need to drive miles and miles, if you need to go to an ethnic neighborhood, you need to drive a long distance again (there are three unique neighborhoods in DFW area, and they all offer nothing but food - Arlington and Vietnamese, Richardson and Chinese, Carrolton and Korean). And these neighborhoods are extremely small compared to NYC, Chicago, DC etc.

Yes there are museums in Dallas, the best one being the big Art Museum, but even that is not a very significant one.

Thinking about the museum district in Houston (the city of Houston that is), and comparing that with Dallas. Well speaks of volume.

[aceplace]

You made some interesting points, Grindin. And yes, there are things that some other cities have that Dallas lacks. The opposite is true, of course. Dallas has things that many or most other cities lack.

It is true that speaking generically, other cities also have museums, zoos, interesting neighborhoods, places to eat and shop and see a live performance. But that's meaningless. By that false logic, you would only need to visit one city for its urban attractions. Should I skip the art museums in Boston because I've already seen the museums in San Francisco? The question is absurd... the museums in each city are different enough to make them all interesting.

Because of its size and internal rivalries, DFW has a much better selection of museums of various types than almost every other metro. Its 3 or 4 zoos are better than 95% of other USA metros. DFW can offer a better restaurant experience than any other metro, except for a handful of cities such as NYC and Chicago. The Dallas Summer Musicals organization has enough of a market to offer 16 roadshows, very unusual and atypical for American cities. Dallas has a vibrant and plentiful live theater season. When the Arts District performance halls are complete, wr'll have a performing arts district better than anything outside of Lincoln Center in NYC. Our sports outlets are basically better and more plentiful than almost every other metro.

By far, the vast majority of the American population lives in metros that are leaner and skimpier than DFW, and this is enough to thrill and entertain people who are used to such a more limited urban experience.

Things that are unique to DFW? Sure, there are enough to keep a visitor occupied. No problem. I entertained a foreign visitor from Belgium once, and later visited his home in Europe. He showed his family his movies of the things Dallas impressed him with... such as riding to the top of Reunion Tower, riding the McKinney Avenue Trolley, walking arouind the Crow Asian Art Museum. He got a real thrill over the West Village.

I know what you mean about driving to The Shenandoah mountains from DF, Grindin, I've done it myself. It's not that much more of an effort to drive to the Texas Hill Country from Dallas, or to the Arkansas mountains, or to West Texas, or to the Palo Duro Canyon, or the Caprock Canyon country.

In short, people in DFW don't have to manufacture excuses to demean the value of their metro, there are plenty of things here to attract and delight people... we just get a little familiar and jaded about it.

[aceplace]

Originally Posted by zatires

Yes there are museums in Dallas, the best one being the big Art Museum, but even that is not a very significant one.

Thinking about the museum district in Houston (the city of Houston that is), and comparing that with Dallas. Well speaks of volume.

DFW has a dozen good art museums, and several other art exhibition centers. It has nothing to apologize for.

The art museums are:

Dallas Museum of Art
Crow Asian Art Museum
Nasher Sculpture Center
African American Museum
Meadows Museum
MADI Museum
Biblical Arts Museum (under reconstruction)
Kimbell Art Museum
Amon Carter Museum
Fort Worth Modern Arts Museum
Sid Richardson Museum
Arlington Museum of Art

Someone from a smaller metro with, perhaps one art museum, or maybe 2 if they're lucky, will find DFW to be a pleasant experience.

Zatires, the purpose of a thread such as this one is to find interesting things for a visitor to do.

Its purpose is not to insult, demean, belittle, demoralize, harass or denigrate the DFW area as an interesting place to visit or live in. If you honestly feel the way you write, and are not just spouting hostility out of a perverted sense of malice, you might want to stay away from here.

[TrueDat]

Fair enough, Zatires, and I see your point. Dallas certainly isn't as dense as those cities you mention.

But I'm not sure all visitors are as aware of municipal boundaries. So, if you go to Los Angeles and visit Disneyland (not in the city nor same county), go to a taping of The Tonight Show (in Burbank), shop on Rodeo Drive or Third Street Promenade (Beverly Hills/Santa Monica) or just about all of the beaches (L.A. itself is actually landlocked, except for the strip down to San Pedro/Palos Verdes area and maybe Venice, which used to be unincorporated county area), have a meal in Little Saigon (Garden Grove) or Little India (Artesia), do you not consider yourself visiting Los Angeles and having the prototypical LA experience, even though to do so you will traverse as many miles (in much worse traffic) as you would in D-FW to see its attractions? If you go to Miami and visit South Beach, the Keys, and the Everglades -- all unique yet outside the city of Miami's boundaries -- is that not part of your Miami experience?

As for Houston, that city has been much more aggressive in annexing land so that its impressive New Chinatown -- way out west on Bellaire Blvd. -- can still be claimed by the city of Houston. But it's a long way from downtown or the arts district or the Galleria area. As with LA, Miami and Dallas, you'll drive some time to get there.

I'm just not sure it's fair to compare a denser, older city with Southern/Southwestern cities that came of age later in the 20th century. They're always going to come up short because the attractions do tend to be more far-flung, either within or outside the core city's boundaries.

[zatires]

Originally Posted by aceplace

DFW has a dozen good art museums, and several other art exhibition centers. It has nothing to apologize for.

The art museums are:

Dallas Museum of Art
Crow Asian Art Museum
Nasher Sculpture Center
African American Museum
Meadows Museum
MADI Museum
Biblical Arts Museum (under reconstruction)
Kimbell Art Museum
Amon Carter Museum
Fort Worth Modern Arts Museum
Sid Richardson Museum
Arlington Museum of Art

Someone from a smaller metro with, perhaps one art museum, or maybe 2 if they're lucky, will find DFW to be a pleasant experience.

Of the list you provided 5 of them are not in Dallas! I don't want to drive 40 miles to see a museum, and drive 40 miles back. It is about city specific, not metro specific.

On the other hand in Museum District of Houston you will find at least 10-15 museums within short distance of each other.

If you have ever been there, you can actually spend the whole day in the district, walking to different museums, you will not necessarily need a car, because everything is very close by. If you don't want to walk, you can take the light rail to the museums (which Houston is years behind of Dallas in rail system, sad but true).

Does Dallas have such environment where you don't need to worry about driving all the time, finding parking etc, but can spend the whole day seeing different museums? Especially there are like 5 really good museums that are FREE and others offering free admissions in specific times.

You will not even spend money to see the great museums. Where do you find that in Dallas?

[TrueDat]

Houston's museum district is impressive, no question. It's something of which H-town should be proud.

But if you visit Fair Park, you can take in the African-American Museum, the Women's Museum, and the Museum of Nature and Science. Supposedly coming next year is the Texas Music Museum. All within walking distance of each other. As for Fort Worth, the Kimbell, Amon Carter, the Modern, and Cowgirl Hall of Fame are all together.