What is there to do in Dallas. (Houston, Carrollton: homes, theater)

[UIHawk]

Is there as much to do in Dallas other than shopping and fancy restaurants? Is the heat and humidity much worse in Houston? Is there any value to living near the Gulf like beaches? For those who live in the League City area, do people go to the beach on the weekends or is that over-rated? Wondering if all this and the Houston area is worth the commute. Head says Dallas but heart says Houston. Thoughts?

[Macbeth2003]

Lots to do in Dallas. Just depends what you are into. Looking for Scenic stuff? Check out White Rock Lake. An Entire Lake in the heart of the city. Quiet because motorboats aren't allowed just rowboats and sailing. Great birdwatching including pelicans. Bike trail, picnicking, etc. More into gardens for your scenery? Pop right next door o the amazing Dallas Arboretum. Like to look around, but not into "nature?" Go down to Fair Park, and see the incredible art deco buildings. If there at the right time you can check out the state fair, or North Texas Irish festival. If not maybe pop into The Museum of Nature and Science, or see a play in the Magnolia Lounge. Where Margo Jones opened the first major regional Theatre in 1947 and Nouveau 47 has finally turned it back into a Theatre producing new and classic works. And if Theatre is your thing also go to The Undermain in Deep Ellum, or a Dallas Theater Center show at The Wyly in the Arts District.
If sports is more your bag, the national major franchises are well known, but check out one of our rugby teams. Like the Quins. I really recommend one of their grudge matches with the Dallas Reds.

And this is just for starters.

[Squirl]

Do something outside because we have a really, really tiny window here to enjoy the weather.

[jennifw]

As a Houston native who has lived in Dallas for 8 years, the weather is actually quite different. The humidity in Houston is TONS worse. Family and I go back down to Houston now and wonder how in the world we every managed it since we really thought Houston & Dallas would be about the same. Dallas gets higher temps in the summer, but it really is a dry-er heat.

For the beach, my husband grew up in the Clear Lake/League City area. As a high-schooler, they were at the beach almost every weekend. Several of his friends had jobs down in Galveston for the summer. Several of them still live in the area and don't go to the beach any more frequently that we do - 4+ hours away. Life just gets in the way. Once you have a house, yardwork, soccer games, etc. there just isn't as much time to spend the day at the beach.

Where is your job? Is that a factor in Houston vs. Dallas? Good luck!

[artsyguy]

Dallas has a lot of festivals: CityArts Festival at Dallas, WorldFest, Shakespeare in the Park, New Years Eve Party at the American Airlines Center, Oaklawn Halloween Block Party, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, Richardson Wildflower Music and Arts Festival, CottonWood Arts Festival, Gay Pride Parade, Greek Festival, Oktoberfest, etc.

The West End, The West Village, and NorthPark Shopping center are fantastic shopping areas.

Dragon street has all of the high end contemporary art spaces, art studios, and art galleries you will ever need. Free art parties are every six weeks. Get on their email list to get invited.

Deep Ellum features all of the grungy rock, blues, and electronic bands and arts and nightclubs.

The Dallas Contemporary and The MAC are very amazing contemporary museums. Both throw amazing parties.

Dallas World Aquarium is fun for all ages.

Most of the hip restaurants and bars are on McKinney street and Henderson in Dallas, Texas and Beltline road in Addison, Texas.

If you are cool with the gay scene then you can take a trip to one of their techno clubs on cedar springs.

The weather is stuffy in the summer and in February it snows and freezes for a week.

Cedar Hill State Park is a hilly hiking and biking area.

White rock lake is a major cyclist haven. Art and theater shows are also presented in their Bathhouse Center.

[MurphyPl1]

Spelling bees.

[Lakewooder]

Originally Posted by Macbeth2003

see a play in the Magnolia Lounge. Where Margo Jones opened the first major regional Theatre in 1947 and Nouveau 47 has finally turned it back into a Theatre producing new and classic works..

I did not know about this, thanks for the info. We just won't say your name in there (theater joke).

Sweet Tornado: Margo Jones and the American Theater

[Macbeth2003]

Originally Posted by Lakewooder

I did not know about this, thanks for the info. We just won't say your name in there (theater joke).

Sweet Tornado: Margo Jones and the American Theater

Actually I have no belief in the Macbeth superstition (or that all theaters are haunted, or any other theatre superstition.) One of my best friends owned the Dallas Hub Theatre, and is very superstitious. I used to drive him crazy when I would direct there by walking under ladders while yelling Macbeth. I once got 1/2 the cast of Othello to yell "MACBETH" as he walked in.

[UIHawk]

Definitely leaning towards Dallas. We won't be living in the northern suburbs but we won't be living in central Dallas either, considering Richardson and Farmers Branch-Carrollton area. Looks like the alleys take some getting used to and everyone parks on whatever side of the street. Also looks like 5 out of 10 homes have pools. Is a pool a must-have?

Greatly appreciate everyones comments. Keep it coming please!

[loves2read]

the question everyone will ask is where are you working--
Dallas is large and Houston frankly has a better road system for commuting even if the numbers of drivers fill the roads most of the time

my experience as a non-pool person is "it depends"---some people love them and spend time in them daily when weather allows
some people use them mainly when kids are smaller and at home more--when the kids get driving age then pool use falls off

don't sacrifice a backyard just to get a pool--and there are some homes where that IS the only thing in the backyard--

older homes with older pools are always a more serious consideration than older home w/o pool

pools ARE expensive to maintain and because of the need to run pool systems for long periods of time can add to your electric bill as well as your water bill--since you need to replace pool water that evaporates