Dallas scouting trip (McKinney, Greenville, Katy: renting, safe area, shop)

[Upstateanddown]

I'll be in town the weekend of May 22 to do a scouting trip . I was wondering on where you recommend I stay or go about planning an itinerary on things I wanted to see and do .

I would like to stay downtown so I can walk around to all the bars and see the Dallas nightlife but be In a safe area .

I also would like to check out white rock lake , Katy trail , klyde warren , Dallas zoo and jfk spot, the ball tower ?and wouldn't mind heading out to take pics of cowboys stadium or a tour ?

I would like to avoid renting a car if it was possible to walk and dart to all the things I wanted to see , not sure if they are all downtown ? Obviously cowboy stadium I would need a car I have been there a few times for games .

What's the best way to go about planning this trip .

After the sights I would like to walk the downtown and bar hop and try some great eateries

[TurtleCreek80]

I would stay at the Sheraton downtown, or the Joule on Main Street if you want to splurge. The Sheraton is in the nicer part of downtown, close to DART stations as well as the end of the McKinney Avenue Trolley. You can easily walk / trolley/ uber into Uptown (most bars are on McKinney Ave between Maple and Lemmon) or walk under I-45 to Deep Ellum (preferably during the day). There are a few bars downtown but not nearly as much nightlife as in Uptown or Lower Greenville. You'll need to uber to access White Rock Lake, Lower Greenville, or Bishop Arts District.

I would skip the Dallas Zoo - visiting it won't help you much on a scouting trip. If you want culture or a good activity, check out the Perot Museum, DMA, or the Nasher Sculpture Garden & Museum. All are located downtown. Cowboy Stadium not worth it since you've already been there for a game and you'd need to cab it out there (no public transit options). You can see Reunion Tower from the highway, not worth it IMO. If you want to get a nice view from high up, I believe the Chase building has a sky lobby that is open to the public. It's just a few blocks from the Sheraton.

The big event that weekend is the final rounds of the Byron Nelson golf tournament. It's at the Four Seasons golf course in Las Colinas. Huge party & fun event if you can find a ticket.

[WorldKlas]

You might also stay at The Highland near SMU. its walkable to Katy Trail, Knox Henderson and easy hop on DART rail to everywhere.