Dallas/Ft. Worth is not JR Ewing Country

Since Dallas/Ft. Worth has become a large metroplex over the last two decades, many activities are available to all.

Any type of sporting event from Six Flags to Art Museums, everything is available. Plus, don't forget the food.

Quick Tips:

Avoid visiting in July and August as these are the hottest two months. I recommend May, June, September, and October as usually the weather is comfortable in the day and cool in the evening.

Best Way To Get Around:

You will need a car. Taxis are not what they are in other cities, but DART has been working to provide better means of transportation, but I still recommend a car.

This Embassy Suites is an older hotel, but it still is a pleasant stay. It is located central to the entire Metorplex, which allows for all attractions to be accessable.

The living rooms are small and the bathroom is located off the bedroom so it not easily accessable by those sleeping in the living room. We stayed a room that had two double beds as I was staying with my father.

The hotel offers an indoor swimming pool and exercise room. Other amenities include Atrium, free parking, complimentary newspaper, gift shop, room service, guest laundry, express checkout, and wheelchair accommodations. The breakfast is not a typical continental breakfast, but they also provide cook to order services so pancakes, french toast and omelets are also available.

Eating on top of Dallas? Okay, so it isn't on top of Dallas, but it is in the ball that is a famous scene in the Dallas Skyline.

The food is good, not excellent, but the skyline view makes it all worthwhile. It rotates while you eat so you can see in all directions. If you eat early enough, you might see some window washers outside as well. They do offer a Sunday brunch, which provides great food then. I do not recommend really young children, but pre-teen to teenagers would appreciate the atmosphere. Also, if you want to take someone special out on the town, this is definitely different.

On the second floor is a lounge where you can relax if you just want cocktails before you go out on the town. It is right next door to Reunion Arena and pretty close to West End/Deep Ellem if you want some night action.

Fast, friendly, and tasty. These are the three best adjectives to describe this El Fenix (in fact all belong under this category). They produce their own salsa and chips, which I actually ship to my home in California because I like it so much.

Among the "oldest Tex-Mex" eateries in town, this ubiquitous chain is a "reliable" purveyor of affordable border-fare quick fixes served by a great staff. Every Wednesday, the enchilada dinners are 1/2 price. These enchiladas are fabulous. This dinner costs $3.95.

However, don't just stop with the enchiladas. I also like their cheese soft tacos, their nachos, and their specialty platters which mix and match different foods.

Over the last few years they have been expanding. They use to only be found in North Dallas or downtown, but now you find them in south and east dallas and in Arlington too. They have decorated these restaurants with traditional mexican flare with bright colors and such around. The wait staff has also always been pleasant.

Mention Joe T. Garcia's to any native and he'll start giving you directions to the place before you even roll out the "Ga" for Garcia. This Mexican eatery has earned its "best of" mentions throughout the years with its Tex-Mex offerings, charming old-house appeal and fiesta garden patio. When Mr. Garcia started his biz in 1935, he welcomed diners into what was his home, meaning you helped yourself to beer in the fridge while Joe did the cooking. Several decades and expansions later, we're talking about a temple to Tex-Mex that covers nearly half a city block.

There still isn't a menu. You can have enchiladas or fajitas. Each meal comes with all you can eat guacamole, beans, rice, and chips and salsa. You also get 2 nachos (cheese or bean/cheese). It is served family style so you get platters of food. It is very busy on the weekends and during the Ft. Worth Stock Show in February as it is only a few blocks from Billy Bob's.

It can be loud so if you want a romantic setting, this is not the place, but if you want fun and good food, this is definitely the place to eat.

What use to be an old Hippie house has now become a great place to eat. The main course includes meat loaf, pot roast, salmon, and chicken. Each meal comes with unlimited vegetables of the day and salad.

Most rooms in which you eat only a few tables so it does not get too loud so you can enjoy everyone's company. There is also a full service bar and patio if you care to drink alcohol or dine outdoors (most do not during the summer).

It is a very good experience that will leave everyone filled including the picky eaters.

For a night out with a date or friends, you can come here for dancing, drinking, playing pool, and sometimes even concerts.

Every Sunday, Monday and Thursday night they offer dance lessons that are free (you do have to pay a cover charge.) The instructor is young and perky, but very good at what she does.

The dance floor is not that big is the only down fall, there is more places to sit/stand and watch beside the dance floor though. Once you start coming and meeting people, you will find they all frequent the same locations.

On Sunday night, all drinks are $2.00 all night long. This includes mixed drinks and bottles.

The Dallas Farmer's Market covers four city blocks. Farmers come from all over the Southwest to sell their goods (and for reasonable pricese too.)

During the late spring and summer, you will find the place packed on the weekends as parents bring their children down here to buy fruit for the week. As a child, it was a weekly trip during May and June.

I recommend you walk the different buildings first before you start to buy. Each vendor prices their goods differently. One may sell a flat of strawberries for $10.00 and others sell them for $8.00. And they both look the same.

Ask to try a piece if you question whether it is good or not. Also bring plenty of cash as credit cards and checks are not accepted by most vendors.

The Ballpark in Arlington is such a neat experience for people of all ages. The view of the outside of the park, and the atmosphere on the inside, makes the park one place everyone enjoys.

Because of the heat in Texas, there are only evening ballgames from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Plan on arriving at the park at least one to one and a half hours early so everyone can enjoy batting practice.

The last game I saw, ex-Navy Seals parachuted into the park before the game. This was awesome to see.

If you do not want to spend money on food, bring it with you but be prepared to have your bags searched. However, if you want to splurge, the $4.00 Nachos are good as well as the Fried catfish and chicken nuggets they sell now. It is hot outside so how about ice cream in a small helmet?