| Dallas At a Glance Best Time to Go
Spring and fall are ideal seasons to visit Dallas. Not only are these great times to visit
weatherwise, but it's also peak festival season during this time. Dallas, known for its
severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, is best visited before the summer months.
Average Weather
Summer is hot, as you can imagine. Usually, the summer brings with it severe thunderstorms
and oftentimes tornadoes. It doesn't get extremely cold in the winters, although warm
clothing is still suggested during this time of year. Spring and fall display moderate
temperatures, although late spring, it starts heating up quite a bit.
Transportation
Like most major cities, Dallas is connected by a dozen or so major highways, making it
easy to get to various parts of the city. However, don't try maneuvering your way around
during rush hour - a terrible time for driving. It's more convenient to have your own car
in Dallas, whether your's or a rental car. As far as public transportation, this isn't the
most efficient. Greyhound buses travel between Dallas and surrounding cities, including
Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, San Antonion and El Paso.
DART is the local public transportation system. It's served by both buses and rail
trains that hit downtown Dallas and some outlying areas. And, of course, there are always
big yellow taxis.
In-Season Costs
Dallas is a reasonable place to visit, as far as costs. Of course there are some places
that are more extravagant than others, but for the most part, it won't break the bank.
Day Trips
It's just 30 minutes from Dallas to Fort Worth. What was once the center of the ranching
industry is now mostly an entertainment and shopping district, though a bit of cattle
business still takes place. Known as 'Wall Street of the West,' the Fort Worth Livestock
Exchange includes a museum of photos and memorabilia from the heyday of Fort Worth's
cattle industry. And Sundance Square, a 14-block area, is one of the most vibrant downtown
districts in Texas.
- Arlington: Here you'll find one of the oldest theme parks, Six Flags Over Texas. The
park is roughly a 20-minute drive from downtown Dallas and is home to the tallest and
fastest roller coaster in Texas.
- Is there really a South Fork Ranch? If you were (or still are) a Dallas fanatic,
take a trip to the actual ranch where the series was filmed. This ranch was in business
for eight years before it became the TV show's official home. Parker is 20 miles northeast
of Dallas via Hwy 75.
- And don't forget a day trip to Austin if you have the time. With a boatload of
superlatives under its belt, this Live Music Capital of the World is sure to please the
entire family. Austin is roughly three hours from Dallas.
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