24 Hours in Dallas, Texas

Dallas, TX is home to both American Airlines and Southwest Airlines. The first piece of information to note is that there are two airports located in the DFW (Dallas Fort Worth) area. American Airlines hub is located at DFW airport which is in-between Dallas and Fort Worth. American Airlines alone has 900+ departures each day! While that is a lot of flights, keep in mind that there are also lots of American Airlines non-revs. The best thing to do is frequently request staff traveler information as loads to change rapidly! However, most American based non-revs are leaving DFW on Friday and returning on Sunday so residents of other cities may have better luck as your travel pattern is opposite of them. DFW has a light rail located outside of security in the A terminal and it will take you to downtown Dallas. Making many stops along the way (See transportation section below for more info).
Next, we have Dallas-Love Field (DAL). This airport has only 20 gates but is a powerhouse for Southwest Airlines. Located right next to their HQ, they have 100+ flights a day, including 20 to Houston Hobby (HOU). While Southwest controls 18 of the gates, Alaska Airlines owns the other 2 spots. Much like American at DFW, the nonrev game is harder leaving Love Field on Friday and returning on Sunday. This airport is closer to Downtown Dallas. If arriving from DAL airport, a quick Uber ride is your best option as there is no rail service directly at this airport.
Whichever airport you choose, try to commit to one or the other. They are about 30-40 minutes from each other with traffic on a normal day. Dallas Love Field is easier to navigate and security wait times are minimal, but DFW airport has a plethora of options to and from.

Dallas has a light rail system called the DART.  Tickets can be bought at each station or online through the “GO Pass” app.  Tickets range from $2-$5 depending on the time frame that you want.

PRO TIP: Bring your student ID (college or under) and receive a discount.  The DART is not the cleanest transportation, but it is efficient. Click here for the DART route map as well as times.  Please note that weekend times are different from weekday. Like many forms of public transportation, taking after 10pm is not advisable in this city.  Uber/Lyft’s are abundant throughout and normally cheap. 

Although in Texas, Dallas itself does not feel very western. It is more known for its outside bars and Instagram-able drinks. To keep your Instagram game on par, I’ll recommend a few different bars/restaurants.
Katy Trail Icehouse is my personal favorite spot in Dallas. It is all outside and features a huge outdoor patio with tons of lights and TVs. In the wintertime, they bring out a lot of heaters so it is never too cold to be at the Ice House. They serve Margarita sized glasses of beer for around $6 (that is a great deal in Dallas). Also featured at the Icehouse is a ton of doggos! The Ice House is located right on the Katy Trail, which is a 28-mile bike/walk trail throughout the city. Many locals stop to grab a drink here while on their evening exercise. You have to visit yourself to experience the ambiance of the Ice House!

PRO TIP: If you have a car, they have free valet service. I always just bring a dollar or two for a tip and away you go.

The Rustic is another spot in the Uptown area with live bands and corn hole. They have a large bar and well, a very rustic feel. The outside is covered in hay (Finally Texas) with a good-sized stage and lots of places to sit. It is built on a hill so there are many viewing spots when bands are playing. There is no cover here at night, but please be advised drinks are expensive. If you are lucky you will see a celebrity as many frequent this bar! Check out Demi Lovato’s Instagram.