4 days between meetings - DFW or San Diego

[GCC]

I have a USA trip in August for 2 conventions , 1 in San Diego from 2/8 - 6/8 and one in DFW from 11/8 - 14/8, then home.

I haven't been to either place, and am looking for tips on how to spend the days in between meetings. Currently my flight is booked to DFW on 9/8 to give me a bit of time in each place , but I'd welcome any other suggestions. Don't particulary want to go flying around on additional flights while there, but would be very open to short road trip ideas.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Leumas]

I'd think there's plenty to do in San Diego to occupy you for 2-3 days... You can even pop down to Mexico if you're keen. Not much at DFW - right in between Dallas and Fort Worth...

 

[drron]

Really depends on what you like.There are plenty of things to do around dallas or if a not too long drive San antonio is not a bad place.
when last in San Diego we went to the baseball and enjoyed it immensely-the Padres are playing the Cubs on august6,7,8.See if you can join their Frequent Friars Club!
The Texas rangers are playing at home on august 10 too.
In San Diego the attractions include the Zoo and the Midway-both worth it.
In San Antonio it is of course the Alamo.You can visit LBJ's Presidential library in Austin on the way to or from San Antonio.

One of the sites i use to see what's on is www.eventful.com
just put in the place you are visiting and the dates.

 

[Fantic125]

In San Diego I would also suggest catching the ferry over to Coronado Island and having a bit of a look around there. Alternatively if you have a car drive over the bridge.
The Gaslamp quarter can be entertaining in the evening. If there's a football game playing then the Gaslamp Tavern is a nice place to sit, have a beer or two and watch some of the game. The Yardhouse is also good and has a hundred or so different beers on tap.
The Fishmarket Restaurant on the foreshore is a nice place for a meal also.

If you feel slightly adventurous, head down to Tijuana (catch the trolley from Sante Fe station) and then cross the border. Turn right after the border and you will get to Revolution Avenue fairly easily. On the US side ( to the right of the border crossing) there is a large shopping centre of various outlet stores. Prices are pretty good. It's a 5 minute walk from the border crossing to the centre, so keep that in mind if you intend buying lots.

 

[ReLoad]

DFW is awesome, definatley go there.
Highlights;
Arlington, go watch the rangers play, the best show in MLB, next door is cowboys stadium, take the tour, it will blow you away.
Book depository, check out the JFK site, for a USA propaganda machine it's actually really cool, they even have all the conspiracy stuff too!
Also don't be afraid to rent a car and drive to south fork.

San Diego is cool too, so either way I think you are in for a winner, it's not like you are stuck in the falkland islands.

 

[Ewing]

Arlington, go watch the rangers play, the best show in MLB, next door is cowboys stadium, take the tour, it will blow you away.

I'll second that.

Having never watched MLB before I wasn't sure what to expect, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I got to watch them play the Cleveland Indians, and was there for the hall of fame induction for Kenny Rogers (not that it meant much to me, but it seemed like a significant ceremony).

I only spent one night in the DFW area, and went to San Diego straight after. San Diego was a pretty awesome city, but alas I was there for a conference (accompanied by my industry's trademark of drinking in the evening) so didn't get to see a lot of the sites - hopefully I'll make it back there with more time to be a "tourist".

 

[AVC]

San Diego -

USS Midway
Air and Space Museum (kinda small, not on par with Florida)
If you like theme parks: Lego land (bit of a drive north) or Seaworld
If you like zoos: San Diego zoo, or the Safari Park
Trip to Tijuana.

If you're planning on seeing a few different things get your tickets in advance via the Sandiego GO card, you'l save about 25%

 

[NM]

I would split the time, probably 3 days in southern California and 1 day in DFW area, or maybe 2 days in each.

But it really depends on what you want to do/see and if you are going to have a vehicle available. Anything around DFW area is likely to need a car. If you are into things like theme parks, then stay in southern California. If you want shopping outlets then probably DFW area.

 

[UP4014]

I'd hire a car drive between the two, stopping off on the way in Tucson for some plane spotting.
The museum Home : Pima Air & Space Museum : Tucson, Arizona operates bone yard tours as well at the local storage facility, the 309th Areospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group.

It would be a relatively easy drive in that time, swooping in and out close to the Mexican boarder, could also visit Tombstone and the OK Corral.

Matt

 

[drron]

And 1 thing I forgot-in DFW go to the C R Smith museum-
http://www.aa.com/i18n/aboutUs/airlineMuseum/airlineMuseum.jsp?anchorEvent=false&from=Nav

 

[GCC]

Thanks for the ideas. The convention is at the Dallas Convention Centre.

Baseball game is a great idea. So is a road trip between San Diego - Dallas, don't know why I didn't think of it. I've driven Toronto - NYC, New Orleans - Memphis, and San Fran - LA via both highway 1 & Yosemite, but never done the south west states - always wanted to see monument valley, etc.

They just ticketed the flights yesterday (I got a great deal SYD -LAX in QF Y+ through the 3 days GP sale, and excellent pricing on internal AA flights in full Y), but I'll start looking at the road trip options.

 

[TimB]

Baseball game is a great idea. So is a road trip between San Diego - Dallas, don't know why I didn't think of it. I've driven Toronto - NYC, New Orleans - Memphis, and San Fran - LA via both highway 1 & Yosemite, but never done the south west states - always wanted to see monument valley, etc.

That's a pretty long road trip to be attempting in only four days -- Google Maps puts it around 22 hours taking the shortest route.

If you want to see Monument Valley (and Grand Canyon -- assuming you haven't already), I suggest a combined fly/road trip. E.g. Fly to Las Vegas, hire a car and drive past Hoover Dam to Grand Canyon (South Rim), onto Monument Valley, and then to Albuquerque, and then fly to Dallas. That's just over 14 hours of driving, and should leave enough time to actually see something at these places. For example at Monument Valley, you need to allow a morning or afternoon to do a guided tour that takes you in between the buttes, rather than just seeing them from a distance.

Also, it'll be pretty hot in August, so you might want to allow time to rest in the hottest part of the day.

 

[UP4014]

That's a pretty long road trip to be attempting in only four days -- Google Maps puts it around 22 hours taking the shortest route.

Also, it'll be pretty hot in August, so you might want to allow time to rest in the hottest part of the day.

You do one big day say 10 hours and then there is plenty of time to poke around.

And watch out for the rattlers!

Matt

 

[GCC]

Hi again

Just wondering if anyone has:

• been to a convention at the Dallas Convention Centre and has any feedback
• and/or has stayed at the Hilton Anatole Dallas
• and/or could recommend a good hotel for a solo Aussie convention goer?

I prefer Hilton group hotels as I have HH diamond, also have SPG Gold via my Amex Plat card.

cheers

 

[TimB]

Just wondering if anyone has:

• been to a convention at the Dallas Convention Centre and has any feedback
• and/or has stayed at the Hilton Anatole Dallas
• and/or could recommend a good hotel for a solo Aussie convention goer?

I prefer Hilton group hotels as I have HH diamond, also have SPG Gold via my Amex Plat card.

The Dallas Convention Center is huge - make sure you have comfortable shoes, because it's a 10 minute walk from one end to the other.


I walked there from my hotel, because it wasn't far, but be aware that you won't see many fellow walkers. I thought it was strange that there were buses put on from the various conference hotels to the Convention Center, but then I found out that almost nobody walks in Dallas. I think it's probably fairly safe to walk during the day, but probably best avoided at night unless you're with a group.


I stayed in the Hampton Inn, which was fine. (This was back in 2006, I think.) The complementary breakfast is good, particularly if you're by yourself.

 

[kaz]

DFW is awesome, definatley go there.
Highlights;
Arlington, go watch the rangers play, the best show in MLB, next door is cowboys stadium, take the tour, it will blow you away.

Hi Reload

I'll be in DFW in a few months and saw your post on doing a tour of the stadium, which I thought would be interesting to do myself.

Would tour would you recommend / did you do ? As per their website they offer either the VIP Guided tour or the Self Guided tour.

 

[ReLoad]

Hi Reload

I'll be in DFW in a few months and saw your post on doing a tour of the stadium, which I thought would be interesting to do myself.

Would tour would you recommend / did you do ? As per their website they offer either the VIP Guided tour or the Self Guided tour.

Defiantly do the guided your, you get to go to extra places too (cheerleaders change rooms anyone!) plus they give you at football to play with on the field at the end etc.

It's a very surreal place to be honest, but if you are into sports then it is a must see.

Also even if you are not into baseball watch the Texas rangers play there next door, it is also way cool!

 

[kaz]

Defiantly do the guided your, you get to go to extra places too (cheerleaders change rooms anyone!) plus they give you at football to play with on the field at the end etc.

It's a very surreal place to be honest, but if you are into sports then it is a must see.

Also even if you are not into baseball watch the Texas rangers play there next door, it is also way cool!

Great thanks for the info. I'll make sure to do the guided tour.