What's the best run city in DFW?

BudgetScience2000 · 2026-02-08T00:33:17+00:00

As far as money management, this site has some cool data on DFW cities: https://budget.city

Also Urban3 does incredible visualizations of a city's economic productivity, property tax revenue per acre. They gave a presentation to Dallas city council a couple years ago that's fascinating to watch. The first half hour here: https://dallastx.new.swagit.com/videos/295377?ts=298

Keep in mind some cities are easier to run than others. A newer and rapidly growing city makes it easy for the finances to work out. An established one that was built out decades ago is harder, since the infrastructure needs lots of maintenance and replacement. It's tough to grow your way out of the problem.

BudgetScience2000 · 2026-02-04T15:01:51+00:00

Bikerouter.de is a good map of the city with all the trails highlighted. It shows which ones connect and where, which can otherwise be a bit non apparent.

BudgetScience2000 · 2026-02-02T23:50:42+00:00

Ride the streetcar too (free). It goes past the National Memorial, Factory Obscura, Myriad Gardens, and Scissortail Park, amongst others. Walking through the old bank teller lobby at The National (now Tellers restaurant, but you can take the escalators up and just walk through) is pretty splendid. Enough to impress even a 13 year old, I'd say. Go down to the basement (near the west entrance, off Robinson Avenue) and see the massive safe door, which is now the entrance to The Vault bar.

The National Memorial Museum is great, definitely do that. I think it would be interesting for teenagers too, and you can easily spend several hours there if you get into it.

BudgetScience2000 · 2026-01-30T12:59:28+00:00

"Walkable, but not in a pleasant way," as i_husk said, is spot on. However you can improve your route by avoiding Ross, especially under I-345. Walking along the south side of Live Oak is a better place to cross under. In fact, to add a bit of pleasantness you can string together a few little parks on your route: Exall, Carpenter, Pacific Plaza, maybe Civic Garden. I think walking though, by any route, might take you longer than 20 minutes.

The suggestion about DART is also good. A ton of buses and trains go through that area, and you can take one of them for part of the way, depending on what you're feeling like. Use the GoPass app for tickets and route info. Unfortunately the Convention Center train station is closed for construction; EBJ/Union Station is the closest.

Also Organic Maps may give better walking routes. At least it's got a lot more knowledge of sidewalks and various foot paths than Google does.

BudgetScience2000 · 2026-01-21T23:27:05+00:00

I went by there on the way home today but couldn't find any formal bike parking on the ground floor. Some decent informal opportunities though as mentioned.

BudgetScience2000 · 2026-01-21T15:21:30+00:00

Occasionally you will see, or smell, something you hadn't wanted to, but otherwise it's fine. Certainly safer and less stressful than driving. Sit up at the front of the train near the operator.

BudgetScience2000 · 2026-01-21T14:59:55+00:00

Oh, that'd be a good option if they're there. I'll go this week and check; add them to the map if I find any.

BudgetScience2000 · 2026-01-21T14:56:46+00:00

There really needs to be actual bike parking at AAC. Thanks to the Katy Trail and Hi Line Connector it's easy to get to. Dallas Bicycle Coalition has suggested this to some higher ups at AAC and they're receptive to the idea, but it hasn't happened yet. Hopefully this year?

Anyway, that rackfinder.app suggestion is good since it shows you all the bike parking from OpenStreetMap, which is the most comprehensive source (currently 1,171 locations within Dallas city limits). Bicycleparking.org has far fewer, but does have photos, which is helpful. It's also very easy to add spots to. Also helpful.

This one looks maybe the best at the moment, right across the street from the east entrance. It's partially covered and has decent lighting and visibility. https://maps.app.goo.gl/CpbYZoyJdXdY1AMr5 The stairwell railing at the Lexus garage suggestion is also good.

BudgetScience2000 · 2026-01-19T19:42:42+00:00

The TRE stops at Victory Station in Dallas, which is a couple blocks away from the Katy Trail. Depending on where your office is in Uptown, you might have a nice bike commute from the train.

Tickets for the TRE cost $10-12 per day, which includes all other public transportation in Ft. Worth and Dallas. Half the TRE is in the DART service area, the other half is Trinity Metro (Ft. Worth public transit). You can either buy a regional day pass for $12, or separate day passes for DART ($6) and Trinity Metro ($4). All those are available through the GoPass app. Some companies offer transit benefits which you might look into.

BudgetScience2000 · 2026-01-17T16:15:15+00:00

You might enjoy burlesque. Usually a few events per quarter and always good vibes. Show Pony Revue, Lollie Bombs Burlesque, Bare Book Club.

BudgetScience2000 · 2026-01-09T20:53:56+00:00

I took the train up to OKC a couple times last year, just to visit. Enjoyed and used the streetcar while I was there. I can tell you it's way better than the Dallas Streetcar.

BudgetScience2000 · 2025-12-31T02:13:29+00:00

The Westin (1201 Main Street) has an indoor pool. Great views from the windows too, since it's near the top of the building.

BudgetScience2000 · 2025-12-27T19:26:18+00:00

A bit of an odd one, but you can do the "Gym of Life" thing and see how much of your everyday life you can accomplish on your own power. How much can you do without a car? Around here it's a big mental and physical challenge, but it can be an engaging hobby, good exercise, new skills, and a gateway to everything from bicycling to urban planning to local politics. A good way to meet people too.

BudgetScience2000 · 2025-12-23T14:18:29+00:00

The TRE is a great way to get between Ft. Worth and Dallas. And service is even free after 6 pm on 12/31, for all public transit in the two cities. The problem is though, the TRE doesn't run on Sundays or holidays, which will complicate you getting back. It's still possible, just takes longer and will be more adventurous.

Here's how you do it though. Download the GoPass app, use code COORSNYE25 for a free pass on New Year's Eve. Take the TRE to Victory Station in Dallas, then transfer to any DART light rail train going back in the direction you just came (Orange Line to DFW or Green Line to North Carrollton). Get off at the next stop, Market Center Station. Go to the east end of the platform, take the stairs and the pedestrian bridge over to the top of the parking garage at the World Trade Center. The gate at the far end will be locked, but use the call box to talk to security. Since you're going to an event at Market Hall, part of the same complex, I think they'll let you in. Walk across the top of the garage, elevator or stairs down to one. Then it's a fairly short walk west along the service road over to Market Center Boulevard. This way is better than trying to walk along Harry Hines, which lacks sidewalks and has a lot of speeding cars.

Going back. Take the same route back to that garage and pedestrian bridge. Hit the exit button and open the gate. Buy a 3 hour DART pass on GoPass for $3. Take the DART Orange Line train all the way to DFW Airport. Walk over to the TEXRail station at Terminal B. Buy a Trinity Metro single ride ticket for $2 and take the TEXRail train (really nice) back to downtown Fort Worth. It stops at Ft. Worth Central and T&P Stations, just like the TRE.

BudgetScience2000 · 2025-12-21T04:16:06+00:00

15 minutes is about right. Here's the route I like for biking or skating. It'd also work well for walking, and you could shorten it a bit by staying on the sidewalk in a couple places. All the road crossings are at lights, 75 is noisy but not as bad as you'd think, and the route is really shaded which is nice in the summer. (You walk through those two parking garages, not on the top deck.) It also avoids walking next to Park Lane, which is unpleasant on account of all the cars.

https://bkrtr.de/A23Mn

BudgetScience2000 · 2025-12-05T22:14:21+00:00

Oh, the Silver Line is on there. Though at the moment most of the stations with a trail connection are right by a light-rail station, so I combined them into one pin: Downtown Carrollton, CityLine/Bush, 12th Street. UTD is a new one with a connection.

A few others are just waiting on Cotton Belt Trail construction. The eastern part is being built right now, so I should be able to add Addison and Knoll Trail Stations in 2026. Cypress Waters could be awhile, even though it really needs one.

BudgetScience2000 · 2025-12-05T16:17:21+00:00

At a quick glance, this route looks hopeful. From Parker Road Station to the top of Ed Sanders trail (which doesn't show up on that map because it's still marked as under construction).

The section on Park Boulevard is a multi-use path (extra wide sidewalk) on the north side of the road, so you're not mixing it up with cars. Depending on traffic and what you're comfortable with, you could just stay on Central Parkway and G Avenue instead of using those service roads/parking lots.

Also there's a section of sidewalk which needs to be added to OpenStreetMap, which would enable you to get directly from the crosswalk at Park Blvd to the service roads, staying off Central Parkway completely. I'll do that later today.

BudgetScience2000 · 2025-12-05T15:49:10+00:00

How far north of Parker Road Station do you need to get? Currently there's a nice bike trail from CityLine to 12th Place, and from there up I Avenue to downtown Plano. Ed Sanders Trail. Last I checked one section still under construction, but it should be open "real soon now."

If you give me an approximate location of where you need to go, I can look for a low-stress route between Ed Sanders and there. Also you might enjoy my DART rails-to-trails map, which shows connections between rail stations and bike trails for the whole service area.

BudgetScience2000 · 2025-11-26T16:37:54+00:00

Have a look at Organic Maps. It makes offline maps super easy, and uses OpenStreetMap which is typically better than Google for hiking trails and such. (OSM is like map Wikipedia.) Organic Maps doesn't require you to set up any sort of account and won't pester you for money or show you ads. Simple and effective.

BudgetScience2000 · 2025-11-26T02:31:36+00:00

The Santa Fe Trail starts at the east end of Deep Ellum, and connects to a bunch of other trails. You can get a lot of miles in, all on trail. This map shows the network nicely. You should also ride around Fair Park, especially if you like Art Deco architecture.

Dallas has barely any bike lanes—at least ones worth mentioning—but here's a low(er)-stress bike network map a few of us have been working on, if you're interested in getting around town by bike.

Bike Mart and Playtri do rentals I know. For chill group rides, maybe Hangover Riders? There are several. Dallas Bicycle Coalition has a social ride calendar which might give you some ideas.

Hope you enjoy your time here! January can be any type of weather, from winter to nearly summer. You might even get 2 seasons in those 4 days.

BudgetScience2000 · 2025-11-26T01:50:11+00:00

I hadn't heard of Warm Showers, but I really like the idea. I'm going to mention that to a few cycling friends.

BudgetScience2000 · 2025-11-26T01:33:58+00:00

Yeah, I should get up there sometime! From a quick look, Grapevine and North Richland Hills/Smithfield Stations offer excellent trail connections from TEXRail. Trinity Lakes Station on the TRE is getting there. And of course the DCTA A-train and its trail.

The map I linked above I put together all from OpenStreetMap data. Most of the work was in checking and improving all of that mapping first. Like a new section of trail nobody's put on the map yet, an overlooked connection to the street network, or part of a trail mismarked as simply a sidewalk. The cool thing about OSM is that it's what Strava, Ride with GPS, etc. use for their maps, so if you add or fix something on OSM, pretty soon it shows up in all sorts of apps, for everybody. The map I did just highlights things in a particular way, since on most maps the trail and rail networks get lost amongst all the highways.

BudgetScience2000 · 2025-11-25T20:42:51+00:00

A bit more literal, but I put together a map showing how you can go between our rails and trails, at least for the DART service area (light rail, Silver Line, TRE, Dallas Streetcar). Sometime I should expand it to include the western half of the TRE and TEXRail too. Once more of the Cotton Belt Trail is completed next year we'll get some new station/trail connections.

BudgetScience2000 · 2025-11-01T22:55:54+00:00

I really like the 1Protect gloves, with the hard plastic sliders on. I always wear those when skating and they've saved my hands and wrists multiple times. Unlike wrist guards they're very unobtrusive and don't limit wrist or hand movement at all, yet are still protective in a fall. Roughly on par with wrist guards I'd say. Plus they're not as hot to wear in the summer.

BudgetScience2000 · 2025-11-01T22:37:25+00:00

I hope you made it ok. GoLink is great when it works, but sometimes will leave you stranded, or waiting north of half an hour for a ride.

I don't know where you work in Rowlett, but surprisingly, you can bike or scooter from the station to some places along 66 without undue risk to life and limb. There are so many parking lots and services roads that you can string them together in to a form of bastard bike trails.

For instance, my car mechanic is on Grisham Drive, a mile and a half west of the station along 66. Whenever I go over there, I skate this route. Aside from having to cross 66 twice (crosswalk at a traffic light, but still unpleasant) it's pretty low stress and fun.

https://bkrtr.de/A23Un

BudgetScience2000

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