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Red River Rivalry Weekend in Dallas: Complete Travel Guide

• Red River Rivalry Staff
#Travel #Dallas #Hotels #Game Day #Weekend Guide

Attending the Red River Rivalry isn’t just about the game—it’s about the entire Dallas weekend experience. Here’s how to make the most of it.

When to Arrive

Pros:

  • Beat game day crowds
  • Explore Dallas
  • Relaxed schedule
  • Better hotel rates (sometimes)

Itinerary:

  • Arrive Friday afternoon
  • Check into hotel
  • Dinner in Dallas
  • Rest for Saturday

Saturday Morning Arrival

Pros:

  • One less hotel night
  • Quick trip

Cons:

  • Rushed schedule
  • Parking challenges
  • Miss Dallas exploration

Verdict: If possible, arrive Friday for a better experience.

Where to Stay

Near Fair Park (Walking Distance)

Pros:

  • Walk to stadium
  • No traffic/parking hassle
  • Authentic Dallas neighborhoods

Cons:

  • Limited luxury options
  • May need to go elsewhere for dining

Hotel Options:

  • Budget: Local motels ($80-120/night)
  • Mid-range: Limited in immediate area

Downtown Dallas (10 minutes)

Best Overall Option

Pros:

  • Restaurant and bar scene
  • Easy Uber/DART to stadium
  • Entertainment options
  • Hotel variety

Recommended Hotels:

  • Luxury ($300-500/night):

    • The Joule
    • Omni Dallas Hotel
    • The Adolphus

  • Mid-Range ($150-250/night):

    • Fairmont Dallas
    • Sheraton Dallas Hotel
    • Hilton Anatole

  • Budget ($100-150/night):

    • Hampton Inn Downtown
    • Holiday Inn Express

Uptown/Victory Park (15 minutes)

Best for: Nightlife, restaurants, younger crowds

Pros:

  • Walkable entertainment district
  • Bars and clubs
  • Modern hotels

Hotels:

  • W Dallas Victory
  • Nylo Dallas South Side
  • Various national chains

North Dallas/Addison (30 minutes)

Best for: Budget-conscious, families

Pros:

  • Lower hotel rates
  • Familiar chains
  • Parking included

Cons:

  • Requires driving
  • Further from action

Friday Night Activities

Dinner Recommendations

Texas BBQ (Must-Try):

  • Pecan Lodge - Deep Ellum, famous brisket
  • Lockhart Smokehouse - Traditional Central Texas BBQ
  • Cattleack Barbeque - North Dallas, worth the drive

Fine Dining:

  • Knife - Steakhouse by John Tesar
  • Uchi - Upscale Japanese
  • Monarch - Italian with rooftop views

Tex-Mex:

  • Mi Cocina - Upscale Tex-Mex
  • Meso Maya - Authentic Mexican
  • Velvet Taco - Creative tacos

Casual:

  • Whiskey Cake - American comfort food
  • Mesero - Tex-Mex and margaritas
  • The Rustic - Live music and food

Entertainment

Deep Ellum (Recommended):

  • Live music district
  • Bars and clubs
  • Street art
  • Younger vibe

Uptown:

  • Bar scene
  • Date night spots
  • Walkable area

West End:

  • Restaurants
  • More touristy
  • Family-friendly

Saturday Morning: Pre-Game

Breakfast Spots

Near Fair Park:

  • State Fair opens at 9 AM (eat there!)
  • Local diners and cafes

Downtown:

  • Yolk - Popular brunch spot
  • Bread Winners - Comfort food
  • Ellen’s - Texas classic
  • Hotel restaurants

Pro Tip: Save room for State Fair food!

Getting to Fair Park

Option 1: DART (Dallas Light Rail)

  • Green Line to Fair Park Station
  • $3-6 per person
  • Avoid traffic and parking
  • Run all day
  • Recommended for downtown hotel guests

Option 2: Uber/Lyft

  • $20-40 from downtown
  • Drop-off at designated areas
  • Surge pricing expected
  • Good for groups

Option 3: Drive and Park

  • $20-60 for parking
  • Arrive by 11 AM for good spots
  • Walking distance varies
  • Traffic congestion

Option 4: Hotel Shuttle

  • Some hotels offer game day shuttles
  • Ask when booking
  • Usually $20-40 round trip

State Fair Strategy

Arrival Time

10:00-11:00 AM: Perfect timing

  • Beat afternoon crowds
  • 3-4 hours to explore before game
  • Lines are manageable

Fair Food Hits

Must-Try Classics:

  1. Fletcher’s Corny Dogs - The original (since 1942)
  2. Turkey Leg - Giant smoked leg
  3. Funnel Cake - Powdered sugar heaven
  4. Cotton Candy - Get it in team colors

Fried Adventures:

  1. Fried Oreos - Don’t judge until you try
  2. Fried Butter - Yes, really
  3. Chicken Fried Bacon - Texas does it big
  4. Big Tex Choice Award Winner - Changes annually

Texas Classics:

  1. Fletcher’s Corny Dogs (worth repeating)
  2. Barbecue options
  3. Tex-Mex vendors

Pacing Advice:

  • Don’t eat too much before the game
  • You’ll be sitting for 3+ hours
  • Save dessert for after

Fair Attractions

Photo Ops:

  • Big Tex (52-foot cowboy)
  • Texas Star Ferris Wheel
  • Team mascots
  • Stadium exterior

Quick Attractions:

  • Auto show (if you’re into cars)
  • Midway games
  • Live music stages

Save for After:

  • Rides (not ideal on full stomach)
  • Extended exhibits
  • Evening festivities

Game Time: 2:30 PM Kickoff

Entry Strategy

1:30 PM: Head to stadium

  • Security lines form
  • Find your seats
  • Settle in
  • Use restroom before kickoff

Bring:

  • Mobile tickets (downloaded!)
  • ID
  • Cash ($50-100)
  • Portable charger
  • Sunscreen
  • Water bottle (empty, fill inside)

During the Game

Halftime:

  • Long bathroom lines (go early or late)
  • Concessions crowded
  • Stay hydrated

Weather:

  • October sun can be strong
  • Wear sunscreen
  • Hat recommended
  • Temperature drops in evening

Post-Game Activities

Victory Celebrations (If Your Team Wins)

Deep Ellum:

  • Multiple sports bars
  • Walking distance from each other
  • Live music
  • Celebratory atmosphere

Uptown:

  • Trophy Room
  • Standard Pour
  • Kung Fu Saloon

Downtown:

  • Happiest Hour
  • The Merchant
  • Sidebar

Consolation (If Your Team Loses)

Options:

  1. Return to State Fair (open until 10 PM)
  2. Quiet dinner
  3. Hotel bar
  4. Early flight home

Make Reservations Early: Post-game dining is crowded. Book Friday or Saturday morning.

Near Fair Park:

  • Limited options
  • Head to other neighborhoods

Downtown:

  • Dozens of options
  • Walking distance from hotels
  • Varied cuisines

Late Night:

  • Fuel City Tacos (24/7, famous)
  • Whataburger (Texas staple)
  • Food trucks in Deep Ellum

Sunday: Departure Day

Before You Leave Dallas

Brunch:

  • Bread Winners (multiple locations)
  • Snooze AM Eatery
  • Yolk
  • Hotel restaurants

Activities:

  • Dealey Plaza - JFK history
  • Dallas Museum of Art - Free admission
  • Klyde Warren Park - Downtown green space
  • Bishop Arts District - Shopping and cafes

Getting to Airport

DFW International:

  • 30-40 minutes from downtown
  • Uber: $35-50
  • DART Orange Line: $3-6

Love Field:

  • 15-20 minutes from downtown
  • Closer option
  • Southwest Airlines hub

Budget Planning

Sample Weekend Budget (Per Person)

Budget Option:

Hotel (2 nights): $200-300
Transportation: $50
State Fair/Game Food: $75
Game Ticket: $500-800
Misc: $100
Total: $925-1,325

Mid-Range:

Hotel (2 nights): $400-500
Transportation: $75
Meals: $200
Game Ticket: $800-1,200
Misc: $150
Total: $1,625-2,125

Splurge:

Hotel (2 nights): $600-1,000
Transportation: $150
Meals: $400
Game Ticket: $1,500-2,500
Misc: $250
Total: $2,900-4,300

Not Including:

  • Airfare
  • Parking
  • Shopping
  • Bar tabs

Money-Saving Tips

  1. Book hotels early - Prices rise as game approaches
  2. Use DART - Cheaper than parking + Uber
  3. Eat at State Fair - Skip expensive restaurants
  4. Share hotel room - Split costs
  5. Walk when possible - Downtown is walkable
  6. Happy hours - Dallas has great deals
  7. Skip Friday night - Arrive Saturday morning

Dallas Exploration (If You Have Extra Time)

Museums

  • Sixth Floor Museum (JFK)
  • Perot Museum of Nature and Science
  • Dallas Museum of Art
  • Nasher Sculpture Center

Neighborhoods

  • Bishop Arts District
  • Deep Ellum
  • Knox-Henderson
  • Lower Greenville

Shopping

  • NorthPark Center
  • Highland Park Village
  • West Village

Safety Tips

General Safety

  • Dallas is generally safe
  • Stick to well-lit areas at night
  • Use rideshare after dark
  • Watch valuables at Fair

Traffic

  • Dallas drivers are aggressive
  • Use GPS
  • Allow extra time
  • Consider DART for stress-free transit

Weather Preparation

October in Dallas

Typical:

  • High: 75-85°F
  • Low: 55-65°F
  • Sunny
  • Low humidity

Pack:

  • Light jacket for evening
  • Sunscreen (important!)
  • Sunglasses
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Team gear

Check Forecast:

  • Week before trip
  • Occasional rain possible
  • Temperature varies

Group Trip Tips

Coordinating Friends

Hotel:

  • Book multiple rooms same hotel
  • Request adjacent rooms
  • Share transportation

Game Tickets:

  • Buy together for nearby seats
  • Coordinate ticket purchases
  • Meet-up spot established

Meals:

  • Make reservations for large groups
  • Agree on budget
  • Book restaurants early

Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties

Dallas + Red River Rivalry = Popular combo

Consider:

  • Separate hotel rooms
  • Plan non-game activities
  • Set budget expectations
  • Designate responsible person

Special Occasions

Anniversaries/Birthdays

Make it special:

  • Upgrade hotel
  • Better tickets
  • Nice dinner reservation
  • Surprise elements

First-Timers

Prioritize:

  • State Fair experience
  • Good tickets
  • Traditional food
  • Photos with Big Tex

Final Checklist

Before Trip:

  • ✅ Hotel booked
  • ✅ Tickets purchased (mobile downloaded)
  • ✅ Transportation planned
  • ✅ Restaurant reservations made
  • ✅ Weather checked
  • ✅ Cash withdrawn

Pack:

  • ✅ Tickets (digital)
  • ✅ ID
  • ✅ Team gear
  • ✅ Sunscreen
  • ✅ Portable charger
  • ✅ Comfortable shoes
  • ✅ Light jacket

Game Day:

  • ✅ Tickets accessible offline
  • ✅ Phone charged
  • ✅ Cash ready
  • ✅ Meet-up plan with group
  • ✅ Return transportation confirmed

Bottom Line

The Red River Rivalry weekend in Dallas is about more than football—it’s about the entire experience.

Maximize it by:

  • Arriving Friday
  • Exploring Dallas
  • Enjoying the State Fair
  • Watching a legendary game
  • Celebrating (or consoling) properly

Plan ahead, pace yourself, and enjoy one of college football’s best weekends.

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