Keys to the City
Facts & Fundamentals
The population for the city of Dallas stands at just over 1,075,000, while the greater metro area's population count is just shy of 3,700,000.
Dallas has a strong economic base, with many large national and international companies headquartered here: Southwestern Bell, Exxon Mobile, Bank of America, Bank One, TXU Electric & Gas, JCPenney and Texas Instruments.
Sales tax is 8.25%, and hotel tax is 15%.
Holidays & Business Hours
Regarding federal and state holidays, many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours. Naturally, policies vary, but in general, the following holidays are broadly observed:
| January 1 |
New Year's Day |
| Third Monday in January |
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday |
| Third Monday in February |
Presidents Day |
| Date changes |
Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday |
| Last Monday in May |
Memorial Day |
| July 4 |
Independence Day |
| First Monday in September |
Labor Day |
| Second Monday in October |
Columbus Day |
| November 11 |
Veterans Day |
| Fourth Thursday in November |
Thanksgiving |
| December 25 |
Christmas |
|
Coming & Going
Servicing over 50,000,000 travelers each year, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is one of the largest airports in the world. The airport handles all major carriers and provides both domestic and international flights, with the number of flights per day around 2300.
For a quick and convenient ride from the airport, take the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) which connects Downtown Dallas and Fort Worth to DFW Monday through Saturday. To ride the TRE, take a bus from the terminal to Remote South Parking then transfer to a bus servicing the CentrePort/DFW Airport Station; TRE lines begin there.
Taxis from DFW to Downtown Dallas cost a flat rate of $38.
The 202 bus of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) provides express service from Remote North Parking to Downtown (a free shuttle connects Remote North to all airport terminals).
Love Field, located seven miles northwest of Downtown, is a general-purpose airport and the hub for Southwest Airlines. Taxis, shuttles and DART services from Love Field to points in Dallas depart from Cedar Springs Road (between baggage claim and Parking Garage A).
Making Your Way
To quickly navigate this sprawling city, ride the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system, which includes buses and light rail service. Generally, local fares are $1.25 for an adult single rider with no transfers, and day passes are $2.50.
The city has a number of quality taxi companies, but you should call in advance to schedule transportation as cabs are not easily hailed streetside. Generally, fees are $2 for the initial drop and $ .40 for each additional ¼ mile. Additional passenger charges and airport fees may apply as well.
For a unique experience, hop aboard one of the historic McKinney Avenue trolleys for free, convenient transportation around Downtown and the Arts District. The M-line DART Trolley buses provide free service from the West End Historic District to Uptown.
News & Views
To keep abreast of local, national and world news, pick up a copy of the Dallas Morning News; meanwhile, the Dallas Business Journal chronicles the details of the local business landscape.
For the inside scoop on weekend happenings, read the "Weekend Guide" section of the Dallas Morning Newsor get a free copy of the Dallas Observer, a weekly paper full of arts, entertainment and dining information. D Magazine is also a good source of what's happening in the community. The Dallas Voice, a free weekly, provides information about the area's gay and lesbian community.
Quirks & Curiosities
A popular misconception is that Dallas is an "oil town," an idea no-doubt perpetuated by the groundbreaking Dallas TV series. In point of fact, the banking, fashion, high-tech and medical industries combine to form the city's lifeblood.
Getting Your Bearings
If you're unfamiliar with the layout of the city or need further information to help you better plan your stay, pay a visit to the visitors' center operated by the Dallas CVB (214-571-1316 or 800-232-5527). The friendly staff is more than eager to share their time, offer suggestions, distribute resources and point you in the right direction.
Old Red Courthouse (Downtown)
100 S Houston St
Dallas, TX 75201
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Sat-Sun 9am-5pm
Common Courtesies
Although tipping is generally a personal matter, there are some guidelines that prove helpful to travelers. At restaurants, servers typically get 15% of the bill, although 10% acknowledges basic assistance, and 20% awards exceptional service. It is also common now for some restaurants to charge an automatic gratuity of 18% for groups. You should be aware of this possibility before providing an additional tip. Taxi drivers usually fit into similar guidelines by receiving a tip equivalent to 15% of the fare.
Often, a dollar tip covers many situations. Bartenders are customarily given $1 per cocktail, hotel maids are provided $1 for each day of a stay, bellhops get about $1 per bag, and a coat-check clerk typically receives $1 as well. The exception is a concierge, who generally receives $5-10 for standard service (additional assistance suggests more).
Weather
Temperatures are fairly mild during the winter months, ranging from the mid 30s to the high 60s, but they quickly rise during the summer. In fact, temperatures in the high 90s are not uncommon from June to August. Severe storms and heavy rains can crop up quickly, especially during springtime when the weather is most volatile.
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
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