Taking off Travel blog

Fort Worth has the only cowgirl museum in the world

In our last post we looked at things to do in Dallas when on a layover in Dallas Fort Worth Airport. But let’s not forget about the other major city near this airport - Fort Worth. It started life as an army outpost but is now a prosperous city, with large natural gas reserves underground. However you can still get a feel for its proud Western heritage with some of the attractions on offer.

Sundance Square

One place to get a feel for the city’s heritage is Sundance Square, where a modern shopping and entertainment complex is housed behind renovated storefronts that date from the turn of the 20th century. Great food and live performances are only some of the attractions, and you can also choose to tour the area in a horse drawn carriage or a trolley. Read more »

Reunion Tower, a famous Dallas landmark

Whenever Dallas comes up in conversation, I visualize tall buildings, wide open spaces and that show - you know the one I mean. J R Ewing, played by Larry Hagman, is a legendary bad guy, and you can bet that somewhere in the world, someone is still watching his antics. But there’s so much more to this thriving metropolitan area than the part we’ve seen on TV. I set out to find out what you could visit while on a layover at Dallas Fort Worth Airport.  DFW lies between Dallas and Fort Worth, two major Texan cities just over 30 miles apart. If you’re on a layover you can take your pick of things to do in either city.

Things To Do In Dallas

If you enjoy exploring marine life, as I do, then visit the Dallas World Aquarium. Located in the historic distric, the aquarium is housed in several refurbished old warehouses from the early 19th century, as well as some purpose built modern structures. This attraction offers an adventure from the time you walk through the door. The aquarium has species from around the world, while you can also unmask the secrets of the Orinoco and explore Borneo. There are regular talks on conservation issues as well as performances by a Mayan troupe.

Enjoy The Outdoors

Located in East Dallas near White Rock Lake, the Dallas Arboretum offers another way to enjoy nature. The 66 acre attractions features a range of gardens with different blooms, as well a Spanish mansion built in the style of the 1940s. There’s even a fitness trail for those who want to combine sightseeing with a workout. During the year, there are special events and concerts, so there’s always something to see. While you’re there, consider visiting White Rock Lake itself, for bird watching, horseback riding or a nine mile walk around the lake. Read more »

Partial aerial view of Miami

I first went to Miami more years ago than I care to remember. I’d landed my first job and was struggling to extricate myself from the penury of being a student. There was a deal on, and off I went. In those days I didn’t have to worry about Miami airport parking, as we traveled around by public transport or on foot. It was more of a shopping trip than a sightseeing one, but I made up for it on subsequent visits.

Miami International Airport (MIA) is a hub. It’s bursting with people and very busy. It’s among the world’s busiest international airports. If you have a layover in Miami, it’s probably better to escape the hubbub and take a short trip to a local attraction. Here are a few to choose from.

Racing And Sports

Less than three miles away from the airport is the 7,000 seater Flagler greyhound racing stadium, which is perfect for those who want a flutter. With a sports bar, daily races, a poker room and a weekend flea market, there’s something to do no matter which day of the week you land. Read more »

Indianapolis - the name means Indiana City - has been the state capital of Indiana since 1820. It’s the largest city in the state, one of the largest in the US and is best known for hosting the Indy 500 race and other sporting and musical events such as the Indy Jazz Festival.

If you’re planning a trip to Indianapolis, you will soon be lucky enough to fly into the new Indianapolis International Airport (IND) passenger terminal which will open within the month. This is part of an airport redesign which has been underway since 2002. There’s also a brand new Indianapolis airport parking facility to go along with the rest of the planned improvements.

So aside from checking out the spanking new facilities, what else can you do on a layover in Indianapolis? Since Indianapolis International Airport isn’t far from the city, why not take the 15 minute ride to see what’s on offer downtown? Read more »