Dallas Forum: college visits

It all depends on what times you plan to visit SMU and TCU where you might prefer to stay.

It's a straight shot 30 - 45 minutes between Dallas and Fort Worth on I-30. TCU is right off an I-30 (University, fittingly enough) exit just west of downtown.

The issue to me would be the traffic. Traffic is lighter in Fort Worth. So I'd prefer to stay closer to Dallas and drive to Fort Worth.

SMU is also an easy exit from I-75, but that's a busy route going and coming during traffic high points. It is easily accessible via surface streets, so if you stayed at the Belmont (second Pepper's recommendation--check their website for specials), you can easily get to SMU without getting on a freeway, if you prefer.

Fort Worth will give you more a true "texas" experience...walk around and grab some food in the Stockyards which is close to down town. Dallas is very similar to any other big city with the typical chains...

What kind of hotel are you looking for in Waco? There's a Hampton Inn & Suites right by Central Texas Marketplace which is close to Baylor and is easy access to I-35 headed for Austin in the morning.

Do you need restaurant recommendations for meals?

You know what....since we are going through the college visit thing too, I think you should stay the first night in Ft Worth on University near TCU to get a feel for that area.

Then stay near SMU the next night (Palomar or Lumen) are both right in the SMU neighborhood. I know it's a pain to change hotels, but there are so many nuances to picking the college that I really think you should stay in the areas of each college to see how comfortable you feel.

The Belmont was over $110/night with $15/night parking and no complimentary breakfast. We're going on the budget side

That's a good idea, staying near both campus

Fly in Sunday, visit Fort Worth. Stay the night near TCU.

Monday morning 9am tour TCU. Head over to Dallas.Stay near SMU. Tuesday 9:30 tour SMU.

Wednesday morning leave Dallas to tour Baylor at 10:30am.

What time do I need to leave Dallas?

Either stay 1 night in Waco or drive to Austin.

Thursday 1:15 tour of St Edwards. Stay the night in Austin.

Friday10:15 tour of Trinity University in San Antonio

Saturday leave San Antonio to DFW airport. Flight leaves at 7:30pm.

.

Might take pepper's advise and stay close to each campus.

Thank you ChrystinP.

Owl84,

Not sure if we're staying in Waco Wednesday night or just head to Austin after visiting Waco. Yes, recommendations to meals and sites are greatly appreciated. Any chance of visiting Crawford to meet the Laura and George?

Normally I would suggest staying in Waco as little as possible but since this is a place your kid may be spending 4 years and you'll be spending a good amount for tuition, you should spend the night to get a feel for Waco.

You are more likely to have a Laura sighting near SMU at Rise No. 1 in Inwood Village. She and George live in Dallas in the Preston Hollow area.

I agree that you really need to stay in Waco for the night. For good or bad, it will be a bit of a culture shock from San Francisco. :) It has its charm and Baylor students seem to love it here, but it's still very, very different from San Francisco.

In Waco, George's is the well-known Baylor hangout restaurant. http://georgesrestaurant.com/ It'll give you a good feel for life-as-a-Baylor-student. That's also why I suggested the Hampton Inn by Central Texas Marketplace... lots of Baylor kids at that shopping center and supporting the restaurants nearby.

Elite Circle Grill is also a good restaurant, but not quite the "college" atmosphere. http://elitecirclegrille.com/page/home. There's a "warehouse district" with a few restaurants in it that are close to Baylor.

But whatever you do, stop in the Czech Stop in West on the way down from DFW. :) http://www.czechstop.net/home.php

ETA: Skip Crawford. There are dozens of better ways to spend your time than trying to figure out how to find Bush's ranch on dusty roads. :)