Dallas Cowboys

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Mar 23

5 min read

Dallas Cowboys Travel Guide: AT&T Stadium

How to Get There

There are two large airports in the DFW Metroplex: Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) and Dallas Love Field (DAL). DFW is heavily serviced by American Airlines, with over half the airport's flights coming from American due to its headquarters in the city, though United and Spirit also have a solid footprint there. It is not super close at roughly 14 miles north of the stadium, but its central location between Dallas and Fort Worth makes getting to either city straightforward. DAL is located in the Dallas area about 21 miles from the stadium, and it is almost completely serviced by Southwest Airlines with a few flights from Alaska Airlines. While it's all highway driving from DAL, you can easily get caught up in heavy city traffic.

The DFW area is not known for public transportation, so arriving in the city pretty much requires flying or driving in by car. The same goes for navigating within the market; there is no local metro line to Arlington and bus routes are average, so getting around from either airport is best done by renting a car or using an Uber or Lyft. It is highly recommended to rent a vehicle when visiting, or rely entirely on rideshares if you plan on staying within a tightly confined area.

Where to Stay

Arlington features plenty of places to stay right in the action, but looking out toward Fort Worth can save you some money on game-day hotel markups while offering a more traditional Texas experience.

Budget Options

Hyatt Place Dallas/Arlington: This modern hotel is nestled right in the popular part of Arlington that includes Globe Life Field, AT&T Stadium, and Six Flags Over Texas. It sits just two miles from the stadium and is a short walk to Six Flags. Guests can enjoy a free hot breakfast daily, an outdoor pool to beat the Texas heat, and an on-site bar. Straightforward rooms include spacious living areas with sofa beds, and the property offers a free local shuttle to explore the walkable surroundings. It is an exceptional value with points, routinely running just 8,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
Courtyard by Marriott Fort Worth Historic Stockyards: This straightforward hotel allows you to fully embrace a historic western atmosphere complete with its own cowboy flair. It features an indoor pool, a sundeck, a terrace with a fire pit, and a lobby bistro serving meals and evening cocktails. The spacious rooms and suites include couches, work desks, and sofa beds for groups. Located 19 miles west of the stadium right off the highway, the drive takes just over 20 minutes without traffic. It can be booked for around 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Higher-End Options

Live! by Loews – Arlington: A brand-new hotel and entertainment destination located just steps from the stadium. It treats guests to a premium resort feel, highlighted by a second-floor terrace infinity pool with private cabanas and a pool bar. The property features an upscale outdoor bar, a private rooftop terrace, a bourbon-focused American restaurant, and a large fitness center with Peloton machines. Luxury rooms boast a residential feel with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking AT&T Stadium. It sits right next to the massive Texas Live! complex, making it the ultimate social home base for game day.
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center: As the official resort hotel of the Dallas Cowboys, this massive Grapevine Lake destination is incredibly popular with football fans. Located 18 miles north of the stadium, the drive conveniently bypasses the heaviest game-day traffic bottlenecks, and the hotel hosts excellent team-sponsored events on weekends. It features a signature 5-acre indoor garden atrium with a river running through it, a seasonal waterpark with a lazy river, a 25,000-square-foot western-style spa, and ten on-site restaurants. Most rooms feature balconies looking over the atrium, and it offers great value at 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Nearby Activities

Six Flags Over Texas: Located right in the same entertainment district as the stadium, this historic theme park features some of the tallest and fastest roller coasters in the region.
The Stockyards Historic District: Head out to Fort Worth to watch a live rodeo at the Cowtown Coliseum, visit country dance halls, and explore authentic Texan restaurants.

Pregame Food and Drink

Texas Live!: This massive entertainment hub across from the stadium is the place to be before kickoff. Bally Sports Live! and Sports & Social offer massive projection screens, multiple bars, and high-energy crowds. For a rowdy western experience, head into PBR Texas to enjoy live music and their signature mechanical bull.
Hurtado Barbecue: Located about a mile and a half from the stadium, this is widely considered the absolute best craft Texas BBQ spot in the immediate area. Because they close up by 5:00 PM (or whenever they run out of meat), it is an elite option for a noon game or an early afternoon meal.
The Local Scene: Grab a well-priced craft beer right next door to Hurtado at Division Brewing, a popular and laid-back local microbrewery. If you are looking for a fast, classic pregame burger, Airways Hamburgers is a legendary local burger shack perfect for quick bites.
Shuttle Service Bars: Head south of the stadium to Grease Monkey Burger Shop and Social Club. It is a casual, car-themed hangout with cheap drinks and live music that offers a convenient $5 shuttle ride straight to the stadium gates. R Bar and Grill (located near Six Flags next to the Hilton) also offers a great upscale cocktail menu and a game-day shuttle for $20 per person.

Getting to the Event

Arlington is a highly car-centric city, meaning traditional public transit isn't an option for arriving from afar. However, the area immediately surrounding the stadium features plenty of sidewalks and is highly walkable if you stay nearby in the entertainment district.

If you choose to drive, parking lots are plentiful, but traffic can get incredibly heavy before and after the game. Local Tip: If there is a Texas Rangers home baseball game scheduled for the same day, skip driving entirely and rely on a rideshare or local bar shuttle, as the shared stadium footprints create gridlock. If you park further out, you can find reasonable rates or park for free at select restaurants that bundle parking with their pregame meals.

Where to Sit

AT&T Stadium features one of the most diverse and club-heavy seating layouts in the NFL.

The Club Standard: The sideline sections across the 100, 200, and 300 levels are entirely club spaces, featuring wide cushioned seats, private lounges, and premium concessions. If you want the ultimate midfield experience, sections C210 and C235 sit right on the 50-yard line and grant exclusive access to the high-end, all-inclusive Founders Club.
Visiting Fans: The best sections for away fans wanting close-up lower bowl views are Sections C135-136. Aiming for rows 15-22 will give you an ideal viewing height to see over the players and coaches standing on the sideline.
The Budget Seats: Look for tickets in Sections 409-412. They are the cheapest standard seats in the upper bowl and look straight out at the stadium's legendary, massive videoboards. If you want a solid middle-ground option that balances price with clear sightlines to the actual field, look at Sections 316-318.
The SRO Party Pass: If you want to save maximum cash, you can buy a standing-room-only pass for the end zone decks. It functions as a fun, highly social party area, but it's hard to see the field clearly unless you arrive the moment the doors open to claim a spot right against the railings.