3 price points: Dallas-Fort Worth

By Clara Bosonetto Maerz

For the AJC

BUDGET

Getting there: One-way rates from $89 during frequent sale periods. Frequently offered round-trip weekend rates from $145 (outbound Friday evening; return the following Monday, Tuesday). Served nonstop by AirTran, American, Delta.

Stay: The Belmont is a 1940s motel turned retro chic and situated high on the hills of Oak Cliff. Unique rooms feature hotel garden views and/or the Dallas skyline. Cool on-site bar; easy downtown access. Rates from $110; 20-day advance rates from $88; www.belmontdallas.com, 901 Fort Worth Ave., 214-393-2300.

Eat: Rustic Adair’s Saloon is a popular honky-tonk bar with legendary burgers ($6), a jukebox loaded with country classics and live music on weekends. No cover; www.adairssaloon.com, 2624 Commerce, 214-939-9900.

Experience: Watch a live cattle drive through the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, located in the city’s central business district and a throwback to the days of the Old Wild West. For the best view, stand on a curb on East Exchange Avenue in front of the visitors center; twice daily; www.stockyardsstation.com. In 2010, the 95-acre Dallas Zoo will open a $27 million Giants of the Savanna exhibit. Go now for the outstanding children’s zoo; $12 adults; $9 age 3-11; www.dallaszoo.com, off of I-35E, 214-670-5656.

MODERATE

Getting there: One-way from $134 with 21-day advance; from $257, one-week notice; nonstop AirTran, American, Delta.

Stay: The upscale Hotel Palomar is in a chic Dallas neighborhood and surrounded by the city’s best entertainment venues. Modern rooms are relaxed with a sitting area, plush bedding, bathrobes, L’Occitane amenities, iHome docking stations and DVD players. Average weekend rate are $219; www.hotelpalomar-dallas.com, 5300 E. Mockingbird Lane, 214-520-7969.

Eat: The desserts are exquisite and the cocktails award-winning at lively La Duni Latin Kitchen & Baking Studio. Open daily from morning coffee, lunch, tea, dinner and weekend brunch. Entrees $13-$23 (market price for a 32-ounce Gaucho cut double rib-eye steak); www.laduni.com, 4264 Oak Lawn Ave., 214-520-6888.

Experience: Take a self-guided tour of the galleries at the Nasher Sculpture Center. More than 300 pieces are from 20th-century greats including Rodin, Calder, Matisse and Picasso; Tuesday-Friday; $10 adults; free under age 12; www.nashersculpturecenter.org, 2001 Flora St., 214-242-5100. The woods and fountains at the 65-acre Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens create the backdrop for a afternoon picnic; $10 adults; www.dallasarboretum.org, on the southeast side of the 1,015-acre White Rock Lake Park, an Audubon Society-designated bird-watching area and wetlands site. Free.

SPLURGE

Getting there: One-way, walk-up Business Class from $443; nonstop AirTran, American, Delta.

Stay: The Four Seasons “Champions” golf package includes one round of golf (for one person) with cart on the newly designed 18-hole, par-70 Tournament Players Club Four Seasons Las Colinas Golf Course, savings on additional rounds, buffet breakfast for two and luxurious accommodations from $445-$570 per night; www.fourseasons.com/dallas , 4150 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, 972-717-0700.

Eat: Al Biernat’s wine list features more than 650 rare selections. Dinner specialties are grilled steaks and chops ($31-$68) and entrees of fresh fish to osso bucco ($22-$55). Also open for lunch and Sunday brunch; www.albiernats.com, 4217 Oak Lawn Ave., 214-219-2201.

Experience: The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth highlights the history of trailblazing women (190 inducted since 1975); $8 adults; www.cowgirl.net, 1720 Gendy St. Boot scoot on a massive 10,000-square-foot hardwood dance floor at Gilley’s Dallas or ride the infamous mechanical bull from John Travolta’s 1980 film, “Urban Cowboy.” Free dance lessons every Saturday from 6-8 p.m. Live concerts $8-$15; www.gilleysdallas.com, 1135 S. Lamar, 214-421-2021.