Dallas/Fort Worth International for many years had an outdoor observation area called Founders' Plaza where locals and visitors on layovers could enjoy a picnic and watch planes come and go. Later this month, a new Founders' Plaza will open on the northwest side of DFW, with shaded pavilions and speakers hooked into a feed from the airport's air traffic controllers.

The new mini park will celebrate its rebirth with a performance by Olympic gold medalist Carly Patterson on September 17. Meanwhile, DFW is asking aviation obsessives to post photo memories of the plaza online.

Oh, and if you're not in it for the plane spotting, keep in mind that Founders' Plaza was once named the Dallas-Fort Worth area's "Best Place to Make Out."

Related Stories:
· Founders' Plaza [Official Site]
· DFW coverage [Jaunted]

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Dallas/Fort Worth International just soft-launched a new website, and it's quite user-friendly. Reason number one? The airport's usually-paid WiFi will let you log on for free. Beyond that, everything you'd actually want to access is right there on the front door.

For example, it's now easier to find shops, restaurants and services. For restaurants, simply go to the home page, and you can filter 'em down to cuisine and terminal--and even see PDF menus (with prices!) before you pick a spot to eat.

The live flight info has also been expanded. The site uses data from FlightStats to track arrivals and departures, also right from the home page. And since you can log on for free, you'll be able to verify if that gate announcement of a 15-minute delay is for real--or if it's time to start calling the airline's reservation number.

And since the airport figures passengers will have even more ideas about how to update the website, officials will be hosting a user feedback blog until July 2. We can only imagine the comments will be more positive than what showed up on American Airline's blog.

Related Stories:
· DFW Airport [Official Site]
· Travel Websites coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-06-18T17:15:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/4/11/15126/2609

This week witnessed American Airlines' PR meltdown as the megacarrier canceled thousands of flights due to safety concerns. So you're single and stuck in a hub city far from friends and family... what's a seasoned traveler to do? Make the best of it by making a connection at one of these national hot spots, even in your most wrinkled suit.

In Dallas: Try not to stare at Twisted Root Burger Company (2615 Commerce St.) which serves its juicy hunks of meat with in-house root beer. More Dallas Missed Connections.

In Chicago: Put on your Juicy Couture perfume and order up some margs at the Frontera Grill (449 N. Clark St.), "Iron Chef America" competitor Rick Bayless' Mexican spot. More Chicago Missed Connections.

In Miami: Just try to get some work done at Barnie's Coffee and Tea (169 Flagler St.) More Miami Missed Connections.

In St. Louis: Interrupt someone else's work at the Atomic Cowboy (4140 Manchester Ave.), perhaps the last restaurant in the world to ask "Smoking or non?" (Or, just hang around at baggage claim.) More St. Louis Missed Connections.

Related Stories:
· Missed Connections coverage [Jaunted]

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What better place to look for love before Valentine's Day than Love Field? We've never hooked up at Dallas' secondary airport, but with that kind of name we expect at least mild passenger-to-passenger flirtation. Or alternately, a secret Flickr admirer.

For better luck and less chance of getting frisked in the security line, try these other Dallas locations:

Frankie's Sports Bar and Grill -- The NFL season may be over, but there's still time to find a cute guy drinking with his brothers at this big-screen-and-pool-table joint. They even have WiFi, so you can post your connection right after you miss it, you wuss. 3227 Mckinney Ave.

Ghostbar -- This W Hotel hot spot with a sister bar in Vegas isn't cheap, especially when it comes to $300-plus bottle service. But while you're contemplating the LED-lit bar you might get to lock lips with a fellow Van Halen fan. 2440 Victory Park Ln.

Crossroads Market Bookstore & Cafe -- Well, even if you don't find a guy who can take a hint, at least you'll come out with something good to read. 3930 Cedar Springs Rd.

Related Stories:
· Missed Connections coverage [Jaunted]
· Dallas Hotels [HotelChatter]

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Visit our Candidates Travel Map before the tryptophan kicks in!

Well, the 2008 U.S. presidential election as we know it is already over. That's because Chuck Norris, the man whose tears could cure cancer--if he ever cried--has endorsed former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee for president. Let's face it, as goes Norris, so goes the nation, and if Huckabee chose to use this for his first television commercial as he told FOX News, he must feel pretty confident about it.

If elected next year, Huckabee would become the second U.S. president from the city of Hope, Arkansas. He won't be too far from home this week as he makes three appearances today in Tampa and, undoubtedly after a Thanksgiving dinner of his opponents with Mr. Norris, spends Saturday and Sunday in South Carolina.

Related Stories:
· Huckabee Chats with Chris Wallace [Fox News]
· ChuckNorris Facts.com [Official? Site]
· Candidates Travel coverage [Jaunted]]]> egw 2007-11-20T14:00:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/9/6/113028/7766

This Saturday and Sunday, hundreds of doctors and sort-of doctors will convene at the exhibit hall in the Dallas Market Center for the Cosmetic Enhancement Expo 2007.

The second annual exhibition is expected to draw more than 2,000 attendees, many of whom are, er, weighing their options before going under the knife. Show patrons can get discounts on plastic surgery, hair restoration and cellulite treatments, among other incentives, according to the Star-Telegram. Does this mean suburban housewives no longer need to fly to Thailand to afford their tummy tucks? Flights to Dallas from within the U.S., after all, cost at least a grand less than a round-trip ticket to Bangkok.

Related Stories:
· Cosmetic Enhancement Expo [Official Site]
· Searching for a New Look? [Star-Telegram]
· Plastic Surgery Travel [Jaunted]

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Looking for real Tex Mex? Head to Dallas and hit up Matt's Rancho Martinez, a sprawling indoor/outdoor spot featuring Tex Mex at its finest. Fourth-generation chef Matt Martinez serves up authentic dishes like enchiladas, tamales and queso expertly blended with beef, guac and onions.

Much of the extended family serves as the waitstaff, lending a homey, comfortable vibe to the place. Indoors can be a bit noisy, so opt for a spot outside. Don't worry, you'll be distracted from the Texas heat by the spicy salsa in no time. We went with a frosty cold beer, but we hear the margaritas are good for cooling off, too.

Related Stories:
· Matt's Rancho Martinez [Official Site]
· Hotels in Dallas [HotelChatter]]]> sedona 2007-08-23T11:20:41-05:00 32.812690 -96.753315 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/