Seasonal · Dallas
State Fair of Texas & Game Day: Where to Stay in Dallas
Fair Park, the Cotton Bowl, the American Airlines Center, AT&T Stadium — how to plan a Dallas event weekend, and why a downtown base beats the hotels by the venue.
October 6, 2026 · The Celeste Team
Living room of a Celeste Stays apartment in downtown Dallas
Some of Dallas's biggest weekends revolve around a single venue: the State Fair of Texas at Fair Park, a Mavericks or Stars game at the American Airlines Center, a Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium. Hotels near the venues price accordingly. Here's how to reach each one from downtown — and why a downtown home works better for groups.
The State Fair of Texas at Fair Park
The fair runs for several weeks every fall, from late September into October. Big Tex, the fried-food competitions, the midway, and the art-deco grounds of Fair Park make it one of the largest state fairs in the country. Plan a full day — plenty of locals go back more than once.
Getting there: DART's Green Line stops at Fair Park, a short ride from downtown, and it's the easiest way to skip fair parking. Check the fair's website for this year's dates and hours.
Texas–OU at the Cotton Bowl
During the fair, the Cotton Bowl Stadium inside Fair Park hosts the Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma — one of the loudest weekends of the year in Dallas. Hotels book out and prices spike months ahead, so if it's on your calendar, reserve as soon as the date is set.
Mavericks and Stars at the American Airlines Center
The AAC in Victory Park is home to the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars and hosts most major concert tours. From downtown it's a short light-rail ride or a quick rideshare — close enough to be back in your own living room soon after the final buzzer.
Cowboys at AT&T Stadium
AT&T Stadium is in Arlington, about 20 miles west of downtown, and not on the DART rail network. Most visitors drive or rideshare — leave extra time, because game-day traffic is heavy. Staying downtown gives you far more restaurants and things to do on the days around the game.
Why groups book downtown homes for event weekends
Event weekends are group weekends — families at the fair, friends in town for a game. A hotel means two or three rooms on different floors. A downtown apartment means one living room to regroup in, a kitchen for breakfast before the gates open, and garage parking included.
For bigger groups, our combined apartments sleep up to nine; a private 2-bedroom, 2-bath sleeps six; and a 2-bedroom with a movie projector sets up the post-game movie night.
Event dates fill first. If your weekend is set, book early — and see all our downtown Dallas homes.
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