American Airlines Center Travel Guide: Things to Do, Events, and Visitor Tips

Have you booked your seat in the American Airlines Center to enjoy basketball matches, concerts, comedy shows, and family- friendly events? And you want full guidance about American Airlines Center. Apart from that, you just generally like to know about Dallas’ busiest arena because of your upcoming booking plan. Your search stops right here. By the way, most people know this place by using the word “The Phone Booth” because of its facade design. This venue is very popular in the USA, with a high-paced mix of entertainment and sports, with the comfort of a huge space for audience seating. And also recognized as the home of the Dallas Mavericks, which is a team of the National Basketball Association and the Dallas Stars, a team of the National Hockey League, throughout the year. 

In this blog, we are going to share a full travel information guide for the American Airlines Center arena. Later, with a blog, you will know about accessibility, parking, seats, year-round events, best things to do, drinks, resting place, best time to visit and tips for first-time visitors. 

Note: For group trips to American Airlines Center, BUSXOXO’s Dallas charter bus service offers full-size coaches, minibuses, and shuttle buses sized for any group.

About American Airlines Center

Here is basic information about American Airlines Center: history, home teams, and location. 

• History: American Airlines Center started construction in 1999. But it officially started for events on July 17, 2001, for the purpose of sports and multiple entertainment. And gradually, it ranked among the most popular indoor stadiums in the USA. According to a source report, the construction cost of this Dallas sports arena is around $420 million and it spans around 800,000 square feet with highly convenient facilities. 
• Home Teams: When it was being built. Two major team organizations contributed funds to make their home ground. So, you will understand who we are talking about, the NBA(Dallas Mavericks) and NHL (Dallas Stars).  Majorly in the year, they both hosted their matches in American Airlines Center and witnessed many legendary stars play and memorable moments since 2001. 
• Setting: American Airlines Center resting on Victory Park District, Dallas and sharing an area on the side of the Trinity River corridor. Victory Park district is actually located north of Downtown Dallas, where visitors can easily access many restaurants, bars, transportation, hotels, and popular Dallas attractions. 

How to Get to American Airlines Center?

Reaching American Airlines Center Stadium is very convenient by any means, train, bus, car and also by air. 

DART Rail

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit Rail system is one of the best public transport systems to reach the American Airlines Center. Because the DART Rail network consists of different connecting lines. It ensures that people can easily get it in Dallas. And they can take the Green Line to Victory Station at an affordable fare and the Green line can be connected to the Orange and Blue Lines. Victory Station is featured right next to the Arena and saves people time from traffic hassles and high fuel costs. 

Charter Bus Services

Instead of the rail, visitors can also use the DART bus service for smooth travel. Additionally, many bus stops are located near Railway stations, which improves visitor transportation accessibility by connecting them flexibly. And if you plan a group trip to an airline center, you will have to travel for a long time. Dallas charter bus rental provides luxury comfort by offering options like full charter bus, mini bus rental, and shuttle bus service on the basis of the size of the group. 

Airport Access

Dallas has two busy and international airports, which connect different places: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field. The first one is around 20 miles away, which is pretty far, but you can cover the distance in a short time by taxi and rideshare service. The same goes with the second one, although it is a little bit closer to the arena, around 6 miles away and easily within a 15-20 minute drive. 

Personal Vehicle 

If you would like to drive by yourself to reach the Arena. You are most welcome through different highways, including Interstate 35E (I-35E), Woodall Rodgers Freeway (Spur 366), and North Stemmons Freeway. 

American Airlines Center Parking Guide

There is information below about the official American Airlines Center parking:

Note: We are not mentioning ticket prices because prices vary according to shows, matches, concerts, and events. But roughly, visitors would pay $15 to $50 and probably sometimes more. For more current information, you can visit their official website, www.americanairlinescenter.com.

Events at American Airlines Center

This indoor venue offers a variety of events throughout the year. In this section, we will show you the diverse energetic events that you can experience with family & friends or alone, too. 

NBA Games

The National Basketball Association hosts a basketball tournament and most of the matches it organises at the American Airlines Center. During a match, visitors can engage themselves in a great rivalry between the home team, Dallas Mavericks and others such as San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers. We guarantee you, you will get a lot of heat and cheers the entire time. Moreover, while the NBA league is being conducted, the stadium features 19,200 (approx) seats for the audience with club seating, premier suites, a large digital scorecard and a wide area for beverages. 

NHL Games

American Airlines Center is never down with the fever of games inside the audience. The NHL organizes its league at a venue with many professional ice hockey teams. In between teams, this venue is home to the “Dallas Stars,” which compete in their matches against other proficient teams inside the indoor ice rinks. Here, the audience can enjoy fast-paced moments including dramatic goals, physical gameplay, and the spectacle of professional athletes skating at full speed.

Concerts and Live Entertainment

This venue is not bounded for just sports leagues, instead offering delightful music concerts, colourful family shows and humorous comedy performances throughout the year. If you enjoy a vibrant music concert, it allows visitors to attend concerts of many popular singers from different music cultures. These are the music tastes that visitors can enjoy here: Pop, Rock, Latin, K-pop, country and others. Apart from that, family can experience together entertaining shows like Disney On Ice, Monster Jam and Children’s live stage productions. Also, the American Airlines Center Arena invites many stand-up comedians to host their performances in a big indoor venue. 

Note: For upcoming events, you can check the events calendar on the official website.

Best Things to Do Near American Airlines Center

If your events have been over and you have more time for the Dallas itinerary. We have some popular places in Dallas for you, near the Venue.  

The Dallas World Aquarium 

Dallas World Aquarium is one of the most distinctive aquariums in the USA, known for its unique immersive approach to displaying rainforest and river ecosystems from around the world. Because of its way of illumination of different continents, animals and plants in places including Africa, South America, Asia and Australia. The busiest Aquarium rests in downtown Dallas and is approximately 5–7 minutes by car or rideshare. from the American Airlines Center. Visitors can visit this place with family, kids, and alone, also to see & learn about Marina Life and Rainforest Ecosystem. Here you have the opportunity to see some rare species that do not easily appear outside, Orinoco crocodile, Harpy eagle, Poison dart frog and Giant river otter. 

Reunion Tower

Reunion Tower is a distinctive landmark in Downtown Dallas, situated near the Dallas Skyline. This place is easy to reach by a 3-5 min drive by car from the venue and is rewarded with a panoramic 360-degree view of Dallas city. The most famous portion of the tower is the GeO-Deck, which looks like a sphere. But offers Indoor/Outdoor observation from 470ft above, an array of interactive touchscreens, and a high-lens telescope. The best time to visit this place is 40 min before sunset for a breathtaking view and photography, or at night to watch the iconic light show. If you have time, then add it to your bucket list. 

Dallas Museum of Art

Dallas Museum of Art is last on our list of Downtown Dallas attractions, situated in the famous Art District of Dallas. If you appreciate the Arts, this place is for you. This Museum is very close to the arena around 1.5 miles and has held 24000 works of art for 5000 years. Here, visitors will experience ancient arts of every continent, plus modern & contemporary masterpieces of America. Dallas Museum of Art is included in the top 10 best museums of the country and often conducts innovative exhibitions, educational programs, lectures and global collections for its visitors. 

Note: Verify current hours at dma.org before visiting.

Best Time to Visit American Airlines Center 

Ideal time for visiting depends on your preference among matches, concerts, shows and weather. Here we have categorized the best time according to your interests. 

Sports Season Highlights

Anyone who is a fan of sports games from October to April is good at attending back-to-back matches of the NBA and the NHL. In these months, visitors can enjoy back-to-back games and heated rivalry between the Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, and their opponents. Additionally, because of knock matches, visitors might expect large crowds. 

Concert Season Trends

Those are waiting for music concerts, family shows, seasonal events and comedy performances year-round. The time is not fixed for concerts, so check the calendar on the site and book your ticket as soon as possible. Most of the time, holidays and weekends witness many popular events at the American Airlines Center. 

Weather Considerations

If you are the kind of person who searches for the best months for a proper weekend plan for top things to do in Dallas and coordinates with any on-the-spot events in the venue. We recommend March to May (spring) and September to November(fall)  as perfect. Because in these months, the temperatures are pleasant for travelling. Also, you will find less traffic and a small tourism crowd in Dallas. 

Where to Stay Near American Airlines Center?

If you are thinking of staying near the American Airlines Center. So you can try these to provide hotels for relaxation before or after the events.

W Dallas 

W Dallas is the nearest 4-star hotel to the American Airlines Center. It provides luxury hospitality to its guests with modern rooms, a gym center and a rooftop pool. Additionally, it also offers its own restaurant taste to visitors with a great Dallas skyline. Visitors can access the venue on time with short work because it is in Victory Park, which is located right next to the Arena. 

Hotel Crescent Court  

Those searching for 5-star hotels near American Airlines Center, Dallas, should consider Hotel Crescent Court as the best option for them. This hotel is located in Uptown, making it easy for visitors to reach the venue by a short walk.  In the amenities, you will get comfortable rooms for long stay, a spa center, a big courtyard with well-settled greenery, a heated rooftop pool and a peaceful fine dining. Additionally, it allows business travelers to arrange their meetings with spacious size and business-oriented facilities. 

Hyatt Regency Dallas 

Hyatt Regency Dallas features in one of the most premium locations in Downtown, right next to the Reunion Tower. With over 1,100 spacious rooms and suites, this hotel provides 4.5- star facilities for tourists, sports fans and business travelers. Visitors can stay here for a long time with sufficient essentials, including TVs, Wi-Fi, mini-fridge, coffee maker and large workspaces. Some of the rooms also offer amazing views of the Dallas skyline, Reunion Tower, and Trinity River, as well as It offers Outdoor Swimming Pool, Fitness Center and Pet-Friendly Environment, just a 5-minute drive from American Airlines Center.

Food and Drink at American Airlines Center

There is no shortage of restaurants under the Arena and also near the American Airlines Center.  During any event, the audience can eat beneath or below the stand of the venue.  Inside the venue, there are several casual concession stands, restaurants and VIP lounges available, from enjoying short snacks to full meals with a variety of drinks. Here are some food and drink destinations that you can discover throughout the venue.

• VIP Lounge:  This lounge is situated on the entry level only for reserved Courtside Seat holders and Glass seat holders. They offer comfortable lounge seating, a premium bar and diverse eating options.
• Yuengling Flight Club: This flight club is full-service oriented restaurant providing diverse dishes like steaks, seafood and American cuisine and Fresh drinks like craft beers and Signature cocktails. Visitors will find this club on the South Platinum Level, which allows entry for everyone.
• Patrón Tequilería: Patrón Tequilería is a bar come a full restaurant open to general ticket holders. Audiences can enjoy their menu of Tex-Mex dishes, appetizers and a full tequila bar that offers alcohol, including tequila, Margaritas, Beer, Wine and Cocktails. 
• ULTRA Club: This club is designed for the purpose of relaxation while waiting in pre-match and during events. Here, the audience can relax without missing any moment on large TVs, and can have a range of drinks. Ultra Club is placed on the Northeast Plaza Level in the Venue.
• Modelo Gold Lion Bar & Grill: This is a casual in-venue dining spot but it offers seating, drinking & meals. It is great with their menu list like Texas Smash Burgers, plant-based dogs and patties, Brisket & Shrimp tacos. When it comes to drink selection, you have a choice of Draft & Craft beer, Cocktail, Wine and Energetic Spirits. 
• The Zone: The zone is only for premium ticket holders, luxury suite guests and platinum premier members. Because it rests on the North Platinum Level and contains multiple food options with a luxury appearance. 

Visitor Tips for First-Time Guests

We have some valuable tips for our readers that they can follow to make their journey remarkable and also to avoid stress from last time’s hassle. 

Arrive Early

You have to pass through a different process when you go to the venue, like finding parking, changing public transportation, passing through the security check and sometimes you need a dining place first. So try to arrive early, around 30 to 60 minutes before the event begins.

What You Can Bring Inside? 

The American Airlines Center enforces a strict policy on entry items. So it’s important to know what is allowed inside the venue. 

• Small purses, Medical bags, after inspection and Diaper bags are all typically allowed.
• Oversized bags and large luggage items must not exceed 14″ x 14″ x 6″.
• One of the most important pieces of information is to keep your ticket on your mobile. Most of the events allow only online tickets instead of hard copies. 
• Carry your mobile and card for online transactions because AAC allows cashless payment most of the time. 

Prohibited Items

Leave these items at home, they are not permitted inside the venue:

• Smoking and vaping are restricted 
• Any outside food is prohibited, including small snacks or beverages.
• Without permission from the authority, professional cameras are forbidden inside the venue.
• Any dangerous and harmful items are strictly restricted, such as Weapons, laser pointers, drones, firecrackers, and sharp objects.

Conclusion

We hope that this blog will help you a lot to know the complete information guide of the American Airlines Center. This indoor venue is not only for the NBA and NHL leagues. Instead, it hosted many popular events, including comedy shows, music concerts, family shows and special seasonal events around the year. So book tickets for your family and friends for your favorite events to enjoy venue magic, tasty foods, cheer on your favorite team and global stars at one of the most popular Stadiums in Dallas.