Better late than never! I booked this fantastic tour with Discover Dallas Tours back in October,…read morebut this review is long overdue.
My mom, who lives in France, came to visit me and my family in California for a few weeks. Before she flew back home, I wanted to create a special memory together. So, I surprised her with a weekend getaway to Dallas!
We had a blast exploring the JFK Museum and the Fort Worth Stockyards, but the highlight of the trip was definitely our visit to Southfork Ranch.
After researching several tour companies, I decided Discover Dallas Tours was the perfect fit. This family-run company stood out because Rebecca, the owner, personally called me after I inquired online. Even though the website didn't show availability, Rebecca was able to organize the perfect private tour of Southfork Ranch for us. She confirmed everything clearly via email and text message, including pick-up details and timings.
Importantly, they are the only private tour company authorized by the owners of Southfork Ranch, making the experience even more special.
The price was absolutely worth it. Erin, our guide (Rebecca's daughter), picked us up at our downtown hotel in a comfortable black SUV and drove us to the ranch. During the ride, Erin shared interesting facts about Dallas, the history of Texas, cowboys, the Fort Worth Stockyards and Longhorns. She even stopped at the Southfork Ranch gate for memorable photos before we arrived.
Since my mom doesn't speak English, Erin found a comfortable and quiet spot for us to sit and provided detailed information about the ranch and the show. Erin was very patient, giving me plenty of time to translate everything for my mom. Her stories were captivating, and it brought back so many memories for both of us - we used to watch the show together every week back in France!
The tour included a visit to the on-site museum at Southfork Ranch, where we saw photographs, magazine and newspaper clippings, props used in the show, and the famous gun used in the episode "Who shot JR?". We also walked around the house, saw the swimming pool, and the table outside where the family had breakfast. For fans of the original series, it's interesting to know that the interiors you see on screen were actually sets, while the exteriors were filmed on location at the ranch! Erin explained why the interiors weren't filmed at the ranch (you'll need to take the tour to hear the full story). The second series and more recent ones used the ranch's interior for filming.
Erin was fantastic throughout the tour - friendly, patient, and attentive. She even took some great pictures of my mom and me. It was a perfect day for us. Thank you to both Erin and Rebecca!
Overall, this tour was an amazing experience, and I highly recommend Discover Dallas Tours to anyone visiting the Dallas area.