Founder's Plaza Observation Area
Founder's Plaza Observation Area
4.5
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
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285 within 3 miles
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67 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
97 reviews
Excellent
60
Very good
34
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Stretch Clendennen
Grapevine, TX176 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
This is a nice little rest stop and the north end of DFW airport. It has benches and tables where you can sit and enjoy the view, along with a grassy area if you want to spread a blanket for plane watching or a picnic. The speakers allow you to listen in on the radio traffic from the planes and air traffic controllers live, and there are the large binoculars that you pay to look through if you want a close up look at the planes and buildings.
Of course, it's a bit noisy with all the big planes constantly coming and going, but that's also part of what makes it a nifty place to go hang out. It's really cool at night to watch the lights of the planes as they come and go among all the lights of the different runways and taxi-ways.
If you're on a budget, or money is tight, no worries, because all it will cost you is the gas to drive out. It's free and open to anyone who wants to stop by for a few minutes, or a couple of hours.
Of course, it's a bit noisy with all the big planes constantly coming and going, but that's also part of what makes it a nifty place to go hang out. It's really cool at night to watch the lights of the planes as they come and go among all the lights of the different runways and taxi-ways.
If you're on a budget, or money is tight, no worries, because all it will cost you is the gas to drive out. It's free and open to anyone who wants to stop by for a few minutes, or a couple of hours.
Written April 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr_CosmasS_usa
Dallas, TX12 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Why on earth is there no restroom here? The closest restroom is three miles away in the nearest restaurant. Consider the kids and elderly!!!
Written December 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shawnhW9314BC
Irving, TX14 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
I live and work nearby. This is a fun place to watch planes taking off and landing at DFW Airport. If you are a planespotter, please check it out.
Written April 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert D
5 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
To be entranced by the take-off and landing of machines weighing many thousands of tons may seem very strange to many people. But to me it is one of the most relaxing and strangely engaging investments. To watch such huge machines (burdened with cargo, luggage, fuel and people) race along at an amazing clip, and then ascend into the sky is truly breath-taking. And this particular perch at one of the world's busiest airports is specifically designed for an oddball like me: easily accessible; plenty of parking; unobstructed views of the airport runways and flightpaths; lots of benches for sitting; informative panels and monuments about the airport's history and notable milestones. An unrivaled experience for oddballs like me who enjoy the miracle of flight.
Written February 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill O
Irving, Texas177 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
I've been in the airline industry 40 years but I never tire of watching those beautiful metal birds scream in or out of DFW. Bring the kids, bring the puppies (just pick up the poopie!)and enjoy. Best times if the airport is landing north-to-south: 11a-1p and 2p-4p (lots of widebody aircraft arriving then). If the airport is on a north flow, best times are 10a-1p and 4p-7p (same reason!).
Written August 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DRun23
Dallas, TX54 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
I think that Founder's Plaza is one of the best underutilized attractions in DFW. It's a great "little park" if you have kids (half the people there are with their kids). If your kids love airplanes, they can get a great view of the planes taking off & landing, and there's plenty of space where they can run around. For the grown-up airplane enthusiasts, there's an area where they broadcast the Tower over a speaker. Plus they have it decorated with lots of plants & flowers with signs describing the plants and other gardening tips that they used in the park. For couples looking for romance, there are some parking spots where you can back-in and recline in the bed of your truck and watch the planes or stars or whatever. I've taken my kids here sometimes but also went with just my wife for some quiet couple time. Plus it's FREE!!!
Written July 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick C
Irving, TX472 contributions
Nov 2020
This is a great place to relax for aviation enthusiasts while watching the planes come and go, and listening to live ATC.
However, the view of the air traffic is dependent on the winds and which runways are being used as you only get a view of the west runways. Also, depending on the winds, you have a great view of either take offs or landings.
Nevertheless, if you're an aviation enthusiast, it's a cool place to just sit back and enjoy the "flight".
However, the view of the air traffic is dependent on the winds and which runways are being used as you only get a view of the west runways. Also, depending on the winds, you have a great view of either take offs or landings.
Nevertheless, if you're an aviation enthusiast, it's a cool place to just sit back and enjoy the "flight".
Written November 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicole M
Dallas, TX20 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
We went on Easter Sunday. It was a beautiful windy day. We walked down to the fence where the planes fly over your head. Not many tables so bring chairs.
Written April 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
janetthom
Irving, TX42 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
We go to Founders Plaza several times a year. My grands love watching the planes land or take off. Lots of aviation facts & things to do. Enjoy taking a picnic lunch & relaxing.
Written August 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sswagner
Arlington, TX419 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
As other reviews indicate, the site is free and is a great place to watch aircraft movements at DFW. If you are a diehard aircraft spotter and want good pictures, the best time is in the early afternoon as the heavies from Europe come in as well as the Qantas A380.
The key to the best experience literally depends on which direction the wind is blowing. If it is coming from the south, then planes will land right in front of you and start their takeoff roll fairly close. Most summer days will have south winds and will be ideal for observing. It will be hot, so bring what you need. If winds are coming from the north, then the planes will be landing on the other side of your observation area and will be far away. Planes will be taking off in your direction, but they will already be fairly high up when they pass your location. Use flightradar or other sites to determine which direction the aircraft are moving to make an informed decision.
The observation is good for a picnic and does have some shaded areas. Parking is usually no problem unless an unusual and/or historic visitor is coming to DFW, and believe me, the hard core observers/photographers will be there. There are no restrooms, so plan ahead. It will require a bit of driving to get to the closest one if you need one. Bring your camera if you like aviation. You never know what could land right in front of you.
The key to the best experience literally depends on which direction the wind is blowing. If it is coming from the south, then planes will land right in front of you and start their takeoff roll fairly close. Most summer days will have south winds and will be ideal for observing. It will be hot, so bring what you need. If winds are coming from the north, then the planes will be landing on the other side of your observation area and will be far away. Planes will be taking off in your direction, but they will already be fairly high up when they pass your location. Use flightradar or other sites to determine which direction the aircraft are moving to make an informed decision.
The observation is good for a picnic and does have some shaded areas. Parking is usually no problem unless an unusual and/or historic visitor is coming to DFW, and believe me, the hard core observers/photographers will be there. There are no restrooms, so plan ahead. It will require a bit of driving to get to the closest one if you need one. Bring your camera if you like aviation. You never know what could land right in front of you.
Written July 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can u stay out there all night?
Bill O
Irving, Texas177 contributions
7pm is the stated closing time, but the DFW Police will usually not run you off until right before sunset in the long days of summer.
Hi! I have never been here before and was wondering if there is spots where you can park your truck and sit in the back and watch the airplanes go by? Or how does this work? Thank you!
Ron C
82 contributions
Yes, I have seen several trucks back into the parking spaces, so they sit in the back and are facing the action. Photographers seem to especially like this arrangement.
Andrea T
dallas16 contributions
Last time I went to founders Plaza the planes were using a runway far from the viewing area does anyone know how to tell based on the air direction if the planes are using the runway closest to the viewing area?
LakesideRotties
Gun Barrel City, Texas, United States26 contributions
In general, if the winds are out of the south (blowing from the south to the north), planes will be landing near the viewing area on 18R. If it is a light travel day, take offs and landings will be slow. The best times for viewing are in the morning and afternoons. That's when air traffic is heaviest.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Founder's Plaza Observation Area
- Hotels near Founder's Plaza Observation Area:
- (1.76 mi) Grand Hyatt DFW
- (1.01 mi) Super 8 by Wyndham Grapevine/DFW Airport Northwest
- (1.19 mi) Hilton Garden Inn DFW North Grapevine
- (4.76 mi) The Westin Dallas Southlake
- (2.67 mi) Home2 Suites by Hilton Irving / DFW Airport North
- Restaurants near Founder's Plaza Observation Area:
- (1.12 mi) Mi Dia From Scratch
- (1.15 mi) Bob's Steak & Chop House - Grapevine
- (1.13 mi) Winewood Grill
- (1.43 mi) Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
- (2.01 mi) Oldwest Cafe
Founder's Plaza Observation Area Information
Excellent Reviews | 60 |
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Very Good Reviews | 34 |
Founder's Plaza Observation Area Photos | 63 |