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Voykit pocket guide · United States
The Colony
Spend a half‑day to a full day in The Colony for lake views, parks and a golf round; no overnight stay needed unless you want resort amenities.
The Colony is a lakeside suburb of Dallas with 23 mi of shoreline, municipal parks and two golf courses. It’s a quick 25‑minute drive from Dallas Love Field and 30 min from DFW, making it ideal for a day trip or a brief stay if you plan to golf or use the resort hotels.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot, humid)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $30–$50 excl. accommodation · Mid $50–$100 excl. accommodation · High $100+ excl. accommodation (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a local café | $2–$4 |
| Fast‑food meal | $6–$10 |
| Parking at a municipal park | $5–$10 per day |
| Golf green fee (The Tribute) | $80–$180 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- DFW · Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
- ≈30 min via TX‑121
- DAL · Dallas Love Field
- ≈25 min via Dallas North Tollway
Typical fares
- Dallas Love Field → The Colony (taxi)
- ≈ $30–$45, 25 min (check)
- Car rental (compact, daily)
- ≈ $40–$70 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car is the primary mode; TX‑121 and Dallas North Tollway give fast access. Local streets are well‑signed; bike lanes exist in park areas.
See and do
Known for
- Lake Lewisville shoreline
- Stewart Creek Park
- MarineQuest at Hidden Cove
- The Tribute golf resort
- Hawaiian Falls water park
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Lewisville shoreline | Drive via TX‑121, 5 min from The Colony centre | ≈15 min total |
| Stewart Creek Park & MarineQuest | Drive 3 mi north on TX‑121, then local roads | ≈20 min total |
| The Tribute Golf Resort | Drive 2 mi north on TX‑121 | ≈10 min total |
Sleep
- Fairfield Inn & Suites The Colony/Plano
- Affordable rooms, free Wi‑Fi and breakfast; good for a night after golf.
- Residence Inn The Colony/Plano
- Suite hotel with kitchen; suited for longer stays.
- The Tribute
- Golf‑resort suites; pricier, ideal for golf enthusiasts.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excuse me / SorryExcuse me |
| Thank you | Thank youThank you |
| How much is it? | How much is it?How much is it? |
| Where is the restroom? | Where is the restroom?Where is the restroom? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Summer heat can exceed 35 °C; stay hydrated.
- Parking at popular parks fills quickly on weekends; arrive early.
The Colony is a typical suburban area with low crime; standard precautions apply, especially after dark near the lake.
One and two days
No timed day plan for The Colony yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Lake Lewisville shoreline
- Stewart Creek Park
- MarineQuest at Hidden Cove
- The Tribute golf resort
- Hawaiian Falls water park
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- The Colony official website: www.thecolonytx.gov
- Wikidata – The Colony: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1234567
- Wikivoyage: The Colony, revision 4610143 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4610143
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
The Colony
To this address, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
US 911 emergency; nearest consulates in Dallas.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/the-colony). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.