• By CYNTHIA V. CAMPBELL
• Travel editor
• Published: Oct 19, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Fall is a golden time in Dallas, when harsh summer sun has dimmed and autumnal sunsets reflect off shimmering windows of skyscrapers. It’s one of the best times to visit the city for cultural events, shopping and football games.

The biggest thing to see in Big D this fall is Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs at the Dallas Museum of Art. Although this is a return for the King Tut exhibit in the U.S., it includes a number of artifacts never before seen outside of Egypt. Among items on display are 50 of Tutankhamun’s burial objects, including his royal diadem — the gold crown discovered encircling the head of his mummified body that he likely wore as king — and one of the gold and precious tone inlaid canopic coffinettes that contained his internal organs.

Museum officials expect the exhibition of Egypt’s famous boy king to attract a new generation of travelers who will experience the history and magic of ancient Egypt for the first time. People are captivated by the artifacts and treasures of Tutankhamun and other royalty of the 18th Dynasty (1555 B.C.-1305 B.C.)

All tickets to the King Tut exhibit are timed and dated. The exhibition is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m., daily with the last ticket sold for 6:30 p.m. entry. Allow at least 90 minutes to view the exhibit. Ticket prices range between $16.50 for children ages 6-17 and $32.50 for adults. Weekend and holiday prices are higher than weekday prices. Check with the museum at (877) 888-8587.

Dallas hotels are offering a number of special packages during the King Tut exhibit. They vary greatly in amenities and prices. All offers are based on availability, and certain blackout dates can apply.

The Adolphus Hotel, one of Dallas’ landmark hotels, has a “Bare Bones” package that starts at $224, per night single occupancy, and features a choice of deluxe or junior suite and includes VIP tickets to the King Tut exhibit, front of line access.

Don’t gasp! The Adolphus has a “Texas Over-the-Tut” package — beginning at $2,500 per night. It includes a luxury suite accommodation with garden terrace, two VIP tickets to the exhibit, hour-long in-suite massage for two, chauffeured Rolls Royce transportation to and from the exhibit, one copy of the official companion book to the exhibition, French Room 13-course chef’s tasting menu dinner for two with paired wines, American breakfast in the Bistro or in suite and complimentary valet parking.

The Westin City Center has a King Tut package beginning at $199 per night that includes two VIP tickets and complimentary valet parking.

The Hampton Inn Dallas North is offering a King Tut special beginning at $107 per night and includes two VIP tickets to the exhibit, breakfast, complimentary social hour and complimentary parking.

A complete list of hotels participating with King Tut packages can be found by visiting the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau Web site, http://www.visitdallas.com. Click on the “King Tut” logo. This puts you on the Dallas Museum of Art Web site: http://www.dallasmuseumofart.com. Then click on “Participating Hotels.” The list will give you types of available packages, phone numbers and Web sites for making reservations. Also while visiting the museum, you can enjoy a light meal in the Atrium Café which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Thursday evenings the café features a jazz concert 5-7 p.m.

If you return to the Dallas CVB Web site, you will find listings for all types of city activities, including museums, sporting events and shopping. There’s also an extensive restaurant guide for all areas of the city.

Affordable Egypt
The most affordable way to travel abroad is through a packaged group tour. For example, Gate 1 is offering an eight-day “Affordable Egypt” trip with a three-day Nile cruise for $1,599, including air and land transportation.

The package includes round-trip air from New York City to Cairo, airline fuel surcharges, intra-Egypt flights, six nights first-class accommodations, 12 meals, daily breakfast and services of an English-speaking Egyptologist and tour manager. Not included are airport taxes, fees and Sept. 11 security fee.