Six Flags Over Texas:
This 205-acre theme park features more than 100 rides, including
the Texas Giant (wooden) and Titan (metal) roller-coasters,
shows and other attractions in a landscaped setting. Admission:
$39.99, $24.99 for children under 48 inches and for ages
55 and up, and free for kids under 3. 2201 Road to Six Flags
East, Arlington. 817-530-6000. www.sixflags.com/parks/overtexas/index.asp
Sandy Lake Amusement
Park: The little (read: old-fashioned) park-that-could
features a miniature train, pony rides, miniature golf course,
paddleboats, swimming pool and picnic tables. Interstate
35E at Sandy Lake Road (Exit 444), Carrollton. Admission:
$2, under 4 free. Attractions extra. 972-242-7449. www.sandylake.com
SpeedZone:
Hands-on Grand Prix, road, sprint and drag racing, plus
more than 100 racing and action simulators, and miniature
golf course. 11130 Malibu Drive, Dallas. 972-247-7223. www.speedzone.com/dallas.html
GameWorks:
The 32,000-square-foot (three-quarters of an acre) fun house
features a vast array of video and computerized games. 3000
Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine. 972-539-6757. www.gameworks.com
Back to nature
Fort Worth Nature
Center and Refuge: Bison, white-tailed deer and
other native animals and plants occupy a 3,500-acre sanctuary.
Naturalist-led hikes on more than 25 miles of trails, plus
canoe tours and educational programs. 9601 Fossil Ridge
Road, Fort Worth. Free or small fee depending on activity.
817-237-1111.
http://www.nhnct.org
Heard Natural Science
Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary: This 289-acre refuge
features well-kept nature trails, Native Plant Display Garden,
Raptor Rehabilitation Center for orphaned or injured birds
of prey, and educational activities. One Nature Place, McKinney.
Admission: $8, $5 children 3-12 and seniors, free for members.
972-562-5566. www.heardmuseum.org
Cedar Ridge Preserve:
Formerly Dallas Nature Center, now managed by the
Dallas Chapter of the National Audubon Society, the preserve
features 630 acres, including the highest point in the Dallas-Fort
Worth area. Offers easy, intermediate and advanced trails
with views of Joe Pool Lake, mesquite prairie and Dallas
and Fort Worth skylines. 7171 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas.
214-653-6653
See also: Garden
Spots and Recreation Gems.
Cattle calls
Richard Artze photographs Barbara Artze
at the Fort Worth Stockyards
Fort Worth Herd:
Twice-daily re-creation (weather permitting) of late-1800s
cattle drive, with authentic-looking cowhands herding Texas
longhorn steers through the Stockyards National Historic
District. 131 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth. Free. 817-336-4373.
www.fortworthherd.com
West End Cattle Drive:
Cowboys drive a herd of Texas longhorns down Market Street
to Dallas' historic West End as part of the annual fall
festival of the Old West. North Market Street, Dallas. Free.
214-741-7185
Diggin' history
Old City Park:
Dallas' oldest park contains 38 buildings, including a general
store, commercial buildings, schoolhouse, Victorian homes,
log cabin, working farm and historic artifacts from North
Texas. Volunteers demonstrate pioneer crafts. 1717 Gano
St., Dallas. $7, $5 seniors 65 and older, $4 children 3-12.
214-421-5141. www.oldcitypark.org
Stockyards National
Historic District: Area preserves setting of Fort
Worth's heritage including Stockyards Station terminal
of Tarantula train, Livestock Exchange Building, holding
pens, auction arena and barns and features shops,
restaurants, saloons and entertainment, including a Western-theme
amusement park for children, Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and
Cowtown Coliseum. 130 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth. 817-624-4741.
www.fortworthstockyards.org
Heritage Farmstead
Museum: Four-acre national historic site features
restored 1890s farmhouse with garden and original outbuildings,
including smokehouse, blacksmith shop and windmill. Volunteers
in authentic dress describe farm life on the prairie. 1900
W. 15th St., Plano. $3.50, $2.50 children 3-12 and seniors.
972-881-0140 or 972-424-7874. www.heritagefarmstead.org
Other interesting
sites: Farmers Branch Historical Park, Wilson Historical
District in Dallas, Grapevine Historical District, Chestnut
Square Historical Park in McKinney and Log Cabin Village
in Fort Worth
Eating out
Regional flavor:
From steak to Mexican, Tex-Mex, barbecue, Southern home
cookin' and soul food, we have so many eateries you could
forget about cooking at home on your range. Need help choosing?
Check out www.guidelive.com
for restaurant listings and reviews.
Farm fresh
Jim Mahoney/DMN
Cantalope and
watermelon are often in abundance at the Dallas Farmers
Market, one of the largest urban farmers markets in
America.
Dallas Farmers Market:
Fresher, cheaper produce by the bag or bushel
as local farmers (within 150 miles of Dallas) sell
their seasonal products directly to customers. Dating
back more than half a century, it's among the largest
urban farmers markets in the country. Peak season
is May to August. Daily 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 1010 S. Pearl
St. 214-939-2808. www.dallasfarmersmarket.org
Fort Worth Rail Market:
Weekend farmers market, open spring and summer, features
locally grown produce, plants, herbs and crafts under three
large canopies between Rail Market and the transit center.
Saturdays 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 1401 Jones St. 817-335-6758
or 817-335-2519. www.fortworthrailmarket.com
Fairview Farms Marketplace:
Produce, flowers and plants Tuesdays through Sundays spring
and summer. 3314 N. Central Expressway (Exit 30), Plano.
972-422-2500. www.fairfiew-farms.com
Others in North Central
Texas: Many choices, including true farmers markets
and so-called peddlers (or resellers) markets, in Benbrook,
Fort Worth (several), Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Southlake
and White Settlement (Ridgmar), and scattered smaller markets
and stands. Various days and hours. www.agr.state.tx.us/picktexas/index.htm
Garden spots
Dallas Arboretum
and Botanical Garden: Landscaped 66-acre setting
on White Rock Lake features gardens, Texas Pioneer Adventure
interactive exhibit and two historic mansions. 8525 Garland
Road, Dallas. $7, $6 seniors, $4 children 3-12. Parking
$4. 214-515-6500 or 214-327-4901 (hotline). www.dallasarboretum.org
Fort Worth Botanic
Garden: Lush 109-acre site with more than 2,500
native and exotic species in 21 specialty gardens, including
European-style rose gardens, Japanese Garden and conservatory
with tropical plants and birds. 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd.
(off University Drive), Fort Worth. 817-871-7686.
www.fwbg.org
Stepping-stones
are part of an inviting setting at the Japanese
Garden, one of 21 specialty gardens at the Fort Worth Botanic
Garden.
Natalie Caudill/DMN
Texas Discovery Gardens:
More than seven acres of outdoor color includes a native
plant collection, butterfly garden, rose garden and special
collections. 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fair Park,
Dallas. $3, $2 for ages 60 and older, $1.50 for ages 3-11.
214-428-7476. www.texasdiscoverygardens.org
Texas wildflowers:
Along roadsides in spring! (OK, it's not exactly a garden,
but you won't see anything prettier.)
Horsing around
Lone Star Park at
Grand Prairie: Track features thoroughbred racing
April through mid-July and American quarter-horse racing
in October and November, daily race simulcasts in Post Time
Pavilion and 15-acre Family Fun Park with playground and
pony rides. 1000 Lone Star Parkway, Grand Prairie (off Belt
Line Road).$3 general admission. 972-263-7223. www.lonestarpark.com
Medieval Times:
Knights on rare Spanish Andalusian horses and using period
weaponry compete in jousts and hand-to-hand combat. 2021
N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas. $42.95, $29.95 for children
12 and under. 1-800-229-9900. www.medievaltimes.com
Horseback riding:
This is Texas, after all, so Western-style riding seems
more authentic at working and dude ranches, riding stables,
parks and equestrian centers scattered across the region.
I'll buy that ...
Traders Village:
This flea market, open every Saturday and Sunday, features
100-plus acres of merchandise with more than 1,800 dealers
and year-round special events, including the Prairie Dog
Chili Cookoff. 2602 Mayfield Road, Grand Prairie. 972-647-2331.
www.tradersvillage.com
Third
Monday Trade Days: "The best-kept secret in
Texas," it's a miniature version of Canton's First
Monday Trade Days and features hundreds of flea market booths,
including many in an indoor mall. U.S. Highway 380, two
miles west of Interstate 75, McKinney. 972-562-5466. www.tmtd.com
Just plane fun
D/FW International
Airport Observation Area: Watch the frequent comings
and goings and hear control-tower chatter at one of the
world's busiest airports – and you don't need a ticket.
Founder's Plaza, 2829 30th St., at the airport. Free. 972-574-6000.
www.dfwairport.com
Keeping your cool
Dallas Underground:
With more than three miles of tunnels and sky bridges
connecting about three dozen downtown office buildings,
hotels and a multitude of retail shops and restaurants,
this is a great place to hide from the heat and still get
errands and shopping done. But take along a sense of adventure,
because entrances are hard to find and directional guidance
is virtually nonexistent. Open weekdays during regular business
hours
Water gardens: How
do you spell relief? How about: Fountain Place (downtown
Dallas), Fort Worth Water Gardens and Dallas' Thanks-Giving
Square. The first was designed by I.M. Pei and the other
two by Philip Johnson, both renowned architects.
Ice skating:
When the outside temperature reaches 100-plus degrees in
the shade, there's something to be said for slipping on
the blades for a chilly reception at places such as Dr Pepper
Star Centers, with locations including Duncanville, Euless,
Plano and Valley Ranch; Americas Ice Garden and Galleria
skating rinks in Dallas; Ice O Plex and The Rink in Addison;
Ice at Stonebriar Centre in Frisco; Polar Ice in Grapevine;
Blue Line Ice Complex in North Richland Hills; and The Ice
in Fort Worth.
Larger than life
The Mustangs at Las
Colinas: The largest equestrian sculpture in the
world, created by internationally acclaimed wildlife artist
Robert Glen, features five mares, two colts, a dominant
stallion and a young stallion galloping through a stream.
Williams Square, 5205 N. O'Connor Blvd., Irving. Free. 972-869-9047.
www.irvingtexas.com
Pioneer Plaza:
Glen Rose artist Robert Summers' sculptures of 70 longhorns
and three cowboys capture the drama of an old-fashioned
Texas cattle drive through a native landscape. Griffin and
Young streets, Dallas. Free. 214-953-1184
Music to the ears
Morton H. Meyerson
Symphony Center: Designed by famed architect I.M.
Pei, the Meyerson serves as home of the Dallas Symphony
Orchestra, the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra and other
classical, jazz, dance and choral performance groups. 2301
Flora St., Dallas. 214-670-3600. www.dallassymphony.com
Bass
Performance Hall: Home of the Fort Worth Symphony,
Fort Worth Opera, Fort Worth Dallas Ballet and Van Cliburn
piano competition. 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth. 817-212-4300.
www.basshall.com
Allison V. Smith/DMN
Night on the town
Entertainment districts:
For nightclubs, restaurants, galleries and theaters with
that urban edge, check out Deep Ellum, Greenville Avenue,
McKinney Avenue, Knox-Henderson and West End in Dallas;
Belt Line Road in Addison; and Sundance Square in Fort Worth.
On track
McKinney Avenue Trolley:
Restored electric streetcar runs almost three miles
between the Arts District and the McKinney Avenue area of
restaurants, galleries and shops. 3153 Oak Grove Ave., Dallas.
214-855-0006. www.mata.org
Tarantula train:
Excursion train with restored steam locomotive pulling vintage
coaches 21 miles from Grapevine's Cotton Belt Depot to Fort
Worth's Stockyards Station. 707 S. Main St., Grapevine,
and 140 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth. 817-625-7245. www.tarantulatrain.com
Light rail trains:
These DART lines offer a nice alternative for getting around,
from Plano (Red Line) and Garland (Blue Line) to South Dallas.
Stops include Cityplace, downtown (West End, Union Station,
Convention Center) and the Dallas Zoo. Trinity Railway Express
runs from Fort Worth's T&P Station to Union Station
and includes stops near D/FW Airport and at American Airlines
Center (special events only). www.dart.org
Pastimes and present
Check out The Ballpark in
Arlington & Sports Museum in Arlington; Age of Steam
Railroad Museum, American Museum of Miniature Arts and the
Firefighters and Children's museums, all in Dallas; Frontiers
of Flight Museum in Dallas, American Airlines C.R. Smith
Museum near D/FW International Airport and Cavanaugh Flight
Museum in Addison; National Cattle Raisers Museum and National
Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth; Owens Spring
Creek Farm in Richardson; the Mary Kay Cosmetics Museum
in Dallas; and The Palace of Wax and Ripley's Believe It
or Not! in Grand Prairie.
Quality time
Art museums:
Institutions, many nationally recognized, include the Dallas
Museum of Art, the Meadows Museum at Southern Methodist
University, the Crow Collection of Asian Art and the African
American Museum, all in Dallas; the Modern Art Museum of
Fort Worth, the Kimbell, the Amon Carter and Sid Richardson
Collection of Western Art museums in Fort Worth; and the
Arlington Museum of Art.
Brad Loper/DMN
Seated Buddha
Subduing Mara is on display
in the Dallas Museum of Art's David T Owsley Galleries
of South Asian Art.
Public library programs:
Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano and others offer weekly events,
including Library Live! performances by entertainers from
Young Audiences of North Texas, story hours and multicultural
programs.
Texas Sculpture Garden:
This gem, part of the Hall Office Park in Frisco, features
dozens of artworks displayed for all to see. And it's free.
6801 Gaylord Parkway. www.texassculpturegarden.org
Recreation gems
Cedar Hill State
Park: This 1,800-acre park offers campsites, grills,
swimming beach, sand volleyball courts, hiking and biking
trails, marina and boat ramps, fishing and playgrounds.
1570 W. FM1382, Cedar Hill. 972-291-3900
Lake Ray Roberts:
The lake and 5,849-acre state park offer boating, fishing,
swimming, camping and trails for hiking, biking, in-line
skating and horseback riding. 100 PW 4137, Pilot Point (north
of Denton). 940-686-2148
White Rock Lake:
Multiuse urban wildlife sanctuary provides for
sailboating, trolling and fishing, with paved trail for
bicycling, running, walking and in-line skating. 8300 Garland
Road, Dallas. 214-670-8239
Fort Worth Trinity
Park: Multiuse park along Trinity River is popular
for Trinity River Trail – a paved multiuse hiking/biking
trail – and miniature train, playgrounds and picnic
pavilions. 2401 University Drive, Fort Worth. 817-871-5718
River Legacy Parks:
1,200-acre facility along Trinity River offers greenbelts,
thick forests and paved trails, with Saturday morning naturalist-led
hike. 701 N.W. Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington. 817-860-6752.
www.riverlegacy.org
Others:
Grapevine Lake provides boating, fishing, sand beaches,
swimming, picnicking and camping, plus trails for hikes,
bikes and horses. Lake Ray Hubbard, a sailing mecca, is
15 miles east of downtown Dallas.
Science places
Fort Worth Museum
of Science and History: Founded as Fort Worth Children's
Museum, it retains much of its childlike enthusiasm with
entertaining and varied permanent and traveling exhibitions,
Omni Theater and Noble Planetarium. 1501 Montgomery St.,
Fort Worth. Admission: $7-$13, $5-$10 seniors 60 and older
and children 3-12. 1-888-255-9300 or 817-255-9300. www.fwmuseum.org
Dallas Museum of
Natural History: The collection of more than 280,000
specimens features rare and extinct animals, big-game mounts,
fossils, bugs, dioramas, a Texas dinosaur and wildlife habitats.
3535 Grand Ave., Fair Park, Dallas. $6.50, $5.50 for seniors
55 and older, $5 for students 13-18, $4 for children 3-12.
214-421-3466. www.dallasdino.org
The Science Place:
Museum features permanent collection with hands-on, multimedia
displays, planetarium and popular IMAX Theater. 1318 Second
Ave., Fair Park, Dallas. Admission: $7.50-$15.50, $6.50-$13.50
for seniors 60 and older, $4-$11 for children 3-12. 214-428-5555.
www.scienceplace.org
Texas-sized treasure
Dallas Fair Park:
This 277-acre national historic landmark is home to the
State Fair of Texas in October – biggest in the country
and featuring the biggest Ferris wheel in North America
(the Texas Star) and, of course, Big Tex. Fair Park also
has the country's largest concentration of art deco exhibition
buildings, the city's largest collection of museums and
the Cotton Bowl. Parry and Second avenues (Exit 48B off
Interstate 30). 214-670-8400 or 214-421-9600. www.fairparkdallas.com
or www.bigtex.com
Ariane Kadoch
Swisa/DMN
Moondancers
is part of the Texas Sculpture Garden in Frisco. The
collection of indoor and outdoor sculptures is one of
the largest in the region.
Underwater world
Dallas World Aquarium
& Zoological Garden: Privately owned aquarium
features aquatic creatures such as tropical fish, piranhas,
octopuses, sea horses, manatees and crocodiles, as well
as exotic denizens of the South American rain forest. 1801
N. Griffin St., Dallas. $10.95, $8 for seniors 60 and older
and kids 3-12. 214-720-2224. www.dwazoo.com
Dallas Aquarium at
Fair Park: Facility features more than 400 species
of aquatic life and special exhibits. 1462 First Ave. $3,
$1.50 for children 3-11, free for children under 3. 214-670-8443.
www.dallas-zoo.org
View from the top
Reunion Tower:
Sightseeing's a ball from the observation deck, which offers
a 360-degree view of the city from 50 stories up. Hotel
Street near Reunion Arena, Dallas. $2 adults, $1 seniors
and kids 3 to 12. 214-651-1234
Wet and wild
Hurricane Harbor:
This 47-acre water park, largest in the Southwest, features
the Lazy River and 21 slides, including the renowned Black
Hole, plus a children's one-acre playground, volleyball
courts and miniature golf courses. 1800 E. Lamar Blvd.,
Arlington. $28, $18 for children under 48 inches and seniors,
and free for kids 2 and under. Parking $7. 817-265-3356.
www.sixflags.com/parks/
hurricaneharbordallas
NRH2O: Wet
with a little less wild, this 17-acre family park offers
flumes, water tubes and slides, Endless River ride and children's
area – and is small enough to keep track of the kids.
9001 Grapevine Highway, North Richland Hills. $14.20, $12.20
for children under 48 inches, and free for kids 2 and under.
817-427-6500. www.nrh2o.com
Burger's Lake:
Surrounded by a thick grove of native shade trees, this
spring-fed, sandy-bottom swimming hole includes diving board
and slide, beaches, floating dock, giant inner tubes, volleyball
courts, picnic tables and grills. 1200 Meandering Road,
Fort Worth. $10, free for kids 6 and under. 817-737-3414.
www.burgerslake.com
X-games
GPX Skate Park:
Four-acre extreme park offers skateboarders, in-line skaters
and bikers beginner to advanced courses, hockey rink and
vert ramp. 1000 Lone Star Parkway, Grand Prairie. $10-$12
per session. 972-237-4370. www.gpxsk8.com
Zero Gravity: Skycoaster
hang-gliding/ skydiving simulator, Texas Blastoff accelerator,
Nothin' but Net 100-foot free fall and bungee jumping. 11131
Malibu Drive, Dallas. $29.50-$73.95. 972-436-5867. www.gojump.com
Stone Works Climbing
Gym: Billed as the world's largest indoor climbing
gym, with routes up to 121 feet high. 1003 Fourth Ave.,
Carrollton. $12 day pass. 972-323-1047. www.stoneworkssilos.com
Yee-haw!
Southwestern Exposition
and Livestock Show: Annual livestock exposition
includes the "World's Original Indoor Rodeo" with
competition in calf roping, steer wrestling, bareback and
saddle bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing and cutting-horse
events for three weeks in January and February. Will Rogers
Memorial Center, 3300 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth. 817-877-2400.
www.fwstockshowrodeo.com
Mesquite Championship
Rodeo: Weekly competition plus clowns, barbecue,
petting zoo and pony rides. 1818 Rodeo Drive, Mesquite.
$5-$30. Parking $3. 972-285-8777 or 1-800-833-9339. www.mesquiterodeo.com
Cowtown Coliseum
Rodeo: Events each weekend, including Stockyards
Championship Rodeo and Pawnee Bill Wild West Show. 121 E.
Exchange Ave., Fort Worth. $4.50-$12.50. 817-625-1025 or
metro 817-654-1148. www.cowtowncoliseum.com
Zoos Who
Fort Worth Zoo:
Nationally recognized home to more than 5,000 native and
exotic creatures – 900-plus species – in such
exhibits as World of Primates and Texas Wild!, the latter
a one-of-a-kind presentation of indigenous wildlife and
habitats. 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth. $9, $6.50 kids
3-12, and $5.50 for 65 and over. $5 parking. 817-759-7555
or 817-871-7050. www.fortworthzoo.com
Dallas Zoo:
"Wilds of Africa" exhibit is considered one of
the nation's best. Also includes renowned reptile and amphibian
collection and Lacerte Family Children's Zoo. 650 South
R.L. Thornton Freeway (I-35E), Dallas. $8, $5 children 3-11
and $4 for 65 and over. $5 parking. 214-670-5656. www.dallas-zoo.org
A Dallas Zoo
employee feeds a baby gibbon.
Mei-Chun Jau/DMN
