Dallas/Fort Worth
Cowboy living is king ’round these parts of the Lone Star State
If you come to Dallas-Fort Worth looking for rugged cowboys and glittering high-rises, well—you’ll get exactly that. But you’ll also get a whole lot more on a trip to this North Texas megalopolis. So dust off those boots and get ready to two-step your way through two iconic towns
Big Adventure in Big D
Start the day with a tasty treat or two at Garden Café. This hidden gem in the Junius Heights neighborhood of East Dallas scrambles up delicious brunch items using ingredients that are grown on the property.
If outlaw adventure is right up your alley, take a trip down a worn stairway just off the lobby of the Miley and Brown law offices on Ross Avenue. What greets you at the bottom is a solitary confinement cell that was part of one of the city’s first jails. Though the room now holds case files instead of criminals, it’s worth taking a peek when you’re in the neighborhood.
Wet your whistle and sing along at the famed Adair’s Saloon on Commerce. It doubles as a pub and live music joint, switching seamlessly after the sun goes down to welcome boot-scooters and toe-tappers for string bands and graffiti sessions—just about every surface is covered in patrons’ signatures and scribbles.
Take a time-out from the bustle of the city at Beck Park, part of the Nasher Sculpture Center. Beck Park is equal parts homage to the slick concrete jungle where it makes its home and an oasis of tranquil water features surrounded by live oak trees.
Don’t just watch the sun go down behind the “big ball in the sky”—take a ride up to the top of the 560-foot-tall Reunion Tower and enjoy panoramic views of the Metroplex from the orb-like GeO-Deck. Hungry visitors can stop for a quick bite at Cloud Nine Café, or plan an intimate meal for two at Five Sixty, a Wolfgang Puck Asian-inspired restaurant that features a rotating bar.
There’s Plenty of Fun in Between
If you’re bent on taking in Dallas and Fort Worth together, don’t buzz by the communities that bridge these two bigger cities, or you’ll miss out on even more fun. In addition to great outings at Six Flags Over Texas theme park, Texas Rangers baseball games in the spring and Dallas Cowboys games in the fall, the cities between Dallas and Fort Worth offer their own brand of fun for residents and visitors who are just passing through. Check out the Fort Worth Water Gardens, whose cascading rivulets were seen in the science fiction film, “Logan’s Run.”
Arlington lies between the southernmost parts of Dallas and Fort Worth and has built its own reputation for good times. Not only is it home to three of the area’s most popular destinations, but Arlington also boasts the Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame. The history of the sport, its great champions and those who helped elevate the game are all part of the package at this family-friendly spot. On the nearby campus of the University of Texas-Arlington, stargazers peer into the depths of the night sky courtesy of the school’s planetarium.
Further north but just as accessible is the toast-worthy town of Grapevine. The city’s Main Street is studded with eateries, eclectic shops and historic markers. It’s also the site of several celebrations throughout the year. If you happen to be in the neighborhood in September, don’t miss the town’s signature party, GrapeFest. The four-day festival features wines from around the globe and offers a grape stomp and live entertainment.
If you visit in the fall, you can’t pass up the chance to visit the Texas State Fair, which is held every year at Fair Park. Wave back to Big Tex, an animatronic statue that towers over the fair, and ride the gigantic Ferris Wheel to get a bird’s-eye view of the festivities below.
Explore ’Til the Cows Come Home
End your journey where the West begins, in the city of cowboys and culture. Fort Worth is more than its famed Stockyards, though you’ll definitely want to line up for the twice-daily cattle drive that meanders down the main thoroughfare in this historic section of town.
Old West nostalgia takes a twist at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, where the women of the cattle-driving, bronco-busting, nation-exploring era are celebrated and honored through exhibits and displays featuring more than 4,000 artifacts. The museum also pays tribute to pioneers in art and government.
A few miles south of downtown, you’ll find yourself nearly south of the border at La Gran Plaza. This colorful mecca for lovers of Mexican trends and culture is home to more than 200 stores and a 120,000-square-foot market. Mariachi bands and traditional dancers provide on-the-spot entertainment.
Summer in Fort Worth means hot nights and cool bands during Rockin’ the River, a summer-long live music series set against the Trinity River on the north side of the city. Sit on the bank or toss a tube in the water.
As the sun sets over the Trinity, pull up your ride to the Coyote Drive-In Theater. This retro entertainment experience offers current films and quick-service treats.
For More Information
Dallas/Fort Worth Area Tourism Council
817-329-2438
www.dfwandbeyond.com
Texas Tourism
800-452-9292
www.traveltex.com
