Arlington may seem like just an offshoot of Dallas to out-of-towners, but those who’ve spent time there know that it’s a city with incredible culture and amazing people all its own. If you’re in the area and can’t decide how to spend your time, there are more options than you wouldn’t believe!
Looking for some fun suggestions? These are the top things to do in this amazing city, and just part of the reason why you should consider visiting sometime soon!
Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts
When’s the last time you got to attend a performance by a live symphony? Do you enjoy live musicals and plays? The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts has put a lot of work into ensuring every performance is a truly unforgettable experience.
In addition to ticketed events, the non-profit Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts hosts approximately 50 free concerts each year on the lawn of downtown Arlington’s scenic Founders Plaza. These events include everything from performances by Grammy Award-winning superstars to interactive Children’s Concerts, where kids and their families have a chance to take part in the show.
Arlington Museum of Art
Even the art in Arlington is more beautiful than anywhere else! The Arlington Museum of Art has something for everyone, from challenging post-modernist sculptures to classical paintings from the turn of the century.
Although the museum places special emphasis on the work of local Texan artists, multiculturalism and a sense of history have increasingly become driving forces in museum programming for the last twenty years, resulting in innovative new exhibits and events introducing visitors to the legacy of indigenous creators and foreign visionaries from all across the globe.
Planetarium at the University of Texas at Arlington
If you’ve ever wanted to sit back and look at the stars without mosquitoes and ants biting you or the chilly night wind giving you goosebumps, the Planetarium at the University of Texas at Arlington is definitely the spot for you.
With dazzling shows that take you through the universe’s endless beauty and wonders to informational talks that explain how far we’ve come and how far we may still go, a visit to the Planetarium is beautiful, informative, and inspiring for visitors of any age. Amateur astrologists and awe-struck Saganites will want to find apartments in Arlington, TX, so they can come back and experience the wonders of space again and again.
International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame
If you’ve ever gotten a strike while bowling, you know the sheer thrill and excitement that comes with it. The International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame takes lovers of the sport right down the lanes of bowling’s long and stories history, while also paying tribute to some of the true greats of the game.
Over the years, bowling has risen and fallen and risen again in popularity, and this museum has immortalized every moment. Whether you’re a bowling die-hard or just a curious tourist, you’ll come away with a wealth of new knowledge. Among the museum’s memorable offerings are explanations for how balls are designed, information about the oldest bowling alleys in the world, and even the sport’s historic precursors, stretching all the way back to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt!
Top O’Hill Terrace
Long before Vegas gained a reputation as the gambling capital of America, Top O’Hill Terrace was a luxury casino that in many ways the Sin City of its day. There was just one little catch: gambling was illegal for much of the casino’s lifetime. In the early 1900s, escape tunnels were built beneath the building so that local gamblers could quickly escape without getting arrested.
Of course, gambling is still illegal in Texas (so don’t go getting any crazy ideas). These days, the casino stands not as a den of vice but as an icon of Arlington’s colorful history, a time when the west really was “wild.”
Six Flags Over Texas
You don’t have to have kids to enjoy a day at the amusement park, though it definitely helps. Looking for something in Arlington that is sure to keep your little ones occupied? Six Flags Over Texas boasts 212 acres of rides, games, and other fun attractions.
It helps that this isn’t just any Six Flags park; it’s the first! Since its opening in 1961, the park has collected no fewer than 16 different roller coasters, including the record-setting Titan. With a height of over 245 feet, a length of 5,312 feet, and a speed of 85 mph, it’s the tallest, longest, and fastest coaster in the state. Videos don’t do it justice; you have to experience the heart-pounding excitement of Titan for yourself.
Legal Draft Beer Company
After a long day of watching live performances, riding roller coasters, appreciating one-of-a-kind artworks, and outrunning the law in the hidden tunnels of a turn-of-the-century casino, Arlington visitors will no doubt have worked a whopping thirst. Fortunately, the city has the perfect place to go for a drink: the Legal Draft Beer Company.
Responsible for an eclectic assortment of seasonal lagers, stouts, and IPAs throughout the year, the Legal Draft Beer Company helped put Arlington on the map when it opened as the city’s first production brewery. In addition to enjoying regular tasting and even a family-friendly, game-filled taproom, visitors can tour the facilities during the weekend to get an up-close look at how Legal Draft turns hops and barley into liquid gold.
