19 Cool Things to Do in Arlington On Your North Texas Trip

Longing to tour the Lone Star State? Spice up your ultimate travel itinerary with the best things to do in Arlington, Texas. Renowned for its gangster past, its giant stadiums, and its love for show nights, Arlington is never a boring ride.

Wedged between Dallas and Fort Worth, Arlington is affectionately known as The American Dream City. For both couples and families, the North Texas city offers a wide range of entertainment. Among the top tourist attractions in Arlington, TX, you can catch a game in the world’s largest dome-shaped stadium, sing along to live music at the massive Texas Live!, or catch a performance in its intimate theater.

Not sure what to do? Make the most of your North Texas trip with suggestions from this complete guide to the best places to visit in Arlington, Texas.

Choctaw Stadium

Eager to discover one of the most legendary places to go in Arlington, TX? Carve out time to visit Choctaw Stadium, home of the Texas Rangers. Formerly known as Globe Life Park, the famous stadium has hosted two World Series Championships and the Major League Baseball All-Star game in 1995.

When planning your visit to Choctaw Stadium, take a look at upcoming concerts or games; famous artists perform concerts here often. If you’re lucky enough to find a game, you’ll enjoy the vibrant excitement of cheering on the Texas Rangers in action.

Book a daily tour of Choctaw Stadium to get access to the behind-the-scenes attractions, including batting cages, and the press box. The price for adults is $25 and for children $15.

River Legacy Park

Needing a break from crowded events? Take a breather at River Legacy Park, one of the top Arlington attractions for nature lovers. Take advantage of its more than 8 miles of hiking trails to bike, jog, or take a leisurely bird-watching stroll.

If you’re traveling with children who love animals, be sure to check the calendar before your trip. River Legacy Park offers many activities for the entire family.

Book a Natural Adventure for the little ones where they can learn about frogs, turtles, snakes, snails, and more! Or enter your children in the annual Art Contest and encourage them to present their masterpieces.

To end your day in nature, reserve a table in the Pavilion Picnic Area. Bring your favorite sandwich and dine overlooking the West Fork Trinity River.

AT&T Stadium

For architecture lovers, no Arlington, TX, travel experience is complete without visiting the AT&T Stadium. Home to the National Football League’s Dallas Cowboys, it’s one of the biggest sports & entertainment venues on earth.

If you’re not lucky enough to get tickets to a Cowboys game, take the self-guided tour of the stadium. Be dazzled by the largest dome-shaped building in the world. To this day, the stadium’s 65,000-square-foot retractable roof system is the steepest ever made. AT&T Stadium also features the world’s largest sliding glass door.

During the self-guided tour, you’ll not only admire the architecture; you’ll also be able to get on the field, throw some passes, and visit the Cowboys’ and cheerleaders’ locker rooms and interview rooms.

If you’re an art lover, take the Art Tour to admire the stadium’s collection of contemporary art, with more than 50 pieces.

Arlington Music Hall

Opened in 1950, Arlington Music Hall is a beautiful vintage theater that’s rich in history. In its beginnings, it worked as a cinema, and later in its history, it included band concerts.

Arlington Music Hall has been recently renovated, maintaining its Art Deco facade that preserves the spirit of the golden age of cinema. Thanks to these restorations, you’ll be able to sit and enjoy the show comfortably. Leading artists give recitals at the venue throughout the year.

Ghost hunting fan? Come to visit Fred, the good ghost who inhabits the Arlington Music Hall. Many local friends have witnessed Fred’s interactions. (Expert investigators from the Dallas Area Paranormal Society have even confirmed his presence in the building!)

Arlington Highlands

Need to shake off the chills? Unwind with a shopping trip to Arlington Highlands. The outdoor shopping center has been awarded Best Of Lifestyle Centers in Texas at least three times. Home furnishings, pet accessories, electronics, or children’s clothing: There’s no category that the shopping mall doesn’t cover.

Arlington Highlands also offers a varied menu for entertainment. If you come with children, go to Dave & Buster’s to try your luck with crazy games, or check out the Studio Movie Grill movies.

If you’re visiting Arlington Highlands as a couple or with friends, the Improv Comedy Club is an ideal option to end the day with a tasty dinner and stand-up comedy.

Tierra Verde Golf Club

Of the four golf courses in Arlington, Tierra Verde Golf Club stands out as the finest. The first municipal golf course in the world to receive the Audubon Signature Sanctuary certificate, Tierra Verde Golf Club emerges as a wonderful fusion of golf and nature.

Whether you’re a beginner or want to improve your technique, you can take part in educational activities at the Tierra Verde Golf Club learning center.

If you’re an experienced player, take advantage of the large 18-hole complex, each equipped with five tee locations, adaptable to the player’s level. Or tackle Tierra Verde Golf Club’s three-hole master course.

Come before golfing and have a delicious breakfast at the Ventana Grille, a restaurant with views of the fields and the green landscape. Or if you prefer lunch or dinner, come after your round, savor a popular Ventana Burger, and enjoy the views!

Arlington Museum of Art

Longing for a walk through art and history? No visit to Arlington would be complete without stopping by the Arlington Museum of Art.

The popular art museum’s history dates back to the 1950s when the Arlington Art Association was founded with the aim of promoting the creation of visual arts in the community. Later, the association changed its name to the Arlington Museum of Art. Its mission turned exclusively to exhibiting contemporary Texas art.

Be dazzled by the innovative and exciting setout. The peculiarity of the Arlington Museum of Art is that it doesn’t have any permanent collections. Instead, it displays the creations of local artists in temporary exhibitions. 

If you’re visiting with children, take them to the Rooftop Gallery. This gallery often becomes an art space for children, with playful and interactive gadgets.

College Park Center

Nostalgic for your college days? Whether it’s for a concert, an expo, or a Mavericks game, book tickets to an event at College Park Center and relive the college excitement.

Built in 2012, College Park Center is a sporting, cultural, and entertainment venue belonging to the University of Texas. It’s home to the WNBA’s Dallas Wings and the university’s men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams.

College Park Center is also the first WNBA venue in Texas to be certified sensory-inclusive with KultureCity. If someone in your family suffers from autism, dementia, PTSD, or other similar conditions, you can request help to make their viewing experience more enjoyable.

Before you visit College Park Center, check the calendar of upcoming events to reserve tickets for your desired event.

Six Flags Over Texas

Who would have thought that Gotham City was so close to North Texas? Well, this is the least of all the crazy things that you’ll find at Six Flags Over Texas. If you’re ready for a day of absolute fun on your trip to Arlington, TX, be sure to pencil in a visit to this exciting amusement park.

Within its 212 acres, Six Flags Over Texas theme park offers more than 35 attractions. They’re distributed in different fictional geographical areas: Spain, France, USA, Texas, and yes, even Gotham City, among others!

Visiting with children? There are plenty of family-friendly experiences here, whether flying Batman’s bat plane, whirling through the sky on a hot air balloon, or holding on tight to a giant spinning hat.

To recover your energy after a day of fun, sip a Frozen Margarita at Casa Bar in the Mexico area, or head to Macho Nacho in Boomtown. Whether you want to munch on a few snacks or sit down to a full meal, there’s a wide variety of appetizing options to choose from.

Crystal Canyon Natural Area

Geology lover? Escape the noise of the city and unwind in the greenery of Crystal Canyon Natural Area, an exotic gem of geological finds. The area is named for the vast number of selenite crystals that can be found here.

Hike the Nature Trail, a smooth-surfaced loop trail with pedestrian bridges spanning the creeks, and benches for resting. The design of the tour along the trail is ecologically sustainable.

At Crystal Canyon Natural Area, you’ll also discover and identify the different types of gypsum crystals and learn about its seasonal irrigation cycle.

Be dazzled by the leafy flora and the varied fauna. Keep your eyes peeled to try to spot an armadillo, gray fox, or one of the many species of birds.

Top O’ Hill Terrace

Of all the places to see in Arlington, Top O’Hill Terrace has the most compelling history. The house opened in the early 1920s as a tea room. It was later purchased by a mischievous couple, who converted the building into a hidden casino.

Top O’Hill Terrace, nicknamed “Vegas Before Vegas,” is the symbol of the period spanning from the 1920s to the late 1940s, an infamous era of mobsters and gangsters. John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, Mae West, and Bonnie & Clyde are some of the infamous characters who flocked to this illegal gambling enterprise.

Visit Top O’Hill Terrace and take the guided tour. Feel the chills of escaping through the narrow concrete tunnel from the hidden gambling room to the tea garden that was used to circumvent police raids.

Gamblers would pretend to be having an innocent tea outside while casino workers transformed the space into a dining room. The roguish mobsters got away with it until 1947, when a final raid ended the game.

Hurricane Harbor

Can’t shake the feeling of gang guilt? Dive into the wacky water rides of Hurricane Harbor and clear your head with a day full of watery fun. If you’re visiting with kids in tow, the popular water park is one of the top points of interest in Arlington, TX.

Hurricane Harbor spreads its more than 20 attractions over 50 acres of enjoyment. It’s the largest water park in North Texas. Everything here is designed in detail to ensure a day of complete fun and zero worries.

Rent a cabin or leave your belongings in the entrance locker. Dive into popular games like Splashwater Beach or Hydra Maniac. Kids will love Hook’s Lagoon Treehouse.

Get yourself the One Day Dining Deal, so you can eat in the park all day with a single payment. The Ground Beef Nachos at Seaside Grill and Bar will quickly become a new favorite.

Texas Live!

If you’re looking forward to a night out with good food and good vibes, Texas Live! is one of the top things to do in do in Arlington, TX. With a strategic location between AT&T Stadium and Choctaw Stadium, it stands out as the meeting point to go before, during, or after a game. The concept is simple: gastronomy, entertainment, and comfort.

Check the Texas Live! event calendar—and come prepared to have a great time. Watch a game or live music with a drink and enjoy the gastronomic offerings.

Try the Mexican street food at Taco Joint, served up by celebrity chef Guy Frieri. Or head to Troy’s, former Dallas Cowboy Troy Aikman’s restaurant & bar, featuring a menu with his favorite dishes and specialty cocktails.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Located less than ten minutes from Arlington in neighboring Grand Prairie, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is a must-see in Texas. At the museum, the incredible becomes reality before your eyes. It’s home to hundreds of interactive attractions that’ll captivate your family, both the youngest and oldest.

World-renowned traveler Robert Ripley left behind an immense legacy of oddities: animal deformities, larger-than-life-size artifacts, oceanic oddities, hard-to-believe stories, and a real shrunken head. Come see them all here in one of his 29 wacky museums, set all around the world.

River Legacy Living Science Center

Has your curiosity sparked a yearning for scientific knowledge? River Legacy Living Science Center has the answers you are looking for.

Explore its 12,000-square-foot area with nature trails and interactive exhibits. Get hands-on knowledge at the traveling exhibit, native animal exhibit, or self-exploration stations.

Be dazzled by the jewel of the center, The Discovery Room. It holds two large aquariums, more innovative exhibits, and a huge 30-foot interactive screen where you can immerse yourself in different habitats.

River Legacy Living Science Center is part of the River Legacy Nature Center. In the park, you can enjoy outdoor activities, such as renting a bike to ride its biking trails or joining in a fundraising event like A Night with Nature.

Theatre Arlington

It’s always a good time for a dramatized story. At the small, less than 200-seat Theatre Arlington, the billing is active throughout the summer. Whether you enjoy comedy, dance, tragedy—or just want to join in on a cultural event, like a book club session—Theatre Arlington has you covered.

Theatre Arlington has been providing theater education and entertainment to North Texas for more than 40 years. Its recent building renovations have preserved the warm and close atmosphere of the space.

The theater presents theatrical pieces to a smaller audience, so it always has a special touch. What you’ll experience as a viewer is a sense of confidentiality and privilege as if you’re the only one in the crowd.

Veterans Park

For a quiet, laid-back afternoon with the family, head over to West Arlington to Veterans Park, one of the first parks built in Arlington. Sprawling over 100 acres, the park features an 18-hole disc golf course, a hike and bike trail, an equestrian trail, a playground for kids, and many more features.

The views at Veterans Park are of two distinct kinds: the short-grass minimalist green and the wildlife area. Within the green space, you can visit the monuments in honor of the soldiers who served the country in World War II and in the Vietnam War. Take a moment to offer your solemn respects before this powerful symbol of honor and duty.

RELATED: Top Tourist Attractions in Dallas

One of the best things to do in Arlington, TX, is to take a stroll through the wildlife garden and the dock over the pond. End the day with your favorite outdoor food in the picnic area.

Tails ‘N Trails Dog Park

Traveling with your little furry four-legged? Arlington has a special place for you and your most faithful friend. Tails ‘N Trails Dog Park is the prettiest of The American Dream City’s dog parks. It’s divided into two areas: one for large dogs and one for small dogs. No matter the size of your pet, you can walk in peace here.

Tails ‘N Trails Dog Park is well kept. The most recent improvements focused on infrastructure, irrigation, a pet waste station, and a trail that connects to the Animal Services Center. There’s also a wooded area and an open grass area here.

RELATED: Top Points of Interest in Fort Worth

After a run, let your puppy cool down and rehydrate in the drinking fountain for puppies!

Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park

Nave a spare day for a nature getaway on your Arlington itinerary? Drive south to neighboring Mansfield, and visit its only natural park: Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park.

Educate. Appreciate. Preserve. The park slogan sums it all up. Take the one-mile Outer Loop Trail to immerse yourself in the verdant forest, and add the Bird Blind Trail to your walk to spot local birds.

Enter the Treehouse Learning Lab to learn more about the fauna and watch birds among the leafy trees. Stop at the Nature Education Center to gain knowledge of the area’s habitat and its flora. Illuminate yourself on the sustainable actions we all need to focus on to take care of our planet.