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 Arlington
is the 3rd biggest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Arlington sits in
the middle of this metropolitan zone, halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth.
The first settlement, in what is now Arlington, was Bird's Fort, just north of
modern day Arlington's
River Legacy Park. When Bird's Fort was built in 1845 it was in Caddo
Indian territory and served as a trading post.
21st century Arlington is known as the Entertainment Capital of North Texas, due
to it being the location of Six Flags
Over Texas, Six Flags Hurricane
Harbor, the Ballpark
in Arlington (where the Texas Rangers play baseball. In 2009 the Dallas
Cowboys began playing football in their new
stadium in Arlington near where the Texas Rangers play.
Arlington has 75 parks, the most notable being the aforementioned 950 acre River
Legacy Park with the River Legacy Living Science Center where you can
take a simulated raft ride down the Trinity River. Watch out for alligator gar and
snakes. Another notable park in Arlington is Veterans
Park.
You will find Six Flags Over Texas at the intersection of I-30 and
Highway 360. Six Flag is open daily 10am - 11pm, in summer, open weekends only
in spring and fall. Six Flags has been the premier Texas amusement park since
1961. Oil Tycoon Angus G. Wynne, Jr. was inspired by a trip to Disneyland that
he set out to build a similar park for the Lone Star State. Six Flags is known
for its roller coasters, including the Texas Giant, Mr. Freeze and Titan, among
others.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor claims to be the largest water park
in the Southwest. Hurricane Harbor is open daily in summer, 10:30am - 7pm,
weekends only in spring and fall. Hurricane Harbor has 47 acres of water rides,
rivers, slides and pools, including the Black Hole's water tubes, Surf Lagoon,
the Bubba Tub tube float and the Tornado's funnel ride. Hurricane Harbor is on
the north side of Interstate 30, directly across from Six Flags Over Texas.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor and Six Flags Over Texas are within walking distance
of the Ballpark in Arlington and the Dallas Cowboy Stadium. Three new pedestrian
friendly bridges connect visitors to both sides of Interstate 30.
In downtown Arlington, on Center Street, you will find
Arlington's version of the Grand Ol' Opry. Since 1974, Johnnie
High's Country Music Revue variety show has been staging what is known as
"The Greatest Show in Texas," in the 1,200 seat Arlington Music Hall.
WHERE TO STAY IN ARLINGTON
You will find plenty of accommodation options in Arlington, especially in the
area around Six Flags Over Texas. The Wingate
Inn is a good choice, close to Six Flags, Hurricane Harbor, the Rangers Ballpark and Cowboy
Stadium. The Hilton Arlington
is also close to the main Arlington Attractions. Due its name you can likely
guess that Courtyard
Dallas Arlington by the Ballpark is walking distance from the Ballpark in
Arlington. Fairfield
Inn Arlington is a nice, but "cheap" place to stay by the
Arlington ballparks. At Studio
Plus Arlington you can stay near Six Flags and the ballparks for as cheap as
49.99 a night, for a large room with a fully equipped kitchen.
WHERE TO EAT IN ARLINGTON
You will find plenty of good restaurants in Arlington, including all the
national chains. Mercado
Juarez is a local chain that is a favorite of locals, for good reason. The Arlington
Steak House chicken-fried steak has been rated the best in Arlington since
1931. Go to Piccolo Mondo,
by the Whole Foods on Lamar, for classic Italian. For fine dining with a view,
head to Cacharel Restaurant
& Grand Ballroom.
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